The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music degree offers a diverse curriculum for those desiring a broad liberal arts education with a concentration in music. Students pursuing this degree will sample courses in each of the major musical areas (history, theory and performance) in addition to strengthening their artistry on their primary instrument or voice. The degree prepares students for graduate school, careers in education and a wide variety of other musical activities and professions.
The Bachelor of Arts in Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Application and Admission Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- Declaring a major in music assumes basic evidence of musicianship and performance ability. To demonstrate music skills, all incoming first-year and transfer students are required to complete an audition/performance evaluation prior to their first semester. This assists faculty in determining each student’s readiness for entry into juried private-lessons, ensembles and academic music classes. Upon completion of the performance evaluation, faculty advisors will assist students in planning a first year of study best suited to their needs.
Special Considerations
- The Piano Proficiency examination must be passed prior to completion of 60 credits in the program. Music majors may be denied enrollment in certain upper-division music courses until this jury examination is passed. While not a degree requirement, it is recommended that students take MUS A156 Functional Piano in their first two years to prepare for this exam.
- Music majors taking juried private-lessons must during each semester of enrollment: 1) perform in at least one student recital; 2) stand for jury finals; 3) attend and provide technical support for department-approved concerts and recitals.
- Music majors choosing the Performance emphasis must complete a 30-minute junior-year recital and 60-minute senior-year recital. In these recitals, students must satisfactorily perform a program of artistic merit in public.
- Music majors choosing the Education emphasis must complete a 30-minute senior recital. In this recital, students must satisfactorily perform a program of artistic merit in public.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- Complete the following major requirements:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Academic Courses | ||
| MUS A131 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUS A132 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUS A133 | Aural Skills I | 2 |
| MUS A134 | Aural Skills II | 2 |
| Complete one of the following two courses: | 3 | |
| Music of Alaska Natives and Indigenous Peoples of Northern Regions | ||
| World Indigenous Music | ||
| MUS A220 | Music in Western Culture | 3 |
| MUS A231 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUS A232 | Music Theory IV | 3 |
| MUS A233 | Aural Skills III | 2 |
| MUS A234 | Aural Skills IV | 2 |
| MUS A331 | Form and Analysis | 3 |
| MUS A380 | Conducting | 3 |
| Core Performing Courses | ||
| Private lessons on the major instrument: | ||
| MUS A161 | Private Lessons | 2 |
| MUS A162 | Private Lessons | 2 |
| MUS A261 | Private Lessons | 2 |
| MUS A262 | Private Lessons | 2 |
| Major Ensemble 1 | 10 | |
| University Singers (voice) | ||
| Chamber Music and Accompanying (piano) | ||
| University Sinfonia (brass, winds, strings, percussion) | ||
| University Jazz Ensemble (saxophone) | ||
| University Guitar Ensemble (guitar) | ||
| Master Class 2 | 4 | |
| Instrumental Master Class | ||
| Piano Master Class | ||
| Voice Master Class | ||
| Total | 54 | |
- 1
Five semesters of Major Ensemble are required. Choose the class appropriate to the major instrument.
- 2
Four semesters of Master Class are required. Choose the class appropriate to the major instrument.
A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 credits must be upper division.
Honors in Music
The Bachelor of Arts in Music recognizes distinguished achievement by conferring programmatic honors in music. In order to receive honors in music, a student must meet the following requirements:
- Be a declared music major;
- Meet all requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Music;
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 in all music courses applicable to the degree;
- Meet the requirements for Graduation with Honors;
- Receive an honors score (based on criteria established by the department) on a comprehensive examination for majors.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students completing a degree in Music will be able to:
- Demonstrate technical proficiency on a chosen instrument appropriate to the degree with an attendant functional proficiency on piano.
- Demonstrate and analyze through musical literacy the basic technical principles used in the construction of music and its basic forms.
- Communicate a knowledge of the various musical periods and representative forms from those periods in the social, artistic and political context of each.