← Music (MUSIC)

Easiest courses in Music

Looking for a gentler semester? Start with courses where students have earned higher grades.

Highest historical GPA first. At least 100 letter grades over the five years through the selected term. Grades reflect past outcomes, not workload or a guaranteed result.

Find your fit

25 courses

Ranked courses have at least 100 recorded letter grades.

Ensemble-string course involving assignments in performing ensemble literature.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Jazz Ensemble involves assignments in performing ensemble literature, requiring auditions and instructor consent for new enrollees to rehearse and perform classic jazz repertoire in live settings.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

MUSIC 268 involves assignments in performing ensemble literature, with an audition and instructor consent required for first-time enrollment.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

University Symphony Orchestra course combining performance with study of performance practice and orchestral literature; students audition for placement before the semester begins.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Advanced wind ensemble course for students with exceptional performance ability, focusing on chamber and large ensemble settings.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

University Band explores and performs standard and contemporary band literature, focusing on ensemble skills and expressive performance.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

All-University String Orchestra covers rehearsal and study of string orchestra literature at the introductory level.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Janet Jensen

One student reported the music was not too difficult, noting that the instructor selected good pieces to maintain engagement.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Concert Band involves rehearsal and performance of wind ensemble and band literature, requiring an audition for placement.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Ensemble-Brass involves assignments in performing ensemble literature, requiring audition and instructor consent for first-time enrollment, focusing on brass chamber repertoire.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

The University Symphony Orchestra involves playing and publicly performing symphonic repertoire, with an audition requirement for entry.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Wind Ensemble involves rehearsal and performance of music from wind ensemble and band literature. An audition is required for participation.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

University Chorus explores and performs standard choral literature.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2023–Spring 2026

CHORALE provides choral vocal training and the study and performance of concert literature. An audition is required for enrollment.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Explores global hand drumming traditions with group performance opportunities, teaching techniques, rhythms, and skills to facilitate drum circles for all levels.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Concert Choir offers choral vocal training and the study and performance of concert literature, requiring an audition for entry.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Treble Choir explores, rehearses, studies, and performs choral repertoire for treble voices.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Special Topics in Music explores wide-ranging topics in music history, performance, theory, or education.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Margaret Butler

Grading was characterized as unnecessarily tough, with specific complaints about penalties for illness and lack of clear direction.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2023–Spring 2026

Varsity Band involves rehearsal and performance of music for athletic events, requiring an audition.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

MUSIC IN PERFORMANCE features descriptive lectures on chamber music and live performances by the instructor and other musicians.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Johanna Wienholts

A past student of Johanna Wienholts described the course as 'clap for credit,' saying they showed up weekly, listened to music, and found quiz answers posted on the board.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Special Topics in Music explores wide-ranging topics in music history, music theory, or music education.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2026

Survey of the history of Western music covering the development of music in the European tradition from 1750 to the present.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2023–Spring 2026

Jazz in 20th-Century America examines cultural influences on jazz development through historical and ethnographic works, focusing on syncretism, nationalism, and globalization.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Matthew Endres

Weekly reading responses required 200–300 words, while exams were described as easy if students reviewed the slides, and the final essay was graded leniently.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2023–Spring 2026

Musica Practica: Aural Skills 2 continues introductory aural skill instruction, focusing on diatonic and chromatic melody performance and dictation.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2023–Spring 2026

Introductory ethnomusicology course exploring global musics beyond standard music history through active engagement in larger world contexts.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

Past student reviews · Erin Brooks

There was almost no homework, and students found that simply showing up to class and preparing for each midterm was sufficient to achieve a good grade.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Spring 2025

Musica Practica 2 continues strategies for composing, understanding, and writing about music.

Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2023–Spring 2026