Think about what music can do. It can stir the soul and fire the imagination - not to mention rock the room and get a crowd to its feet.

Now think about what you can do with music. You can perform solo or with a band, be a composer, work as a booking agent or a concert promoter, be a music critic, deejay, broadcaster, or teach. And with additional training, graduates carve out careers in secondary music education, classical performance, music therapy, and music librarianship.

Music majors at Southern get the preparation and practice they need to make music their life's work. The program provides students with a strong foundation in musical traditions, solid working knowledge of music theory, and the chance to develop their talents through rigorous and inventive training in musicianship.

All majors take a full year of improvisation, learning how to push their technical limits and think on their feet creatively. Among the faculty are a noted jazz authority, a historical musicologist, a scholar of African-American music, and an active composer and electronic music expert.

Beyond the classroom and the practice studio, music majors have an array of on-campus performance opportunities, including the Jubilee Singers - Southern's choir - the Concert Band, the Jazz Ensemble, The Creative Music Orchestra, and Chamber Music. Further, New Haven's vital jazz and rock scene is virtually at Southern's doorstep. Clubs, concerts, jam sessions, and festivals - chances to hear great music and play your own are everywhere. And a few hours' travel puts you in the center of the New York and Boston music scenes.

examines traditional Western art music through the major historical trends and styles: the Baroque Era, from the birth of opera to Handel and Bach; the Classic Era, concentrating on the masterworks of Haydn, Mozart, and early Beethoven; and the Romantic Era, culminating in Wagnerian opera. This program also delves into the study of opera and the life and works of Beethoven.

allows students to follow their musical leanings in a course of study that explores the rich musical contributions and culture of different regions around the world. Students may explore American popular music, jazz history, African-American music, and musical theatre. Also examined are the musics of Japan, China, India, and Africa, along with Native American tribal music and European folk traditions.

zeroes in on the techniques and skills needed for composing and arranging. Students tackle advanced musical form and analysis as well as explore current electronic music techniques in Southern's up-to-date electronic music lab. This specialization is ideal for potential songwriters and composers and students planning careers in creative commercial fields.

For more information, contact the Department of Music at (203) 392-6625.