Program: Music: Piano Performance and Pedagogy - BM - Utah State University

Apr 09, 2025

2023-2024 General Catalog

Caine College of the Arts

Department of Music

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For more information about Piano Performance, see the department website.
Following is a sample four-year plan. Please note that student-specific plans may differ.
Admitted students must meet with an advisor. Current students should also meet with an advisor and log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
All individual instruction courses must be passed with a grade of B- or better. All other music courses must be passed with a grade of C or better. Music requires a 3.0 GPA in music classes and a 2.75 GPA overall for admission as a transfer student, scholarship eligibility, and to graduate.

Minimum University Requirements
Total Credits	120	Grade Point Average (most majors require higher GPA)	2.00 GPA
Credits of C or better	100	Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above)	40
Total USU Credits	30	Upper-division USU Credits	20
USU Credits within the Major	10	Credits in Minor (if required)	12
Credits in Major	see below	Credits in American Institutions	3
General Education Requirements	see link	University Studies Depth Requirements	see link
NOTES: The highest math requirement for this degree is the Quantitative Literacy (QL) of the student’s choice. All individual instruction courses must be passed with a grade of B- or better. All other music courses must be passed with a grade of C or better. Music requires a 3.0 GPA in music classes and 2.75 GPA overall for admission as a transfer student, scholarship eligibility, and to graduate. Major requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

Admissions Requirements for this Program

New freshmen

Admitted to USU in Good Standing

MUST PASS ENTRANCE AUDITION ON PRIMARY INSTRUMENT

Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU

MUST PASS ENTRANCE AUDITION ON PRIMARY INSTRUMENT

2.75 GPA

First Year
_{Fall Semester}	_Credits	_{General Education Info and Notes:}	_{Spring Semester}	_Credits	_{General Education Info and Notes:}
MUSC 1105: Fundamentals for Music Majors (BCA) * or Breadth Integrated Studies	3	Music Core Course Breadth Creative Arts or Breadth Integrated Studies	MUSC 1110: Music Theory I (BCA)	3	Music Core Course Breadth Creative Arts or Breadth Integrated Studies
MUSC 1270: Keyboard Skills I	1	Music Core Course	MUSC 1130: Aural Skills I	1	Music Core Course
MUSC 1430: Piano Pedagogy I	3	Emphasis Course	MUSC 1280: Keyboard Skills II	1	Music Core Course
MUSC 1485: Individual Pre-Music Piano Instruction	2	Emphasis Course Register for 2 credits. Must pass with a grade of B- or better.	MUSC 1450: Pedagogy Practicum	1	Emphasis Course 2 credits minimum
MUSC 2180: Computer Applications in Music Proficiency Exam ^**	1	Music Core Course	MUSC 1440: Piano Pedagogy II	3	Emphasis Course
ENGL 1010: Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose (CL1)	3	Communications Literacy (CL1)	MUSC 1485: Individual Pre-Music Piano Instruction	2	Emphasis Course Register for 2 credits. Must pass with a grade of B- or better.
Quantitative Literacy Course	3-5	Math or Statistics Math Placement	ENGL 2010: Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2)	3	Communications Literacy (CL2)
Total	16		Total	14
^_Comments ^_In order to ensure that music students are sufficiently prepared for the music theory sequence required in all music degrees (education, performance, and therapy), MUSC 1105: Fundamentals for Music Majors (BCA) was established as a prerequisite for MUSC 1110: Music Theory I (BCA) . As this course is considered remedial work, the 3 credits earned in MUSC 1105 are not required for degree completion, but may need to be made up to achieve the 120-credit minimum for all bachelor’s degrees. All incoming music students will have an opportunity to test out of MUSC 1105 . Because this test is administered in part through Canvas, all incoming pre-program music majors should register for MUSC 1105 regardless of whether they expect to remain in the class. Those who do not pass the test must pass MUSC 1105 with a grade of C or better before taking MUSC 1110 . Those students who pass the test should review whether they need to make up 3 credits, and will resume the music theory sequence with MUSC 1110 the following spring semester. ^*MUSC 2180: Computer Applications in Music Proficiency Exam consists of a series of three proficiency exams that all music majors must complete prior to the completion of four semesters of study.			^_Comments

Second Year
_{Fall Semester}	_Credits	_{General Education Info and Notes:}	_{Spring Semester}	_Credits	_{General Education Info and Notes:}
MUSC 1120: Music Theory II	3	Music Core Course	MUSC 2110: Music Theory III	3	Music Core Course
MUSC 1140: Aural Skills II	1	Music Core Course	MUSC 2130: Aural Skills III	1	Music Core Course
MUSC 1450: Pedagogy Practicum	1	Emphasis Course 2 credits minimum	MUSC 4410: Special Topics in Performance and Pedagogy	1	Emphasis Course Students should register for 1 credit.
MUSC 2270: Keyboard Improvisation	1	Emphasis Course	MUSC 2920: Sophomore Recital	1	Emphasis Course Students should register for 1 credit for sophomore recital.
MUSC 3110: Music History I: Antiquity through the Renaissance	3	Music Core Course	MUSC 3120: Music History II: The Baroque and Classical Periods	3	Music Core Course
MUSC 2495: Individual Pre-Barrier Piano Instruction	2	Emphasis Course Register for 2 credits. Must pass with a grade of B- or better.	MUSC 3450: Individual Piano Instruction for Music Majors	1	Emphasis Course Register for 1 credit during recital semester. Must pass with a grade of B- or better.
MUSC 4410: Special Topics in Performance and Pedagogy	1	Emphasis Course Students should register for 1 credit.	MUSC 3410: Collaborative Piano in Ensemble	1	Emphasis Course Students should register for 1 credit.
Quantitative Intensive (QI)	3	Depth Course Click on link for available courses.	Breadth American Institutions (BAI) or Breadth Humanities (BHU)	3	General Education Breadth Course
			Music Elective	1
Total	15		Total	15
^_Comments			_^Comments _{^{Students register for 1 credit of Individual Piano Instruction during the semester they prepare for a recital.}}

Third Year
_{Fall Semester}	_Credits	_{General Education Info and Notes:}	_{Spring Semester}	_Credits	_{General Education Info and Notes:}
MUSC 2420: Piano Literature I	3	Emphasis Course Offered every other year. Check schedule for actual term offered.	MUSC 1190: World Music	3	Music Core Course
MUSC 3170: Special Topics in Music Theory *	3	Music Core Course Consult with music faculty advisor for details. *See note below.	MUSC 2430: Piano Literature II	3	Emphasis Course Offered every other year. Check schedule for actual term offered.
MUSC 3190: Music History III: Romanticism through the 21st Century (CI)	3	Music Core Course Depth Course Communications Intensive	MUSC 3450: Individual Piano Instruction for Music Majors	2	Emphasis Course Students should register for 2 credits. Must pass with a grade of B- or better.
MUSC 3450: Individual Piano Instruction for Music Majors	2	Emphasis Course Register for 2 credits. Must pass with a grade of B- or better.	MUSC 3410: Collaborative Piano in Ensemble	1	Emphasis Course Students should register for 1 credit.
MUSC 3410: Collaborative Piano in Ensemble	1	Emphasis Course Students should register for 1 credit.	MUSC 4470: Keyboard Skills IV	2	Emphasis Course Offered every other year.
MUSC 4460: Keyboard Skills III	2	Emphasis Course Offered every other year.	MUSC 4410: Special Topics in Performance and Pedagogy	1	Emphasis Course Students should register for 1 credit.
MUSC 4410: Special Topics in Performance and Pedagogy	1	Emphasis Course Students should register for 1 credit.	Breadth Physical Science (BPS) Course or Breadth Life Sciences (BLS)	3	General Education Breadth Course Click on link for available courses.
Total	15		Total	15
^_Comments *A music theory elective course is offered every fall and spring semester. The music theory elective course may be taken any semester after completing MUSC 2110 with a grade of C or better. Music students should plan which option they wish to take and consult with the music department office regarding which semester that option will be offered.			_^Comments

Fourth Year
_{Fall Semester}	_Credits	_{General Education Info and Notes:}	_{Spring Semester}	_Credits	_{General Education Info and Notes:}
MUSC 3450: Individual Piano Instruction for Music Majors	2	Emphasis Course Register for 2 credits. Must pass with a grade of B- or better.	MUSC 3450: Individual Piano Instruction for Music Majors	1	Emphasis Course Register for 1 credit during recital semester.
MUSC 3410: Collaborative Piano in Ensemble	1	Emphasis Course Students should register for 1 credit.	MUSC 4410: Special Topics in Performance and Pedagogy	1	Emphasis Course Students should register for 1 credit.
MUSC 2440: Piano Literature III	3		Breadth American Institutions (BAI) or Breadth Humanities (BHU)	3	General Education Breadth Course Click on link for available courses.
MUSC 4410: Special Topics in Performance and Pedagogy	1	Emphasis Course Students should register for 1 credit.	MUSC 4920: Senior Recital	2	Emphasis Course Students should register for 2 credits for senior recital.
Breadth Social Sciences (BSS)	3	General Education Breadth Course Click on link for available courses.	Music Elective	1
Communications Intensive (CI)	3	Depth Course Click on the link for available courses.	Depth Social Sciences (DSS)	3	General Education Depth Course Click on link for available courses.
Breadth Life Sciences (BLS) or Breadth Physical Sciences (BPS)	3	General Education Breadth Course Click on link for available courses.	Depth Life and Physical Sciences (DSC)	3	Depth Course Click on link for available courses.
Total	16		Total	14
^_Comments			_^Comments _{^{Students register for 1 credit of individual Piano Instruction during the semester they prepare for a recital.}}

BM Piano Major Music Core Curriculum

A minimum grade of C is required for all BM Piano Major Music Core Curriculum courses.

MUSC 1105 - Fundamentals for Music Majors (BCA) 3 credit(s)
MUSC 1110 - Music Theory I (BCA) 3 credit(s)
MUSC 1120 - Music Theory II 3 credit(s)
MUSC 1130 - Aural Skills I 1 credit(s)
MUSC 1140 - Aural Skills II 1 credit(s)
MUSC 1190 - World Music 3 credit(s)
MUSC 1270 - Keyboard Skills I 1 credit(s)
MUSC 1280 - Keyboard Skills II 1 credit(s)
MUSC 2110 - Music Theory III 3 credit(s)
MUSC 2130 - Aural Skills III 1 credit(s)
MUSC 2180 - Computer Applications in Music Proficiency Exam 1 credit(s)
MUSC 2920 - Sophomore Recital 1-2 credit(s) (1 credit)
MUSC 3110 - Music History I: Antiquity through the Renaissance 3 credit(s)
MUSC 3120 - Music History II: The Baroque and Classical Periods 3 credit(s)
MUSC 3170 - Special Topics in Music Theory 3 credit(s)
MUSC 3190 - Music History III: Romanticism through the 21st Century (CI) 3 credit(s)
MUSC 4920 - Senior Recital 1-2 credit(s) (2 credits)

Piano Performance and Pedagogy Requirements

All individual instruction courses on major instrument must be passed with a grade of B- or better. All other music concentration courses must be passed with a grade of C or better. Music requires a 3.0 GPA in music classes and a 2.75 GPA overall for graduation. Major requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

MUSC 1430 - Piano Pedagogy I 3 credit(s)
MUSC 1440 - Piano Pedagogy II 3 credit(s)
MUSC 1450 - Pedagogy Practicum 1 credit(s) (2 credits minimum)
MUSC 1485 - Individual Pre-Music Piano Instruction 1-2 credit(s) (4 credits total; Register for 2 credits first year fall and first year spring semesters)
MUSC 2270 - Keyboard Improvisation 1 credit(s)
MUSC 2420 - Piano Literature I 3 credit(s)
MUSC 2430 - Piano Literature II 3 credit(s)
MUSC 2440 - Piano Literature III 3 credit(s)
MUSC 2495 - Individual Pre-Barrier Piano Instruction 1-2 credit(s) (Register for 2 credits second year fall semester)
MUSC 3410 - Collaborative Piano in Ensemble 1-2 credit(s) (4 credits required)
MUSC 4460 - Keyboard Skills III 2 credit(s)
MUSC 4470 - Keyboard Skills IV 2 credit(s)
MUSC 3450 - Individual Piano Instruction for Music Majors 1-2 credit(s) (8 credits total); Register for 2 credits EXCEPT 2nd year Spring and 4th year Spring when preparing for Sophomore and Senior recitals.
MUSC 4410 - Special Topics in Performance and Pedagogy 1-2 credit(s) (6 credits minimum)

Music Electives (2 credits)

A total of 2 credits are required from the following:

MUSC 2410 - Individual Organ Instruction (Second Instrument) for Music Majors 1 credit(s)
MUSC 2470 - Individual Jazz Piano Instruction (Second Instrument) for Music Majors 1 credit(s)
Second instrument, ensemble, or another course with permission of the piano faculty

Recital and Concert Attendance Requirement

To graduate, students are required to attend a minimum of 80 concerts or recitals. Recital and concert attendance is monitored and recorded in the Music Student Services office. Students should turn in programs after attending concerts and recitals for documentation of attendance.

Music: Piano Performance and Pedagogy - BM

Caine College of the Arts

Department of Music

Navigation Help:

Minimum University Requirements

Admissions Requirements for this Program

First Year

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Second Year

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Third Year

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Fourth Year

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BM Piano Major Music Core Curriculum

Piano Performance and Pedagogy Requirements

Music Electives (2 credits)

Recital and Concert Attendance Requirement

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