Music Major, B.A.

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Department of Music

College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Available Program Format(s): In-Person

About the Program

The Bachelor of Arts degree with concentrations in Music offers vigorous study of music alongside a strong liberal arts education, equipping students with versatile skills that are highly valued in the broad spectrum of music-related careers. The Bachelor of Arts degree in Music requires a minor in a secondary area of interest, allowing students to customize their degree according to personal career goals. 

Student Outcomes

Be able to hear, identify, and work conceptually with the elements of music: rhythm, melody, harmony, and structure, and to be able to sight read music with fluency.
Understand compositional processes, aesthetic properties of style, and the ways these shape and are shaped by artistic and cultural forces
Have experienced a wide selection of musical styles, traditions, and compositions from a variety of sources through study, participation, and exposure through live performances.
Have the technical and artistic ability to perform in areas appropriate to the student’s needs and interests, and to work independently and creatively.

General Degree Requirements

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.

Program Requirements

A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation.
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.
A minor is required for this program.

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits

Students should consult the General Studies Requirements for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion.

Written Communication (6 credits)
Oral Communication (3 credits)
Quantitative Literacy (3 credits)
Arts and Humanities (6 credits)
Historical (3 credits)
Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits)
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)
Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits**)

** Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences.

Multicultural Requirement: 0 or 3 credits

Students should consult the Multicultural Graduation Requirements for a list of courses that fulfill the Multicultural Requirement for degree completion.
Many programs include courses that meet this requirement. Students should consult with their advisor to determine what program courses may fulfill this requirement.

Core Requirements: 32 credits

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 - Western Music History I Credits: 3
MUS 3220 - Western Music History II Credits: 3
Select one credit hour from the following options:
MUS 3818 - Mariachi Ensemble Credits: 1
MUS 3834 - Gamelan Ensemble Credits: 1
MUS 3835 - African Drum and Dance Ensemble Credits: 1
*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.

Specific Degree Requirements: 11 credits

MUS 0020 - Recital Attendance Credits: 0 (two additional semesters)*
MUS 1650 - Basic Music Technology Credits: 1
MUS 2710 - Private Instruction III Credits: 2 (Primary Performance Area)
MUS 2720 - Private Instruction IV Credits: 2 (Primary Performance Area)
Upper-division elective in Music Theory, History, Literature or Pedagogy (3 hours)
MUS 3260 - Professional and Career Development for the 21st Century Musician Credits: 3
*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: 6 credits

Students enrolled in private lessons must enroll in the appropriate major ensemble during each semester of individual instruction.

Choose five hours from the following:
MUS 3828 - Jazz Ensemble Credits: 1
MUS 3829 - Jazz Combo Credits: 1
For students whose primary instrument is a jazz instrument, the major ensemble is MUS 3828: Jazz Ensemble or MUS 3829: Jazz Chamber Ensemble, as assigned by the Director of Jazz Studies.
MUS 3820 - Chorale Credits: 1
MUS 3821 - University Treble Choir Credits: 1
MUS 3822 - University Basso Choir Credits: 1
For students whose primary instrument is voice, the major ensemble is choir (MUS 3820: Chorale, MUS 3821: University Treble Choir, or MUS 3822: University Basso Choir) as assigned by the Director of Choral Activities.
MUS 3824 - Symphonic Band Credits: 1
MUS 3825 - Wind Ensemble Credits: 1
For students whose primary instrument is woodwinds, brass, or percussion, the major ensemble is band (MUS 3825: Wind Ensemble or MUS 3824: Symphonic Band) as assigned by the Director of Band Activities.
MUS 3817 - String Sinfonietta Credits: 1
MUS 3827 - Symphony Orchestra Credits: 1
For students whose primary instrument is strings, the major ensemble is orchestra (MUS 3817: String Sinfonietta or MUS 3827: Symphony Orchestra), as assigned by the Director of Orchestral Activities.
MUS 3830 - Guitar Ensemble Credits: 1
For students whose primary instrument is guitar, the major ensemble is MUS 3830: Guitar Ensemble.
One hour:
MUS 3819 - Chamber Music Credits: 1

Ensembles: Primary instrument in Piano and Organ: 6 credits

Choose five hours from the following:
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
For students whose primary instrument is piano or organ, the major ensemble is choir (MUS 3820: Chorale (audition), MUS 3821: University Treble Choir (choral experience) or MUS 3822: University Basso Choir (choral experience), band (MUS 3825: Wind Ensemble (audition) or MUS 3824: Symphonic Band) or orchestra (MUS 3817: String Sinfonietta or MUS 3827: Symphony Orchestra), as assigned by the Director of Choral Activities, the Director of Band Activities, or the Director of Orchestral Activities.
One hour:
MUS 3819 - Chamber Music Credits: 1

Senior Experience: 3 credits

MUS 4950 - Senior Project Credits: 3

Summary of Requirements

General Studies Requirements	33 credits
Multicultural Requirement	0-3 credits
Core Requirements	32 credits
Specific Degree Requirements	11 credits
Ensembles or Ensembles: Primary Instrument in Piano and Organ	6 credits
Senior Experience	3 credits
Minor and Unrestricted Electives	32-41 credits
Total for the Music Major, B.A.	120 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and Multicultural requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.