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Pursue your future in music
Transfer majors 
- Applied music
- Composition
- Music education
- Music theory and literature
Get your Associate in Fine Arts degree and transfer to a four-year institution. Students can pursue degrees, transfer programs and private study in a challenging but comfortable environment that provides all the tools for success:
- A strong curriculum that builds students' skills and confidence
- Exceptional solo and ensemble performance opportunities include piano, guitar, vocal and jazz ensembles, as well as symphonies and vocal groups
- Mentoring by faculty of more than 50 professional artists and scholars with real-world experience that includes performances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Edgar Gabriel's StringFusion and the Grant Park Orchestra.
Harper is an accredited community college member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), which offers additional professional training opportunities.
Studying music at Harper is a convenient and affordable way to begin your college education. Academic advisors will help you choose courses that meet the specific requirements of the four-year university you plan to attend.
Sample transfer plan
This sample transfer planning guide meet the requirements of the Associate in Fine Arts - Music degree. The music emphasis at Harper College is designed to provide the student with a program equivalent to the first two years of most four-year college programs, with emphasis in music education, musicology, composition, applied music, and theory and literature. Transfer institution requirements may vary - students should check individual college/university requirements before completing the sample plan as outlined. Baccalaureate admission may be competitive. Completion of these courses alone does not guarantee admission.
Completion of the Associate in Fine Arts degree does not fulfill the requirements of the Illinois General Education Core Curriculum. After transfer, Associate in Fine Arts - Music students will need to complete the General Education requirements of the institution to which they transfer.
FIRST SEMESTER:
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Music | 2 | |
| ENG 101 | Composition | 3 |
|
Description: Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900 Prerequisite: ENG 100 with a grade of C or better. Other placement options. ENG_Placement_Grid.pdf ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 086 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 099 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with required reading placement test score. Class Schedule: Spring 2019 | Summer 2019 | Fall 2019 |
||
| Ensemble | 1 | |
| Humanities and Fine Arts1 | 3 | |
| MUS 111 | Theory of Music I | 3 |
|
Description: Begins an intensive study of the structure of music of the Common Practice period. Examines, through analysis and composition, the musical practice of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Corequisite: MUS 115. Class Schedule: Spring 2019 | Summer 2019 | Fall 2019 |
||
| MUS 115 | Aural Skills I | 1 |
|
Description: Develops skills in melodic, harmonic and rhythmic dictation and sight singing. Corequisite: MUS 111. Class Schedule: Spring 2019 | Summer 2019 | Fall 2019 |
||
| MUS 120 | Introduction to Music Literature2 | 3 |
|
Description: Surveys the styles, periods, literature and personalities in each of the commonly accepted music periods, with primary emphasis on hearing music of each style. IAI F1 901 Class Schedule: Spring 2019 | Summer 2019 | Fall 2019 |
||
| MUS 165 | Class Piano I3 | 2 |
|
Description: Develops a rudimentary knowledge of the keyboard and playing skills sufficient to cope with simple, practical situations. Emphasis on tonal notation, harmonization, transposition, sight reading, improvisation, ensemble playing and basic piano literature. Class Schedule: Spring 2019 | Summer 2019 | Fall 2019 |
||
SECOND SEMESTER:
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Music | 2 | |
| ENG 102 | Composition | 3 |
|
Description: Continues ENG 101. Reading literature and writing of various types of prose. Introduces methods used in writing investigative papers. IAI C1 901R Prerequisite: ENG 101 with a grade of C or better, or consent of instructor or department chair. Class Schedule: Spring 2019 | Summer 2019 | Fall 2019 |
||
| Ensemble | 1 | |
| Humanities and Fine Arts1 | 3 | |
| Mathematics4 | 3 | |
| MUS 112 | Theory of Music II | 3 |
|
Description: Continues the study of the structure of music of the Common Practice period. Examines, through analysis and composition, the musical practice of the middle to late 18th and early 19th centuries, paying particular attention to harmonic language and its effect upon musical form. Prerequisite: MUS 111 with a grade of C or better. Corequisite: MUS 116. Class Schedule: Spring 2019 | Summer 2019 | Fall 2019 |
||
| MUS 116 | Aural Skills II | 1 |
|
Description: Develops skills in melodic, harmonic and rhythmic dictation and sight singing. Corequisite: MUS 112. Class Schedule: Spring 2019 | Summer 2019 | Fall 2019 |
||
| MUS 166 | Class Piano II3 | 2 |
|
Description: Continues MUS 165. Prerequisite: MUS 165 with a grade of C or better or proficiency examination. Class Schedule: Spring 2019 | Summer 2019 | Fall 2019 |
||
THIRD SEMESTER:
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Music | 2 | |
| Ensemble | 1 | |
| MUS 211 | Theory of Music III | 3 |
|
Description: Completes the study of the structure of music of the Common Practice period and begins the study of subsequent periods. Examines, through analysis and composition, the musical practice of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Prerequisite: MUS 112 with a grade of C or better. Corequisite: MUS 215. Class Schedule: Spring 2019 | Summer 2019 | Fall 2019 |
||
| MUS 215 | Aural Skills III | 1 |
|
Description: Develops skills in melodic, harmonic and rhythmic dictation and sight singing. Corequisite: MUS 211. Class Schedule: Spring 2019 | Summer 2019 | Fall 2019 |
||
| MUS 265 | Class Piano III3 | 2 |
|
Description: Continues MUS 166. Greater emphasis on keyboard harmony, ensemble playing and jazz improvisation. Prerequisite: MUS 166 with a grade of C or better or proficiency examination. Class Schedule: Spring 2019 | Summer 2019 | Fall 2019 |
||
| Physical and Life Science5 | 3 | |
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
|
Description: Theory and practice of oral communications. Development of poise, confidence and skill in speech organization and delivery. Emphasis on frequent speaking, development of standards of criticism and selection and organization of material. IAI C2 900 Class Schedule: Spring 2019 | Summer 2019 | Fall 2019 |
||
FOURTH SEMESTER:
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Music | 2 | |
| Ensemble | 1 | |
| MUS 212 | Theory of Music IV | 3 |
|
Description: Completes the study of the structure of classical and avant-garde music in the 20th century. Explores the structure of tonal music from a linear perspective. Prerequisite: MUS 211 with a grade of C or better. Corequisite: MUS 216. Class Schedule: Spring 2019 | Summer 2019 | Fall 2019 |
||
| MUS 216 | Aural Skills IV | 1 |
|
Description: Develops skills in melodic, harmonic and rhythmic dictation and sight singing. Corequisite: MUS 212. Class Schedule: Spring 2019 | Summer 2019 | Fall 2019 |
||
| MUS 266 | Class Piano IV3 | 2 |
|
Description: Continues MUS 265. Prerequisite: MUS 265 with a grade of C or better or proficiency examination. Class Schedule: Spring 2019 | Summer 2019 | Fall 2019 |
||
| Physical and Life Science5 | 4 | |
| Social and Behavioral Science6 | 3 | |
1 - Select one course from Humanities and one course from Fine Arts. Interdisciplinary courses may count as either category. One course from Humanities and Fine Arts or Social and Behavioral Sciences must meet the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement. Refer to the Associate in Fine Arts - Music degree for the approved courses in this category.
2 - All music students are also encouraged to take MUS 223 and MUS 224 literature courses.
3 - MUS 165, 166, 265, and 266 may be passed by proficiency exam.
4 - Refer to the Associate in Fine Arts - Music degree for approved courses in this category.
5 - Select one Physical and one Life Science course. At least one must include a lab. Refer to the Associate in Fine Arts degree for approved courses in this category.
6 - One course from Humanities and Fine Arts or Social and Behavioral Sciences must meet the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement. Refer to the Associate in Fine Arts - Music degree for the approved courses in this category.
Resources
Next steps
For more information about studying music at Harper, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.