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    Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Performance (specialization: Piano), BM


The purpose of the Bachelor of Music with a major in performance and specialization in piano is: to provide students with the tools necessary to develop their technique and musicianship through the study and performance of music from various periods and genres; to familiarize students with various aspects of being a musician/performer; to increase students’ preparedness to apply upon graduation for continued study in graduate performance degrees at the highest quality institutions and to help especially gifted students prepare for immediate entry upon graduation into the professional arena; to encourage students to investigate an expanded array of professional opportunities in the field of music; and to prepare students for professional careers in music through participation in performances, lectures/master classes, national and international competitions, and cultural exchanges. 


Program Requirements

Bachelor of Music


General requirements for the Bachelor of Music are listed in the University Core Curriculum  and the University Core Curriculum  requirements in the Academic policies  section and under Bachelor of Music in the College of Music  section.

Major in Performance


The following choices are available under performance:

  • Piano (performance)

  • Organ (performance)

  • Organ (church music)

  • Harpsichord

  • Voice

  • Orchestral Instruments

  • Strings: violin, viola, cello and double bass

  • Winds: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, woodwinds (a combination of all five instruments), trumpet, trombone, euphonium, horn and tuba

  • Percussion

  • Harp

  • Classical Guitar

General requirements for majors in Performance


Students who have not fulfilled the following requirements at the beginning of the fifth term/semester are not allowed to major in applied music.

  1. Completion of at least 60 semester hours with an average of C or better.
  2. Completion of

Graduation requirements for majors in Performance


  1. Completion of 20–32 hours in the major instrument/voice (the number of hours varies according to the instrument).
  2. Completion of 6–16 hours supplementing the major instrument (literature, pedagogy, diction, chamber music, advanced conducting).
  3. Demonstration of proficiency in solo playing in public recitals, and in ensemble and chamber music, as appropriate.
  4. Presentation of all senior recital capstone requirements, content approved in advance and public performance graded by faculty. All proficiencies (including piano and the Upper Division Examination) must be met the semester before applying for the senior recital capstone.
  5. Completion of 6–12 hours in upper-level MUTH, MUMH, MUAG, MUET, MUCE, MUCP and/or MUJS. Credit hours and courses vary by performance area.
  6. Other music and general elective hours (see program outlines below for specific recommendations).
  7. A total of 121–132 hours are required.
 

Hours required and general/college requirements


A minimum of 129 hours, of which 42 must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements for the Bachelor of Music degree as specified in the University Core Curriculum  in the Academic policies  section of this catalog and the College of Music  requirements.

Music communication and literature


3 hours from the following courses:

Other required courses


Music theory requirements


18 hours in music theory, including:

Electives


13 hours (or as many as needed to complete the requirements for the degree), 3 hours of which must be in music and 2 of which must be advanced.

Other requirements


  • Presentation of a junior recital; content approved in advance by faculty.
  • Attendance at all area departmental recitals is required. Unexcused absences will result in the final applied major course grade being lowered. For additional information, consult the divisional and area handbooks.

Supplemental information


  • Completion of the University Core Curriculum (42 hours). See University Core Curriculum requirements . Some courses required on degree plans may be used to fulfill requirements under Communication, Mathematics, Life and Physical Sciences, American History, Government/Political Science, Creative Arts, Language, Philosophy and Culture, Social and Behavioral Sciences and Core Option (Component Area Option) Courses. 
  • Proficiency examinations:
    • Open Score/Transposition (OS/T) Examination.
    • Successful completion of the Upper Division Examination in applied lessons (MUAC and MUAM).

Four-year degree plan (example)


The following four-year plan is one example of a variety of ways in which you can complete your chosen degree in four years, and will serve as a guide for you to design your pathway to degree completion. Variations will depend on whether you need to take prerequisites or have college credit from exams or dual enrollment.

Year 1

Semester 1 Semester 2
MUAM 1501 - Piano   1–5 hours    MUAM 1501 - Piano   1–5 hours  
MULB 1811 - Accompanying   1 hour    MULB 1811 - Accompanying   1 hour  
MUTH 1400 - Theory I   2 hours    MUTH 1500 - Theory II   2 hours   
MUTH 1410 - Aural Skills I   1 hour   MUTH 1510 - Aural Skills II   1 hour   
Communication core   3 hours Communication core   3 hours
Mathematics core   3 hours Music History Elective from Menu 3 hours
Secondary Lessons 1 hour Secondary Lessons 1 hour
Total 14 hours Total 14 hours

 

Summer 1
American History core   3 hours 
American History core   3 hours 
Government/Political Science core   3 hours
Life and Physical Sciences core   3 hours
Total 12 hours

 

Year 2

Semester 1 Semester 2
MUAG 3260 - Piano Literature   3 hours    MUAG 3270 - Piano Literature   3 hours   
MUAM 1501 - Piano   1–5 hours   MUAM 1501 - Piano   1–5 hours  
MULB 1811 - Accompanying   1 hour   MULB 1811 - Accompanying   1 hour  
MUTH 2400 - Theory III   2 hours     MUTH 2500 - Theory IV   2 hours   
MUTH 2410 - Aural Skills III   1 hour    MUTH 2510 - Aural Skills IV   1 hour   
PHYS 1270 - Science and Technology of Musical Sound   3 hours    Social and Behavioral Sciences core   3 hours
Government/Political Science core   3 hours    
Total 16 hours Total 13 hours

 

Year 3

Semester 1 Semester 2
MUAG 4160 - Elementary Piano Pedagogy   3 hours    MUAG 4170 - Intermediate Piano Pedagogy   3 hours   
MUAM 3501 - Piano   1–5 hours    MUAM 3501 - Piano   1–5 hours  
MULB 1811 - Accompanying   1 hour   MUCM 3510 - String Chamber Music   1 hour   
MUMH 3500 - Music History and Literature to 1750   3 hours    MULB 1811 - Accompanying   1 hour  
MUTH 3510 - Form Analysis   3 hours    MUTH 3420 - Eighteenth-Century Counterpoint   3 hours   
Elective 3 hours Elective 3 hours
Total 17 hours Total 15 hours

 

Year 4

Semester 1 Semester 2
MUAG 3800 - Fundamentals of Conducting   2 hours    MUAG 4711 - Keyboard Senior Recital Capstone   3 hours   
MUAM 3501 - Piano   1–5 hours   MUCE 4000 - Music Business and Entrepreneurship   3 hours   
MUCM 3510 - String Chamber Music   1 hour   MUET 3030 - Music Cultures of the World   3 hours   
MULB 1811 - Accompanying   1 hour   MULB 1811 - Accompanying   1 hour  
MUMH 3510 - Music History and Literature Since 1750   3 hours    Elective 4 hours 
Music Elective - advanced 3 hours    
       
Total 14 hours  Total 14 hours