All music major degree programs have a concert/recital attendance applied learning activity requirement. To complete the degree, the student must attend 12 approved performances each semester for a total of 6 semesters. This is in addition to all coursework for any music major degree. Attendance requirements and an approved listing of concerts/recitals are provided at the beginning of each regular semester.
CONCENTRATIONS
You can tailor your music degree with a business emphasis.
BACHELOR OF MUSIC DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree must complete 4 credits in 300-level “Applied Music-Major Instrument” requirements for graduation.
Require a core of 63 credits in music courses plus 15 credits in the area of concentration.
You can tailor your degree with a concentration in Technology and Industry. This program is a synthesis of traditional musical training and new technologies designed to create well-rounded musicians through technical and theoretical studies, and hands-on training in a variety of software and hardware.
Topics of study include audio recording, sound synthesis, notation, sequencing, and audio for multimedia and internet applications. The advanced student works closely with faculty for forays into the exciting world of digital audio arts such as advanced signal processing techniques, real-time signal processing, microcontroller design, circuit bending, and more.
Our faculty possess unique specialties and a wealth of knowledge and experience within the rapidly growing field of audio technology. They work in a diverse range of genres and styles from rock to jazz to experimental music. Their performance experience ranges from classical, modern, and popular vocal and instrumental music to algorithmic composition. Our Music Technology and Industry team includes two composers who can guide students in furthering their composing, orchestrating, arranging, and songwriting skills.
BACHELOR OF MUSIC DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree must complete 4 credits in 300-level “Applied Music-Major Instrument” requirements for graduation.
Require a core of 63 credits in music courses plus 15 credits in the area of concentration.
Music (Bachelor of Music, B.M.)
This degree program is designed for those students who desire some kind of career within the broad designation of the music and entertainment industries. The degree has a strong core of musicianship study requirements. In addition, the student must also complete a designated course of study in the area of Business or Music Technology.
The Business course of study requires the completion of the General Business Minor (foundational studies in accounting, economics, management, marketing, business law, and finance) or the Entrepreneurship Minor (the development of entrepreneurship and innovation skills, and the development of business plans in addition foundational studies in business).
The Music Technology course of study requires the completion of the Music Technology Concentration designed to provide the student with a broad base of studies and experiences in sound synthesis, audio and recording technology, music composition, sequencing, web applications, and research techniques and resources for this field.
All students have an applied learning Internship experience related to their career goals and a Senior Portfolio degree capstone requirement.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies 1 | ||
| 42-47 | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| MUS 100 | Concert/Recital Attendance 2 | 0 |
| MUS 103 | Fundamentals of Music | 2 |
| MUS 106 | Basic Keyboard Skills I | 2 |
| MUS 108 | Basic Keyboard Skills II | 2 |
| MUS 115 | Musicianship I | 3 |
| MUS 116 | Musicianship I Lab | 1 |
| MUS 210 | Introduction to Music Technology | 2 |
| MUS 215 | Musicianship II | 3 |
| MUS 216 | Musicianship II Lab | 1 |
| MUS 300 | Notation and Sequencing | 2 |
| MUS 305 | Entrepreneurship in Music | 3 |
| MUS 348 | Music of World Cultures | 1 |
| MUS 1XX | Applied Lessons: Major and Secondary | 3 |
| MUS 2XX | Applied Lessons | 1 |
| MUS XXX | Large Ensembles 3 | 2 |
| MUS XXX | Chamber Ensembles 3 | 2 |
| Select one of the concentrations: | 35-36 | |
Performance and Industry Concentration | ||
Technology and Industry Concentration | ||
| 1 | Music majors must take one of the following: HUM 203 Humanities: Ancient and Medieval or HUM 204 Humanities: Middle Ages to the French Revolution or HUM 205 Humanities: American Revolution to the Present or ENG 210 Approaches to Literature or ART 100Introduction to Art or THR 113 Introduction to Theatre for NASM accreditation. |
| 2 | Six semesters required. |
| 3 | Music Technology and Industry majors - Must complete two semesters of MUS 352 Commercial Music Ensemble. Music Performance and Industry majors - At least one semester of orchestra and one of a jazz ensemble are required of instrumentalists. Commercial Music ensemble may substitute for one small ensemble for keyboards and strings. |
Concentrations:
Performance and Industry
Technology and Industry
Courses of Study
Performance and Industry Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| MUS 109 | Functional Voice Class 1 | 2-3 |
| or MUS 201 | Diction for Singers | |
| MUS 206 | Keyboard Proficiency for Instrumentalists | 2 |
| or MUS 208 | Keyboard Proficiency for Vocalists | |
| MUS 362 | History of Western Music I: Ancient to Classical | 3 |
| MUS 363 | History of Western Music II: Romanticism to the 21st Century | 3 |
| MUS 366 | Musicianship III | 3 |
| MUS 367 | Musicianship III Lab | 1 |
| MUS 368 | Musicianship IV | 2 |
| MUS 390 | Junior Recital | 1 |
| MUS 292 | Piano Pedagogy I: Introduction to Piano Pedagogy | 2 |
| or MUS 330 | Pedagogical Practices: Brass | |
| or MUS 331 | Pedagogical Practices: Keyboard | |
| or MUS 332 | Pedagogical Practices: Percussion | |
| or MUS 333 | Pedagogical Practices: Strings | |
| or MUS 334 | Pedagogical Practices: Voice | |
| or MUS 335 | Pedagogical Practices: Woodwinds | |
| MUS 328 | Song and Choral Literature | 2 |
| or MUS 312 | Topics in Music Literature: Chamber | |
| or MUS 313 | Topics in Music Literature: Choral | |
| or MUS 314 | Topics in Music Literature: Piano | |
| or MUS 315 | Topics in Music Literature: Organ | |
| or MUS 316 | Topics in Music Literature: Percussion | |
| or MUS 317 | Topics in Music Literature: Solo Instrument | |
| or MUS 318 | Topics in Music Literature: Solo Voice | |
| MUS 441 | Choral Conducting | 3 |
| or MUS 442 | Instrumental Conducting | |
| MUS 491 | Senior Recital | 1 |
| MUS XXX | Large Ensembles | 4 |
| MUS 3XX | Applied Lessons | 3 |
| MUS 4XX | Applied Lessons | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 35-36 | |
| 1 | Music Performance and Industry majors - At least two semesters of a language are encouraged. Classically inclined vocalists are highly encouraged to take four semesters of German or French or two semesters of German and French. |
Technology and Industry Concentration
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| MUS 109 | Functional Voice Class | 2 |
| MUS 286 | Music Industry Internship Fieldwork | 1 |
| MUS 324 | Live Sound Reinforcement | 3 |
| MUS 327 | Seminar in Music Business Practices | 3 |
| MUS 359 | History of Popular Music in the Recording Era | 3 |
| MUS 386 | Sound Synthesis | 3 |
| MUS 400 | Audio Recording and Analysis I | 2 |
| MUS 403 | Mus Techniques of Film & TV | 2 |
| MUS 415 | Jazz History | 2 |
| MUS 440 | Commercial Music Practicum | 4 |
| MUS 451 | Audio Recording and AnalysisII | 3 |
| MUS 486 | Multi-media and Internet Applications | 3 |
| MUS 490 | Senior Recital | 1 |
| or MUS 491 | Senior Recital | |
| or MUS 495 | Music Capstone Project | |
| MUS 3XX | Applied Lessons (2 Semesters) | 2 |
| MUS 4XX | Applied Lessons (2 Semesters) | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
Graduation Requirements
- Earn a minimum of 120 credit hours (100 level and higher, maximum of 6 CED credit hours applicable).
- Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in upper-division courses. Lower-division transfer courses accepted as meeting upper-division departmental course requirements cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
- Earn 30 of the last 45 credit hours at MWSU in institutional coursework (exclusive of credit by examination).
- Participate in required departmental and campus wide assessments.
- Earn an overall GPA of at least 2.0 and a major GPA of at least 2.0.
- Fulfill the Missouri Constitution requirement.
- Successfully pass the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement exam.
Are you ready to declare this major? Download, sign and submit the form(s) to the Music Department.
Mapping your degree plan is important. Consult with your academic advisor to create a plan and monitor it regularly.