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 7-8 times, based on the residency requirements of the final semester internship. 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.
- Based on their interests, audition results, and faculty advisement, students will take either classical or jazz lessons each semester in residence. This will affect the requirement regarding participation in Major Musical Organizations. See notes below, and see "Major Musical Organizations".
- Students will elect to either produce a capstone project or present a half Senior Recital.
- Students who elect the capstone project will take eight semesters of either Performance Study or Applied Music at the 200 and 400-level instruction.
- Students who elect the recital option will take eight semesters of either Performance Study or Applied Music, with a minimum of three semesters at the 400-level. These students must pass an upper-level qualifying examination, determined by the performance area, before they may enroll in 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, or present the capstone alternatively.
- Students who elect the recital option will present a half Senior Recital.
- ENSEMBLES: Of the eight hours of ensembles, seven semesters of Major Musical Organization are required, except for students whose performance studies are in jazz for whom four semesters of Major Musical Organization are required.
- A minimum of 30 non-MUS prefix credits must be taken for the degree; this should be taken into account when selecting University-Wide and LAC courses.
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 89 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 I are recommended to fulfill Arts & Humanities requirements and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
ECON 205 Principles of Microeconomics is recommended to fulfill the Social & Behavioral Sciences 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 6 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 an 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 Credits — 89 credits
Take all of the following Required Major courses (56 credits):
| MUS 100 | Recitals, Concerts and Productions | 0 |
| MUS 113 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUS 114 | Aural Skills and Sight Singing I | 1 |
| MUS 115 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUS 116 | Aural Skills and Sight Singing II | 1 |
| MUS 143 | Musical Styles and ContextLAA1 | 3 |
| MUS 160 | Class Piano I | 1 |
| MUS 161 | Class Piano II | 1 |
| MUS 209 | Introduction to Music Technology | 2 |
| MUS 211 | Careers in Music | 1 |
| MUS 213 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUS 214 | Aural Skills and Sight Singing III | 1 |
| MUS 215 | Music Theory IV | 3 |
| MUS 216 | Aural Skills and Sight Singing IV | 1 |
| MUS 243 | History of Music ILAA1 | 3 |
| MUS 244 | History of Music II | 3 |
| MUS 260 | Class Piano III | 1 |
| MUS 332 | Beyond Talent: Career Development for Musicians | 2 |
| MUS 343 | Recording Techniques | 2 |
| MUS 392 | Music Business Internship | 1- 3 |
| MUS 460 | Survey of the Music Business | 2 |
| | Performance Study and/or Applied Music | 8 |
| | Major Musical Organization | 4-7 |
| | Ensemble | 1-4 |
ENSEMBLES: Of the eight hours of ensembles, seven semesters of Major Musical Organization are required, except for students whose performance studies are in jazz for whom four semesters of Major Musical Organization are required.
The Class Piano sequence is not required for piano students. Piano students instead take an additional 3 hours of MUS-prefix electives.
MUS 392: take once for 3 credits.
MUS 143: Satisfies LAC Arts & Humanities
MUS 243: Satisfies LAC Arts & Humanities
Choose one of the following courses (2-3 credits):
| MUS 150 | History of Rock and RollLAA1LAMS | 3 |
| MUS 247 | Music as Cultural IdentityLAA1LAIS | 3 |
| MUS 344 | History of Jazz | 2 |
Take all of the following Supporting Concentration Courses (18 credits):
ECON 205: Satisfies LAC Social & Behavioral Sciences
Remaining Major (12-13 credits):
Take 12-13 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.
Four Year Plan
This four year plan is a recommended schedule to complete this bachelor's degree in 4 years. Courses are subject to availability. Students must consult with their major advisor to receive information on any additional graduation requirements and course sequence guidance.
Year 1 – 29 credits
Fall Semester
| MUS 100 | Recitals, Concerts and Productions | 0 |
| MUS 113 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUS 114 | Aural Skills and Sight Singing I | 1 |
| MUS 160 | Class Piano I | 1 |
| MUS 211 | Careers in Music | 1 |
| | Applied Music Course | 1 |
| | or | |
| | Performance Study Course | 1 |
| | Major Musical Organization | 1 |
| | Liberal Arts Curriculum | 3 |
| | Liberal Arts Curriculum | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Spring Semester
| ECON 205 | Principles of MicroeconomicsLAB1 | 3 |
| MUS 100 | Recitals, Concerts and Productions | 0 |
| MUS 115 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUS 116 | Aural Skills and Sight Singing II | 1 |
| MUS 143 | Musical Styles and ContextLAA1 | 3 |
| MUS 161 | Class Piano II | 1 |
| MUS 209 | Introduction to Music Technology | 2 |
| | Applied Music Course | 1 |
| | or | |
| | Performance Study Course | 1 |
| | Major Musical Organization | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Year 2 – 32 credits
Fall Semester
| MUS 100 | Recitals, Concerts and Productions | 0 |
| MUS 213 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUS 214 | Aural Skills and Sight Singing III | 1 |
| MUS 243 | History of Music ILAA1 | 3 |
| MUS 343 | Recording Techniques | 2 |
| MUS 460 | Survey of the Music Business | 2 |
| | Applied Music Course | 1 |
| | Major Musical Organization | 1 |
| | Liberal Arts Curriculum | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring Semester
| MUS 100 | Recitals, Concerts and Productions | 0 |
| MUS 215 | Music Theory IV | 3 |
| MUS 216 | Aural Skills and Sight Singing IV | 1 |
| MUS 244 | History of Music II | 3 |
| MUS 260 | Class Piano III | 1 |
| | Applied Music Course | 1 |
| | Major Musical Organization | 1 |
| | Liberal Arts Curriculum | 4 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Year 3 – 31 credits
Fall Semester
| BAAC 301 | Survey of Accounting | 3 |
| BAMK 360 | Marketing | 3 |
| MUS 100 | Recitals, Concerts and Productions | 0 |
| | Applied Music Course | 1 |
| | Ensemble Course | 1 |
| | or | |
| | Major Musical Organization | 1 |
| | Major Elective | 2 |
| | or | |
| | Major Elective | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 1 |
| | Choose one of the following courses: | |
| MUS 150 | History of Rock and RollLAA1LAMS | 3 |
| MUS 247 | Music as Cultural IdentityLAA1LAIS | 3 |
| MUS 344 | History of Jazz | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Ensemble/Major Musical Organization: Jazz Ensemble required for students whose performance studies are in jazz.
Spring Semester
| BAFN 302 | Essentials of Business Finance | 3 |
| BAMG 350 | Management and Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| MUS 100 | Recitals, Concerts and Productions | 0 |
| | Applied Music Course | 1 |
| | Ensemble Course | 1 |
| | or | |
| | Major Musical Organization | 1 |
| | Major Elective | 3 |
| | Liberal Arts Curriculum | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
Ensemble/Major Musical Organization: Jazz Ensemble required for students whose performance studies are in jazz.
Year 4 – 28 credits
Fall Semester
| BAMG 355 | Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MUS 100 | Recitals, Concerts and Productions | 0 |
| MUS 332 | Beyond Talent: Career Development for Musicians | 2 |
| | Applied Music Course | 1 |
| | Ensemble Course | 1 |
| | or | |
| | Major Musical Organization | 1 |
| | Major Elective | 1 |
| | Major Elective | 3 |
| | Liberal Arts Curriculum | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Ensemble/Major Musical Organization: Jazz Ensemble required for students whose performance studies are in jazz.
Spring Semester
| MUS 100 | Recitals, Concerts and Productions | 0 |
| MUS 392 | Music Business Internship | 1- 3 |
| | Applied Music Course | 1 |
| | Ensemble Course | 1 |
| | Major Elective | 3 |
| | Liberal Arts Curriculum | 3 |
| | University-Wide Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
Advising Notes –
- This four year plan is a recommended schedule to complete your bachelor’s degree in 4 years. You will meet with the School of Music Retention Coordinator and your faculty advisor every semester to track your progress.