Music, Bachelor of Music (B.M.)

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Music program, Students must demonstrate achievement of professional, entry-level competence in the major area, including significant technical mastery, capability to produce work and solve professional problems independently, and a coherent set of artistic/intellectual goals that are evident in their work.

Performance Skills. Students will acquire: 

1. Technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression in at least one major performance area at a level appropriate for the particular music concentration. 
2. An overview understanding of the repertory in their major performance area and the ability to perform from a cross-section of that repertory. 
3. The ability to read at sight with fluency demonstrating both general musicianship and, in the major performance area, a level of skill relevant to professional standards appropriate for the particular music concentration. 
4. Knowledge and skills sufficient to work as a leader and in collaboration on matters of musical interpretation. Rehearsal and conducting skills are required as appropriate to the particular music concentration.
5. Keyboard competency. 
6. Growth in artistry, technical skills, collaborative competence and knowledge of repertory through regular ensemble experiences. Ensembles should be varied both in size and nature. 
7. Performance study and ensemble experience continue throughout the baccalaureate program.

Musicianship Skills and Analysis. Students will acquire: 

1. An understanding of the common elements and organizational patterns of music and their interaction, the ability to employ this understanding in aural, verbal, and visual analyses, and the ability to take aural dictation. 
2. Sufficient understanding of and capability with musical forms, processes, and structures to use this knowledge and skill in compositional, performance, analytical, scholarly, and pedagogical applications according to the requisites of their specializations. 
3. The ability to place music in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts. 

Composition/Improvisation. Students will acquire a rudimentary capacity to create original or derivative music via written, electronic, or improvisatory forms and methods. These may include but are not limited to the creation of original compositions or improvisations, variations or improvisations on existing materials, experimentation with various sound sources, the imitation of musical styles, and manipulating the common elements in non-traditional ways. 

History and Repertory. Students will acquire basic knowledge of music history and repertories through the present time, including study and experience of musical language and achievement beyond the primary culture of specialization area. 

Synthesis. Students will work on musical problems by combining, as appropriate to the issue, their capabilities in performance; aural, verbal, and visual analysis; composition/improvisation; and history and repertory. 

Bachelor of Music Core Requirements

Applied Music

All music majors will complete a minimum of seven semesters of applied lessons. Applied students must complete a jury examination at the end of each semester. Semester jury exams may be waived for students who successfully complete MUS 399 or MUS 499 in the same semester. With the exception of the student teaching or internship semester, each major is required to enroll in applied music every semester of full-time enrollment.

Students may only take applied lessons in their primary area until they have completed the 200 level. If a student then chooses to take secondary applied lessons, they may do so only at the 100 or 200 levels. Any secondary applied lessons must be approved in writing by the primary and secondary applied instructors and the School of Music Director.

Sophomore Comprehensive Exam

Majors complete a jury at the end of 200-level applied lessons. This exam measures appropriate progress and performance skills for musicians moving into upper-division study specific to their concentration. Students demonstrate performance skills as measured by a committee of 3 or more professors using the School of Music Performance Rubric. Students who do not achieve adequate progress and scores shall not be permitted to continue in the BM program or specific concentration.

Solo Recital Performance

Each major will perform the equivalent of a half recital (30 minutes of music on their primary instrument including at least 20 minutes of solo literature). Education and Industry concentrations will complete this in the fall semester with 400-level lessons. Composition and Performance concentrations will complete this in the spring (or second) semester of 300-level applied lessons.

Ensemble Requirements

All majors will complete a minimum of seven semesters of a major ensemble reflecting the students primary applied area. With the exception of the student teaching or internship semester, majors are required to enroll in a major ensemble every semester of full-time enrollment.

All majors in winds, percussion, orchestral strings, and vocal applied areas will audition for placement in major ensembles every semester of full-time enrollment. Guitarists and pianists do not audition for placement. Auditions are held the weekend prior to or during the first week of classes. Audition music is posted through the School of Music website. Ensemble placements are decided by conducting faculty with the assistance of applied faculty. Students will register for the assigned major ensemble after audition results are posted and prior to the end of the Drop/Add period. 

Students in wind and percussion applied areas are assigned to MUS 455A: Wind Ensemble or MUS 455B: Concert Band. Students may be assigned to MUS 454: Jazz Ensemble or or MUS 435: Symphony Orchestra to fulfill the major ensemble requirement with permission of the Director of the School of Music, applied faculty, and conducting faculty. 

Students in orchestral strings applied areas are assigned to one of the following: MUS 435: Symphony Orchestra. String bass students may be assigned to MUS 455A: Wind Ensemble or MUS 454: Jazz Ensemble to fulfill the major ensemble requirement with permission of the Director of the School of Music, applied faculty, and conducting faculty. 

Students in the guitar applied area are assigned to MUS 457: Guitar Ensemble.

Students in vocal and piano applied areas are assigned to MUS 428A: EnChor (SSAA Choir) or MUS 428B: Koros (TTBB Choir). Applied piano students may be assigned to MUS 313: Accompaniment, MUS 455A: Wind Ensemble, or MUS 454: Jazz Ensemble to fulfill the major ensemble requirement with permission of the Director of the School of Music, applied faculty, and conducting faculty.

Small Ensemble Requirements

All majors will complete a minimum of 2 credits of a chamber ensemble reflecting the students primary applied area.

• Applied winds and percussion students will choose MUS 250: Small Ensembles.
• Applied orchestral strings students will choose MUS 236: String Orchestra or MUS 250: Small Ensembles.
• Applied vocal students will choose MUS 426: University Singers or MUS 250: Small Ensembles.
• Applied guitar students will choose MUS 250: Small Ensembles: Electric Guitar Ensemble.
• Applied piano students will choose MUS 313: Accompaniment.

Recital Attendance

All majors are required to attend concerts and recitals held throughout the semester. Requirements are included in applied lesson syllabi. 

Admission to the Music Major Program

Admission to the Bachelor of Music programs requires a successful audition for the applicable applied teacher. The student is expected to demonstrate acceptable levels of achievement in performance in terms of intonation, tone quality and rhythmic accuracy. Incoming students will be expected to perform two selections of contrasting styles. Students may be accepted on probationary status at the discretion of the applied teacher and the School of Music Director. Students seeking to opt out of one of more semesters of class piano may complete a placement exam prior to the start of the semester of study.

Program Requirements

Program Requirements

CIP Code: 50.0901

Major

Composition Concentration

Music Education Concentration

¹

Vocal majors will take MUS 220 Diction for Singers instead of MUS 113 Vocal Teaching Techniques.

²

Non-marching instruments/voice may choose an advisor approved ensemble instead of MUS 256 Marching Band

Music Industry Emphasis Concentration

Music Performance Concentration

Key:

E

Course satisfies an Essential Education element.

*

Course must be taken in semester indicated.

Upper division courses: All students are required to have a minimum of 39 hrs. upper division (300-level or above) courses distributed throughout Major/Supporting/Essential Ed/Free Electives categories.

Music B.M. - Music Composition Concentration

Music B.M. - Music Education Concentration

Music B.M. - Music Performance Concentration

Music B.M. - Emphasis in Music Industry