At Princeton, the Music Major and Minor are built around your individual interests and goals.
You can compose, perform, research—or combine them in any way—within a program designed for creativity, flexibility, and depth. Whether you are developing bold new works, studying music history, or blending scholarship with performance, you’ll have the guidance, resources, and freedom to shape a path that is truly your own.
MUSIC MINOR
Course Recommendations:
MUS 262/ AAS 262 Jazz History
MUS 261 Introduction to Jazz Arranging, Composition and/or MUS 263 Arranging and Composing for Large Jazz Ensemble
MUS 319 Composition and Improvisation
MUS 340 Advanced Concepts in Jazz Improvisation
Optional Independent Work: Active membership in one of the approved faculty-led jazz ensembles is encouraged
JAZZ PERFORMANCE MINOR
5 Required Courses:
One (1) Culture & Criticism Course
One (1) Music (MUS) Elective Course
Two (2) Music Performance (MPP) Electives
By petition of the relevant Program Director, one of these electives can be outside MUS, though must reflect a coherent plan of study (i.e., a particular African American studies course in support of a plan of study focusing on Jazz Performance)
Specific Program Recommendations:
MUS 262/AAS 262
Two (2) of MUS 261, MUS 263, MUS 319, MUS 340
One (1) Course in Jazz Performance: MPP 251, MPP 252
Performance Project: Recital is required in senior year and must be a demonstration of core study with the program approved by both applicable department studio faculty member & relevant Program Director. See Student Recital Policies and Procedures.
Ensemble Participation: Participation is required in both the junior and senior years in an approved faculty-led department jazz ensemble in which the student is playing the instrument/singing in the tradition for which they were admitted into the Minor.
Studio Lessons:
Studio lessons are required in all four semesters of junior and senior years.
All lessons must be with a Department of Music studio instructor and be in the instrument and performance tradition for which the student was admitted into the program.
Third year students will be required to give a jury in the spring semester