Music

Are you a Musician? Those of us who have gone on to become professional musicians discover quite early in life who we are. It may be a talent for singing, an internal resonance to the sound of flute or cello, or a fascination with the possibilities of electric guitar. You may have played in your high-school band, sung in an a cappella group, or been the star of your local rock band. Whatever your connection to music so far, you know it’s there and realize its importance to your life. But how does this love for music fit into your college education? Can music continue to be part of your future or your career?

Want to Major or Minor in Music? The Roger Williams University Music Program offers a B.A. degree in Music as well as a Music Minor and a Music Concentration in the University's Core Program. Our faculty are dedicated to helping students explore their options. Music Majors frequently take advantage of RWU’s excellent professional schools, double-majoring or including a minor in business, marketing, public relations, journalism or graphic design. Some combine music with psychology, aiming at graduate school in Music Therapy. Adding minors in film studies, art, computer science, education, and theatre are other possibilities our students have pursued.

Looking for Other Options? Perhaps Music is not your main reason for attending college, but you are thinking of adding a Music Minor to learn more about composing or music history or to improve your performing abilities. Maybe you simply want to continue to play or sing with a group on campus. Take a few minutes to explore the resources here on our Music Page, and consider making Music part of your RWU experience.

Applying

The Roger Williams University Music Program offers a B.A. degree with a Major in Music, as well as a Music Minor. If you are accepted by the University you are welcome to major in Music; the program does not have a separate audition requirement. Our B.A. degree provides a broader focus than one would find in a conservatory, and our philosophy is to work with students at all levels of skill and knowledge to develop their understanding of music-- in the world, in history, and in performance.

After you have competed the Foundation courses for the major you will have an opportunity to choose one of two tracks for your remaining courses. The “Music & Culture” track highlights performance and world culture through music, and the “Music & Technology” track explores 21st century developments in music, as influenced by new electronic and computer technologies.

In addition to studying Music, we encourage our students to take advantage of their access to world-class professional programs right here on campus. Our Music Majors have gone on to study and work in music performance and recording, music therapy, and arts management.

For information on how to apply to Roger Williams University, go to the Admissions page. If you have already studied music theory, you can get information on taking a test-out for Music 170 Basic Musicianship, the prerequisite to the Music Program's three-course theory sequence, by downloading the Test-Out description, or emailing Assistant Professor Elliott McKinley.