Approximately 450 music majors annually have made UNC’s School of Music their choice for many reasons. The School of Music offers nationally recognized faculty with specialists on every instrument. There are more than 50 performing ensembles, a number of which are nationally recognized.
The UNC School of Music, with 37 full-time and 20 part-time faculty, is organized into seven program areas, each with an area head. The program areas are Winds and Percussion, Strings, Keyboard, Vocal, Academic Studies, Music Education, and Jazz Studies.
Students may choose from a full range of degrees, bachelor through doctoral programs, and from concentrations in performance, conducting, music education, music theory, jazz studies, and music history. Considerable variety and depth of course offerings are available at UNC.
General objectives of the University of Northern Colorado School of Music are based on service and leadership in the arts at local, state, regional, national and international levels.
An integral unit within the University, the School of Music embraces the role and mission statements of the University of Northern Colorado and has designed its goals and objectives to support and enhance institutional purposes and directions.
The primary goal of the UNC School of Music is to develop skilled and sensitive musicians at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels, including performers, conductors, educators, composers, historians, theorists and music administrators. The UNC School of Music maintains a two-fold objective of providing the strongest preparation possible in music education, theory, and history, while encouraging the highest standards of performance.
School of Music graduates are well regarded in the professional world. UNC-prepared educators hold positions at universities, colleges, high schools, junior high and elementary schools throughout the United States and the world. School of Music performance graduates are found in professional symphony orchestras, opera and musical theatre repertory companies, the nation's premier military ensembles, prominent free-lance positions in metropolitan centers, and in professional chamber ensembles and jazz bands.
Curricular Practical Training
UNC School of Music students routinely participate in paid and unpaid teaching and performance opportunities both on and off campus to develop as performers and educators during their degree programs. Although the expectation is not explicit in the credit requirements, practical application and participation is an expected and necessary part of the curriculum for all School of Music students. Students are expected to work with their applied teacher and area faculty to evaluate the applicability of teaching or performance opportunities to their program of study.
Major Musical Organizations
MUSIC THEORY:
MUS 501 18th Century Counterpoint
MUS 502 Harmony and form I
MUS 503 Harmony and Form II
MUS 504 Music Theory Pedagogy
MUS 505 Sixteenth-Century Counterpoint
MUS 603 Analytical Studies in Music
MUS 604 Seminar in Schenker Analysis
MUSIC HISTORY:
MUS 643 Seminar: Medieval Music
MUS 644 Seminar: Music in the Renaissance
MUS 645 Seminar: The Baroque Period
MUS 646 Seminar: The Classical Period
MUS 647 Seminar: The Romantic Period
MUS 649 Music History Pedagogy
MUS 651 Seminar in Music History: Debussy to 1945
MUS 652 Seminar in Music History: 1945 to the Present
MUS 653 Vocal Literature and Styles
MUS 657 Instrumental Literature and Styles
INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE (based on applied area)
MUS 636 Individual Performance in Jazz
MUS 637 Individual Performance in Jazz Composition
MUS 665 Individual Performance in Collaborative Piano
MUS 670 Individual Performance in Voice
MUS 671 Individual Performance in Piano
MUS 673 Individual Performance in Strings, Harp, or Guitar
MUS 674 Individual Performance in Woodwinds
MUS 675 Individual Performance in Brass or Percussion
MUS 677 Individual Performance in Composition
MAJOR MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS:
MUS 624 Vocal Jazz Ensemble*
MUS 625 Jazz Ensemble*
MUS 667 University Symphony Orchestra
MUS 668 Chamber Orchestra
MUS 680 Mixed Concert Choir
MUS 681 Women's Glee Club
MUS 684 Men’s Glee Club
MUS 688 Concert Band
MUS 690 Symphonic Band
MUS 691 Wind Ensemble
*For Jazz studies students and other students whose primary applied lessons are in jazz, the following Major Musical Organizations apply.
ENSEMBLE BY ADVISEMENT (For Collaborative Piano):
In addition to Major Musical Organizations listed above:
MUS 630 Small Ensembles and Chamber Music
MUS 666 Chamber Choir
MUS 668 Campus String Orchestra
MUS 682 University Singers
MUS 685 Performance in Opera Theatre
Graduate Admission Requirements
Prerequisite to admission to any graduate program in Music is completion of an appropriate undergraduate music degree. Admission will be based on an evaluation of the student's competencies and the content of the undergraduate program.
The student must take the appropriate Advisory Examinations in Music Education, Music History, and Music Theory administered by the School of Music faculty upon the student's arrival on campus. Students with an instrumental concentration may be required to take written examinations on technique in their performance area.
All graduate students enrolling in the School of Music as majors are expected to attend major recitals, concerts, productions, and convocations on a regular basis as part of their course program.
Candidates will take a written comprehensive examination at a time approved by their major advisor.
Master’s Programs. An audition in the major applied area is required of all entering graduate students, and three letters of recommendation are also required of Music Education majors.
Doctoral Program. An audition in the major applied area is required of all entering graduate students. A minimum of two years public school teaching experience is required of D.A. (Music Education) applicants. Three letters of recommendation are required of all applicants.
Music M.M.
Each new student entering a graduate program in music at the University of Northern Colorado is required to take graduate advisory examinations in Music History and writing skills, and placement examinations in Music Theory and Aural Skills, and the student’s major area. For students entering the Music Education degree, the major area will be Music Education. Graduate students who do not pass the theory placement exam must enroll in MUS 401. Graduate students who do not pass the aural skills placement exam must enroll in MUS 402. All students must either pass the theory and aural skills exam OR pass MUS 401 and/or MUS 402 with a grade of C or better before they can enroll in graduate-level theory classes or graduate from their programs.
The degree program seeks to assist graduate candidates in developing advanced professional competencies in performance, scholarly abilities, research, and pedagogical techniques for use in the profession or for instruction in higher education.
Admission. Residency, when stated in the music section of this Catalog, is interpreted to mean 9 credit hours or more per semester.
The candidates must take the Advisory Examinations in Music History and writing skills, and the Placement Examination in Music Theory and Aural Skills. Candidates with deficiencies will meet with their major advisor and other appropriate faculty to determine the best way to address the deficiencies. An entrance audition is required.
Collaborative Piano Concentration
For degree and program requirements, see:
Music M.M. – Collaborative Piano Concentration
Composition Concentration
For degree and program requirements, see:
Music M.M. – Music Composition Concentration
Conducting Concentration
This concentration is designed to assist the graduate candidate in developing advanced professional competencies in conducting, while pursuing specialized studies in the areas of choral, orchestral, and wind band. In addition to the Music M.M. requirements, an entrance audition is required.
Admission. Prospective conducting applicants should have had at least two years of experience in high school teaching or equivalent experience before applying for graduate studies. A personal audition is required.
Conducting applicants should write to the appropriate director for specific information concerning audition and interview procedures.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Music M.M. – Conducting Concentration
Instrumental Performance Concentration
Performance concentrations are available in flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, horn, trumpet, tenor trombone, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, violin, viola, violoncello, string bass, harp, keyboard, voice, and guitar.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Music M.M. – Instrumental Performance Concentration
Jazz Studies Concentration
The Master of Music degree program is designed to assist the graduate student in developing advanced professional competencies in jazz. The degree program seeks to broaden and deepen scholarly abilities and research and pedagogical techniques for use in the profession or for instruction in higher education.
Admission. In addition to meeting the admission requirements of the Graduate School, the student must take the Advisory Examinations in Music History and Literature, Jazz History, Jazz Theory, Music Theory and writing skills. Candidates with deficiencies will meet with their major advisor and other appropriate faculty to determine the best way to address the deficiencies. An entrance audition is required.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Music M.M. – Jazz Studies Concentration
Music Education Concentration
The Master of Music (Music Education Concentration) degree program is designed to develop and enrich professional understandings, skills, and musical/pedagogical competencies in the field of music education.
Incoming students must meet admission requirements of the Graduate School. Candidates must have completed an undergraduate degree in music or music education. Other candidates may be accepted upon petition to the Music Education Program.
Prospective music education graduate students, in addition to following current Graduate School and School of Music application procedures, should submit the following directly to the School of Music director in order to be considered for admission to the UNC Music Education Graduate Program:
- One 30-45 minute video or DVD that is representative of the applicant's teaching abilities. Applicants should include a 10-15 minute performance segment that is representative of their performing ability on their primary instrument or voice. Applicants should select two pieces of contrasting style for the performance segment.
- Three letters of recommendation addressing teaching abilities, potential for success in graduate studies, musicianship, and collegiality.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Music M.M. – Music Education Concentration
Music History and Literature Concentration
In addition to the Music M.M. requirements above, students entering this area of concentration must have the equivalent of an undergraduate music major as outlined in this Catalog.
Students will be expected to demonstrate translational competency in German, French, or Latin as a prerequisite to candidacy.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Music M.M. – Music History and Literature Concentration
Music Theory Concentration
Admission: In addition to following current Graduate School and School of Music application procedures, prospective music theory graduate students should submit the following directly to the School of Music director in order to be considered for admission:
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts
- Writing sample: 7–10 page paper, with research citations (any style) and preferably with musical examples, on a music theory- or music history-related topic exemplifying original, critical thought
Language Requirement. Students will be expected to demonstrate translational competency in German or French, or a different language if relevant to their course of study, before taking their comprehensive exams.
Keyboard Proficiency. Students must demonstrate competency in the following keyboard skills before taking their comprehensive exams:
- realize a figured bass and Roman numeral progression with acceptable voice-leading in keyboard style
- sight-read a Bach chorale harmonization
- perform a short, prepared, intermediate-level piece, such as a two-part Bach Invention, Beethoven Bagatelle, Schubert German Dance, etc.
Students must maintain a GPA of 3.2 in courses that are part of their degree plan.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Music M.M. – Music Theory Concentration
Vocal Performance Concentration
For degree and program requirements, see:
Music M.M. – Vocal Performance Concentration
Music D.A.
Concentrations:
- Collaborative Piano Concentration
- Conducting Concentration
- Jazz Studies Concentration
- Music History and Literature Concentration
- Music Performance Concentration
- Music Composition Concentration
Each new student entering a graduate program in music at the University of Northern Colorado is required to take graduate advisory examinations in Music History and writing skills, and placement examinations in Music Theory and Aural Skills, and the student’s major area. For students entering the Music Education degree, the major area will be Music Education. Graduate students who do not pass the theory placement exam must enroll in MUS 401. Graduate students who do not pass the aural skills placement exam must enroll in MUS 402. All students must either pass the theory and aural skills exam OR pass; MUS 401 and/or; MUS 402 with a grade of C or better before they can enroll in graduate-level theory classes or graduate from their programs.
The Doctor of Arts degree provides options for advanced study in the areas of music history and literature, composition, conducting, and performance (with an optional concentration in pedagogy.
The Doctor of Arts in Music at UNC is part of the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) established by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). In most cases, WRGP students pay tuition at resident student rates; prospective D.A. students may direct inquiries concerning the WRGP to the School of Music.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Music D.A.
Music Education Concentration
This program emphasizes philosophy, psychology, contemporary and past history, and research. It also includes scholarship and musicianship through study in the areas of music history and literature, theory, composition, and performance.
This program area places primary emphasis on a comprehensive working knowledge of contemporary music education practices in public schools and college music programs, and/or community cultural life.
Prospective music education graduate students, in addition to following current Graduate School and School of Music application procedures, should submit the following directly to the Music Education Chair in order to be considered for admission to the UNC Music Education Graduate Program:
- One 30-45 minute video or DVD that is representative of the applicant's teaching abilities. Applicants should include a 10-15 minute performance segment that is representative of their performing ability on their primary instrument or voice. Applicants should select two pieces of contrasting style for the performance segment.
- Three letters of recommendation addressing teaching abilities, potential for success in graduate studies, musicianship, and collegiality.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Music D.A. – Music Education Concentration