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Music B.A.

Division of Humanities - Adm
Division of Humanities
  • Program Type: Baccalaureate
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2023
  • Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120
  • Required credits within the major: 40
  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts
The music curriculum is designed to develop not only musical and performance skills, but also to investigate the many ways that music can help us understand human culture and history. This curriculum meshes the liberal arts model of breadth of knowledge with applied lessons, ensembles, and theory/history of music. Program Student Learning Outcomes: 1. Musicianship: Students will demonstrate proficiency in aural and keyboard musicianship. 2. Performance: In their area of specialization, students will study and perform a wide range of music literature, communicating character and style and engaging with the listener in an assured manner. 3. Music in a historic and cultural context: Students will develop the ability to discuss music critically, examine the role of music in culture, and consider the various ways people understand meaningful expression in music. 4. Music theory: Students will demonstrate proficiency in reading and writing scales, chords, and rhythms, show an understanding of contrapuntal techniques and formal structures, and analyze pieces using appropriate analytical techniques.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.
General Requirements
All students are required to complete general University and college requirements. For more information, see the general education requirements.
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 2 semester(s) of any second language. with a grade of C-, or better, or S, or demonstrate proficiency in the language(s) as defined by the department or college.
No grades below C- are allowed. Courses may not be taken S-N, unless offered S-N only. A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required in the major to graduate. The GPA includes all, and only, University of Minnesota coursework. Grades of "F" are included in GPA calculation until they are replaced. Students with advisers in other disciplines are strongly encouraged to consult regularly with a music faculty advisor.
Required Courses
Foundational courses (1151-6) and 2xxx-level music theory and repertoire courses are taken concurrently with piano lessons or Functional Keyboard for the Music Major, Mus 1111, 1112, 2111, 2112 until the piano proficiency test is passed. Students must enroll in MUS 0100 seven times.
7 credits in individual performance studies in the applied area, of which a minimum of two semesters must be in the MUS 32XX-Advanced Individual Performance Studies series.
MUS 100 - Music Performance Lab (0.0 cr)
MUS 1151 - Foundations of Music Theory I: Rhythm and Pitch [M/SR] (2.0 cr)
MUS 1152 - Foundations of Music Theory II: Line [FA] (2.0 cr)
MUS 1153 - Foundations of Musicianship I (1.0 cr)
MUS 1154 - Foundations of Musicianship II (1.0 cr)
MUS 1155 - Foundations in Music History I: Ancient to 1750 [HIST] (2.0 cr)
MUS 1156 - Foundations in Music History II: 1750 to Contemporary [FA] (2.0 cr)
MUS 2151 - Intermediate Music Theory: Form (2.0 cr)
MUS 2152 - Intermediate Music Theory: Harmony (2.0 cr)
MUS 4901 - Senior Project and Portfolio (1.0 cr)
Piano proficiency
Lower-Division Elective Courses
Take 4 or more credit(s) from the following:
· MUS 2401 - Piano from Bach to Jazz [FA] (2.0 cr)
· MUS 2402 - Art Song Repertoire [FA] (2.0 cr)
· MUS 2403 - Choral Traditions and Literature [FA] (2.0 cr)
· MUS 2404 - The Orchestra and its Literature from the 1700s through Today [FA] (2.0 cr)
· MUS 2405 - Survey of Instrumental Wind Literature [FA] (2.0 cr)
· MUS 2406 - Jazz Style and Repertoire [FA] (2.0 cr)
Elective Courses in Music Theory
Take 4 or more credit(s) from the following:
· MUS 3108 - Intellectual Foundations of Western Music [HUM] (2.0 cr)
· MUS 3109 - Analysis of Popular Music [HUM] (2.0 cr)
· MUS 3110 - History of Music Theory: From the Renaissance to the Baroque (2.0 cr)
· MUS 3111 - History of Music Theory: Rameau to Riemann (2.0 cr)
· MUS 3112 - Analysis of Pre-Tonal Music (2.0 cr)
· MUS 3113 - Analysis of Post-Tonal Music (2.0 cr)
Elective Courses in Music History
Take 4 or more credit(s) from the following:
· MUS 3107 - Music in 20th-Century America [FA] (2.0 cr)
· MUS 3114 - Musical Borrowing [FA] (2.0 cr)
· MUS 3115 - Gender and Sexuality in Music [FA] (2.0 cr)
· MUS 3116 - Music and Identity [FA] (2.0 cr)
· MUS 3117 - Music in Film [FA] (2.0 cr)
· MUS 3118 - Music and Politics [FA] (2.0 cr)
General Elective Courses
Take 4 or more credit(s) from the following:
· MUS 3051 - Piano Pedagogy I [ART/P] (2.0 cr)
· MUS 3052 - Piano Pedagogy II [ART/P] (2.0 cr)
· MUS 3311 - Conducting Techniques (2.0 cr)
· MUS 3321 - Instrumental Conducting and Materials (2.0 cr)
· MUS 3331 - Choral Conducting and Materials (2.0 cr)
· MUS 3351 - Instrumental Arranging [ART/P] (2.0 cr)
· MUS 3352 - Choral Arranging [ART/P] (2.0 cr)
· MUS 3993 - Directed Study (1.0-5.0 cr)
· MUS 3xxx
· MUS 4101 - Form and Analysis (4.0 cr)
· MUS 4102 - Counterpoint (4.0 cr)
· MUS 4103 - Seminar: Topics in Music History (4.0 cr)
· MUS 4110 - Seminar: Advanced Music Theory and Analysis (4.0 cr)
· MUS 4xxx
 
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MUS 100 - Music Performance Lab
Credits: 0.0 [max 0.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
To be taken by all music majors and minors; students will participate in music events as performers, support staff, and listeners. prereq: major or minor
MUS 1151 - Foundations of Music Theory I: Rhythm and Pitch (M/SR)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Notation; rhythm reading and identification; scales, modes, keys, and basic chords; simple, compound, and complex meters. prereq: coreq 1153, 1155, concurrent enrollment in piano classes/lessons until piano proficiency is passed for maj/min
MUS 1152 - Foundations of Music Theory II: Line (FA)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Study of melody and line; one-, two-, and four-part writing and counterpoint; phrase structure; interaction of line with harmony; analysis and identification. prereq: 1151, coreq 1154, 1156, concurrent enrollment in piano classes/lessons until piano proficiency is passed for maj/min
MUS 1153 - Foundations of Musicianship I
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Introduction to sight-singing, rhythmic and pitch dictation and transcription, and aural error detection. prereq: coreq 1151, 1155
MUS 1154 - Foundations of Musicianship II
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Sight-singing of melodies; melodic dictation and transcription; aural error detection. prereq: 1153, coreq 1152, 1156, concurrent enrollment in piano classes/lessons until piano proficiency is passed for maj/min
MUS 1155 - Foundations in Music History I: Ancient to 1750 (HIST)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
A chronological survey of Western musical development from the earliest notated examples to the end of the Baroque period. Emphasis is placed on specific works and composers as examples of larger musical and cultural trends. This is the first of two courses intended to provide a historical framework for further musical study. prererq: coreq 1151, 1153
MUS 1156 - Foundations in Music History II: 1750 to Contemporary (FA)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
A chronological survey of Western musical development from the Classical period through the current day. Emphasis is placed on specific works and composers as examples of larger musical and cultural trends. This is the second of two courses intended to provide a historical framework for further musical study. prereq: 1155, coreq 1152, 1154
MUS 2151 - Intermediate Music Theory: Form
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Periodicity; analysis and score study of pieces in binary, rounded binary, ternary, variation, sonata, rondo, and sonata-rondo forms. prereq: 1152, music major or minor or instr consent
MUS 2152 - Intermediate Music Theory: Harmony
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Further exploration of triads, seventh chords, and harmonic function; secondary-function chords; modal mixture; modulation; Neapolitan and augmented-6th chords; upper extensions; altered dominants and chromatic mediants. prereq: 1152, music major or minor or instr consent
MUS 4901 - Senior Project and Portfolio
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Culminating activity that allows a graduating student to demonstrate competence as a musician. Projects may take the form of a solo recital, lecture-recital, research paper, chamber music recital, or other major study. Project should be determined in the student's junior year and approved by the music faculty. Majors taking Mus 3200 through 3223 normally satisfy this requirement with a senior recital. prereq: major, piano proficiency, instr consent
MUS 2401 - Piano from Bach to Jazz (FA)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Introduction to numerous seminal works from the piano literature, to composers who have written for keyboard instruments over the past three hundred years, and to performers who have propelled this music into the public, placing all of these works and people into historical, cultural, artistic, aesthetic, and social contexts. This hybrid course utilizes online instruction to deliver technical content and class time to focus on listening, writing, and discussion activities in addition to lecture components. Some evening film screenings and evening/weekend concerts may be required.
MUS 2402 - Art Song Repertoire (FA)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
A survey of art song repertoire from the 17th century to the present, including songs from the German, French, Italian, Spanish, American, British, Russian, Eastern European and South American traditions. The fusion of music and poetry are studied as well as interpretation and signature musical characteristics.
MUS 2403 - Choral Traditions and Literature (FA)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Fall Even Year
An exploration of choral singing and repertoire from various global cultures, including the western European tradition. Students develop an understanding of the evolution of the choral art form and its parallels with society, culture, politics, and religion.
MUS 2404 - The Orchestra and its Literature from the 1700s through Today (FA)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
A study of the orchestra as a cultural institution. Examine important and influential repertoire, with an emphasis on the symphony, as well as examples of ensembles to understand the role of the orchestra in Western culture.
MUS 2405 - Survey of Instrumental Wind Literature (FA)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
A survey of standard and educational wind ensemble and wind chamber music literature from all historical periods and styles. Students develop a comprehensive knowledge of the composers and literature discussed in the course through detailed listening, score study, discussion, and evaluation.
MUS 2406 - Jazz Style and Repertoire (FA)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
This course addresses the stylistic component of jazz performance through study and analysis of seminal recordings throughout all eras of jazz history.
MUS 3108 - Intellectual Foundations of Western Music (HUM)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Exploration of source readings and analytical projects showing the intellectual foundations of Western music from antiquity through the Middle Ages. prereq: 2151, 2152 or instr consent
MUS 3109 - Analysis of Popular Music (HUM)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Development of analytical techniques to examine popular music from Tin Pan Alley to the present. prereq: 2151, 2152 or instr consent
MUS 3110 - History of Music Theory: From the Renaissance to the Baroque
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Fall Even Year
Study of source documents and analytical projects covering the history of Western music theory from the 15th century to approximately 1750. prereq: 2151, 2152
MUS 3111 - History of Music Theory: Rameau to Riemann
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Study of source documents and analytical projects covering the history of Western music theory from 1750 to 1900. prereq: 2151, 2152
MUS 3112 - Analysis of Pre-Tonal Music
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
Analysis of melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic structure of Western music written between 900 and 1600 CE; topics covered may include polyphony, modality, cadences, isorhythm, and formal considerations. prereq: 2151, 2152
MUS 3113 - Analysis of Post-Tonal Music
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
Analysis of melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic structure of music since 1900 CE; topics covered may include free atonality, twelve-tone music, serialism, minimalism, neo-Classicism, neo-Romanticism, the New Complexity, post-modernism and collage-based works, and popular influences. prereq: 2151, 2152
MUS 3107 - Music in 20th-Century America (FA)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
A study of select American musical styles in the 20th century. Art, traditional, and popular musical styles are considered, as well as how these styles intersect. Examples are discussed in terms of musical elements as well as cultural and social contexts. prereq: ability to read music and identify basic scales and chords, instr consent
MUS 3114 - Musical Borrowing (FA)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
Examination of multiple ways that musical traditions or works borrow from each other through techniques such as arrangement, transcription, quotation, adaptation, sampling, etc. Consider how changing the context for these musical references can change intention and meaning for the artist/listener. prereq: ability to read music and identify basic scales and chords
MUS 3115 - Gender and Sexuality in Music (FA)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Fall Even Year
Explores both representation of and discourse on gender and sexuality through music. Course content includes examples from both cultivated and vernacular traditions. prereq: ability to read music and identify basic scales and chords
MUS 3116 - Music and Identity (FA)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Explore how music is used in various contexts to shape and express elements of identity. Consider expressions of cultural, racial, social, and other modes of identity. prererq: ability to read music and identify basic scales and chords
MUS 3117 - Music in Film (FA)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Fall Even Year
Examines how music is used in film. Consider how music is used in narrative and representative ways, as well as how the role of music in film has changed over time. prereq: ability to read music and identify basic scales and chords
MUS 3118 - Music and Politics (FA)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Examines how music is used in political contexts, and how artists express political ideas through music, both reflecting and shaping contemporary ideas. prereq: ability to read music and identify basic scales and chords
MUS 3051 - Piano Pedagogy I (ART/P)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Fall Even Year
This course is a study, demonstration, and discussion about the various elements of piano teaching methods, techniques, and materials for elementary and early intermediate levels. This includes analysis of various piano courses and piano literature, discussion of technical regimes, ideas for private and group lessons, and planning for the practical business aspect of teaching. Recommended for piano majors. prereq: 1200 or instr consent
MUS 3052 - Piano Pedagogy II (ART/P)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
This course covers much intermediate literature from each of the four major periods of music with practical ideas to put into immediate use by current teachers. Piano literature to motivate and retain students as well as the study of performance practices as they relate to each musical style are emphasized. prereq: 1200 or instr consent
MUS 3311 - Conducting Techniques
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall
Development of basic ensemble conducting skills. prereq: major or minor or instr consent
MUS 3321 - Instrumental Conducting and Materials
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Specialization of instrumental conducting and a survey of ensemble materials for various levels of ability and maturity. prereq: 3311, major or minor or instr consent
MUS 3331 - Choral Conducting and Materials
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Typically offered: Every Spring
Specialization of choral conducting and a survey of ensemble materials for various levels of ability and maturity. prereq: 3311, major or minor or instr consent
MUS 3351 - Instrumental Arranging (ART/P)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Course Equivalencies: Mus 3351/Mus 3352/Mus 3353
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Theoretical study of orchestral and band instruments and special problems of scoring and arranging for small and large instrumental ensembles. prereq: 2151, 2152
MUS 3352 - Choral Arranging (ART/P)
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Course Equivalencies: Mus 3351/Mus 3352/Mus 3353
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Practical study of arranging for vocal ensembles and for vocal ensembles with instruments; exercises dealing with special problems and limitations of different age and ability groups. prereq: 2151, 2152
MUS 3993 - Directed Study
Credits: 1.0 -5.0 [max 10.0]
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
An on- or off-campus learning experience individually arranged between a student and a faculty member for academic credit in areas not covered in the regular curriculum.
MUS 4101 - Form and Analysis
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Analysis of musical forms, including harmonic and melodic structure of the phrase, the binary principle, the ternary principle, sonata allegro, rondo, and later alterations of the forms. prereq: 2102, major or minor or instr consent
MUS 4102 - Counterpoint
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Contrapuntal techniques of the 18th century with references to earlier 16th century species counterpoint. prereq: 2102 or instr consent
MUS 4103 - Seminar: Topics in Music History
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
A small, discussion-oriented seminar emphasizing a multi-faceted approach to an advanced musical topic. Topics vary each semester the course is offered and are determined by the instructor. Student work culminates in a semester-long research project and presentation. prereq: 1102, major or minor or instr consent
MUS 4110 - Seminar: Advanced Music Theory and Analysis
Credits: 4.0 [max 8.0]
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
A discussion-oriented seminar on an advanced aspect or aspects of music theory and analysis. Repertoire and techniques vary each semester the course is offered and are determined by the instructor. Student work culminates in a semester-long research project and presentation. prereq: 2102, major or minor or instr consent