Winter semester registration is well underway, and BYU students continue to scramble as they add, drop and edit their class schedules.
One department that is overlooked by many when considering classes to take is music. Even if students are not music majors, taking a music class is a beneficial way to fill one's schedule — whether it be for elective or arts credit, an entertaining break from heavy classes or to magnify a talent.
“It provides you with an opportunity to go into music at a deeper college level and really apply that knowledge,” Madeline Clifford, a junior in the Music Dance Theatre program, explained.
There is a wide variety of music classes available to all students at BYU, no matter their major. The list includes:
- MUSIC 100 – Music Fundamentals
- MUSIC 101 – Introduction to Music
- MUSIC 111R – Basic Vocal Skills
- MUSIC 113 – Beginning Piano Techniques 1
- MUSIC 114R – Beginning Piano Techniques 2
- MUSIC 115 – Basic Organ Skills
- MUSIC 116R – Organ Techniques and Literature
- MUSIC 117 – Basic Guitar Skills
- MUSIC 118R – Guitar Techniques and Literature
- MUSIC 123 – Harp Preparation for Large Ensemble
- MUSIC 135 – Basic Conducting
- MUSIC 160R – Choice of Bassoon, Carillon, Cello, Clarinet, Classical Voice, Contemporary Voice, Euphonium, Flute, Guitar, Harp, Harpsichord, Horn, Performance Instruction: Music Technology Studio, Oboe, Organ, Percussion, Performance Instruction, Piano, Saxophone, String Bass, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Viola or Violin
- MUSIC 166 – Organ Registration
- MUSIC 176 – Careers in Music Education
- MUSIC 186 – Songwriting 1
- MUSIC 201 – Civilization: Music 1
- MUSIC 202 – Civilization: Music 2
- MUSIC 203 – World Music Cultures
- MUSIC 204 – Introduction to Jazz
All classes listed are available for Winter Semester 2025, with the exception of MUSIC 123, MUSIC 166 and three sections of MUSIC 160R — Performance Instruction, Performance Instruction: Music Technology Studio, and Harpsichord.
Jaren Hinckley, a music professor at BYU, will teach various sections of MUSIC 101 in winter 2025.
“I hope that they develop a love of classical music and continue to seek it out for the rest of their lives, both in their day-to-day lives and in their pursuit of live entertainment options,” Hinckley said in describing his goals for his students. “Keep the arts alive.”
Hinckley also aims for his students to understand the variety classical music brings to the table, as well as expand their knowledge of musical genres, forms, styles and techniques by asking questions.
“Music enhances our lives in so many ways. Without music, how boring would our lives be?” Hinckley reflected.
Senior Logan McNatt majors in a topic that contrasts substantially with that of music — information systems. However, this semester he is taking the contemporary voice section of MUSIC 160R.
“I had more time on my hands, and I was like, ‘I might as well do something I love,’” McNatt said.
McNatt has been a dancer since he was young and currently teaches DANCE 180 — or Social Dance, Beginning — at BYU.
While he dedicates most of his time to studying information systems, he does not shy away from embracing his more artistic side. With time to fill in his schedule, he decided to polish up his singing skills with BYU’s MUSIC 160R.
“I wanted to take voice lessons so that I could audition for a musical and maybe be able to make it,” McNatt expressed.
McNatt explained that his wife, Leah McNatt, is a notably talented singer and dancer and usually gets the best parts in plays for which she auditions.
“It would be awesome if in the future we both could ... be in a musical together,” he said.
McNatt said when a student registers for MUSIC 160R, they are assigned a professor to work with one-on-one throughout the semester, according to the student’s schedule availability.
With a schedule of 30 minutes per week, the class focuses on improving vocal techniques with exercises. Students also work on two to three performance songs to perfect by the end of the semester, according to McNatt.
Clifford studies a major in which music takes center stage. By taking major and non-major music classes, her love for music has grown deeply throughout her college career.
Along with Music Dance Theater classes, Clifford has taken MUSIC 100 and MUSIC 113.
In MUSIC 100, Music Fundamentals, professors teach songwriting, the Circle of Fifths, leading music and other topics, according to Clifford.
“I feel like as members (of the Church) we grow up kind of learning from the back of the hymn book,” Clifford remarked. “But I ... had never taken an actual course before on how to lead music, and that was super insightful. I feel like I learned a lot of new things.”
Clifford reported that MUSIC 100 is the perfect beginner course because the class meets only once per week for an hour.
Concerning MUSIC 113, Beginning Piano Techniques 1, Clifford explained that every student sits at their own piano with headphones. The class, taught by BYU masters students, works through the basics of piano playing using a course called Piano Marvel.
“If you’ve never taken a (music) class in your life, that’s where you can start,” Clifford highlighted. “Everyone was able to grow from where they started, which was cool.”
Clifford feels that learning music in a classroom setting dramatically improves students’ performance abilities.
“Sometimes the scariest part is doing it in front of people, and not by yourself,” she said. “Then you feel like you’re growing the most.”
Hinckley, who earned his doctoral degree in clarinet performance at Florida State University, also teaches clarinet-specific major courses. He reported why he loves to teach music.
“I love to share my enjoyment with others,” he remarked.
Students can adopt a love for music, or feed it if they already have one, with the variety of music classes BYU offers. The passion BYU music professors have to offer translates to top-notch teaching skills.
Music classes can be added to schedules until winter semester’s add/drop deadline on Jan. 15, 2025.
Some classes like MUSIC 160R may include extra costs other than tuition.