Non-major studies

There are a number of classes and ensemble options at CU Boulder for musicians not pursuing a degree at the College of Music.

Classes

Non-music majors may take any music electives with the prefix “MUEL.”

• MUEL 1081—Basic Music Theory
• MUEL 1115—Piano Class 1
• MUEL 1184—Voice Class 1
• MUEL 1832—Appreciation of Music (approved for Arts & Sciences general education: arts and humanities)
• MUEL 2031—Making Electronic Music
• MUEL 2051—Introduction to Songwriting (approved for Arts & Sciences general education: arts and humanities)
• MUEL 2742—Wild West Soundscapes (approved for Arts & Sciences general education: arts and humanities)
• MUEL 2752—Music in American Culture (approved for Arts & Sciences general education: arts and humanities)
• MUEL 2772—World Musics (approved for Arts & Sciences general education: social science, also counts for Diversity-Global Perspective)
• MUEL 2852—Music of the Rock Era (approved for Arts & Sciences general education: arts and humanities)
• MUEL 2862—American Film Musical (approved for Arts & Sciences general education: arts and humanities)
• MUEL 2872—Heavy Metal
• MUEL 3642—History of Jazz
• MUEL 3822—Words and Music (approved for Arts & Sciences general education: arts and humanities)
• MUEL 3862—Music and Global Health
• MUEL 3882—Music and Violence (approved for Arts & Sciences general education: social science)

Other courses are listed in the CU Boulder Course Catalog.

Music Technology Certificate

Undergraduate non-music majors are eligible to receive the Music Technology Certificate. See more information on our Certificates page.

Ensembles

Non-music majors may participate in most music ensembles, including bands, orchestras, choirs, jazz and world music ensembles. Each ensemble may be taken for 1 credit hour per semester. The ensembles are listed in the course catalog with a prefix of “EMUS.”

For information about the ensembles, visit our Ensembles page.

Practice rooms

The College of Music offers a limited number of practice rooms to non-music majors enrolled in College of Music classes that have a musical performance requirement; these are S220, S222, S224, S226, S228, S230 and S232. Rooms S242 and S244 are available on a first-come, first-served basis to any current CU Boulder students.