2020-21 Catalogs
BM in Music Performance
This degree program is designed for those who wish to prepare for a career in music performance and/or applied music teaching, and those who plan to do graduate work in applied music. The program aims to instill a thorough understanding of music and its relationship to contemporary society. Private lessons, solo, chamber and large ensemble performance, and the study of literature and pedagogy of the major instrument are emphasized. Basic understanding of the standards and opportunities for professional performance leads the student to realistic expectations for a career as a performer or teacher.
Program Requirements
The minimum number of credits required for the degree is 120.
Music CORE (30-34 credits) | Credits |
Music Theory and Aural Skills (16 credits) | |
MUT 110 Music Theory 1 | 3 |
MUT 111 Sight Singing and Aural Skills 1 | 1 |
MUT 112 Music Theory 2 | 3 |
MUT 113 Sight Singing and Aural Skills 2 | 1 |
MUT 210 Music Theory 3 | 3 |
MUT 211 Sight Singing and Aural Skills 3 | 1 |
MUT 212 Music Theory 4 | 3 |
MUT 213 Sight Singing and Aural Skills 4 | 1 |
Music History (12 credits) | |
MUH 105 Multi-Cultural Perspectives of American Popular Music and Jazz | 3 |
MUH 222 Music History Survey 1 | 3 |
MUH 223 Music History Survey 2 | 3 |
One other MUH course not listed above | 3 |
Functional Piano (4 credits, not required for piano and organ majors) | |
MUS 150 Piano Class 1 | 1 |
MUS 151 Piano Class 2 | 1 |
MUS 250 Piano Class 3 | 1 |
MUS 251 Piano Class 4 | 1 |
Conducting (2 credits) | |
MUS 244 Basic Conducting | 2 |
Applied Music (27 credits) | Credits |
Instrumental Students: MUP 203 Applied Music (8 semesters) | 24 |
Voice Students: MUP 202 Applied Music (8 semesters) AND | 24 |
MUP 201 Vocal Coaching (8 semesters) | |
MUS 440 Studio Class - Voice only (6 semesters) | 0-3 |
All voice students who are taking applied voice lessons as their primary instrument must take 6 semesters of MUS 440 Studio Class while studying applied voice. | |
MUP 390 Junior Recital | 0 |
MUP 490 Capstone: Senior Recital / Seminar | 3 |
MUS 442 Recital Class (8 semesters) | 0 |
Performance majors must complete satisfactorily a 30 minute recital in the junior year and a 50 minute recital in the senior year. The junior recital, 30 minutes of music, must include at least 25 minutes of solo performance. The senior recital, 50 minutes of music, must include at least 40 minutes of solo performance. All recitals must show a range of performance pieces demonstrating a variety of historical styles. |
Guitar Performance | Credits |
Ensembles | |
MUS 406 Chamber Music or playing guitar in a conducted ensemble | 6 |
Area Specific Music Courses | |
MUS 321 Literature of the Major Instrument | 2 |
MUS 330 Form and Analysis | 3 |
MUS 332 Counterpoint | 3 |
MUS 372 Pedagogy of the Major Instrument | 2 |
Elective Credits | |
Music | 7 |
Non-Music | 9 |
Jury Information - Guitar Performance | |
Performance majors will take a jury at the end of every semester. Students are expected to make satisfactory progress and meet their applied teacher's expectations. Students will be required to demonstrate progress through comprehensive musical selections with both technical proficiency (scales, etudes, etc.) and musicianship (concerti, sonatas, concert etudes, excerpts, etc.). | |
Recital Information - Guitar Performance | |
Guitar Performance majors must perform a 30-minute recital in the junior year and a 50-minute recital in the senior year. A pre-recital hearing two weeks prior to any degree recital must be passed before a student may present their recital. | |
Organ Performance | Credit |
Ensemble | |
MUS 401 University Chorale (4 semesters) | 2 |
MUS 406 Chamber Music (2 semesters; one completed playing continuo) | 1 |
MUS 452 Accompanying or keyboard in a conducted ensemble | 1 |
Area Specific Music Course | |
MUS 310/311 Organ Improvisation 1 & 2 | 2 |
MUS 321 Literature of the Major Instrument Organ 1 | 2 |
MUS 323 Literature of the Major Instrument Organ 2 | 2 |
MUS 372 Pedagogy of the Major Instrument | 2 |
MUT 330 Form and Analysis | 3 |
MUT 332 Counterpoint | 3 |
Elective Credit | |
Music | 7 |
Non-Music | 9 |
Jury Information - Organ Performance | |
Organ Performance majors will take a progress check jury at the end of each fall semester and a level jury at the end of each spring semester. Jury level expectations are: | |
Recital Information - Organ Performance | |
Organ Performance majors must satisfactorily complete a 30 minute recital in the junior year and a 50 minute recital in the senior year. The junior recital, 30 minutes of music, must include at least 25 minutes of solo performance. The senior recital, 50 minutes of music, must include at least 40 minutes of solo performance. All recitals must show a range of performance pieces demonstrating a variety of historical styles. | |
Piano Performance | Credits |
Ensembles | |
MUS 406 Chamber Music | 2 |
MUS 406, MUS 452 or keyboard in a conducted ensemble | 4 |
Area Specific Music Courses | |
MUS 321 Literature of the Major Instrument Piano 1 | 2 |
MUS 322 Literature of the Major Instrument Piano 2 | 2 |
MUT 330 Form and Analysis | 3 |
MUT 332 Counterpoint | 3 |
MUS 360/361 Advanced Keyboard Skills 1 & 2 | 4 |
MUS 372 Pedagogy of the Major Instrument Piano 1 | 2 |
MUS 373 Pedagogy of the Major Instrument Piano 2 | 2 |
Elective Credits | |
Music | 4 |
Non-Music | 6 |
Jury Information - Piano Performance | |
Piano Performance majors will take a progress check jury at the end of each fall semester and a level jury at the end of each spring semester. Jury level expectations are: Level 1 - earned at the conclusion of Semester 2; Level 2 - earned at the conclusion of Semester 4; Level 3 - earned at the conclusion of Semester 6. Students must perform a check jury in the semester in which jury levels are not being completed. Jury Level 3 must be successfully completed prior to the presentation of their Senior Recital. | |
Recital Information - Piano Performance | |
Piano Performance majors must satisfactorily complete a 30 minute recital in the junior year and a 50 minute recital in the senior year. The junior recital, 30 minutes of music, must include at least 25 minutes of solo performance. The senior recital, 50 minutes of music, must include at least 40 minutes of solo performance. All recitals must show a range of performance pieces demonstrating a variety of historical styles. | |
String Performance | Credits |
Ensemble | |
University Orchestra (8 semesters) | 4 |
MUS 406 Chamber Music | 2 |
Area Specific Music Courses | |
MUS 321 Literature of the Major Instrument | 2 |
MUS 372 Pedagogy of the Major Instrument | 2 |
MUT 330 Form and Analysis | 3 |
MUT 332 Counterpoint | 3 |
Elective Credits | |
Music | 5 |
Non-Music | 9 |
Jury Information - String Performance | |
Performance majors will take a jury at the end of every semester. Students are expected to make satisfactory progress and meet their applied teacher's expectations. Students will be required to demonstrate progress through comprehensive musical selections with both technical proficiency (scales, etudes, etc.) and musicianship (concerti, sonatas, concert etudes, excerpts, etc.). | |
Recital Information - String Performace | |
Performance majors must perform a 30-minute recital in the junior year and a 50-minute recital in the senior year. A pre-recital hearing two weeks prior to any degree recital must be passed before a student may present their recital. | |
Vocal Performace | Credits |
Ensembles | |
Major Ensemble (8 semesters) | |
University Chorale or Chamber Singer | 4 |
MUS 404 Opera Workshop | 3 |
Area Specific Music Courses | |
MUS 256/257 Diction 1 and 2 | 4 |
MUS 321 Literature of the Major Instrument | 2 |
MUS 372 Pedagogy of the Instrument | 2 |
MUT 330 Form and Analysis | 3 |
Voice Majors only: Non-music course requirements | 16 |
Voice majors must meet a minimum proficiency in Italian and either French or German either by exam or through completion of the second semester of the basic course. | |
Italian 1 & 2 | 8 |
French or German | 8 |
Elective Credits | |
Music | 0 |
Non-Music | 0 |
Jury Information - Vocal Performance | |
Performance majors will take a progress check jury at the end of each fall semester and a level jury at the end of each spring semester. Jury level expectations are: | |
Recital Information - Vocal Performance | |
Performance majors must complete satisfactorily a 30 minute recital in the junior year and a 50 minute recital in the senior year. The junior recital, 30 minutes of music, must include at least 25 minutes of solo performance. The senior recital, 50 minutes of music, must include at least 40 minutes of solo performance. All recitals must show a range of performance pieces demonstrating a variety of historical styles. | |
Wind / Percussion Performance | Credit |
Ensembles | |
University Concert Band (8 semesters) | 4 |
MUS 406 Chamber Music | 2 |
Area Specific Music Courses | |
MUS 321 Literature of the Major Instrument | 2 |
MUS 372 Pedagogy of the Major Instrument | 2 |
MUT 330 Form and Analysis | 3 |
MUT 332 Counterpoint | 3 |
Elective Credits | |
Music | 5 |
Non-Music | 9 |
Jury Information - Wind / Percussion Performance | |
Performance majors will take a jury at the end of every semester. Students are expected to make satisfactory progress and meet their applied teacher's expectations. Students will be required to demonstrate progress through comprehensive musical selections with both technical proficiency (scales, etudes, etc.) and musicianship (concerti, sonatas, concert etudes, excerpts, etc.). | |
Recital Information - Wind / Percussion Performance | |
Performance majors must perform a 30-minute recital in the junior year and a 50-minute recital in the senior year. A pre-recital hearing two weeks prior to any degree recital must be passed before a student may present their recital. |
Admission Information
Admission to all degree programs in music is based on the following criteria:
- Performance audition on the applicant's major instrument.
- Tests of aural comprehension, rhythmic recitation, and sight singing administered individually by a member of the staff.
- A diagnostic written test of music fundamentals, including intervals, scales, chords, and key signatures.