Bachelor of Arts in Music
The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree emphasizes the study of music within a broad program of general study. A non-teaching minor is also offered by the School of Music.
Students are required to audition with the appropriate applied instrumental or vocal faculty prior to, or at the latest, during the first semester of study for all music programs. Placement in MUSI 195 (Applied Music) will be at the sole determination of the applied studio professor. Students with limited experience on their principal instrument are responsible for obtaining preparatory instruction and basic music-reading skills and may be required to complete MUSI 102 in order to develop the required skills necessary to be accepted for applied study and enroll in MUSI 195. If accepted for applied lessons, music majors must enroll in Applied Music each semester of residency. Advancement to the next level will be by performance jury and with the approval of the applied music instructor. An appearance on a recital as soloist must be completed before advancement to MUSI 395. Successful completion of at least one semester of MUSI 395 is required to graduate. All BA students and all applied music students are required to participate in the School's band, choral, and orchestral ensembles. Acceptable ensembles are listed in the Music Major Handbook.
Students in the BA music major or those seeking a music minor must achieve the grade of "C" or better in all required music courses. Further, a grade of "C-" or better is required in all courses that will be counted toward the 42 upper-division credits required in all degrees. Courses with a passing grade of D-, D, or D+ may only be counted toward the overall 120 credit requirement.
As with many degree programs at MSU, the Music curriculum in sequential in nature, with upper-level courses building upon knowledge acquired in previous course work. Completion of a course with a "C" or better is required to satisfy all music (MUST/MUSI/MUED) prerequisites. Any exceptions will be at the sole discretion of the Director.
Students are required to adhere to the current concert/lecture attendance policy as stated in the School of Music Music Major Handbook.
Students with limited musical experience may be required to complete MUSI 103RA Fundamentals of Musical Creation with a "B" or better, before beginning the Music Theory, Aural Perception, and Keyboard Skills sequence, as determined by placement examination, in consultation with the Coordinator of the BA in Music Program and Music Faculty.
Students are allowed a maximum of two enrollments in MUSI 195 to meet the "C" or better requirement of the BA in Music. There is no limit as to how many times a student can enroll in MUSI 195 after they meet the “C" requirement. Additionally, the following Foundation Courses may be taken a maximum of two times in order to meet the "C" or better requirement of the BA in Music.
- MUSI 139 Aural Skills I and MUSI 141 Aural Perception II
- MUSI 124 Musical Objects: Knowledge and Fluency and MUSI 125 Elements of Large Scale Musical Design
- MUSI 135 Keyboard Skills I and MUSI 136 Keyboard Skills II
For music elective credits below, a maximum of 2 credits of ensembles can be applied for all 8 music elective credits, NO Applied Lessons.
| Freshman Year | Credits |
|---|---|
| MUSI 140 - Aural Perception I | 1 |
| MUSI 141 - Aural Perception II | 1 |
| MUSI 105 - Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUSI 106 - Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUSI 135 - Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
| MUSI 136 - Keyboard Skills II | 1 |
| MUSI 195 - Applied Music I | 1 |
| MUSI 195 - Applied Music I | 1 |
| Ensemble | 2 |
| University Core and Electives (non-music) | 16 |
| Year Total: | 30 |
| Sophomore Year | Credits |
| MUSI 240 - Aural Perception III | 1 |
| MUSI 241 - Aural Perception IV | 1 |
| MUSI 205 - Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUSI 206 - Music Theory IV | 3 |
| Choose two of the following: | 2 |
MUSI 230 - Interm Keyboard: Repertoire | |
MUSI 231 - Interm Keyboard: Accompanying | |
MUSI 232 - Interm Keyboard: Opn Scre Rdng | |
MUSI 233 - Interm Keyboard Skill: Jazz | |
| MUSI 295 - Applied Music II | 1 |
| MUSI 295 - Applied Music II | 1 |
| MUSI 307IA - World Music | 3 |
| Ensemble | 2 |
| University Core and Electives (non-music) | 13 |
| Year Total: | 30 |
| Junior Year | Credits |
| Choose two of the following: | 6 |
MUSI 301 - Music History I | |
MUSI 302 - Music History II | |
MUSI 303 - Music History of 20th and 21st Centuries | |
| MUSI 395 - Applied Music III | 1 |
| MUSI 395 - Applied Music III | 1 |
| Ensemble | 2 |
| Music Electives (max. of 2 credits overflow ensembles for all 8 music electives, NO Applied Lessons) | 3 |
| University Core and Electives (non-music) | 17 |
| Year Total: | 30 |
| Senior Year | Credits |
| MUSI 499R - Senior Capstone Project | 3 |
| MUSI 395 - Applied Music III | 1 |
| MUSI 495 - Applied Music IV | 1 |
| Ensemble | 2 |
| Music Electives | 5 |
| University Core and Electives (non-music) | 18 |
| Year Total: | 30 |
| Total Program Credits: | 120 |
A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above.