The Bachelor of Music (BM) is a professional degree in music. By focusing on the development of skills and concepts for success as a musician, students work to achieve a high level of technical competence in their performing area while gaining a broad knowledge of history, theory and literature. With emphases in Performance or Education, the Bachelor of Music gives students an inclusive and collaborative experience that fosters lifelong habits in performing, scholarship, teaching and community engagement. The BM degree prepares students for graduate school, careers in education and a wide variety of musical activities and professions.
The Bachelor of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
Admission Requirements
- Complete the Admission Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
- Declaring a major in music assumes evidence of basic 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. Students judged not ready for juried private lessons will be required to complete non-juried private lessons to build performance skills. 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 at department-approved concerts and recitals.
- Music majors choosing the Performance emphasis must complete a 30-minute junior-year recital and a 60-minute senior-year recital. In these recitals, students must demonstrate the ability to satisfactorily perform a program of artistic merit in public.
- Music majors choosing the Education emphasis must complete a 30-minute senior-year recital. In this recital, students must demonstrate the ability to 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 | 1 |
| MUS A134 | Aural Skills II | 1 |
| Choose 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 | 1 |
| MUS A234 | Aural Skills IV | 1 |
| 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 |
| MUS A361 | Private Lessons | 2 |
| MUS A362 | Private Lessons | 2 |
| MUS A461 | Private Lessons | 2 |
| MUS A462 | Private Lessons | 2 |
| Major Ensemble 1 | 16 | |
| University Singers (voice) 2 | ||
| Chamber Music and Accompanying (piano) | ||
| University Wind Ensemble (brass, winds, sax, percussion) 2 | ||
| University Sinfonia (strings) 2 | ||
| University Jazz Ensemble (sax, guitar, percussion) 2 | ||
| University Guitar Ensemble (guitar) 2 | ||
| Master Class 3 | 8 | |
| Instrumental Master Class | ||
| Piano Master Class | ||
| Voice Master Class | ||
| Chamber Ensemble 4 | 2 | |
| Chamber Music and Accompanying | ||
| Opera and Music Theatre Workshop | ||
| Chamber Ensemble | ||
| University Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Complete one of the emphases below | ||
| Total | 70 | |
- 1
Eight semesters of Major Ensemble are required. Choose the class appropriate to the major instrument. All music students may take up to two semesters of an ensemble outside of the one designated for their major to fulfill this requirement.
- 2
Of the eight required semesters, piano majors must choose two semesters from MUS A301B, MUS A303B, MUS A307B, MUS A405B or MUS A409B.
- 3
Eight semesters of Master Class are required. Choose the class appropriate to the major instrument.
- 4
Two semesters of Chamber Music are required. Choose the class appropriate to the major instrument.
Performance Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose two of the following Music History electives: | 6 | |
| History of Music in the 20th and 21st Centuries | ||
| History of Vocal and Choral Music in Europe and North America | ||
| History of Instrumental Music in Europe and North America | ||
| Choose one of the following Music Theory electives: | 3 | |
| Counterpoint | ||
| Orchestration | ||
| Choose one additional Music History or Theory elective from above | 3 | |
| Complete any 7 additional MUS credits | 7 | |
MUS A156 is recommended for students who need additional skill development in piano proficiency. | ||
| Total | 19 | |
Education Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose one of the following Music History electives: | 3 | |
| History of Music in the 20th and 21st Centuries | ||
| History of Vocal and Choral Music in Europe and North America | ||
| History of Instrumental Music in Europe and North America | ||
| Methods and Techniques Courses: | 12 | |
| Brass Methods and Techniques | ||
| Woodwind Methods and Techniques | ||
| String Methods and Techniques | ||
| Choral Methods and Techniques | ||
| Percussion Methods and Techniques | ||
| Elementary Music Methods and Techniques | ||
| Complete any 4 additional MUS credits | 4 | |
| Total | 19 | |
A minimum of 120 credits are required for the Bachelor of Music, Performance or Education emphasis, of which 39 credits must be upper division.
Honors in Music
The Bachelor of Music 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 Music degree;
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 in all Music courses applicable to the degree;
- Meet the requirements for Graduation with Honors;
- Complete MUS A462, which includes a senior recital, with a minimum grade of B;
- 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.