Bachelor of Music, Instrumental 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 1118MUSC 1119MUSC 2218MUSC 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.

Objective 1 6
Objective 2 3
Objective 3 - MATH 1123 Recommended 13
Objective 4 - MUSI 11087
Objective 57
Objective 66
Students must fulfill Objective 7 or Objective 83
Objective 7
Objective 8
Objective 93
Total Credits38
1

“P” courses are equivalent to the original course.

Major Requirements 

MUSC 1103Theory of Music I3
MUSC 1104Theory of Music II3
MUSC 1107Recital Attendance (7 semesters)0
MUSI 1108The World of Music (Partially satisfies General Education Objective 4)4
MUSC 1113Aural Skills I1
MUSC 1114Aural Skills II1
MUSC 2203Theory of Music III3
MUSC 2204Theory of Music IV3
MUSC 2213Aural Skills III1
MUSC 2214Aural Skills IV1
MUSC 3304Music History I3
MUSC 3305Music History II3
MUSC 3306Music History III3
MUSC 3311Form and Analysis2
MUSC 4495Senior Recital2
Piano Proficiency 14
Upper Division Music Theory/History Elective2-3
Other Music Electives 22
Total Credits41-42
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).

Instrumental Option Requirements

MUSC 3320Instrumental Conducting2
MUSC 4411Instrument Literature2
MUSC 4412Instrument Pedagogy2
Applied Music (major instrument)24
Choose four credits of lower division Large Ensembles 34
Orchestra
Band (Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, or Concert Band)
Choose four credits of upper division Large Ensembles 4
Orchestra
Band (Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, or Concert Band)
Choose four credits of Chamber Music (instrumental ensemble)4
Chamber Orchestra
Instrumental Ensemble
Commercial Music Ensemble
Chamber Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Band
Chamber Orchestra
Instrumental Ensemble
Chamber Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Band
Total Credits42
3

Guitar majors may follow the ensemble selections listed under the Piano Option.

Degree Totals

Program Admission Requirements0
General Education38
Major Requirements (Required General Education credits removed)37-38
Instrumental Option Requirements42
Upper Division Free Electives0
Free Electives3-2
Total Credits120

ISU Degree Requirements

ISU General Education

Major Academic Plan (MAP)