2024-25 Undergraduate Academic Catalog | School of Arts and Humanities | Music and Performing Arts | Majors

Music Performance, B.S.

[B.S. in Music Performance - 1004]

The Bachelor of Science degree in Performance is available for piano, voice, guitar, percussion, and all string, brass, and woodwind instruments.  The degree includes pedagogy courses and studio teaching experience. This program is for music majors whose career interests include professional performance, and private and class-studio teaching. The program provides solo, chamber, and large ensemble performance opportunities as well as training to develop practical studio-teaching skills.

SPECIFICS OF THE MUSIC PEFORMANCE B.S. DEGREE 

Minimum Total Hours:  127-8, depending on focus

Total Liberal Arts Hours Required:  64
 
General Education Requirements:  Per Core Curriculum Requirements list (see General Education Council). Exceptions: ARTS 2010  or FNAR 1200 (only one course is required and MUSC 1910 is not permitted); Voice Performance majors must complete 6 hours of college-level foreign language, and American Sign Language may not be used.

Minimum Requirements:  Overall and major GPA of 2.0; no grade less than C- in the major.

Transfer Requirements:  Audition.  See institutional transfer policies.

Application to the Major:  A minimum overall GPA of 2.0 is required to be accepted and to remain in the major.  A performance jury during the sophomore year will serve as audition into the major.  Standard institutional major application must be submitted prior to the proficiency.  A grade of C- must be achieved in Theory to continue in the major.

Admission Requirements:  Audition.  

Major Requirements:  78-81 hours

  • Requirements for all Music Performance majors:
    • 12 semester hours of music theory (MUSC 1101, MUSC 1102, MUSC 2103, MUSC 2104);
    • 4 semester hours of aural skills (MUSC 1201, MUSC 1202, MUSC 2103, MUSC 2104);
    • 8 semester hours of music history and literature 
      (MUSC 2301, MUSC 2302, MUSC 3303);
    • 3 semester hours of orchestration (MUSC 3901);
    • 8 semesters of Music Seminar (MUSC 1910);
    • Piano proficiency (Class Piano I, II, III or IV taken until the proficiency exam is passed);
    • Junior and Senior Recitals.
  • Vocal Performance Requirements: 
    • 4 semester hours of vocal literature (MUSC 3611, MUSC 3612);
    • 3 semester hours of diction (MUSC 3615);
    • 3 semester hours of vocal pedagogy (MUSC 3613);
    • 1 semester hour of field experience (MUSC 3614);
    • 3 semester hours of conducting (MUSC 2401, MUSC 3402);
    • 2 semester hours of musical stage (MUSC 4611);
    • 3 semesters hours of acting (THTR 2100);
    • 2 semester hours of music electives;
    • 22 semester hours of applied voice (MUSC 1003);
    • 8 semester hours of vocal ensemble (MUSC 1050, MUSC 1052);
    • Vocal Performance majors must complete 6 semester hours of foreign language at the college level. French, German, or Italian is preferred, possibly requiring cross registration at an area college.
  • Piano Performance Requirements: 
    • 3 semester hours of piano literature (MUSC 3605);
    • 4 semester hours of piano pedagogy (MUSC 3601, MUSC 3602);
    • 3 semester hours of conducting (MUSC 2401, MUSC 3402 or MUSC 3403);
    • 6 semester hours of music electives;
    • 22 semester hours of applied piano (MUSC 1001);
    • 3 semester hours of applied accompanying (MUSC 1035);
    • 2 semester hours of applied organ (MUSC 1002);
    • 8 semester hours of ensemble (MUSC 1050, MUSC 1060, MUSC 1065, MUSC 1052);
    • Accompanying assignments each semester.
  • Orchestral Instrument Performance Requirements:
    • 3 semester hours of instrumental literature (MUSC 3621);
    • 3 semester hours of pedagogy (MUSC 1501 and 3631 for strings OR MUSC 3523 for wind/percussion);
    • 1 semester hour of field experience (MUSC 3622);
    • 3 semester hours of conducting (MUSC 2401, MUSC 3403);
    • 6 semester hours of music electives;
    • 22 semester hours of applied instrument (MUSC 1004 -1019);
    • 8 semester hours of ensemble (MUSC 1060, MUSC 1065);
    • 4 semester hours of chamber ensemble (MUSC 1070-1083).
  • Guitar Performance Requirements:
    • 2 semester hours of jazz theory/improvisation (MUSC 3701);
    • 3 semester hours of instrumental literature (MUSC 3621);
    • 2 semester hours of fretboard harmony (MUSC 3641);
    • 1 semester hour of conducting (MUSC 2401);
    • 2 semester hours of guitar pedagogy (MUSC 3642);
    • 1 semester hour of field experience (MUSC 3622);
    • 5 semester hours of music electives;
    • 22 semester hours of applied guitar (MUSC 1020);
    • 8 semester hours of ensemble.