Nov 04, 2025

2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog

2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music Major, B.M.

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The Bachelor of Music degree prepares students for further graduate studies or for careers as performers, composers, or private studio teachers. Concentrations are available in performance and composition. To be admitted to this program, students must demonstrate the capability of developing a high level of musicianship. For admission to the performance concentration, students must pass the music performance audition upon completion of MUS 1720 - Private Instruction II . For admission to the composition concentration, students must pass a review of their composition portfolio upon completion of MUS 3650 - Basic Techniques of Composition .

A grade of “C-” or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the Bachelor’s degree. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required. The Bachelor of Music does not require a minor.

Core Requirements

The following courses are required for all music majors:

MUS 0020 - Recital Attendance Credits: 0 *
MUS 1110 - Music Theory I Credits: 3
MUS 1120 - Music Theory Lab I Credits: 1
MUS 1130 - Music Theory II Credits: 3
MUS 1140 - Music Theory Lab II Credits: 1
MUS 161B - Class Piano I Credits: 1 **
MUS 162B - Class Piano II Credits: 1 **
MUS 1710 - Private Instruction I Credits: 2 (primary performance area)
MUS 1720 - Private Instruction II Credits: 2 (primary performance area)
MUS 2110 - Music Theory III Credits: 3
MUS 2120 - Music Theory Lab III Credits: 1
MUS 2130 - Music Theory IV Credits: 3
MUS 2140 - Music Theory Lab IV Credits: 1
MUS 3050 - Musics of the World Credits: 3
MUS 3210 - Music History I Credits: 3
MUS 3220 - Music History II Credits: 3
Select one credit hour from the following options:
MUS 3810 - Ensemble Credits: 1
Students must enroll in Mariachi Ensemble, Gamelan Ensemble, or African Drumming and Dance Ensemble to meet this requirement.
Subtotal: 32 credits
*Students must enroll during each semester of individual instruction, and complete the requirement with a “Satisfactory” grade in order to be eligible to continue to enroll in individual instruction.
**Students whose primary instrument is piano must substitute MUS 261B and MUS 262B, Class Piano III and IV, for MUS 161B and MUS 162B, Class Piano I and II, in the core requirements listed above.

Woodwinds, Brass, Strings, and Percussion Performance Concentrations

Core Requirements (see above)		32
Specific Degree Requirements		27

Concentration		7
Ensembles		12
General Studies		33
Electives		9
Total hours required		120*

*Must include the 3-credit hour multicultural requirement.

Specific Degree Requirements

MUS 0020 - Recital Attendance Credits: 0 (six additional semesters)*
MUS 1650 - Basic Music Technology Credits: 1
MUS 2730 - Performance III Credits: 3 (Primary Performance Area)
MUS 2740 - Performance IV Credits: 3 (Primary Performance Area)
MUS 3260 - Professional and Career Development for the 21st Century Musician Credits: 3
MUS 3510 - Basic Conducting Credits: 2
MUS 3640 - Improvisation Credits: 1
MUS 3730 - Performance V Credits: 3 (Primary Performance Area)
MUS 3740 - Performance VI Credits: 3 (Primary Performance Area)
MUS 4730 - Performance VII (Primary Performance Area) Credits: 3
MUS 4740 - Senior Recital Performance Credits: 3
MUS 4800 - Seminar in Music Repertoire Credits: 2
Subtotal: 27 credits
*Students must enroll during each semester of individual instruction, and complete the requirement with a “Satisfactory” grade in order to be eligible to continue to enroll in individual instruction.

Concentration: 7 credits

Select one of the following concentrations:

Woodwind, Brass, String, or Percussion Concentration

MUS 3150 - Arranging and Orchestration Credits: 2
Upper-division elective in Music Theory, History, Literature or Pedagogy Credits: 3
General Elective Course Credits: 1

Select one of the following courses:

MUS 3410 - String Techniques and Pedagogy Credits: 1
MUS 3430 - Woodwind Techniques and Pedagogy Credits: 1
MUS 3450 - Brass Techniques and Pedagogy Credits: 1
MUS 3460 - Percussion Techniques and Pedagogy Credits: 1

Strings Concentration

Eight hours:
MUS 3817 - String Sinfonietta Credits: 1
MUS 3827 - Symphony Orchestra Credits: 1
MUS 3827: Symphony Orchestra requires an audition. Students must complete the requirement with a grade of “C- ” or better in order to be eligible to continue to enroll in individual instruction.
Four hours:
MUS 3819 - Chamber Music Credits: 1

Piano, Organ, and Guitar Performance Concentration

Core Requirements (see above)		32
Specific Degree Requirements		27

Concentration		9
Ensembles		12
General Studies		33
Electives		7
Total hours required		120*

*Must include the 3-credit hour multicultural requirement.

Specific Degree Requirements

MUS 0020 - Recital Attendance Credits: 0 (Six additional semesters)*
MUS 1650 - Basic Music Technology Credits: 1
MUS 2730 - Performance III Credits: 3 (Primary performance area)
MUS 2740 - Performance IV Credits: 3 (Primary performance area)
MUS 3260 - Professional and Career Development for the 21st Century Musician Credits: 3
MUS 3510 - Basic Conducting Credits: 2
MUS 3640 - Improvisation Credits: 1
MUS 3730 - Performance V Credits: 3 (Primary performance area)
MUS 3740 - Performance VI Credits: 3 (Primary performance area)
MUS 4730 - Performance VII (Primary Performance Area) Credits: 3
MUS 4740 - Senior Recital Performance Credits: 3
MUS 4800 - Seminar in Music Repertoire Credits: 2
Subtotal: 27 credits
*Students must enroll during each semester of individual instruction, and complete the requirement with a “Satisfactory” grade in order to be eligible to continue to enroll in individual instruction.

Piano Concentration

MUS 3100 - Counterpoint Credits: 3
MUS 4410 - Piano Pedagogy Credits: 3
Upper-division elective in Music Theory, History, Literature or Pedagogy Credits: 3

Organ Concentration

MUS 3100 - Counterpoint Credits: 3
MUS 3520 - Choral Conducting Credits: 2
MUS 4450 - Organ Pedagogy Credits: 3
MUS XXXX Elective Course Credits: 1

Guitar Concentration

MUS 3100 - Counterpoint Credits: 3
MUS 3150 - Arranging and Orchestration Credits: 2
MUS 4430 - Guitar Pedagogy and Literature Credits: 3

Select one of the following courses:

MUS 3410 - String Techniques and Pedagogy Credits: 1
MUS 3430 - Woodwind Techniques and Pedagogy Credits: 1
MUS 3450 - Brass Techniques and Pedagogy Credits: 1
MUS 3460 - Percussion Techniques and Pedagogy Credits: 1

Ensembles: 12 credits

Students must complete 12 credits of ensembles.

Piano Concentration

Six hours:
MUS 3832 - Collaborative Piano Credits: 1
Students must complete the requirement with a grade of “C- ” or better in order to be eligible to continue to enroll in individual instruction.
Four hours:
MUS 3819 - Chamber Music Credits: 1
Two hours:
MUS 3817 - String Sinfonietta Credits: 1
MUS 3820 - Chorale Credits: 1
MUS 3821 - University Treble Choir Credits: 1
MUS 3822 - University Basso Choir Credits: 1
MUS 3823 - Auraria Choir Credits: 1
MUS 3824 - Symphonic Band Credits: 1
MUS 3825 - Wind Ensemble Credits: 1
MUS 3826 - Secondary Instrument Band Credits: 1
MUS 3827 - Symphony Orchestra Credits: 1

Organ Concentration

Eight hours:
MUS 3817 - String Sinfonietta Credits: 1
MUS 3819 - Chamber Music Credits: 1
Students must complete the requirement with a grade of “C-” or better in order to be eligible to continue to enroll in individual instruction.
Four hours:
MUS 3820 - Chorale Credits: 1
MUS 3821 - University Treble Choir Credits: 1
MUS 3822 - University Basso Choir Credits: 1
MUS 3823 - Auraria Choir Credits: 1
MUS 3824 - Symphonic Band Credits: 1
MUS 3825 - Wind Ensemble Credits: 1
MUS 3826 - Secondary Instrument Band Credits: 1
MUS 3827 - Symphony Orchestra Credits: 1

Guitar Concentration

Eight hours:
MUS 3830 - Guitar Ensemble Credits: 1
Students must complete the requirement with a grade of “C-” or better in order to be eligible to continue to enroll in individual instruction.
Two hours:
MUS 3819 - Chamber Music Credits: 1
Two hours:
MUS 3820 - Chorale Credits: 1
MUS 3821 - University Treble Choir Credits: 1
MUS 3822 - University Basso Choir Credits: 1
MUS 3823 - Auraria Choir Credits: 1
MUS 3824 - Symphonic Band Credits: 1
MUS 3825 - Wind Ensemble Credits: 1
MUS 3827 - Symphony Orchestra Credits: 1
MUS 3828 - Jazz Ensemble Credits: 1

Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion Concentration

Six hours:
MUS 3824 - Symphonic Band Credits: 1
MUS 3825 - Wind Ensemble Credits: 1
MUS 3825: Wind Ensemble requires an audition. Students must complete the requirement with a grade of “C-” or better in order to be eligible to continue to enroll in individual instruction.
Two hours:
MUS 3827 - Symphony Orchestra Credits: 1
Students must complete the requirement with a grade of “C- ” or better in order to be eligible to continue to enroll in individual instruction.
Note: B.M in Music performance with saxophone as the principle instrument may take two semester of either MUS 3827 - Symphony Orchestra , or MUS 3828 - Jazz Ensemble .
Four hours:
MUS 3819 - Chamber Music Credits: 1

General Studies Requirements: 33

Voice Performance Concentration

Core Requirements (see above)	32
Specific Degree Requirements	27

Ensembles	12
Voice Performance Concentration	12
General Studies	33
Elective	4
Total Semester Hours Required	120*

*Must include the 3-credit multicultural requirement.

Specific Degree Requirements: 27 credits

MUS 0020 - Recital Attendance Credits: 0 (six additional semesters)*
MUS 1650 - Basic Music Technology Credits: 1
MUS 2730 - Performance III Credits: 3 (Primary Performance Area)
MUS 2740 - Performance IV Credits: 3 (Primary Performance Area)
MUS 3260 - Professional and Career Development for the 21st Century Musician Credits: 3
MUS 3510 - Basic Conducting Credits: 2
MUS 3640 - Improvisation Credits: 1
MUS 3730 - Performance V Credits: 3 (Primary Performance Area)
MUS 3740 - Performance VI Credits: 3 (Primary Performance Area)
MUS 4730 - Performance VII (Primary Performance Area) Credits: 3 (Primary Performance Area)
MUS 4740 - Senior Recital Performance Credits: 3
MUS 4800 - Seminar in Music Repertoire Credits: 2

Ensembles: 12 credits

Eight hours:
MUS 3820 - Chorale Credits: 1
MUS 3821 - University Treble Choir Credits: 1
MUS 3822 - University Basso Choir Credits: 1
MUS 3820: Chorale requires an audition. Students must complete the requirement with a grade of “C- ” or better in order to be eligible to continue to enroll in individual instruction.
Three hours:
MUS 3819 - Chamber Music Credits: 1
MUS 3833 - Opera Credits: 1
Opera requires an audition.

One Hour:

MUS 3816 - Early Music Ensemble Credits: 1
MUS 3819 - Chamber Music Credits: 1
MUS 3833 - Opera Credits: 1
MUS 3833: Opera requires an audition.

Voice Performance Concentration: 12 credits

MUS 2400 - Vocal Diction I Credits: 2
MUS 3400 - Vocal Diction II Credits: 2
MUS 4520 - Vocal Pedagogy and Literature Credits: 3

Select one of the following:

FRE 1020 - Elementary French II Credits: 5
GER 1020 - Elementary German II Credits: 5
ITA 1020 - Elementary Italian II Credits: 5

General Studies: 33 credits

Jazz and American Improvised Music Performance Concentration

Core Requirements (see above)	32
Specific Degree Requirements	39
Secondary Performance Area	2
Ensembles	12
General Studies	33
Electives	2

Total Semester Hours Required	120*

*Must include the 3-credit multicultural requirement.

Specific Degree Requirements: 39 credits

MUS 0020 - Recital Attendance Credits: 0 (six additional semesters)*
MUS 1650 - Basic Music Technology Credits: 1
MUS 2150 - Jazz Theory Credits: 3
MUS 2450 - Jazz Improvisation I Credits: 1
MUS 2451 - Jazz Improvisation II Credits: 1
MUS 2630 - Jazz Piano Credits: 1
MUS 2730 - Performance III Credits: 3
MUS 2740 - Performance IV Credits: 3
MUS 3020 - History of Jazz Credits: 3
MUS 3030 - Traditional American Improvised Styles Credits: 3
MUS 3160 - Jazz Composition and Arranging Credits: 1
MUS 3260 - Professional and Career Development for the 21st Century Musician Credits: 3
MUS 3510 - Basic Conducting Credits: 2
MUS 3730 - Performance V Credits: 3
MUS 3740 - Performance VI Credits: 3
MUS 4350 - Jazz Pedagogy Credits: 2
MUS 4730 - Performance VII (Primary Performance Area) Credits: 3
MUS 4740 - Senior Recital Performance Credits: 3

Note:

*Students must enroll during each semester of individual instruction and complete the requirement with a “Satisfactory” grade in order to be eligible to continue to enroll in individual instruction.

Secondary Performance Area*: 2 credits

Select two credits from one of the following areas:

MUS 161K - Class Guitar I Credits: 1 (Secondary Performance Area)
MUS 162K - Class Guitar II Credits: 1 (Secondary Performance Area)
MUS 1710 - Private Instruction I Credits: 2 (Secondary Performance Area) **

Notes:

*Students enrolling in MUS 1710 must concurrently enroll in MUS 0020, Recital Attendance, and the major ensemble for the lesson area.

**Students in the Jazz and American Improvised Music Performance concentration may fulfill this requirement through classical study on the same instrument.

Ensembles: 12 credits

Ten hours:
MUS 3828 - Jazz Ensemble Credits: 1
MUS 3829 - Jazz Combo Credits: 1
MUS 3828: Jazz Ensemble and MUS 3829: Jazz Combo require an audition. Students must complete the requirement with a grade of “C-” or better to be eligible to continue to enroll in individual instruction
Two hours:
MUS 3816 - Early Music Ensemble Credits: 1
MUS 3819 - Chamber Music Credits: 1
MUS 3830 - Guitar Ensemble Credits: 1
MUS 3831 - Percussion Chamber Ensemble Credits: 1
MUS 3830: Guitar Ensemble and MUS 3831: Percussion Ensemble require an audition.

General Studies: 33 credits

Composition Concentration

Core Requirements (see above)	32
Specific Degree Requirements	43
Ensembles	9
General Studies	33
Electives	3
Total hours required	120*

* Must include the 3-credit hour multicultural requirement.

Specific Degree Requirements: 43 credits

MUS 0020 - Recital Attendance Credits: 0 (six additional semesters)*
MUS 1650 - Basic Music Technology Credits: 1
MUS 261B - Class Piano III Credits: 1
MUS 262B - Class Piano IV Credits: 1
MUS 2660 - Electronic Music Composition Credits: 1
MUS 2710 - Private Instruction III Credits: 2 (Primary Performance Area)
MUS 2720 - Private Instruction IV Credits: 2 (Primary Performance Area)
MUS 3100 - Counterpoint Credits: 3
MUS 3150 - Arranging and Orchestration Credits: 2
MUS 3260 - Professional and Career Development for the 21st Century Musician Credits: 3
MUS 3410 - String Techniques and Pedagogy Credits: 1
MUS 3430 - Woodwind Techniques and Pedagogy Credits: 1
MUS 3450 - Brass Techniques and Pedagogy Credits: 1
MUS 3460 - Percussion Techniques and Pedagogy Credits: 1
MUS 3510 - Basic Conducting Credits: 2
MUS 3540 - Advanced Conducting Credits: 2
MUS 3640 - Improvisation Credits: 1
MUS 3650 - Basic Techniques of Composition Credits: 2
MUS 3711 - Private Instruction V (Composition) Credits: 2
MUS 3741 - Performance VI Credits: 3
MUS 4731 - Performance VII (Composition) Credits: 3
MUS 4741 Performance VIII (Composition) Credits: 3
MUS 4110 - Analysis of Music Credits: 2
MUS 4960 - Senior Composition Project Credits: 3

Note:

*Students must enroll during each semester of individual instruction, and complete the requirement with a “Satisfactory” grade in order to be eligible to continue to enroll in individual instruction.

Ensembles: 9 credits

Students choose a major ensemble that corresponds to their primary instrument.

Five hours:
MUS 3817 - String Sinfonietta Credits: 1
MUS 3820 - Chorale Credits: 1
MUS 3821 - University Treble Choir Credits: 1
MUS 3822 - University Basso Choir Credits: 1
MUS 3824 - Symphonic Band Credits: 1
MUS 3825 - Wind Ensemble Credits: 1
MUS 3827 - Symphony Orchestra Credits: 1
MUS: 3820 Chorale, MUS 3825: Wind Ensemble, and MUS 3827: Symphony Orchestra require an audition. Students must complete the requirement with a grade of “C-” or better to be eligible to continue to enroll in individual instruction.
One hour:
MUS 3819 - Chamber Music Credits: 1

One Hour:

MUS 3824 - Symphonic Band Credits: 1
MUS 3825 - Wind Ensemble Credits: 1
MUS 3826 - Secondary Instrument Band Credits: 1
MUS 3825: Wind Ensemble requires an audition.

One Hour:

MUS 3817 - String Sinfonietta Credits: 1
MUS 3827 - Symphony Orchestra Credits: 1
MUS 3827: Symphony Orchestra requires an audition.

One Hour:

MUS 3820 - Chorale Credits: 1
MUS 3821 - University Treble Choir Credits: 1
MUS 3822 - University Basso Choir Credits: 1
MUS 3823 - Auraria Choir Credits: 1
MUS: 3820 Chorale requires an audition.