Bachelor of Music, Commercial Option
The Bachelor of Music degree is designed for students preparing for graduate study or careers in performance. A student majoring in Music Performance may select to specialize in voice, piano, guitar, strings, winds, percussion, or commercial.
Program Admissions Requirements
All prospective music majors/minors and transfer students must contact the department office prior to their first semester’s registration to be assigned a departmental advisor and take diagnostic placement tests and performance auditions. Acceptance as a music major/minor is dependent upon auditions and these examinations. Examinations should be taken before or during the week preceding classwork.
Performance Auditions
These auditions will include technique demonstration and repertoire performance.
Theory Placement Exam
This exam will determine the specific semester of music theory to which a student will be assigned.
Piano Placement Exams
These tests serve to determine the specific semester and section of class piano or private instruction to which a student will be admitted. All music majors must successfully complete the department’s required piano proficiency to graduate. Credits in MUSC 1118, MUSC 1119, MUSC 2218, MUSC 2219, or MUSA 1120 may be used toward passing the piano proficiency. The student must register for piano or piano class each semester until passing the proficiency exam.
General Education
The listing below includes program requirements that also fulfill General Education requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Objective 1 | 6 | |
| Objective 2 | 3 | |
| Objective 3 - MATH 1123 Recommended 1 | 3 | |
| Objective 4 - MUSI 1108 | 7 | |
| Objective 5 | 7 | |
| Objective 6 | 6 | |
| Students must fulfill Objective 7 or Objective 8 | 3 | |
Objective 7 | ||
Objective 8 | ||
| Objective 9 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 38 | |
| 1 | “P” courses are equivalent to the original course. |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 1103 | Theory of Music I | 3 |
| MUSC 1104 | Theory of Music II | 3 |
| MUSC 1107 | Recital Attendance (7 semesters) | 0 |
| MUSI 1108 | The World of Music (Partially satisfies General Education Objective 4) | 4 |
| MUSC 1113 | Aural Skills I | 1 |
| MUSC 1114 | Aural Skills II | 1 |
| MUSC 2203 | Theory of Music III | 3 |
| MUSC 2204 | Theory of Music IV | 3 |
| MUSC 2213 | Aural Skills III | 1 |
| MUSC 2214 | Aural Skills IV | 1 |
| MUSC 3304 | Music History I | 3 |
| MUSC 3305 | Music History II | 3 |
| MUSC 3306 | Music History III | 3 |
| MUSC 3311 | Form and Analysis | 2 |
| MUSC 4495 | Senior Recital | 2 |
| Piano Proficiency 1 | 4 | |
| Upper Division Music Theory/History Elective | 2-3 | |
| Other Music Electives 2 | 2 | |
| Total Credits | 41-42 | |
| 1 | Piano proficiency is required for all degree candidates. Applied music secondary credits (MUSC 1118-MUSC 1119, MUSC 2218-MUSC 2219, or MUSA 1120) may be used toward passing the piano proficiency. The student must register for piano each semester until able to pass the proficiency exam. |
| 2 | Music electives must be chosen from Music courses (MUSC) and Music General Education courses (MUSI), not from Applied Music courses (MUSA) or Music Ensemble courses (MUSP). |
Commercial Option Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 3312 | Music Technology | 2 |
| MUSC 3313 | Recording Technology | 2 |
| MUSC 3314 | Improvisation I | 2 |
| MUSC 4440 | Studio Arranging and Composition | 2 |
| MUSC 4442 | Audio Mixing and Production | 2 |
| MUSC 4494 | Commercial Music Capstone Project | 2 |
| MKTG 2225 | Introduction to Marketing | 3 |
| CMP 2202 | Photo, Graphic, and Video Editing | 3 |
| Applied Music (major instrument, commercial music) 3 | 16 | |
| Four credits required of lower division Large Ensembles (band, orchestra, choir) | 4 | |
| Orchestra | ||
| ISU Women's Choir | ||
| Concert Choir | ||
| Band (Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, or Concert Band) | ||
| Four credits required of upper division Large Ensembles (band, orchestra, choir) | 4 | |
| Four credits required of MUSP 4475 - Commercial Music Ensemble 4 | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 46 | |
| 3 | Applied Music Study MUSA: 1 credit lessons, level 11XX and 22XX, on the student’s primary instrument of entry (i.e., “saxophone”, “guitar”, etc.) for the first 4 semesters of study prior to completion of junior standing; thereafter, 4 semesters of applied commercial music MUSA 3395 / MUSA 4495 at 3 credits each (junior and senior year) for a total of 12 credits. Students are permitted to potentially continue studying the original instrument for one credit if so desired in addition to the required commercial music lessons. |
| 4 | The Chamber music ensemble which satisfies the requirement for the BM Commercial option is specifically MUSP 4475 Commercial Music Ensemble. Note that course MUSP 1175 exists as a performance option for underclassmen, but does not fulfill requirements for the Commercial Music option. Similarly, other sections of chamber music MUSP 1168-4468 do not fulfill requirements for the Commercial Music option. |
Degree Totals
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Admission Requirements | 0 | |
| General Education | 38 | |
| Major Requirements (Required General Education credits removed) | 37-38 | |
| Commercial Option Requirements (Required General Education credits removed) | 46 | |
| Upper Division Free Electives | 0 | |
| Free Electives | 0 | |
| Total Credits | 121-122 | |