Undergraduate Degree

The Bachelor of Music degree in music performance requires concentrated study in one of the following five performance areas:  piano, stringed instruments, wind instruments, percussion instruments, or voice.  Students who select stringed instruments or wind instruments as their performance area choose one instrument as their major instrument.

Students who do not meet the minimal standards of musicianship of the College of Music may need to be enrolled in the bachelor's degree program in music performance more than the usual four years in order to qualify for a degree.

A Specialization in Piano Pedagogy is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in the bachelor's degree program in music performance with piano as the performance area.

A jazz studies minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in the bachelor's degree program in music performance.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Performance

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 to 132 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Performance.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Music Performance major is met by completing two enrollments (4 credits) of Music 485. That course is referenced in item 3. c. below.
2. The requirements of the College of Music for the Bachelor of Music degree.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	Demonstrate a high standard of excellence, proficiency in public performance, and a substantial repertoire in one of the five performance areas, as judged by the appropriate faculty.
   b.	Perform a senior recital that is satisfactory to the appropriate faculty.  The successful completion of the senior recital satisfies the capstone experience requirement for the music performance major.
   c.	The courses that are listed above under the heading General Requirements for All of the Bachelor's Degree Programs in the College of Music (25 credits).
   d.	Complete the requirements for one of the following five performance areas (46 to 64 credits):
   	(1)	Piano  (52 credits):
   		(a)	Private instruction in piano.  This requirement must be met by completing 12 credits of Music 150A and 12 credits of Music 350A (24 credits).  A minimum grade–point average of 2.00 for the 24 credits of Music 150A and 350A is required.
   		(b)	All of the following courses (24 credits):						2
   			MUS	112	Chamber Music				1
   			MUS	149	Keyboard Skills				1
   			MUS	337	Conducting for Music Performance Majors				2
   			MUS	346	Keyboard Methods and Literature I				2
   			MUS	347	Keyboard Methods and Literature II				6
   			MUS	348	Piano Accompanying				6
   			MUS	349	Piano Performance				2
   			MUS	413	Keyboard Literature to Mid–19th Century				2
   			MUS	414	Keyboard Literature since the Mid–19th Century
   		(c)	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
   			MUS	431	Indigenous Music in North America				2
   		(d)	Music activity requirement (2 credits):
   			All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music degree program in music performance whose performance area is piano are required to complete 2 credits in a major ensemble.
   			Piano majors, for their one year of ensemble participation, are allowed to choose from any major ensemble in the College of Music.
   	(2)	Stringed Instruments:  Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp (49 credits):
   		(a)	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 12 credits in the 100–level course and 12 credits in the 300–level course:  Music 152A, 352A; 152B, 352B; 152C, 352C; 152D, 352D; 152E, 352E (24 credits). A minimum grade–point average of 2.00 for the 24 credits in the pair of courses is required.
   		(b)	Music activity requirement (8 credits):
   			All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music degree program in music performance whose performance area is not piano are required to participate in a major ensemble as designated by the College of Music during each fall and spring semester of enrollment in the program. A minimum of 8 credits in courses approved by the College of Music is required. Performance majors are required to audition for and be placed into an ensemble within their specific area of expertise, i.e. instrumentalists must audition for instrumental ensembles and voice majors must audition for choral ensembles. Students who are enrolled in the music performance major for more than eight semesters are required to complete more than 8 credits to satisfy this requirement. However, no more than 8 credits that are related to the major ensemble requirement may be counted toward the requirements for the degree.
   		(c)	Piano proficiency requirement (2 credits):
   			All students in the Bachelor of Music degree program in music performance whose performance area is not piano are required to demonstrate proficiency in piano to the satisfaction of the appropriate faculty. Students are required to complete a minimum of 2 credits of MUS 150M. Any credits earned in Music 150M beyond 2 credits will not count towards the degree program. Students who take the piano proficiency examination and place into Music 150M may take the Music 150M waiver examination on a one-time basis. For the waiver examination, students will be required to play all of the selections required in the piano proficiency examination prior to enrolling in Music 150M. The piano proficiency examination may only be taken while the student is enrolled in Music 150M.
   			Students will take a placement examination before beginning any piano courses. The placement examination will determine the appropriate placement in Music 141, 142 or 150M.  Students choosing to enroll without taking the placement examination may only enroll in Music 141.
   		(d)	All of the following courses (11 credits):
   			MUS	112	Chamber Music				4
   			MUS	337	Conducting for Music Performance Majors				1
   			MUS	341	String Pedagogy				2
   			MUS	434	Orchestral Musicianship				2
   			MUS	485	Topics in Music Theory				2
   		(e)	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
   			MUS	431	Indigenous Music in North America				2
   		(f)	One of the following courses (2 credits):
   			MUS	484	Instrumentation and Basic Orchestration				2
   			MUS	485	Topics in Music Theory				2
   			(another enrollment beyond requirement 2. and (2) (d))
   	(3)	Wind Instruments:  Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba (45 credits):
   			(a)	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 12 credits in the 100–level course and 12 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 (24 credits).  A minimum grade–point average of 2.00 for the 24 credits in the pair of courses is required.
   			(b)	Music activity requirement (8 credits):
   				All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music degree program in music performance whose performance area is not piano are required to participate in a major ensemble as designated by the College of Music during each fall and spring semester of enrollment in the program. A minimum of 8 credits in courses approved by the College of Music is required. Performance majors are required to audition for and be placed into an ensemble within their specific area of expertise, i.e. instrumentalists must audition for instrumental ensembles and voice majors must audition for choral ensembles. Students who are enrolled in the music performance major for more than eight semesters are required to complete more than 8 credits to satisfy this requirement. However, no more than 8 credits that are related to the major ensemble requirement may be counted toward the requirements for the degree.
   			(c)	Piano proficiency requirement (2 credits):
   				All students in the Bachelor of Music degree program in music performance whose performance area is not piano are required to demonstrate proficiency in piano to the satisfaction of the appropriate faculty. Students are required to complete a minimum of 2 credits of MUS 150M. Any credits earned in Music 150M beyond 2 credits will not count towards the degree program. Students who take the piano proficiency examination and place into Music 150M may take the Music 150M waiver examination on a one-time basis. For the waiver examination, students will be required to play all of the selections required in the piano proficiency examination prior to enrolling in Music 150M. The piano proficiency examination may only be taken while the student is enrolled in Music 150M.
   				Students will take a placement examination before beginning any piano courses. The placement examination will determine the appropriate placement in Music 141, 142 or 150M.  Students choosing to enroll without taking the placement examination may only enroll in Music 141.
   			(d)	All of the following courses (7 credits):
   				MUS	112	Chamber Music			4
   				MUS	337	Conducting for Music Performance Majors			1
   				MUS	485	Topics in Music Theory			2
   				(another enrollment beyond requirement 2. and (2) (d))
   			(e)	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
   				MUS	431	Indigenous Music in North America			2
   			(f)	One of the following courses (2 credits):
   				MUS	484	Instrumentation and Basic Orchestration			2
   				MUS	485	Topics in Music Theory			2
   				(another enrollment beyond requirement 2. and (2) (d))
   	(4)	Percussion Instruments (49credits):
   		(a)	Private instruction in percussion instruments. This requirement must be met by completing 12 credits of Music 155 and 12 credits of Music 355 (24 credits). A minimum grade–point average of 2.00 for the 24 credits of Music 155 and 355 is required.
   		(b)	Music activity requirement (8 credits):
   			All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music degree program in music performance whose performance area is not piano are required to participate in a major ensemble as designated by the College of Music during each fall and spring semester of enrollment in the program. A minimum of 8 credits in courses approved by the College of Music is required. Performance majors are required to audition for and be placed into an ensemble within their specific area of expertise, i.e. instrumentalists must audition for instrumental ensembles and voice majors must audition for choral ensembles. Students who are enrolled in the music performance major for more than eight semesters are required to complete more than 8 credits to satisfy this requirement. However, no more than 8 credits that are related to the major ensemble requirement may be counted toward the requirements for the degree.
   		(c)	Piano proficiency requirement (2 credits):
   			All students in the Bachelor of Music degree program in music performance whose performance area is not piano are required to demonstrate proficiency in piano to the satisfaction of the appropriate faculty. Students are required to complete a minimum of 2 credits of MUS 150M. Any credits earned in Music 150M beyond 2 credits will not count towards the degree program. Students who take the piano proficiency examination and place into Music 150M may take the Music 150M waiver examination on a one-time basis. For the waiver examination, students will be required to play all of the selections required in the piano proficiency examination prior to enrolling in Music 150M. The piano proficiency examination may only be taken while the student is enrolled in Music 150M.
   			Students will take a placement examination before beginning any piano courses. The placement examination will determine the appropriate placement in Music 141, 142 or 150M.  Students choosing to enroll without taking the placement examination may only enroll in Music 141.
   		(d)	All of the following courses (11 credits):
   			MUS	129	Percussion Ensemble				4
   			MUS	337	Conducting for Music Performance Majors				1
   			MUS	485	Topics in Music Theory				2
   			(another enrollment beyond requirement 2. and (2) (d))
   			MUS	491	Special Topics in Music				4
   			To be counted toward this requirement, the content of Music 491 must focus on studio teaching of percussion instruments or on percussion literature.
   		(e)	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
   			MUS	431	Indigenous Music in North America				2
   		(f)	One of the following courses (2 credits):
   			MUS	484	Instrumentation and Basic Orchestration				2
   			MUS	485	Topics in Music Theory
   			(another enrollment beyond requirement 2. and (2) (d))
   	(5)	Voice  (52 to 63 credits):
   		(a)	Private instruction in voice.  This requirement must be met by completing 12 credits of Music 151 and 12 credits of Music 351 (24 credits).  A minimum grade–point average of 2.00 for the 24 credits of Music 151 and 351 is required.
   		(b)	Music activity requirement (8 credits):
   			All students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music degree program in music performance whose performance area is not piano are required to participate in a major ensemble as designated by the College of Music during each fall and spring semester of enrollment in the program. A minimum of 8 credits in courses approved by the College of Music is required. Performance majors are required to audition for and be placed into an ensemble within their specific area of expertise, i.e. instrumentalists must audition for instrumental ensembles and voice majors must audition for choral ensembles. Students who are enrolled in the music performance major for more than eight semesters are required to complete more than 8 credits to satisfy this requirement. However, no more than 8 credits that are related to the major ensemble requirement may be counted toward the requirements for the degree.
   		(c)	Piano proficiency requirement (2 credits):
   			All students in the Bachelor of Music degree program in music performance whose performance area is not piano are required to demonstrate proficiency in piano to the satisfaction of the appropriate faculty. Students are required to complete a minimum of 2 credits of MUS 150M. Any credits earned in Music 150M beyond 2 credits will not count towards the degree program. Students who take the piano proficiency examination and place into Music 150M may take the Music 150M waiver examination on a one-time basis. For the waiver examination, students will be required to play all of the selections required in the piano proficiency examination prior to enrolling in Music 150M. The piano proficiency examination may only be taken while the student is enrolled in Music 150M.
   			Students will take a placement examination before beginning any piano courses. The placement examination will determine the appropriate placement in Music 141, 142 or 150M.  Students choosing to enroll without taking the placement examination may only enroll in Music 141.
   		(d)	Foreign language requirement (0 to 11 credits):
   			All of the following courses (12 credits):
   			FRN	101	Elementary French I				4
   			GRM	101	Elementary German I				3
   			ITL	101	Elementary Italian I				4
   			Students who speak or have studied French, German, or Italian and wish to waive this requirement for any of those languages must demonstrate, by a placement test, proficiency for placement in the French, German or Italian 102 course.
   		(e)	All of the following courses (13 credits):
   			MUS	143	English Diction for Singers				1
   			MUS	144	Italian Diction for Singers				1
   			MUS	248	German Diction for Singers				1
   			MUS	249	French Diction for Singers				1
   			MUS	337	Conducting for Music Performance Majors				1
   			MUS	340	Methods and Literature for Voice				3
   			MUS	415	Art Song Literature:  German				2
   			MUS	416	Art Song Literature:  French, Spanish Italian				2
   			MUS	435	Opera Theatre				1
   		(f)	One of the following courses (1 credit):
   			MUS	481	Acting for Singers				1
   			MUS	482	Opera Scene Study				1
   		(g)	One of the following courses (2 credits):
   			MUS	417	Art Song Literature: British and American				2
   			MUS	418	Opera and Oratorio Aria Repertoire				2
   		(h)	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
   			MUS	431	Indigenous Music in North America				2