#1 ·MUSIC 269
Ensemble-string
1 creditsMUSIC 269 is an ensemble-string course focused on assignments in performing ensemble literature.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026← 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.
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29 coursesHistorical grades cover up to five years through the selected term. Only courses with at least 100 letter grades are ranked.
#2 ·MUSIC 262
Jazz Ensemble
1 creditsMUSIC 262 is a Jazz Ensemble course focused on assignments in performing ensemble literature.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026MUSIC 570 is the University Symphony Orchestra, combining performance with study of performance practice and orchestral literature.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026#4 ·MUSIC 574
Wind Ensemble
1 creditsMUSIC 574 is a wind ensemble course for students with exceptional performance ability who audition for placement.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026#5 ·MUSIC 268
Ensemble-percussion
1 creditsENSEMBLE-PERCUSSION covers assignments in performing ensemble literature.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026#6 ·MUSIC 43
University Band
1 creditsMUSIC 43 is the University Band, focusing on the exploration and performance of standard and contemporary band literature.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026MUSIC 60 is an introductory string orchestra course focused on rehearsal and study of string orchestra literature.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Janet Jensen: Reviewers characterize the music as not too difficult, though one notes occasional poor repertoire choices that the instructor compensates for.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026#8 ·MUSIC 41
Concert Band
1 creditsMUSIC 41 is a concert band course focused on the rehearsal and performance of wind ensemble and band literature.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026#9 ·MUSIC 556
University Opera
1–2 creditsMUSIC 556 is a graduate-level course focused on the preparation, rehearsal, and performance of opera roles in a University production.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026#10 ·MUSIC 267
Ensemble-brass
1 creditsMUSIC 267 is an ensemble course focused on performing brass literature, requiring audition and instructor consent.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026#11 ·MUSIC 256
University Opera
1–2 creditsMUSIC 256 (UNIVERSITY OPERA) covers opera role preparation, rehearsal, and performance in a University opera production.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026MUSIC 62 is the University Symphony Orchestra, focusing on playing and public performance of symphonic repertoire.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026#13 ·MUSIC 40
Wind Ensemble
1 creditsMUSIC 40 is a wind ensemble course focused on the rehearsal and performance of band literature, requiring an audition.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026#14 ·MUSIC 59
University Chorus
1 creditsMUSIC 59 is the University Chorus, focusing on the exploration and performance of standard choral literature.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2023–Spring 2026#15 ·MUSIC 260
Global Hand Drumming Ensemble: Survey of Selected Global Hand Drumming Traditions
1 creditsMUSIC 260 explores global hand drumming traditions and culminates in group performance.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026#16 ·MUSIC 52
Treble Choir
1 creditsTREBLE CHOIR explores, rehearses, studies, and performs choral repertoire for treble voices.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026#17 ·MUSIC 56
Chorale
1 creditsMUSIC 56 is a choral ensemble course focusing on vocal training and performance of concert literature.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026#18 ·MUSIC 50
Concert Choir
1 creditsMUSIC 50 is a concert choir course focusing on choral vocal training and the study and performance of concert literature.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026#19 ·MUSIC 297
Special Topics in Music
1–3 creditsMUSIC 297 explores wide-ranging topics in music history, performance, theory, or education.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Margaret Butler: Margaret Butler's section is reported as unnecessarily tough on grading and punishing for minor guideline deviations or illness.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2023–Spring 2026#20 ·AFROAMER/DANCE/MUSIC 318
Cultural Cross Currents: West African Dance/music in the Americas
3 creditsExamines the influence of West African dance and music heritage on the development of hybrid cultural forms in the Americas through historical and social contexts.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Reviewers report a heavy weekly workload involving approximately 15 assignments and 50-100 pages of reading, with strict requirements for using quotes in written work.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026#21 ·MUSIC 42
Varsity Band
1 creditsMUSIC 42 is a varsity band course focused on the rehearsal and performance of music for athletic events, requiring an audition for enrollment.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026#22 ·MUSIC 113
Music in Performance
1 creditsMUSIC 113 provides descriptive lectures on chamber music accompanied by live performances.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
The workload is minimal, requiring weekly attendance, listening to music, and completing short quizzes or paragraphs. One review mentions that quiz answers are sometimes posted, and the final class offers extra credit.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026#23 ·MUSIC 497
Special Topics in Music
1–3 creditsMUSIC 497 explores wide-ranging topics in music history, theory, or education.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2022–Spring 2026MUSICA PRACTICA: AURAL SKILLS 3 provides intermediate aural skills instruction.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025Examines cultural influences on jazz development through ethnomusicology, history, and anthropology.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Workload includes weekly reading responses and a final paper, with exams drawn directly from lecture slides.
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026MUSICA PRACTICA: AURAL SKILLS 1 provides introductory instruction in aural skills.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025#27 ·MUSIC 221
Musica Practica 3
3 creditsMUSICA PRACTICA 3 teaches advanced strategies for composing, understanding, and writing about music.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of David Crook, Leslie Blasius: Difficulty ratings are moderate, with one review noting a low difficulty level when students actively engage and ask questions.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025#28 ·MUSIC 121
Musica Practica 1
3 creditsMUSICA PRACTICA 1 teaches strategies for composing, understanding, and writing about music.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
Historical reviews of Brian Hyer: The course assumes strong prior theory knowledge, including melodic singing and accurate ear training, creating a steep learning curve. Some reviewers found the assignments and papers to be a significant time commitment or a waste of time.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025Introduces the development of music in the European tradition prior to 1750.
Offering recorded · Fall 2026
The course involves significant reading and three to four essays, though quizzes and writing assignments are described as low pressure and engaging.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025