The Music Department offers

  • Bachelor of Arts with a major in Music
  • Bachelor of Music with a major in Music Education
  • Music Minor

As a candidate for the Bachelor of Arts degree , your 43 hours of music study include music history, theory, applied music, and ensemble music-making; these combine with general education requirements of the College to give you a well rounded education. To the BA in Music you may add a concentration on voice, piano, composition, music education, and music history.

  • With a BA in music, Vocal or Piano Concentration, a student can go on to performance studies in graduate school. The ability to enter graduate school in performing depends almost entirely the student’s performing ability. In this concentration, you will spend time in lessons, taking literature courses, and concentrating more heavily on the specifics of performance artistry.
  • Concentrating on Music History prepares you more fully for graduate school in musicology or ethnomusicology. Extra history credits are required for this concentration, to be chosen from courses such as Latin American Music, American Popular Music, and others.
  • If you love composing, you can choose this concentration. In addition to taking Orchestration and Arranging, you will have three semesters of private composition lessons. Roll over, Beethoven!
  • Concentrating in Music Education is an option for students who are not choosing to become certified through the Education Department, but who are interested in teaching and becoming more knowledgeable about instrumental techniques.

A BA degree in music does not exclude the possibility of double majoring in another discipline. The Music Department has graduated majors in Music/Chemistry, Music/Business, Music/Philosophy, and Music/Humanistic Studies. These students all benefited from their studies in other fields, and found ways to combine interests in their career paths.

The Bachelor of Music with a Major in Education requires additional hours in music methods classes and education classes.

  • Altogether, this degree requires 61 hours in the Music Department.
  • At graduation you are certified for teaching at the Elementary, Middle School, and High School levels.

Music Minors take 18 hours in the department. Suggested courses include a year of theory, 4 hours of performance credits, and two courses of history.


Program Requirements in Detail

Requirements for all degrees (music majors)

  • Theory: MUS 181, 182, 182L, 281, 281L, 282, 282L
  • Music History: MUS 271, 272, 273
  • complete advanced writing requirement
  • pass the Music Masterworks Proficiency examination
  • participate in specific recitals and forums sponsored by the department
  • pass the basic piano proficiency examination
  • Senior Seminar (preparation for Music Comprehensive)
  • Music Comprehensive presentation

Bachelor of Music, Major in Music Education

  • complete above requirements for all degrees
  • 14 hours of applied music in the major performance area (voice, piano, etc.); two each semester except the student-teaching semester.
  • one credit hour of ensemble during each semester except the student-teaching semester (7 credits)
  • MUS 251, 252, 253
  • MUS 351, 365, 366, 453
  • MUS 250 or 451
  • 36 hours in Professional Education Courses, including Student Teaching, leading to state-approved teacher certification, K-12
  • attainment of the 400 level in the applied instrument

Bachelor of Arts, Major in Music

  • complete above requirements for all degrees
  • applied area, minimum of 4 credits and 4 semesters of study on the same instrument
  • ensemble area, 2 credits
  • approved music electives, 13 credits (6 credits must be in courses other than ensembles and lessons)
  • Various concentrations may be selected, 8-9 hours each:
    • Music History
    • Composition
    • Music Education (Does not lead to state-approved teacher certification.)
    • Voice
    • Piano

Minor in Music (18 hours)

  • MUS 181, 182, 182L
  • 6 hours of music history/appreciation (selected in consultation with music advisor)
  • 4 hours of performance (ensemble, studio or class instruction)

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