History and Literature; Ethnomusicology
Music 51 - Engaging Music
This course seeks to expand and refine one’s active engagement with composed music throughout history, through guided listening, reading, and writing. While developing skills for hearing and articulating elements of musical style and structure, students consider ways in which historical narratives shape understandings of our musical landscape. Explores socio-political, religious, and philosophical dimensions of Western musical experience and expression, with a gaze inclusive of cultural issues such as canonicity, musicians’ humanity and motivations, and similarly thought-provoking topics. (Actual course content varies from semester to semester.) GE Area 1.
Music 70 - Ethnomusicology: Theory Method Practice
Examines ethnomusicology (the cultural study of music) as a changing and vital discipline. Focus on the development of ethnomusicological discourse, highlighting its major trends, core ideas, and dilemmas. Topics include attitudes towards cross-cultural musical comparison, the search for universals, insider-outsider epistemologies, definitions of the field and fieldwork, and postcolonial criticism. Letter grade only. Fall only. GE Area 1.
Special Topics
Music 47 - Music in Dialog
This course is an introduction to the varied musical events offered by the Music Department through the performer's perspective, with required attendance at certain concerts. Other related music topics will be based on the student make-up of the class. Content will vary from semester to semester based on the current concert calendar. Previous musical experience not required. GE Area 1.
Music 96A - Electronic Music Studio
Introductory laboratory course designed to develop electronic compositions using techniques of analog and digital synthesis. Instructor permission required. GE Area 6.
Theory
Music 4 - Materials of Music
Engagement with the fundamental materials of music—pitch, rhythm, and harmony—and facility in reading and notation. Open to all students. GE Area 1.
Music 80 - Music Theory I
Musicianship, diatonic harmony, four-part writing, lead sheet realization, and formal analysis. Ability to read music and some prior musical training required. Two additional musicianship sessions per week. GE Area 1. Music Theory Placement test.
Music 87 - Jazz/Pop Improvisation: Theory and Practice
A performance-oriented music theory course to develop ear training, improvisation and fluency in contemporary styles of American music such as jazz, rock, and blues. Development of fluency in all keys through the study of scales, chords, arpeggios, chord progressions, melodic development and improvisation rooted in lead sheet notation. Requires vocal or instrumental ability and fluency in musical notation. Fall only. GE Area 1.
Performance – Lessons
Music 7 - Group Piano
Introduction to keyboard basics and notation. Intended for beginners. Two sections. PERM required to register. Open to all students. GE Area 6.
Music 8 - Group Guitar
Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of classical guitar technique and repertoire, developing musicianship skills through engagement with notated music and chord charts. No experience is required, but students must have a nylon-string classical guitar and guitar footstool. Priority for private lessons in guitar will be given to students who have taken this course. PERM required to register. Open to all students. GE Area 6.
Music 10 - Individual Instruction – Level I
Half-hour private music lesson weekly. Open to beginners and advanced students. P/NC only. Cumulative (quarter) credit. Availability may be limited for some instruments. GE Area 6.
Music 100 - Individual Instruction – Level II
Hour-long private music lesson weekly. Interested student must pass a Qualifying Exam. Ask the Music Department Administrative Coordinator (Thatcher 104) or Professor Givens (Thatcher 104A) for more information. Half credit. GE Area 6.
Performance – Ensembles
All ensembles are half-credit courses and graded P/NP
Music 31 - Pomona College Choir
Large choral ensemble with repertoire drawn mainly from the Western classical tradition from the 16th century to the present written specifically for choral ensemble. Two consecutive semesters fulfill GE Area 6.
Meeting Times: T/Th 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Must Students Audition? - Yes; 8/22 through 8/27 (Fall 2025); sign up through the choral website. Questions contact Professor Di Grazia.
1st class mtg for Fall 2025: T 8/28
Music 32 - Pomona College Glee Club
Advanced chamber choir that explores repertoire spanning the 16th century to the present written specifically for small choral ensemble. Annual domestic (or international) tour each May. GE Area 6.
Meeting Times: Spring only (T 11:10 a.m.–12:40 p.m. and Th 4:10-5:40 p.m.)
Must Students Audition? - Yes; normally, students must also be a member of the Pomona College Choir both semesters. Contact Professor Di Grazia for details.
1st class mtg for Spring 2026: T 1/20
Music 33 - Pomona College Orchestra
Draws from the full symphonic literature for four different programs each academic year, with repertoire from the 18th through the 21st centuries. GE Area 6.
Meeting Times: T/Th 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Must Students Audition? - Yes; 8/30 and 8/31; sign up in Thatcher lobby (1st floor bulletin board outside the Music Department Office). Questions contact Professor Lindholm.
1st class mtg for Fall 2025: T 9/2
Music 35 - Pomona College Band
Concert band that plays both original works and arrangements, primarily from the 19th through 21st centuries. Includes students, faculty, and staff from all of the Claremont Colleges, as well as members of the local community. GE Area 6.
Meeting Times: M/W 6:30–7:55 p.m.
Must Students Audition? - No; attend first class meeting or contact Professor Beeks to express interest.
1st class mtg for Fall 2025: W 9/3
Music 37 - Jazz Ensemble
Plays in a variety of styles, both on and off campus; instrumentation is flexible according to the specialties of qualified students. GE Area 6.
Meeting Times: T/Th 4:15–5:45 p.m.
Must Students Audition? - Yes; 8/26 and 8/28; sign up through the Jazz Ensemble webpage. Questions? Contact Barb Catlin.
1st class mtg for Fall 2025: T 9/2
Music 41 - Balinese Gamelan, Giri Kusuma
Percussion orchestra of bronze gongs and keyed instruments performing music characterized by rhythmic inventiveness and interlocking melodies; no previous experience required. GE Area 6. Instructor: I Nyoman Wenten.
Meeting Times: M 4:15–6:30 p.m.
Must Students Audition? - No; contact Professor Rockwell to express interest.
1st class mtg for Fall 2025: M 8/25
Music 42B - Afro-Cuban Ensemble
Introduction to Afro-Cuban drumming with an emphasis on the music of the polytheistic tradition known as Santería; no previous experience required. GE Area 6. Instructor: Joseph Addington.
Meeting Times: Spring only, M 6:30–9:15 p.m.
Must Students Audition? - No; contact Professor Schreffler to express interest.
1st class mtg for Spring 2026: To be announced
Music 42C - West African Ensemble
Introduction to West African percussion, singing, and dance, with an emphasis on Ghanaian Anlo-Ewe techniques and styles; no previous experience required. GE Area 6. Instructor: Nani Agbeli.
Meeting Times: Fall only, M 6:30–9:15 p.m.
Must Students Audition? - No; contact Nani Agbeli to express interest.
1st class mtg for Fall 2025: M 8/25