Music B.M. – Instrumental Performance Emphasis
College of Performing and Visual Arts
Contact: Michael Alexander, D.M.A., Director, School of Music
Location: Frasier Hall 108
Telephone: 970.351.2993
Fax: 970.351.1923
Website: www.arts.unco.edu/music
Advising Information:
Students must consult with their assigned major advisor each semester prior to registering.
Assigned advisor is available through the Ursa login; ursa.unco.edu; under Student tab Academic Profile channel and is term specific. If no advisor is listed, contact the major program for advisor information.
The program consists of two parts:
- Liberal Arts Core (LAC) Credits
- Required Major 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: http://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 emphasis.
- The student must pass an upper-level qualifying examination, determined by the performance area, before he/she 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, he/she 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.
Degree Requirements — 120 Credits
Degree Requirements
1. Required Specified LAC — 9 credits
LAC area 3.a. — Arts
Additional LAC area 3 or 5
LAC — Electives
Remaining LAC — 31 credits
See “Liberal Arts Core”.
2. Required Major — 62 credits
Take all of the following courses:
MUS 426: Take 2 credits.
MUS 403: In lieu of MUS 403, a String student may substitute a music elective in consultation with their advisor.
MUS 230/MUS 430: Take 4 times total.
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 Instructionin 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 of the following music technology or music business courses:
Remaining Major - 18 credits
Take 18 credits of MUS-prefix courses