The primary goal of the Department of Music is to provide students an opportunity to develop the particular musical interests and skills they bring to Carleton, and to broaden and expand those interests into new areas of musical study.

The Department offers a wide variety of courses focusing on different aspects of music that are intended for students at all levels of experience. Offerings include courses in history and literature of Western art music, theory and composition, and cultural and world music. Private lessons in voice, traditional instruments, and ethnic instruments are offered as well as chamber music and performing ensembles.

A number of courses and applied instruction are offered with no prerequisite, and Basic Musicianship (MUSC 102) and the The Music of Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms (MUSC 110) courses lead into theory, history, and music literature courses for both majors and non-majors.

Any student may study privately at beginning through advanced levels, and may participate in Music Department ensembles by audition, placement, or consent of the instructor.