Music Minors

General Minor in Music

Mississippi State University offers MSU students the opportunity to complete a minor in music. Students must audition and be accepted as a music minor before it can be declared.  Acceptance in any given studio area is on a space available basis. The requirements for the music minor can not be completed after graduating from MSU. All courses must be completed at Mississippi State University, and a minimum grade of C is required for all courses.

To declare a Minor in Music, bring this form to the Department of Music to schedule your audition and initial advising session.

General Music Minor Requirements

Music History (2-3 hours)

Choose one of the following courses:

  • MU 1103 African-American Music (3 hours)
  • MU 1113 History and Appreciation of Music (3 hours)
  • MU 1123 History and Appreciation of American Music (3 hours)
  • MU 1133 The History of Rock and Roll (3 hours)
  • MU 1143 The History of Jazz (3 hours)
  • MU 1153 Music of Africa (3 hours)
  • MU 1163 Introduction to Film Music (3 hours)
  • MU 2012 World Music (2 hours)
  • MU 2173 Women in Music (3 hours)
  • MU 3013 Survey of Western Music I (3 hours)

Music Theory and Aural Skills (8 hours)

  • MU 1213 Music Theory I (3 hours)
  • MU 1321 Ear Training I (1 hour)
  • MU 1413 Music Theory II (3 hours)
  • MU 1521 Ear Training II (1 hour)

Class Piano (2 hours)

  • MU 2111 Piano Class I (1 hour)
  • MU 2121 Piano Class II (1 hour)
  • OR
  • MU 3112 Functional Skills Piano I (2 hours)

Applied Study (4 hours)

Two semesters of study (2 credit hours each semester) must be completed on the same instrument.

Ensembles (2 hours)

Two semesters of major or minor ensembles

Recital Hour (0 hours)

MU 1010 Recital Hour must be taken for 2 semesters

Total Hours for the minor: 18-19

Minor in Audio Production

The Audio Production minor is designed to equip students with essential skills for careers in music production, live sound, and audio engineering. Through hands-on courses, students will gain proficiency in cutting-edge technology and industry-standard practices, preparing them for diverse roles in the ever-evolving field of audio production.

Students completing the Audio Production minor will be well-positioned for entry-level experiences in:

  • Music Production and Engineering
  • Live Sound and Event Audio Management
  • Audio Post-Production for Film, Television, and Games
  • Podcast and Radio Production
  • Music Business and Artist Management

This minor is ideal for students seeking to enhance their knowledge of audio technology and production in preparation for further study in the music industry or related fields.

For more information about adding the Minor in Audio Production contact Dr. Richard Human. 

Minor in Audio Production Requirements

Required Basic Musicianship Courses (4 hours)

  • MU 1213 Music Theory I
  • MU 1312 Ear Training I

Required Content Courses (15 hours)

  • MU 1553 Computer Skills for Musicians
  • MU 2573 Microphone Techniques
  • MU 3543 Music Business & Ethics
  • MU 3553 Audio Production 1
  • MU 3563 Audio Production 2

Total Hours for the minor: 19

Minor in Music and Culture

The Minor in Music and Culture is intended for students with an interest in non-Western music, especially the music of Africa and the African Diaspora. The program offers students from any major the opportunity to study the ways in which human cultural diversity is represented through music.  The minor features an interdisciplinary approach to exploring music and supports Mississippi State University's vision of diversity and global involvement.  The minor is distinct from other existing degrees in that it offers an anthropological approach that does not rely heavily on music performance skills. 

To declare a Minor in Music & Culture, bring this form to the Department of Music to schedule your initial advising session.

Students seeking a Minor in Music and Culture are required to complete the following courses:

Required (6 hours):

  • AN 1143 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3 hours)

  • MU 2102 World Music (2 hours)

  • Chose one of the following for the sixth hour:

    • MU 1401 Recreational Interactive Drumming  (1 hour)

    • PE 1091 Contemporary Dance (1 hour)

Electives (12 hours):

Non-Western Music and Culture Electives (6 hours):

  • MU 1153 Music of Africa (3 hours)

  • MU 2023 Music of Latin America (3 hours)

  • MU 1103 African American Music (3 hours)

  • MU 3103 Native American Music (3 hours)

Western Music and Culture Electives (6 hours):

  • MU 1123 History and Appreciation of American Music (3 hours)

  • MU 1133 The History of Rock and Roll (3 hours)

  • MU 1143 The History of Jazz (3 hours)

  • MU 1163 Introduction to Music in Film (3 hours)

  • MU 1173 Music of the Beatles (3 hours)

  • MU 2173 Women in Music (3 hours)

 

For more information on the Minor in Music & Culture, contact Professor Robert J. Damm by email at rdamm@colledmsstate.edu.

Notes:

(1) To earn a Minor in Music from Mississippi State University, all coursework must be completed at Mississippi State University, Starkville Campus, with a grade of C or better. The requirements for the music minor cannot be completed after graduating from MSU.