Program: Music: Guitar Performance - BM - Utah State University

Apr 06, 2025

2024-2025 General Catalog

Caine College of the Arts

Department of Music

About This Degree

The bachelor of music degree is offered through USU’s Music Department, which fosters a small, close-knit environment and provides students with the opportunity to receive private instruction, where they work one-on-one with professors to improve their performance skills.

Music Performance Emphasis: This emphasis prepares students for careers in music performance. Students can focus on piano, string instruments, voice, wind/brass/percussion, guitar or organ. Students should check with the department for more information on the options available.

For more information about Guitar Performance, see the department website.
Admitted and current students must meet with an advisor.
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest math requirement for this degree is the Quantitative Literacy (QL) of the student’s choice.

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken at USU: 30
Credits of upper-division courses required for the major taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements For This Program

New freshmen: Admitted to USU in Good Standing
Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU: 2.75 GPA
Must pass entrance audition on primary instrument

BM Performance Music Core Curriculum (36 credits)

A grade of C or better is required in all Music Performance 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 1170 - Keyboard Harmony I 1 credit(s)
MUSC 1180 - Keyboard Harmony II 1 credit(s)
MUSC 1190 - World Music 3 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 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 3920 - Junior Recital 1-2 credit(s) (1 credit; 30-minute recital)
MUSC 4920 - Senior Recital 1-2 credit(s) (2 credits; 60-minute recital)

Guitar Performance Requirements (48 credits)

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. Major requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis. Music requires a 3.0 GPA in music classes and a 2.75 GPA overall for graduation.

MUSC 1585 - Individual Pre-Music Guitar Instruction 1-2 credit(s) (first year fall and first year spring semesters for a total of 4 credits)
MUSC 2350 - Conducting 2 credit(s)
MUSC 2550 - Guitar Styles: Blues 2 credit(s)
MUSC 2560 - Guitar Styles: Bluegrass/Folk 2 credit(s)
MUSC 2570 - Fingerboard Theory I 2 credit(s)
MUSC 2580 - Fingerboard Theory II 2 credit(s)
MUSC 2595 - Individual Pre-Barrier Guitar Instruction 1-2 credit(s) (second year fall semester for a total of 2 credits)
MUSC 3180 - Orchestration 2 credit(s)
MUSC 3550 - Individual Guitar Instruction for Music Majors 1-2 credit(s) (5 remaining semesters for a total of 10 credits)
MUSC 3570 - Guitar Pedagogy I 2 credit(s)
MUSC 3580 - Guitar Pedagogy II 2 credit(s)
MUSC 3590 - Electric Guitar Ensemble 1 credit(s) or
MUSC 4550 - Acoustic Guitar Ensemble 1 credit(s)
8 credits minimum of large ensemble. Any combination of these two courses satisfies requirements.
MUSC 3900 - Improvisation I 2 credit(s)
MUSC 3905 - Improvisation II 2 credit(s)
MUSC 4930 - Readings and Conference 1-6 credit(s) (2 credits minimum)
Music Electives (2 credits) (any MUSC-prefix course)

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.

Open Electives

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 120

Suggested Degree Map - Music: Guitar Performance BM

Music: Guitar Performance BM - 4 Year Degree Map