Music BM, Performance Emphasis
Degree Requirements
Admission to Music Degree Programs
Admission to all Music degree programs is by audition to demonstrate musical aptitude and potential, 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 can be scheduled at any time for the upcoming semester, and several pre-scheduled audition dates are also available in fall and early spring (contact the Music Department for more details).
Applied Music and Recitals
Music majors are required to study one applied area progressively each semester of the degree program. Music Education majors are exempt from this requirement during the student teaching semester. For all music majors, the applied lesson requirement consists of a weekly, individual lesson with your instructor, as well as a weekly enrichment activity in pedagogy and literature, which may take the form of a studio class, master class, performances by and for our students, or other experience identified by the department.
Students in Applied Music (private lessons) must pass a junior-standing advancement jury to confirm their level of performance skills for enrollment in AP MUS 3440 – AP MUS 3459 or AP MUS 4440 – AP MUS 4459. This advancement jury is usually taken at the same time as the applied music jury at the end of 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 and emphasis areas 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.
Ensembles
Music majors are required to enroll in an approved ensemble (University Wind Ensemble, University Singers, or University Orchestra) each semester. Music Education majors are exempt from this requirement during the student teaching semester. For all music majors, the applied lesson requirement consists of a weekly, individual lesson with your instructor, as well as a weekly enrichment activity in pedagogy and literature, which may take the form of a studio class, master class, performances by and for our students, or other experience identified by the department. The following specific ensemble enrollments, depending upon the applied music area, are required:
- Wind and Percussion students—University Wind Ensemble;
- String students--University Orchestra;
- Voice students--University Singers;
- Keyboard and Guitar students--any approved ensemble, but those in the B.M. Music Education emphasis 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.
General Education Requirements
UMSL's General Education requirements apply to all majors.
Non-Music majors are encouraged to take music courses (EN PER and MHLT) at the 1000- or 2000-level toward UMSL’s Humanities and Fine Arts general education requirement. Non-Music majors wishing to perform with ensembles (EN PER 1410, University Singers; EN PER 1500, University Orchestra; EN PER 1530, University Wind Ensemble; EN PER 1550, Jazz Orchestra) should contact the ensemble’s director for information about auditions. M H L T 1150, Drumming Cultures of the World; M H L T 1160, Musical Journey through Latin America; M H L T 1170, Musical Journey through the Far East; or M H L T 1180, Musical Journey through Africa will meet the University's Cultural Diversity study requirement.
Other Requirements
Courses required for degree programs may not be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Students must receive at least a C in each music course and maintain a GPA of 2.5 (3.0 for Music Education majors) in all music courses to meet degree requirements.
Majors are required to appear in performances at the department's discretion and to attend a prescribed number of departmental recitals. All music majors whose primary applied area is not piano or organ are required to pass an exam in piano proficiency before graduation. Music Education majors must pass this piano proficiency exam prior to student teaching.
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 Aural Training | 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 | 3 |
| THRY COM 2312 | Aural Training IV | 2 |
| 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 | 1 |
| Conducting | ||
| PRACTM 2510 | Conducting I | 2 |
| Music History and Literature | ||
| M H L T 2010 | History of Western Music I (MOTR MUSC 103) | 3 |
| M H L T 2020 | History of Western Music II (MOTR MUSC 104) | 3 |
| Choose one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Drumming Cultures of the World (MOTR MUSC 102) | ||
| Musical Journey through Latin America | ||
| Musical Journey through the Far East | ||
| Musical Journey Through Africa | ||
| Recital | ||
| AP MUS 3510 | Senior Recital | 0 |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Emphasis Area Requirements
| PRACTM 1250 | Singer's Diction: English, Italian And German (voice majors only) | 1 |
| PRACTM 1260 | Singer's Diction: Latin, French, And Spanish (voice majors only) | 1 |
| PRACTM 3521 | Conducting II - Instrumental | 2 |
| or PRACTM 3522 | Conducting II - Choral | |
| PRACTM 3920 | Senior Research | 2-4 |
| Music Theory | ||
| Select two of the following courses: | 4 | |
| Analysis of Music from 1900 to Present | ||
| Tonal Counterpoint | ||
| Advanced Analytical Techniques | ||
| Readings in Music Theory | ||
| Orchestration | ||
| Music History and Literature | ||
| M H L T 2030 | Special Topics in Musicology (taken twice) | 6 |
| Applied Music (AP MUS) 1 | ||
| Must enroll every semester in progress toward degree with a minimum of 12 credit hours of applied music, 8 credit hours of which must be AP MUS 4440-4459 level. | 12 | |
| AP MUS 3500 | Junior Recital | 0 |
| Ensemble (EN PER) | ||
| Must be enrolled every semester in progress toward degree with a minimum of 4 credit hours | 4 | |
| Chamber Ensemble/Collaborative Performance | ||
| Choose any of the following courses for a total of six hours: | 6 | |
| Chamber Ensemble Brass | ||
| Chamber Ensemble Percussion | ||
| Chamber Ensemble Strings | ||
| Chamber Ensemble Voice | ||
| Chamber Ensemble Woodwinds | ||
| Chamber Ensemble New Music | ||
| Opera Workshop | ||
| Advanced Opera Workshop | ||
| Collaborative Piano I | ||
| Collaborative Piano II | ||
| Collaborative Piano III | ||
| Piano Performance Class | ||
| Total Hours | 38-40 | |
- 1
Students in Applied Music must pass a junior-standing exam to confirm their level of performance skills for enrollment in AP MUS 4440 - AP MUS 4459.
Foreign Language Requirement
Candidates pursuing the performance emphasis area with an applied area in voice must complete two semesters of one foreign language selected from French, German, or Italian.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates will:
- Have technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression (Performance)
- Understand the common elements and organizational patters of music and their interaction (Musicianship Skills and Analysis)
- Have a rudimentary capacity to create original or derivative music (Composition/Improvisation)
- Have basic knowledge of music history and repertories through the present time (History and Repertory)
- Be Able to work on musical problems by combining their capabilities in performance, aural, verbal and visual analysis; composition/improvisation; history and repertory (Synthesis)
Sample Four Year Plans
Bachelor of Music with an Emphasis in Performance (Instrumental)
| 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 | EN PER 15XX | 1 |
| AP MUS 14XX | 1 | EN PER XXXX | 1 |
| EN PER XXXX | 1 | CORE - US History and Government | 3 |
| ENGL 1100 | 3 | EXPLORE – Social Sciences | 3 |
| CORE - Mathematics Proficiency | 3 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| 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 2010 | 3 | M H L T 2020 | 3 |
| PRACTM 2160 | 1 | AP MUS 14XX | 1 |
| AP MUS 14XX | 1 | EN PER 15XX | 1 |
| EN PER XXXX | 1 | EN PER XXXX | 1 |
| EN PER 15XX | 1 | PRACTM 2180 | 1 |
| EXPLORE - Social Sciences | 3 | PRACTM 2510 | 2 |
| EXPLORE – Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences | 3 | ||
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| AP MUS 44XX | 2 | M H L T 1150, 1160, 1170, or 1180 | 3 |
| EN PER XXXX | 1 | THRY COM 3XXX: Music Theory Elective | 2 |
| EN PER 15XX | 1 | AP MUS 3500 | 0 |
| PRACTM 3521 | 2 | AP MUS 44XX | 2 |
| EXPLORE – Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences | 3 | EN PER XXXX | 1 |
| General Education or Elective | 3 | EN PER 15XX | 1 |
| ENGL 3100 | 3 | ||
| EXPLORE – Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences | 3 | ||
| 12 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| M H L T 2030 | 3 | AP MUS 3510 | 0 |
| PRACTM 3920 | 2 | THRY COM 3XXX: Music Theory Elective | 2 |
| AP MUS 44XX | 2 | M H L T 2030 | 3 |
| EN PER XXXX | 1 | AP MUS 44XX | 2 |
| EN PER 15XX | 1 | EN PER XXXX | 1 |
| CORE - Communication Proficiency | 3 | EN PER 15XXX | 1 |
| EXPLORE – Social Sciences | 3 | CORE – Information Literacy | 3 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
- 1
INTDSC 1003 is required only for first-time freshmen and transfer students with less than 24 college credits.
- 2
Courses that meet this requirement are THRY COM 3110 (odd spring), THRY COM 3120 (even spring), THRY COM 3130 (odd fall), and THRY COM 3140 (even fall)
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.
Bachelor of Music with an Emphasis in Performance (Keyboard)
| 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 | EN PER 15XX or PRACTM 15XX: Chamber Ensemble/Collaborative Performance | 3 |
| THRY COM 1302 | 2 | AP MUS 14XX | 1 |
| AP MUS 14XX | 1 | EN PER XXXX | 1 |
| EN PER XXXX | 1 | CORE - US History and Government | 3 |
| ENGL 1100 | 3 | EXPLORE - Social Sciences | 3 |
| CORE - Mathematics Proficiency | 3 | ||
| 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 2010 | 3 | M H L T 2020 | 3 |
| EN PER 15XX or PRACTM 15XX: Chamber Ensemble/Collaborative Performance | 1 | AP MUS 14XX | 1 |
| AP MUS 14XX | 1 | EN PER XXXX | 1 |
| EN PER XXXX | 1 | EN PER 15XX or PRACTM 15XX: Chamber Ensemble/Collaborative Performance | 1 |
| EXPLORE - Social Sciences | 3 | PRACTM 2510 | 2 |
| EXPLORE - Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences | 3 | ||
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PRACTM 3521 | 2 | M H L T 1150, 1160, 1170, or 1180 | 3 |
| EN PER 15XX or PRACTM 15XX: Chamber Ensemble/Collaborative Performance | 1 | THRY COM 3XXX: Music Theory Elective | 2 |
| AP MUS 44XX | 2 | AP MUS 3500 | 0 |
| EN PER XXXX | 1 | AP MUS 44XX | 2 |
| EXPLORE - Mathematics & Natural Sciences | 3 | EN PER XXXX | 1 |
| General Education or Elective | 3 | EN PER 15XX or PRACTM 15XX: Chamber Ensemble/Collaborative Performance | 1 |
| Elective or minor | 3 | ENGL 3100 | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| M H L T 2030 | 3 | AP MUS 3510 | 0 |
| PRACTM 3920 | 2 | M H L T 3XXX Music History Elective | 3 |
| EN PER 15XX or PRACTM 15XX: Chamber Ensemble/Collaborative Performace | 1 | M H L T 2030 | 3 |
| AP MUS 44XX | 2 | AP MUS 44XX | 3 |
| EN PER XXXX | 1 | EN PER XXXX | 1 |
| CORE - Communication Proficiency | 3 | CORE – Information Literacy | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Social Sciences | 3 | Elective or minor | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Total Hours: 122 | |||
- 1
INTDSC 1003 is required only for first-time freshmen and transfer students with less than 24 college credits.
- 2
Choose two of the following: THRY COM 3110 (odd spring), THRY COM 3120 (even spring), THRY COM 3130 (odd fall), and THRY COM 3140 (even fall)
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.
Bachelor of Music with an Emphasis in Performance (Voice)
| 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 | EN PER 1410 | 1 |
| AP MUS 14XX | 1 | EN PER 1545 or EN PER 1560 | 1 |
| EN PER 1410 | 1 | FGN LANG 1002 (Italian, French or German) | 5 |
| FGN LANG 1001 Language and Culture (Italian, French or German) | 5 | ENGL 1100 | 3 |
| 15 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| THRY COM 2301 | 3 | THRY COM 2311 | 3 |
| THRY COM 2302 | 2 | THRY COM 2312 | 2 |
| EN PER 1545 or EN PER 1560 | 1 | EN PER 1545 or EN PER 1560 | 1 |
| M H L T 2010 | 3 | M H L T 2020 | 3 |
| PRACTM 1250 or 1260 | 1 | PRACTM 2180 | 1 |
| PRACTM 2160 | 1 | PRACTM 2510 | 2 |
| AP MUS 14XX | 1 | AP MUS 14XX | 1 |
| EN PER 1410 | 1 | EN PER 1410 | 1 |
| EXPLORE - Math and Sciences | 3 | Elective or minor | 1 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| EN PER 1545 or EN PER 1560 | 1 | M H L T 1150, 1160, 1170, or 1180 | 3 |
| PRACTM 1260 | 1 | THRY COM 31XX: Music Theory Elective | 2 |
| PRACTM 3522 | 2 | AP MUS 44XX | 1 |
| AP MUS 44XX | 2 | EN PER 1410 | 1 |
| EN PER 1410 | 1 | AP MUS 3500 | 0 |
| CORE – US History and Government | 3 | EN PER 1545 or EN PER 1560 | 1 |
| CORE - Communication Proficiency | 3 | ENGL 3100 | 3 |
| CORE - Mathematics Proficiency | 3 | CORE - Information Literacy | 3 |
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| M H L T 2030 | 3 | M H L T 42XX Music History Elective | 3 |
| PRACTM 3920 | 3 | AP MUS 44XX | 2 |
| AP MUS 44XX | 2 | AP MUS 3510 | 0 |
| EN PER 1410 | 1 | EN PER 1410 | 1 |
| THRY COM 31XX Theory Elective | 2 | EXPLORE - Mathematics and Life/Natural Sciences | 3 |
| EXPLORE - Mathematics and Natural/Life Sciences | 3 | EXPLORE - Social Sciences | 3 |
| EXPLORE – Social Sciences | 3 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours: 122 | |||
- 1
INTDSC 1003 is required only for first-time freshmen and transfer students with less than 24 college credits.
- 2
Choose two of the following: THRY COM 3110 (odd spring), THRY COM 3120 (even spring), THRY COM 3130 (odd fall), and THRY COM 3140 (even fall)
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.