Music Performance (B.M.)

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This program provides training to prepare students for professional pursuits in the field of music. Because of its emphasis on performance skills, it is suitable for students planning performance careers, studio teaching or graduate study towards a teaching position at the college level. In addition to Gordon’s Core Curriculum and music survey classes, students will take courses focused on improving their interpretation and technique on their major instrument. Students pursuing the performance degree are required to prepare for and perform adjudicated solo recitals in their junior and senior years.

Requirements

Students pursuing this degree are required to earn a total of 136 credits.

Core Adjustments for Bachelor of Music in Performance

Music Performance majors receive the following core reductions:

Music Performance majors must fulfill two of the following core options, with a minimum of 4 credits in each (8 credits total). Validation of either Language I or Language II will fulfill the corresponding requirement without credit.

Language I
Language II
Literature
Natural Sciences
Social Sciences

All other core requirements must be completed as outlined in the Core Curriculum section of the catalog.

Music Performance

Students majoring in music performance must complete the following music courses: ✢

MUS 211 - Music Theory I Credits: 3
MUS 212 - Music Theory II Credits: 3
MUL 211 - Music Theory Lab I Credits: 1
MUL 212 - Music Theory Lab II Credits: 1
MUS 226 - Music History and Literature I Credits: 4
MUS 326 - Music History and Literature II Credits: 4
MUS 245 - World Music Credits: 2
MUS 311 - Music Theory III Credits: 3
MUL 311 - Music Theory Lab III Credits: 1
MUS 315 - 20th-Century Techniques Credits: 4
MUS 318 - Conducting Credits: 4
MUS 332 - Pedagogical Practices: Instrumental Credits: 4 or
MUS 333 - Pedagogical Practices: Vocal Credits: 4
MUS 346 - Instrumentation and Arranging Credits: 2
MUS 491 - Senior Seminar I Credits: 2
Instrumentalists must fulfill four credits of:
MUS 259 - Performance of Chamber Music Credits: 0 or 1 variable credit
Voice majors must fulfill four credits of
MUS 270 - Opera Scenes Workshop Credits: 0 or 2 credits and/or
MUS 275 - Musical Production Credits: 0, 1, 2, 4

Other Requirements

Applied music (32 credits on one instrument, including 2 semesters of piano proficiency)
Music electives (16 credits; voice majors must take two semesters of
MUS 092 Vocal Diction Class
)
Meet music major ensemble requirement (eight semesters - see below)
Pass piano and voice proficiency examinations
Successful completion of a junior and senior recital

Ensemble Requirement

Eight semesters of ensemble participation are required. The following ensembles may be applied and must be taken for one credit each:

MUS 250 - College Choir Credits: 0 or 1 variable credit
MUS 251 - Symphonic Band Credits: 0 or 1 variable credit
MUS 252 - Men’s Choir Credits: 0 or 1 variable credit
MUS 253 - Gordon Symphony Orchestra Credits: 0 or 1 variable credit
MUS 254 - Women’s Choir Credits: 0 or 1 variable credit
MUS 258 - Wind Ensemble Credits: 0 or 1 variable credit

Note:

✢ Further requirements and information are outlined in the Music Student Handbook.