Music, Theory-Composition Concentration, B.M.

School of Music
615-898-5742
Michael Linton, program coordinator
Michael.Linton@mtsu.edu

To be admitted into the Bachelor of Music degree program, all entering students must pass an audition before the faculty on their major instrument or voice. Students who do not pass the audition may be allowed, at the discretion of the faculty, to enroll in private music lessons or class instruction for one semester only. At the end of the semester the student must reaudition for admission into the program.

In addition, all prospective new or transfer undergraduate majors and minors are required to take the Music Theory and Aural Skills Diagnostic Exam to determine appropriate placement in the music theory program. For additional information and to schedule a time for the exam, contact the School of Music Office. Students may not enroll in any music theory course until the exam is taken.

Students seeking a Bachelor of Music degree should refer to The School of Music Undergraduate Student Handbook that serves as the official document of the school concerning specific additional degree requirements and school policies and procedures. It is essential that all music majors consult their advisors each semester.

Bachelor of Music Concentration Requirements

General Education Requirements (41 hours)

Curricular listings include General Education requirements in Communication, History, Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social/Behavioral Sciences categories.

Music Core Curriculum (26 hours)

All music majors must take class piano or private piano instruction until they pass the piano proficiency examination prescribed by their degree programs. Students should see their advisors for details.

Students must earn a grade of C- or higher in MUTH 1110 , MUTH 1120 , MUTH 2110 , MUTH 2120 (music theory sequence) and MUHL 1610 , MUHL 3010 , MUHL 3020 (music history sequence).

MUS 1010 - Recital Attendance 0 credit hours (6 semesters)
MUTH 1110 - Theory and Aural Skills I 4 credit hours
MUTH 1120 - Theory and Aural Skills II 4 credit hours
MUHL 1610 - The World of Music 2 credit hours
MUTH 2110 - Theory and Aural Skills III 3 credit hours
MUTH 2120 - Theory and Aural Skills IV 3 credit hours
MUHL 3010 - History of Western Art Music I 3 credit hours
MUHL 3020 - History of Western Art Music II 3 credit hours
MUTH 4130 - Orchestration and Arranging 2 credit hours
MUS 3140 - Basic Conducting 2 credit hours

Jury Examinations

All music majors and minors are required to participate in jury examinations in their primary performing areas. Non-music majors registered for private lessons may be required to perform a jury examination at the discretion of the instructor. Jury examinations are held to measure the student’s progress at the conclusion of each semester. Those students who have presented and passed their senior recitals during the semester may be excused from jury examinations.

Undergraduate Music majors must pass a upper-division jury to qualify for applied music study at the MUAP 3000 level. A Music major must take his or her upper-division jury no later than the end of the sixth semester and if not passing must take an upper-division jury again the next semester. A third attempt must be accompanied by extraordinary circumstances and must carry the approval of the studio teacher and director of the School of Music.

Class Piano/Theory and Aural Skills

All undergraduate music majors (except keyboard principals) must take class piano every semester as indicated on the advising check sheets until the required piano proficiency exam is successfully completed. Concurrent enrollment in Class Piano I and Theory and Aural Skills I is required, with the following exceptions: (1) The student successfully passed either Class Piano I or Theory and Aural Skills I, but not both, or (2) the student successfully passed one or more levels of Class Piano by examination. Students should see their advisors for details.

Students wishing to continue piano after successfully completing the required class piano sequence may audition for piano applied lessons.

Keyboard principals must take MUS 2550 , Keyboard Skills for Pianists I, and MUS 2560 , Keyboard Skills for Pianists II, in lieu of class piano.