Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Piano Major (Bachelor of Music)

Major Requirements

The requirements for a major in piano leading to a Bachelor of Music degree are 52 credits in music plus 28 credits in private instruction 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 312Counterpoint2
MUS 315Post-Tonal Theory and History4
MUS 343Orchestration2
MUS 363Global Materials and Processes4
MUS 423Critical Analysis I2
MUS 424Critical Analysis II2
MUS 425Choral Conducting I2
or MUS 427 Instrumental Conducting I
MUS 450Technology Capstone4
MUS 473Methods and Materials for Teaching Piano2
MUS 474Piano Repertoire2
MUS 482Senior Recital/Project2
Select at least one of the following:4
Contextual Studies II - Genre
Contextual Studies II - Period
Contextual Studies II - Topic
Music Electives
4 credits from music elective courses4
Non-Music Electives
24 credits from non-music elective courses24
Private Instruction
28 credits of private instruction:
8 credits in the student's major instrument at the 200-level (four 2-credit courses)8
16 credits of private instruction in the major instrument at the 400-level (four 4-credit courses)16
4 credits in the student's minor instrument (four 1-credit courses)4
Ensemble
Eight semesters in ensemble 10
Chamber Music
0 credits in chamber music (two semesters). Participation in chamber music is required for two semesters by enrolling in:0
Percussion Ensemble
Piano Ensemble
Marimba Choir
Brass Chamber Music
Woodwind Chamber Music
String Chamber Music
Recitals
Seven student recitals:
One appearance each semester in a general student recital in the major instrument in the first and sophomore years
A half-recital in the major instrument in the junior year
A full senior recital on the major instrument
One appearance in a general student recital or studio recital in the minor instrument
Total Hours104
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
Non-Music Elective (or MUS 222 - Music In/As Social Life)) 4
MUS 266 Piano 2
Minor Instrument Lessons 1
Ensemble
 Hours18
Spring
COM 110
Communicating to Engage
or Writing to Engage
4
MUS 112 Materials of Music II 1
MUS 222 Music In/As Social Life (or Non-Music Elective) 4
MUS 266 Piano 2
WELL 110 Engaging in Lifelong Wellness 1
Minor Instrument Lessons 1
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
REL 200 Christianity and Religious Diversity (or Non-Music Elective) 4
Non-Music Elective 4
MUS 266 Piano 2
WELL 111 Engaging in a Balanced Life 1
Minor Instrument Lessons 1
Ensemble
 Hours16
Spring
MUS 211 Tonal Theory (MUS 232) 4
MUS 427 Instrumental Conducting I 2
Non-Music Elective (or REL 200) 4
Non-Music Elective 4
MUS 266 Piano 2
Minor Instrument Lessons 1
Ensemble
 Hours17
Third Year
Fall
MUS 315
Post-Tonal Theory and History
or Global Materials and Processes
4
MUS 312 Counterpoint * 2
MUS 423 Critical Analysis I * 2
MUS 424 Critical Analysis II * 2
MUS 474 Piano Repertoire * 2
MUS 466 Piano 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
MUS 466 Piano 4
Ensemble
 Hours16
Fourth Year
Fall
MUS 450 Technology Capstone (or MUS 4xx - Contextual Studies II) 4
MUS 473 Methods and Materials for Teaching Piano * 2
REL 3xx (or Non-Music Elective) 4
Music Elective * 2
MUS 466 Piano 4
Ensemble
Chamber Music ^
 Hours16
Spring
MUS 4xx - Contextual Studies II (or MUS 450 - Technology Capstone) 4
MUS 482 Senior Recital/Project 2
Non-Music Elective (or REL 3xx) 4
Music Elective * 2
MUS 466 Piano 4
Ensemble
 Hours16
 Total Hours129-132

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