42penguins

I received this from a music professor a few days ago. I've tried to figure it out, but I have no idea... or music experience!

the rules:

-There are two prize categories...one for music majors and the
other for "commoners."
-This is an old standard, probably written before you were born
(i.e., it's not in the top 20).
-What is the title's relevance to this particular period of the
new semester?
-Decimal points have been omitted from the numbers.
-These are only a few measures of the entire tune.
-Number accuracy is not guaranteed.
-Your whole academic future is based on your correct answer to
this contest....no!

the music:

261-261 293 261-293 261 261-261 311 261 261
261 293 261 261 311 261

(1/2) (1) (1/2) (1,2,3,) (1/2) (1,2) (1/2)
(1,2,3) (1) (2) (1,2,3) (1) (1,2) (1,2,3,4)