Bachelor Degree Requirements
Department of Music
Registration: All students must meet with a Department of Music advisor prior to initial course registration and at least once per term for early registration advising. Enrollment in all MUP courses requires departmental permission.
Scholarship: All course credit applicable to the degree programs described in the following pages must be completed in accordance with the academic procedures of the University and the College governing undergraduate scholarship and degrees.
Music majors pursuing undergraduate degrees must earn the grade of C or better in all music courses required in the music curriculum they are pursuing. The grade of C-minus or below is not an acceptable grade for degree credit. If the grade of C-minus or below is received by a music major in any required course in a music curriculum, the student must repeat the course and earn a grade of C or better. Students who fail to achieve a grade of C or better in required music courses following two attempts may not be allowed to continue to register as Music Majors.
DOUBLE MAJORS: Music majors in any concentration may seek a second major outside Music with the approval of the Department of Music and the Department offering the second major. Double concentrations within a single major, however, are not granted by the University.
Ensemble Participation
The Music Department encourages all musically inclined students to join its ensembles. Participation gives music majors and non-majors the opportunity to improve their musical skills and perform in internationally recognized groups. Conductors audition new students during the week before classes begin; the level of skill necessary varies by ensemble, however, most require music literacy. Music majors must elect designated Major Ensembles (MUA 2800, MUA 2810, MUA 2820, MUA 2822, MUA 2840, or MUA 2850) for degree credit.
BANDS: Woodwind, brass and percussion players are welcome to join the Concert Band. Wind Symphony members are chosen through competitive auditions.
CHORUSES: Non-music majors are encouraged to register for Choral Union (the large mixed-voice choir), Men's Chorus or Women's Chorale. Concert Chorale is the Department's most select vocal ensemble, and auditions are especially competitive. Music majors who are required to participate in a choral ensemble must elect Choral Union (MUA 2840) or Concert Chorale (MUA 2850) for degree credit.
JAZZ: Jazz studies and other music majors are given highest priority for jazz big band positions (MUA 2820) and jazz guitar ensembles (MUA 2822). Non-music majors are welcome to audition for all jazz ensembles and combos.
ORCHESTRA: Positions in the Orchestra are assigned through auditions with the conductor of the Orchestra.
General Education Requirements
University-wide General Education Requirements are designed to enhance students' basic skills and the diversity of their intellectual background. These requirements assure minimal competence in those skills needed to succeed in college and professional life and provide a selective introduction to the increasingly broad range of academic disciplines represented at the University. They serve to emphasize the fundamental means and essential knowledge required for continuing self-education and intellectual growth. The College adheres to specified timelines for completion of General Education requirements.
Some of the courses listed in the University General Education program are also courses required in some majors. With careful course selection, students may satisfy both General Education Requirements and Department Requirements in some majors (and concentrations, where applicable). Students should consult the department academic advisors in order to take advantage of these occasions of overlapping requirements.
Music: Private Instruction
Private instruction in instruments and voice are required in all B.A. and B.Mus. concentrations. The courses listed in the following table under Principal and Secondary Private Instruction, MUP 1xxx and 3xxx, are available for one credit each and are intended for students studying instruments as required in the concentrations:
- B.A. in Music
- Composition
- Instrumental Music Education
- Vocal Music Education
- Music Business
- Music Technology
- Jazz Studies
- secondary instrument study in the Performance concentration
All students must successfully pass a junior-standing jury for permission to continue elections at the 3xxx level.
The courses listed in the following table under Major Private Instruction, MUP 2xxx and 4xxx, are available for three credits each and are intended for students studying major instruments as required in all performance concentrations. All students must successfully pass a junior-standing jury for permission to continue elections at the 4xxx level.
Corequisite: Students enrolled in MUP Private Instruction must concurrently register in an appropriate major ensemble selected from the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUA 2800 | University Bands | 1 |
| MUA 2810 | University Symphony Orchestra | 1 |
| MUA 2820 | Jazz Big Band | 1 |
| MUA 2822 | Jazz Guitar Ensemble | 1 |
| MUA 2840 | Choral Union | 1 |
| MUA 2850 | Concert Chorale | 1 |
Fees: MUP courses have applied music fees as stated in course list in the bulletin as well as the schedule of classes.