Music: Piano Performance and Pedagogy - BM

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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. All music majors must pass an audition to be admitted, making the program competitive and challenging which produces the highest quality musicians and music teachers. Students can also take advantage of scholarship funding exclusive to the Music Department.

There are many performance opportunities available for students, including concerts, operas, recitals, and numerous music ensembles. Students benefit from performances and master classes, which are small workshops in a private classroom setting given by visiting professional musicians from around the world.

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 Piano 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 through USU: 30
Total major required credits 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 must be admitted to USU in Good Standing.
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.
Students must pass an entrance audition on primary instrument.

Major Requirements

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. Major requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis. Students register for 1 credit of individual Piano Instruction during the semester they prepare for a recital.

BM Piano Major Music Core Curriculum (36 credits)

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 (46 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. 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.

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: Piano Performance and Pedagogy BM

Music: Piano Performance and Pedagogy BM - 4 Year Degree Map