Program Overview
College of Performing and Visual Arts
Contact: Melissa Malde, D.M.A., Interim Director, School of Music
Location: Frasier Hall 108
Telephone: 970.351.2993
Fax: 970.351.1923
Website: arts.unco.edu/music
Advising Information:
Students must consult with their assigned major advisor each semester prior to registering.
To find your advisor, log into ursa.unco.edu; go to 'Student' tab and click 'View Student Information' link. If no advisor is listed, contact the major program for advisor information.
The program consists of three parts:
- Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) Credits
- Required Major Credits
- University-Wide Credits
Program Description:
The Bachelor of Music degree is the initial professional degree in music. Its primary emphasis is on development of the skills, concepts and sensitivity essential to the professional life of a musician. It also prepares students for advanced study in graduate school.
Program Admission Requirements
- Students planning to major in music are required to submit an application for admission to the School of Music. An audition is required for all applicants to music degree programs; for some graduate programs, an interview may be conducted in lieu of an audition. Current School of Music admission guidelines and audition requirements are available at: arts.unco.edu/music/apply/.
- Students meeting the general admission requirements of the University may be accepted as undeclared majors. However, students may only be designated as music majors upon successful completion of the School of Music application and audition process.
- Minimum Proficiencies. Minimum proficiency in music fundamentals and ear training as assessed by the Music Theory Placement Exam to enter MUS 113/114.
Program Requirements:
In all MUS courses, a student must receive C- or better to fulfill degree requirements.
- Any student receiving lower than a C- in a MUS prefix class for the second time in the same class will be placed on probation. If the student receives lower than a C- a third time in the same class, the student will be removed from the major.
- Students are required to take MUS 100 8 times, based on degree. This is not tied to lessons.
- After students have fulfilled the requirements for applied lessons in their degree, additional applied lessons will be at the discretion of the studio teacher and Director.
- All students in applied lessons must enroll in a major ensemble. Students that do not have a major ensemble required for the duration of the degree program should follow their degree requirements.
- Any student receiving a grade below a C- in applied lessons will be placed on probation. A second semester of a grade below a C- in applied lessons will result, upon consent from the area, in removal from the major.
- A half Junior Recital and full Senior Recital are required for all concentrations.
- The student must pass an upper-level qualifying examination, determined by the performance area, before they may enroll in the 400-level instruction. This examination is to be taken by the end of the fourth semester of 200-level instruction. If the student does not pass this examination on the first try, they may retake it once in the subsequent semester. If the student does not pass a second time, they will be removed from the degree.
- 8 credits of 400-level of instruction (individual instruction) are required.
- A minimum of 30 non-MUS prefix credits must be taken for the degree.
Degree Requirements — 120 Credits
1. Liberal Arts Curriculum — 31 credits
To complete the degree in 120 credits as outlined, the program recommends the below LAC courses that also count toward the required major credits.
Any additional coursework completed outside of the recommended list below may extend the length of the program of study.
Written Communication — 6 credits
Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.
See Written Communication courses
Mathematics — 3 credits
Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.
See Mathematics courses
Arts & Humanities, History, Social & Behavioral Sciences, U.S. Multicultural Studies [MS], and International Studies [IS] –15 Credits
To complete the LAC in the minimum number of credits, be sure to choose at least one course with an IS designation and one course with an MS designation.
MUS 143: Musical Styles and Context and MUS 243: History of Music 1 are recommended to fulfill Arts & Humanities requirements and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
Select any non-MUS-prefix courses from Arts & Humanities, History and Social & Behavioral Sciences to fulfill the remaining 9 credits as needed of this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list, including at least one course with an IS designation and one course with a MS designation.
See Arts & Humanities, History and Social & Behavioral Sciences courses
Natural & Physical Sciences — 7 credits
Select any courses to fulfill this requirement from the currently approved LAC course list.
See Natural & Physical Sciences courses
See Liberal Arts Curriculum
2. Required Major — 89 credits
Take all of the following courses:
Individual Instruction
Choose one of the following based on your instrument:
Strings, Harp, Guitar
Take 8 credits of each of the below courses:
| MUS 273 | Individual Instruction in Strings, Harp, or Guitar | 2 |
| MUS 473 | Individual Instruction in Strings, Harp, or Guitar | 2 |
Woodwinds
Take 8 credits of each of the below courses:
| MUS 274 | Individual Instruction in Woodwinds | 2 |
| MUS 474 | Individual Instruction in Woodwinds | 2 |
Brass/Percussion
Take 8 credits of each of the below courses:
| MUS 275 | Individual Instruction in Brass or Percussion | 2 |
| MUS 475 | Individual Instruction in Brass or Percussion | 2 |
Folk/Bluegrass
Take 8 credits of each of the below courses:
| MUS 272 | Individual Instruction in Folk and Bluegrass | 2 |
| MUS 472 | Individual Instruction in Folk and Bluegrass | 2 |
Choose one from each of the following categories for a total of 3-4 credits:
Students may substitute a music elective(s) in place of the music technology and/or music business requirements in consultation with their advisor.
Music Technology:
Music Business:
| MUS 211 | Careers in Music | 1 |
| MUS 332 | Beyond Talent: Career Development for Musicians | 2 |
| MUS 460 | Survey of the Music Business | 2 |
Remaining Major — 15-19 credits
Take 15-19 credits as needed of any MUS-prefix courses.
3. University-Wide Credits — 0 credits*
*Note: Students who apply the recommended courses to both the liberal arts curriculum and the major requirements will have an increased number of university wide electives to apply to this degree. See your advisor for details.