Academic Programs Catalog

College of Music

Undergraduate Programs

Music

The Bachelor of Arts degree program with a major in music is a liberal arts program with a strong emphasis in music.  It may fulfill the requirements for entrance into a Master of Music program; it does not provide preparation for teacher certification in music.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Music major is met by completing two enrollments (4 credits) of Music 485. That course is referenced in item 3. b. below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Music for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    a. Capstone Experience. To complete the B.A. in Music, students must pass an Upper Division screening, which will normally take place at the end of the student's second year. As part of this process, students must declare an area of emphasis that will culminate in a final Capstone experience from one of the following two options:
    (1) Students who elect to pursue a Recital emphasis, the fourth semester barrier jury will serve as the Upper Division screening. The student will convene a faculty committee consisting of their major applied professor, who will serve as the committee chair and primary mentor, a second member of the student's performance area faculty, and a third member of the College of Music faculty. This committee will guide the student through the completion of the Upper Division of the program. The student will perform a public recital as their Capstone experience; the recital must be approved by the student's faculty committee.
    (2)
    Students who elect to pursue a Non-Recital emphasis, must successfully pass an Upper Division screening. This screening will be conducted by a committee consisting of three members of the College of Music faculty; one member of this committee will serve as the student's primary mentor and committee chair. Upon successful completion of the Upper Division screening, this committee will guide the student through the Upper Division of the program and the completion of the Capstone. Non-recital Capstone experiences may take the form of research papers, internships, public and community engagement activities, or other projects of sufficient scope. The nature of the Capstone will be determined by the student in consultation with the faculty committee, who will have final approval of all projects. In certain cases, students may substitute one committee member from the College of Music faculty with a faculty member from outside the College whose expertise and knowledge are related to the student's course of study or Capstone. Such individuals may not serve as the committee chair. Substitutions must be approved by the mentor/committee chair and the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies.     
    b. The courses that are listed above under the heading General Requirements for All of the Bachelor's Degree Programs in the College of Music with the exception of Music 282 and 283 (23 credits)
    c. Music activity requirement (4 credits):
    All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts degree program in music are required to participate in a major ensemble as designated by the College of Music during four semesters of their enrollment in the program. Music majors must perform an audition for placement into an ensemble in order to receive ensemble credit toward their degree.
    d. Music proficiency requirement.
    All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts degree program in music are required to demonstrate proficiency in the performance area that the student selects to satisfy requirement 3. e. below. Students who have completed 4 credits in the 100–level private instruction course in their performance area, but who have not yet demonstrated proficiency to the satisfaction of the appropriate faculty, must continue to enroll in the 100–level private instruction course until they have met the proficiency requirement. However, no more than 4 credits in the 100–level private instruction course may be counted toward the requirements for the degree.
    All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts degree program in music must successfully complete an Upper Division Performance Examination as required by their specific area in order to enroll in 300-level lessons. Those who do not pass this examination must continue to enroll in the 100-level private instruction course until it is passed.  However, no more than four credits in the 100-level private instruction course may be counted toward the requirements for the degree.
    e. Complete the requirements for one of the following five performance areas (8 or 10 credits)
    (1) Piano  (8 credits):
    Private instruction in piano. This requirement must be met by completing 4 credits of Music 150A and 4 credits of Music 350A  (8 credits).
    (2) Stringed Instruments:  Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, and Harp (8 credits):
    Private instruction in violin, viola, cello, double bass, or harp.  This requirement must be met by completing one of the following pairs of courses, with 4 credits in the 100–level course and 4 credits in the 300–level course: Music 152A, 352A; 152B, 352B; 152C, 352C; 152D, 352D; 152E, 352E (8 credits).
    (3) Wind Instruments:  Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba (8 credits):
    Private instruction in flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, or tuba. This requirement must be met by completing one of the following pairs of courses, with 4 credits in the 100–level course and 4 credits in the 300–level course: Music 153A, 353A; 153B, 353B; 153C, 353C; 153D, 353D; 153E, 353E; 154A, 354A; 154B, 354B; 154C, 354C; 154D, 354D; 154E, 354E (8 credits).
    (4) Percussion Instruments (8 credits):
    Private instruction in percussion instruments. This requirement must be met by completing 4 credits of Music 155 and 4 credits of Music 355 (8 credits).
    (5) Voice (10 credits):
    (a) Private instruction in voice.  This requirement must be met by completing 4 credits of Music 151 and 4 credits of Music 351 (8 credits).
    (b) Both of the following courses (2 credits):
    MUS 143 English Diction for Singers 1
    MUS 144 Italian Diction for Singers 1
    f. One of the following courses not used to satisfy requirement 2. (2 credits):
    MUS 409 American Music 2
    MUS 410 Jazz History 2
    MUS 419 Baroque Music 2
    MUS 420 Music of the 18th Century 2
    MUS 421 Music of the 19th Century 2
    MUS 422 Music of the 20th Century 2
    MUS 423 History of Opera 2
    MUS 424 Music, Sexuality, and Gender 2
    MUS 425 Music of South Asia and Its Diaspora 2
    MUS 426 Music of Africa 2
    MUS 427 Early Music 2
    MUS 428 Topics in Musicology 2
    MUS 429 Music of East Asia 2
    MUS 430 Music of the Caribbean 2