Degree Requirements
Admission to all music degree programs is by audition to demonstrate musical aptitude and potential, moderate technical proficiency, and seriousness in selecting music as a four-year course of study. In addition to the applied music audition, placement examinations in music theory and music history may be required to confirm students’ prior experience in these areas. Auditions are scheduled from January to May for the fall semester; a limited number are held in December for the spring/winter semester. Students in applied music must pass a junior-standing examination to confirm their level of performance skills for enrollment in AP MUS 3440 – AP MUS 3459 or AP MUS 4440 – AP MUS 4459. This examination is usually taken at the same time as the applied music jury for the fourth semester of enrollment in AP MUS 1440 - AP MUS 1459.
Evidence of sound musicianship, a close acquaintance with an appropriate portion of musical literature, and the ability to bring it to actual performance are required for graduation in all music degree programs. Students in the B.M.: Performance Emphasis fulfill this requirement with junior and senior recitals. Students in all other degree programs fulfill this requirement with a senior recital. In some cases, upon the recommendation of the student's applied teacher, the senior recital (for non-performance majors only) may be replaced by participating in three regularly scheduled student recitals during the last two semesters of applied music study, or by performing for a special panel of faculty members.
Other Requirements
Music majors are required to enroll in an approved ensemble (University Chorus, University Symphonic Band, University Wind Ensemble, University Singers, or University Orchestra) each semester, to study one applied area progressively each semester, and to enroll in the appropriate pedagogy and literature seminar each semester of the degree program. Music education majors are exempt from these requirements during the student teaching semester. The following specific ensemble enrollments, depending upon the applied music area, are required:
- Wind and Percussion students—University Symphonic Band or University Wind Ensemble;
- String students--University Orchestra;
- Voice students--University Singers or University Chorus;
- Keyboard and Guitar students--any approved ensemble, but those in the bachelor of music in music education program must successfully audition for and enroll in an ensemble compatible with the teaching certification they are pursuing.
- Instrumental students may be required to participate in additional ensembles to enhance their musical development.
Majors are required to appear in performance at the department's discretion and to attend a prescribed number of departmental recitals. Non-keyboard players are required to pass an exam in piano proficiency: PRACTM 2180, Piano Proficiency IV, or equivalent for instrumentalists; or PRACTM 3290, Piano Proficiency VI, or equivalent for vocalists.
The music department may require students to pass a placement test to enroll in the next level course, provided this or an equivalent test is administered to all students seeking to enroll in that course.
Core Curriculum
The following core courses are required for all music majors:
| Music Theory | ||
| THRY COM 1300 | Introduction to Music Theory | 1 |
| THRY COM 1301 | Theory of Music I | 3 |
| THRY COM 1302 | Aural Training I | 2 |
| THRY COM 1311 | Theory of Music II | 3 |
| THRY COM 1312 | Aural Training II | 2 |
| THRY COM 2301 | Theory of Music III | 3 |
| THRY COM 2302 | Aural Training III | 2 |
| THRY COM 2311 | Theory of Music IV 1 | 3 |
| THRY COM 2312 | Aural Training IV 2 | 2 |
| THRY COM 3410 | Orchestration 3 | 3 |
| Piano Proficiency | ||
| PRACTM 1140 | Piano Proficiency I | 1 |
| PRACTM 1150 | Piano Proficiency II | 1 |
| PRACTM 2160 | Piano Proficiency III | 1 |
| PRACTM 2180 | Piano Proficiency IV 4 | 1 |
| Conducting | ||
| PRACTM 2510 | Conducting I | 2 |
| Music History and Literature | ||
| M H L T 1010 | History of Western Music I (MOTR MUSC 103) | 3 |
| M H L T 1020 | History of Western Music II (MOTR MUSC 104) | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Drumming Cultures of the World (MOTR MUSC 102) | ||
| Musical Journey through Latin America | ||
| Musical Journey through the Far East | ||
| Musical Journey Through Africa | ||
| Applied Music | ||
| AP MUS 1460 | Seminar In Pedagogy And Literature | 0 |
| AP MUS 3460 | Seminar In Pedagogy And Literature | 0 |
| AP MUS 4460 | Seminar in Pedagogy and Literature | 0 |
| AP MUS 3510 | Senior Recital | 0 |
| Total Hours | 39 | |
| 1 | Students in the BM Jazz Studies program will take THRY COM 2313 instead. |
| 2 | Students in the BM Jazz Studies program will take THRY COM 2314 instead. |
| 3 | Students in the BM Jazz Studies program will take THRY COM 3411 instead. |
| 4 | Students in the BM Jazz Studies program will take PRACTM 2170 instead. |
In addition to the core curriculum, students must fulfill the requirements for the specific degree program or emphasis area as listed below:
| PRACTM 3920 | Senior Research | 2-4 |
| Applied Area | ||
| One hour every semester in progress toward degree with a minimum of 8 credit hours | 8 | |
| Ensemble | ||
| Must be enrolled every semester in progress toward degree with a minimum of 4 credit hours | 4 | |
| Foreign Language | 13 | |
| Candidates for the B.A. degree in Music are required to complete 13 credit hours or the equivalent in proficiency in one foreign language. 1 | 13 | |
| Music History and Literature | ||
| Select one upper-level course M H L T 4000-4280 | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 43-45 | |
| 1 | Please see the College of Arts and Sciences Baccalaureate Degree Requirements for additional information about the foreign language requirement. |
Sample Four Year Plan
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| INTDSC 10031 | 1 | THRY COM 1311 | 3 |
| THRY COM 1300 | 1 | THRY COM 1312 | 2 |
| THRY COM 1301 | 3 | PRACTM 1150 | 1 |
| THRY COM 1302 | 2 | AP MUS 14XX | 1 |
| PRACTM 1140 | 1 | AP MUS 1460 | 0 |
| AP MUS 14XX | 1 | EN PER XXXX | 1 |
| AP MUS 1460 | 0 | FGN LANG 1002 | 5 |
| EN PER XXXX | 1 | ENGL 1100 | 3 |
| Foreign Language 1001 | 5 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| THRY COM 2301 | 3 | THRY COM 2311 | 3 |
| THRY COM 2302 | 2 | THRY COM 2312 | 2 |
| M H L T 1010 | 3 | M H L T 1020 | 3 |
| PRACTM 2160 | 1 | PRACTM 2180 | 1 |
| AP MUS 14XX | 1 | AP MUS 14XX | 1 |
| AP MUS 1460 | 0 | AP MUS 1460 | 0 |
| EN PER XXXX | 1 | EN PER 14XX | 1 |
| FGN LANG 2101 | 3 | EN PER XXXX | 1 |
| PRACTM 1250 or 1260 (voice students) | 1 | PRACTM 2510 | 2 |
| CORE - Math Proficiency | 3 | EXPLORE - Social Science | 3 |
| Elective (Instrumental Students) | 1 | ||
| Elective or minor1 | |||
| 18 | 18 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| THRY COM 3410 | 3 | M H L T 1150, 1160, 1170, or 1180 | 3 |
| AP MUS 34XX | 1 | AP MUS 34XX | 1 |
| AP MUS 3460 | 0 | AP MUS 3460 | 0 |
| EN PER XXXX | 1 | EN PER XXXX | 1 |
| PRACTM 1250 or 1260 | 1 | ENGL 3100 | 3 |
| CORE – US History and Government | 3 | CORE – Information Literacy | 3 |
| CORE – Communication Proficiency | 3 | EXPLORE – Math and Sciences | 3 |
| EXPLORE – Social Sciences | 3 | ||
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| M H L T 4200+ Course | 3 | AP MUS 34XX | 1 |
| PRACTM 3920 | 3 | Senior Recital | |
| AP MUS 34XX | 1 | AP MUS 3460 | 0 |
| AP MUS 3460 | 0 | EN PER XXXX | 1 |
| EN PER XXXX | 1 | EXPLORE – Math and Sciences | 3 |
| EXPLORE – Math and Sciences | 3 | EXPLORE – Social Sciences | 3 |
| Elective or Minor | 3 | Elective or minor | 6 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Total Hours: 124 | |||
| 1 | INTDSC 1003 is required only for first-time freshmen and transfer students with less than 24 college credits. |
PLEASE NOTE: This plan is an example of what a four year plan could look like for a typical student. Placement exam scores in math as well as the completion of coursework may change the plan. It should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor each semester. All requirements are subject to change.