Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Instrumental Music Major (Bachelor of Music)

Major Requirements

The requirements for a major in instrumental music leading to a Bachelor of Music degree are 54 or 56 credits in music plus 28 private instruction credits and ensemble participation plus 24 credits in non-music electives:

Music Core Courses
MUS 111Materials of Music I1
MUS 112Materials of Music II1
MUS 115Rhythm Performance and Hearing1
MUS 116Tonal Singing and Hearing1
MUS 211Tonal Theory4
MUS 222Music In/As Social Life4
MUS 232History of Western Music: Medieval to the Mid-19th Century4
MUS 315Post-Tonal Theory and History4
MUS 363Global Materials and Processes4
MUS 343Orchestration2
MUS 423Critical Analysis I2
MUS 424Critical Analysis II2
MUS 427Instrumental Conducting I2
MUS 450Technology Capstone4
Contextual Studies Courses
Select at least one of the following:4
Contextual Studies II - Genre
Contextual Studies II - Period
Contextual Studies II - Topic
Music Elective Courses
10 credits from music elective courses10
Non-Music Elective Courses
24 credits from non-music electives24
Concentration32-34
Instrumental music majors must choose one concentration from the following:
Strings
Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion
Total Hours106-108

Concentrations for a Major in Instrumental Music

Strings Concentration

Strings Concentration requires 34 credits:

MUS 476String Literature2
MUS 477String Pedagogy2
MUS 482Senior Recital/Project2
Private Instruction
28 credits of private instruction:28
24 credits in major instrument instruction
4 credits in piano/minor instrument instruction
Ensemble
8 semesters in ensemble 1
Chamber Music
Participation in chamber music is required for two semesters by enrolling in:
Percussion Ensemble
Marimba Choir
Brass Chamber Music
Woodwind Chamber Music
String Chamber Music
Total Hours34

Winds/brass/percussion Concentration

Winds/Brass/Percussion Concentration requires 32 credits:

MUS 478Woodwinds, Brass or Percussion Literature and Pedagogy2
MUS 482Senior Recital/Project2
Private Instruction
28 credits of private instruction:28
24 credits in major instrument instruction
4 credits in piano/minor instrument instruction
Ensemble
8 semesters in ensemble 1
Chamber Music
Participation in chamber music is required for two semesters by enrolling in:
Percussion Ensemble
Marimba Choir
Brass Chamber Music
Woodwind Chamber Music
String Chamber Music
Total Hours32
1

Participation in an appropriate ensemble as designated by the music faculty and as related to the major area of study is required each semester of enrollment.

Degree and Graduation Requirements
In addition to the program-specific requirements listed above, all students must complete the graduation requirements specified for their degree.  See the Degree and Graduation Requirements section for more information.
 

Suggested Four-Year Plan

The four-year plan detailed below is a suggested coursework sequence. This plan may need to be adapted based on course offerings as well as individual student circumstances, such as transfer credit and study away experiences. 

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
FYS 110 Engaged Citizenship Seminar 4
COM 110
Communicating to Engage
or Writing to Engage
4
MUS 111 Materials of Music I 1
MUS 115 Rhythm Performance and Hearing 1
MUS 116 Tonal Singing and Hearing 1
MUS 222 Music In/As Social Life (or Non-Music Elective) 4
MUS 130 Class Piano I (or Piano Lessons) 1
Major Instrument Lessons 2
Ensemble
 Hours18
Spring
COM 110
Communicating to Engage
or Writing to Engage
4
MUS 112 Materials of Music II 1
Non-Music Elective (or MUS 222 - Music In/As Social Life) 4
WELL 110 Engaging in Lifelong Wellness 1
MUS 131 Class Piano II (or Piano Lessons) 1
Major Instrument Lessons 2
Ensemble
Elective - Music or Non-Music (if needed) 1-4
 Hours14-17
Second Year
Fall
MUS 232
History of Western Music: Medieval to the Mid-19th Century
or Tonal Theory
4
MUS 230 Class Piano III (or Piano Lessons) 1
REL 200 Christianity and Religious Diversity (or Non-Music Elective) 4
WELL 111 Engaging in a Balanced Life 1
Non-Music Elective 4
Major Instrument Lessons 2
Ensemble
 Hours16
Spring
MUS 211
Tonal Theory
or History of Western Music: Medieval to the Mid-19th Century
4
Non-Music Elective (or REL 200) 4
Non-Music Elective 4
MUS 427 Instrumental Conducting I 2
MUS 231 Class Piano IV (or Piano Lessons) 1
Major Instrument Lessons 2
Ensemble
 Hours17
Third Year
Fall
MUS 315
Post-Tonal Theory and History
or Global Materials and Processes
4
Literature/Pedagogy (Strings - MUS 476; W/B/P - MUS 478) * 2
MUS 423 Critical Analysis I * 2
MUS 424 Critical Analysis II * 2
Music Elective * 2
Major Instrument Lessons 4
Ensemble
Chamber Music ^
 Hours16
Spring
MUS 363
Global Materials and Processes
or Post-Tonal Theory and History
4
MUS 343 Orchestration * 2
Non-Music Elective 4
Music Elective * 2
Major Instrument Lessons 4
Ensemble
 Hours16
Fourth Year
Fall
MUS 4xx - Contextual Studies II (or MUS 450 - Technology Capstone) 4
MUS 477 String Pedagogy (String Students Only) * 2
REL 3xx (or Non-Music Elective) 4
Music Elective(s) * 4
Major Instrument Lessons 4
Ensemble
Chamber Music ^
 Hours18
Spring
MUS 450 Technology Capstone (or MUS 4xx - Contextual Studies II) 4
MUS 482 Senior Recital/Project 2
Non-Music Elective (or REL 3xx) 4
Music Elective * 2
Major Instrument Lessons 4
Ensemble
 Hours16
 Total Hours131-134

*can be taken junior or senior year based on departmental offerings
^2 total semesters needed