Department of Music

Department Information

Mission

The Mission of the Department of Music is to enable student musicians to develop a high degree of musical understanding through exceptional instruction as they prepare for future study or intended career. The Department of Music is committed to promoting the development of the creative, intellectual, and innate capabilities of our students.   In addition, artists in the Department of Music support lifelong music-making and are committed to providing equitable and inclusive opportunities to a diverse student body, campus, and community. 

General Education

All students seeking an undergraduate degree at UM must complete a core General Education curriculum that includes courses in English, history, mathematics, the natural sciences, social sciences, fine arts, oral and written communication, and personal development.

The minimum requirements can be found in the General Education Credit Hour Requirements section of the Undergraduate Academic Policies  section in this Bulletin.

Music Education majors must earn a C or higher in general education courses applied toward program requirements.

The Department offers the following courses which apply toward the General Education core:

• Humanity and Fine Arts: MUS 121 , 125 , 240 , 255  and 342  
• Personal Development: MUS 228     

Reproduction Rights 

The Department of Music reserves the right to retain examples of student work for instructional purposes and to use photographs, video,  and/or audio recordings of student performances in promotional materials the department produces or approves. No compensation or further notice will be given or provided for such right. 

MUP-classes in applied music, ensembles, and all private lessons. 
 
Students must pass an audition for initial enrollment in 100-level private lessons. An Upper-Division Qualifying Exam is required before enrolling in 300-level MUP private lessons. 
 
Music majors must complete six to eight semesters of MUP private lessons in one area of study (e.g., clarinet, guitar, organ, voice, trumpet) as part of completion of a degree program. Students are also required to undertake a secondary area of study. 
 
MUS-courses in music history, theory, literature, and pedagogy 

Major Programs Information

All music degree programs include a music core, applied studies, advanced studies, and specialized area studies (for B.A. students, area studies include general electives or an approved minor). Prior study or preparation may exempt students from some courses. The Department of Music offers two degree programs and one minor. Each degree program offers the student the opportunity to concentrate on a particular instrument or voice. The Bachelor of Music combines the University’s distinctive general-education program with professional studies in music to prepare for careers in education, performance, or graduate study in music. The Bachelor of Arts in Music combines music studies with liberal arts or career-oriented minor programs to prepare for a broad range of careers in the music industry and related areas. Orientation and advising are available from the department to help students in the choice of a degree plan.

Bachelor of Music 

The Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree is the professional approach to the music major for the student who wants a strong foundation in music, combined with in-depth training in specific aspects of the art. The department offers concentrations in Choral or Instrumental Music Education, Performance (guitar, percussion, piano, strings, vocal, or winds), and Music Technology. 

The Music Education concentrations are designed for those who plan to teach in grades P-12 and lead to state teaching certification. Students earning this degree concentration must qualify for admission to the Teacher Education Program of the College of Education and Human Development and must perform a half recital during the senior year. 

Performance concentrates are required to present a senior full recital and a junior half recital. Students concentrating in performance must include four semesters in a secondary performance area of study (instrumentalists and vocalists may satisfy this requirement with MUP 129 , 130 , 229 , and 230 ). 

Admission to a degree program or minor in music is based on an audition in the primary performance area.  

Bachelor of Arts 

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in music provides for the study of music within the context of the liberal-arts curriculum. Most students earning the B.A. degree are interested in a broad education that includes general education, music courses, and elective study outside of music.  

Admission and Retention 

Admission to a degree program or minor in music is based on an audition in the primary performance area. A minimum grade of C is required for all music courses. Students may attempt a course no more than twice to earn a minimum final grade of C. Additionally, music education programs require a minimum grade of C in all courses applied to degree requirements (including general education). Students may try a course no more than twice to earn a minimum grade of C.

Students may appeal for a third attempt to earn a final grade of C. A panel consisting of the area heads (Theory, History, Keyboard, Vocal, and Instrumental) will meet to review any appeals. The department chair will make a final determination based on the recommendation of the review panel.  

Applied Private Lessons for Music Majors and Minors (MUP)

The following numbers apply to all four levels (1xx, 2xx, 3xx, 4xx) of Applied Private Lessons for music majors and approved music minors. Each level may be taken twice for 1-2 credit hours. Studying at the 100 level requires consent of instructor. Studying at the 200 level requires the consent of instructor and two semesters of 100-level study. Studying at the 300 level requires successful completion of the Upper-Division Qualifying Exam, consent of instructor, completion of MUS 113, and two semesters of 200-level study. Studying at the 400 level requires the consent of the instructor and two semesters of 300-level study.

Credit for Performance Study

The amount of lesson time per week will be a one-half hour lesson for one semester hour of credit and a one-hour lesson for two semester hours of credit.

Music Core (26-34 semester hours)

• 0 hours MUS 100  - Recital and Concert Attendance
  • B.A.: 6 semesters
  • B.M., Music Education: 7 semesters
  • B.M., Performance: 8 semesters
• 8 hours MUS 111 , 113  - Principles of Music Theory I and II
• 8 hours MUS 211 , 213  - Principles of Music Theory III, IV
• 10 hours MUS 250 , 252 , 341 , & 342  - Music History
• 2-5 hours MUP-Secondary Applied
  • Non-Piano concentrates: MUP 129 , 130 , 229 , 230  - Class Piano I-IV
  • Piano concentrates: 4 semesters of a secondary instrument (4 credit hours)
  • Choral Music Education using piano or Guitar as a primary instrument: MUP 120  and 220  -Voice, and MUS 133  Voice Lab I/English Language Dictation (5 credit hours)
• 2 hours MUS 495  - Basic Conducting (Not required for B.A.)
• 0 hours MUP 490  - Senior Recital (Not required for B.A.)
• 2 hours MUS 496 /497  - Choral or Instrumental Conducting (Music education and instrumental performance majors only)
• 0 hours MUP 390  - Junior Recital (B.M. performance only)

B.M. students whose primary instrument is not piano must complete the four-semester Class Piano course sequence (MUP 129 , 130 , 229 , and 230 ). B.A. students whose primary instrument is not piano or organ must complete the first two semesters of the sequence. Placement in this series depends on the results of the admission test in functional piano. Test results may offer the option of another secondary performance area to meet this credit requirement. 
 
All music majors must enroll in MUS 100  for eight semesters (seven semesters for Music Education majors; six for B.A. majors). This zero-credit course requires students to maintain a satisfactory attendance record at recitals and concerts. 
 
Advanced standing in music from other accredited institutions is determined by audition in the primary performance area and appropriate examinations in music theory, ear training, sight singing, music history, and functional piano. 

Minors

The Music Studies Minor  combines a basic core of music-foundation studies with applied study. Details about the Arts Administration Minor  are available under the Department of Theatre .

Music Study for Non-Majors

Ensembles

The department’s choral and instrumental ensembles actively seek qualified participants who are non-music majors. A complete list of ensembles is provided below.

Private Lessons

Based on availability, individual music instruction is open to all students. Priority is given to music majors. 

Courses in Music

• Courses of Instruction  

Programs

• Music, B.A.
• Music, Choral Education, B.M.
• Music, Instrumental Education, B.M.
• Music, Instrumental Performance, B.M.
• Music, Music Technology, B.M.
• Music, Piano Performance, B.M.
• Music, Voice Performance, B.M.

• Music Studies Minor
• Music Technology Minor