Music Minors
The School of Music offers several minors for majors as well as non-majors who have a strong interest in music studies. Minors can only be declared once a student is enrolled full-time. Both Music majors who are interested in adding a specific Minor in Music and non-majors who wish to apply for the general Minor in Music should direct questions to Kate Ganczarz, Senior Academic Advisor, at kganczarz@cmu.edu. More information about other minors offered in the College of Fine Arts can be found here.
Applying for a Minor in Music
Once they have arrived on campus, students can apply for the applicable Minor in Music using the application form on this page. Specific minors have additional requirements for enrollment and academic progress, as outlined below.
Minors Open to Music Majors Only
Collaborative Piano
Minor in Collaborative Piano
This sequence is only open to BFA in Music Performance (Piano) students who wish to develop collaborative piano skills.
Additional Admission Requirements
This minor is available to BFA in Music Performance (Piano) students only.
Curricular Requirements
A minimum of 54 units is required for the Minor in Collaborative Piano. Required and elective courses are listed here and in the Undergraduate Catalog.
Conducting
Minor in Conducting
This minor is designed for Music majors interested in developing their conducting skills and also possess leadership and organizational aptitude.
Additional Admission Requirements
Undergraduate students in the School of Music can apply for the Minor in Conducting starting in their sophomore year. Please note that space is limited. Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 QPA and maintain good academic standing for their major program through graduation. An interview with the conducting faculty is part of the application process in addition to the prerequisite coursework.
Curricular Requirements
A minimum of 54 units is required for the Minor in Conducting. Prerequisite, required, and elective courses are listed here and in the Undergraduate Catalog.
Minor in Music Education (Without Certification)
Minor in Music Education (Without Certification)
Additional Admission Requirements
Questions about the Minor in Music Education and the additional options available for teaching certification should be directed to Dr. Susan Raponi, Director of Music Education (sraponi@andrew.cmu.edu). Admission to the Music Education minors is handled by the office of the Senior Academic Advisor in consultation with the Director of Music Education.
Admission to this minor is open to Music majors and BXA students in Music after the completion of their first semester at CMU. Once accepted into the program, students must maintain a 3.0 QPA and remain in good academic standing. Enrollment in Clinical courses requires completing all Pre-Clinical Courses with a 3.0 QPA and securing all necessary Child Protection Clearances through the Director of Music Education and CMU Human Resources.
Curricular Requirements
A minimum of 57 units is required for the Minor in Music Education. Required pre-clinical and clinical courses are listed here and in the Undergraduate Catalog.
Again, this option does not include teaching certification. Please see the Music Education Certification page for more information about routes to certification, etc.
Music Technology
Music Technology Minor
This minor is open to Music majors eager to explore the intersections between performance, research, and innovation.
Additional Admission Requirements
None.
Curricular Requirements
A minimum of 54 units is required for the Minor in Music Technology. Prerequisite, required, and elective courses are listed here and in the Undergraduate Catalog.
Music Theory
Minors Open to Non-Music Majors Only
Music
Music Minor
for non-music majors
Admission Requirements
Students must have declared a major in their home college and have at least a 2.75 overall QPA.
Prerequisite Course for all minors for non-music majors - 0-3 units
Beginning Piano is required of students who do not pass a piano proficiency test.
Required Music Courses for all minors - 25 units
* Basic Harmony I and/or Basic Solfege I are required of students who do not qualify for entrance into Harmony I and/or Solfege I, based on their scores on the theory and solfege placement tests.
Required Studio Courses (studio fee is charged)
Elective Courses - 18 units
Elective courses are to be chosen from those courses listed for the School of Music in the current course catalog.
Minimum Units Required: 67
Music Technology
Music Technology Minor
for non-music majors
Admission Requirements
Students must have declared a major in their home college and have at least a 2.75 overall QPA.
Prerequisite Course for all minors for non-music majors - 0-3 units
Beginning Piano is required of students who do not pass a piano proficiency test.
Required Music Courses for all minors - 25 units
* Basic Harmony I and/or Basic Solfege I are required of students who do not qualify for entrance into Harmony I and/or Solfege I, based on their scores on the theory and solfege placement tests.
Music Technology
Sound Recording Courses
Music Technology/Sound Courses (choose 3) - 21 units
Choose three courses. One of the three courses must be either Introduction to Computer Music or Electronic and Computer Music. (Note that 15-100 or 15-110 is a prerequisite for 15-322; 57-101 or 57-171 is a prerequisite for 57-347.)
Minimum units required: 67
Music Theory
Music Theory Minor
ADMISSION TO THIS MAJOR HAS BEEN PAUSED FOR FALL 2025. Current students should contact the Senior Academic Advisor in Music to determine their path to completion.
Admission Requirements
Students must have declared a major in their home college and have at least a 2.75 overall QPA.
Prerequisite Course for all minors for non-music majors - 0-3 units
Beginning Piano is required of students who do not pass a piano proficiency test.
Required Music Courses for all minors - 25 units
Required Theory Courses for non-music majors - 21 units
Advanced Theory Course for non-music majors (choose 1) - 6-9 units
See theory courses on the Music Support Courses Two-Year Rotation list. Click on Music Support Course Two-Year Rotation. A graduate course may be taken with the permission of the instructor.
Elective Courses for non-music majors - 18 units
Elective courses are to be chosen from those courses listed for the School of Music in the current catalog.
Minimum units required: 70