BSU Catalog Home | Music Program | Music Course Descriptions

Music Areas of Study

---

General Information and Requirements For All Music Majors and Minors

1. A Student Handbook outlining Department of Music procedures and policies is available in the Department of Music Office, Bangsberg 201.
2. All new majors and minors (including transfer students) are required to arrange for a personal interview with the department chair during the first week of classes. An advisor from the department will be assigned at that time.
3. All new music majors and minors must take the Music Theory and Ear training placement examination.
4. All music majors are required to register for a major performing organization each semester they are on campus.
5. A student may be required to validate course work that was completed more than seven (7) years prior to graduation and is to be included in the music major or minor. Only courses with grades of C or better may be validated. The student may be required to repeat such courses or take additional course work.
6. All B.A. music majors and minors are encouraged to pursue the study of a foreign language.
7. All music majors are required to give a Degree Recital during an academic term when they are enrolled at an appropriate level of applied instruction.

---

Music Major, B.A.

This is a four-year program for students who do not expect to teach in elementary or secondary schools. Elective courses must be planned in consultation with an advisor and approved by the department faculty. Other specific information regarding acceptance into the major is available from the Department Chair. Students considering graduate study upon completion of this degree should take at least one year of study in a foreign language.

I. Required Core Courses

Note: Piano majors replace MUS 2310 with MUS 2118 Piano, Level II, to meet the piano proficiency requirement.

MUS 1800 Performance Laboratory (0 credits) - 7 semesters
MUS 2101 Sight Singing and Ear Training I (1 credit)
MUS 2102 Sight Singing and Ear Training II (1 credit)
MUS 2201 Music Theory I (2 credits)
MUS 2202 Music Theory II (2 credits)
MUS 2310 Piano Proficiency (0 credits)
MUS 3101 Sight Singing and Ear Training III (1 credit)
MUS 3102 Sight Singing and Ear Training IV (1 credit)
MUS 3201 Music Theory III (2 credits)
MUS 3202 Music Theory IV (2 credits)
MUS 3501 Music Technology I (2 credits)
MUS 3801 History and Literature of Music I (2 credits)
MUS 3802 History and Literature of Music II (2 credits)
MUS 3898 Degree Recital (0 credits)
Select 3 credits of electives from Music Theory or Literature with approval of advisor or Department Chair.

Subtotal 21 Credits

II. General Program/Emphasis Options

A. General B.A. Program

1. Required Applied Area

Select 4 semester credits from MUS 2000 level or higher.

Subtotal 4 Credits

2. Required Electives in Music

Select 12 credits of electives, including 3 credits at the 3000 level or above, in consultation with the advisor and included in a Plan of Study filed in the Music Office. Majors in this program are required to register for Band, Choir, Orchestra, Vocal, or Jazz Ensemble every term in residence.

Subtotal 12 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for General B.A. Major 37 Credits

A Total of 128 Semester Credits is Required for a Bachelor's Degree

B. Piano Performance and Pedagogy Emphasis

1. Required Courses

1. Required Applied Area (8 credits) -- In order to present a senior recital, a student must pass barrier juries from the 2000 level to the 3000 level, and from the 3000 level to the 4000 level. Students must be at the 4000 level to present the Degree Recital.
   MUS 2118 Piano, Level II, sec. 01 (4 credits)
   MUS 3118 Piano, Level III, sec. 01 (2 credits)
   MUS 4118 Piano, Level IV, sec. 01 (2 credits)
   



2. Other Required Piano Courses
   MUS 3300 Piano Accompanying (2 credits)
   MUS 4104 Piano Literature I (2 credits)
   MUS 4105 Piano Literature II (2 credits)
   MUS 4106 Piano Pedagogy I, with lab (2 credits)
   MUS 4110 Piano Pedagogy II, with lab (2 credits)
   8 credits of foreign language

Subtotal 26 Credits

2. Required Electives in Music

1. Four semesters of Major Performing Ensemble (Wind Ensemble, Bemidji Choir, Varsity Singers, or Jazz Band) (4 credits total)

2. MUS 4700 Instrumental Ensembles: 1 credit per semester for a minimum of four semesters (4 credits total)

Subtotal 8 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Major with Emphasis B 55 Credits

A Total of 128 Semester Credits is Required for a Bachelor's Degree

C. Instrumental Performance Emphasis

1. Required Courses

1. Required Applied Area (8 credits) -- Students must pass barrier juries from the 2000 level to the 3000 level, and from the 3000 level to the 4000 level. Students must be at the 4000 level to present the Degree Recital.

2. Required Major Ensemble (8 credits)
   Note: All music majors are required to participate in a major ensemble every semester they are enrolled.
   Select 8 credits from the following courses:
   MUS 4500 Bemidji Symphony Orchestra (1-2 credits)
   MUS 4610 Jazz Band (1-2 credits)
   MUS 4710 Wind Ensemble (1-2 credits)

3. Required Courses (17 credits)
   MUS 3100 Jazz Improvisation (1 credit)
   MUS 3618 Conducting Fundamentals (2 credits)
   MUS 4700 Instrumental Ensembles (1 credit; minimum 4 credits)
   MUS 4708 Survey of Chamber Music (2 credits)
   8 credits of a foreign language

Subtotal 33 Credits

2. Required Electives in Music

In consultation with the advisor, select 6 credits at the 3000 level or above.

Subtotal 6 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Major with Emphasis C 60 Credits

A Total of 128 Semester Credits is Required for a Bachelor's Degree

D. Vocal Performance Emphasis

1. Required Courses

1. Required Applied Area (8 credits) -- Students must pass barrier juries from MUS 2138 to MUS 3138, and from MUS 3138 to MUS 4138. Students must be at the 4000 level to present the Degree Recital.

2. Required Major Ensemble (8 credits)
   Note: All music majors are required to participate in a major ensemble every semester they are enrolled.
   Select 8 credits from the following courses:
   MUS 3800 Varsity Singers (1-2 credits)
   MUS 4800 Bemidji Choir (1-2 credits)
   MUS 4820 Vocal Ensemble: Opera Workshop (1-2 credits), following successful completion of 4 semesters of MUS 2138
   MUS 4820 Vocal Ensemble: Theater Production (1-2 credits)

3. Required Courses (17 credits)
   MUS 3300 Piano Accompanying (2 credits)
   MUS 3400 Vocal Techniques (1 credit)
   MUS 3417 Diction for Singers (1 credit)
   MUS 3430 Survey of Solo Song Literature (1 credit)
   MUS 3618 Conducting Fundamentals (2 credits)
   MUS 4808 Survey of Opera and Chamber Opera (2 credits)
   8 credits of a foreign language

Subtotal 33 Credits

2. Required Electives in Music

In consultation with the advisor, select 6 credits at the 3000 level or above.

Subtotal 6 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Major with Emphasis D 60 Credits

A Total of 128 Semester Credits is Required for a Bachelor's Degree

---

SUGGESTED SCHEDULE FOR MUSIC MAJOR, B.A., GENERAL PROGRAM

The following is a list of courses arranged approximately by year. This schedule is only a suggestion; it is not recommended that students rely solely on this plan for advising purposes, as the frequency of course offerings cannot be guaranteed. See the Department Chair for specific guidelines. See course descriptions for prerequisites.

Freshman

MUS 1100 Introduction to Music
MUS 3110 World Music
MUS 2310 Piano Proficiency
MUS 1138 Introduction to Voice (instrumental majors)
MUS 1800 Performance Lab
Major Performing Ensemble (e.g., Bemidji Choir, Varsity Singers, Bemidji Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble)
Appropriate Music Theory and Related Classes (as determined by the Music Theory Placement Examination, administered during the first day of registration each semester):
MUS 1010 Fundamentals of Music Theory
or MUS 2201 Music Theory I
and MUS 2101, 2102 Sight Singing and Ear Training I, II
Applied Music Study (on major performing instrument, such as voice, piano, trumpet, violin, etc.)
Liberal Education Courses

Sophomore

MUS 1800 Performance Lab
Major Performing Ensemble
Applied Music Study
Appropriate Music Theory and Related Classes: MUS 2202 and MUS 3201 Music Theory II and III
MUS 3101 and MUS 3102 Sight Singing and Ear Training III and IV
Liberal Education Courses

Junior

MUS 1800 Performance Lab
MUS 3202 Music Theory IV
MUS 3801 Music History and Literature I
MUS 3802 Music History and Literature II
MUS 3618 Conducting Fundamentals
MUS 3628 Instrumental Conducting
or MUS 3638 Choral Conducting
Applied Music Study
Major Performing Ensemble
Liberal Education Courses

Senior

MUS 1800 Performance Lab
MUS 3898 Degree Recital
Applied Music Study
Major Performing Ensemble
Liberal Education Courses

---

Music Education Major, B.S. (Teaching Licensure)

I. Required Core Courses

MUS 1800 Performance Laboratory (0 credits) - 7 semesters

MUS 2101 Sight Singing and Ear Training I (1 credit)

MUS 2102 Sight Singing and Ear Training II (1 credit)

MUS 2201 Music Theory I (2 credits)

MUS 2202 Music Theory II (2 credits)

MUS 2310 Piano Proficiency (0 credits)

MUS 2607 Introduction to Music Education (2 credits)

MUS 3101 Sight Singing and Ear Training III (1 credit)

MUS 3102 Sight Singing and Ear Training IV (1 credit)

MUS 3110 World Music (2 credits)

MUS 3201 Music Theory III (2 credits)

MUS 3202 Music Theory IV (2 credits)
MUS 3501 Music Technology I (2 credits)

MUS 3618 Conducting Fundamentals (2 credits)

MUS 3628 Instrumental Conducting (2 credits)

or MUS 3638 Choral Conducting (2 credits)

MUS 3677 General Music Methods: Elementary and Secondary (5 credits)

MUS 3801 History and Literature of Music I (2 credits)

MUS 3802 History and Literature of Music II (2 credits)

Subtotal 31 Credits

II. Required Professional Education Courses

Professional Education Core (includes student teaching)

Subtotal 33 Credits

III. Required Specialization

A. Vocal and Classroom Music (K-12)

1. Required Core Courses (14 credits)

Note: Piano majors replace MUS 3417 and 3430 with MUS 4106 Piano Pedagogy I (2 credits). MUS 4106 requires consent of instructor.

 

MUS 2200 Families of Instruments (2 credits)

MUS 3300 Piano Accompanying (2 credits)

MUS 3400 Vocal Techniques (1 credit)

MUS 3417 Diction for Singers I (2 credits)
MUS 3418 Diction for Singers II (2 credits)

MUS 3430 Survey of Solo Song Literature (1 credit)

MUS 4811 Choral Notation and Arranging (2 credits)

MUS 4812 Choral Studies (2 credits)

2. Required Major Applied Area (6 credits)

MUS 2138 Voice, Level II (4 credits)

MUS 3138 Voice, Level III (2 credits)

MUS 3898 Degree Recital (0 credits)

3. Required Vocal Performing Organizations (6 credits)

Note: All music majors are required to participate in a major ensemble every semester they are enrolled. MUS 4800 and 4810 are by audition only.
Select 6 credits from the following courses:

MUS 3800 Varsity Singers (1-2 credits)

MUS 4800 Bemidji Choir (1-2 credits)

MUS 4810 Chamber Singers (1-2 credits)

Subtotal for Specialization A 26 Credits

B. Instrumental and Classroom Music (K-12)

1. Required Core Courses (13 credits)

MUS 1138 Introduction to Voice (1 credit)

MUS 1348 High String Methods (1 credit)
MUS 1349 Low String Methods (1 credit)

MUS 1368 High Brass Methods (1 credit)
MUS 1369 Low Brass Methods (1 credit)

MUS 1378 Percussion Methods (1 credit)

MUS 1388 Single Reeds Methods (1 credit)
MUS 1389 Double Reeds/Flute Methods (1 credit)

MUS 3100 Jazz Improvisation (1 credit)
MUS 4100 Instrumental Arranging (1 credit)

MUS 4737 Instrumental Studies (3 credits)

2. Required Major Applied Area (7 credits)

1. Select 4 credits at the 2000 level (numbered 2x48, 2x58, 2x68, 2x78) in one of the following, depending on major instrument: strings, woodwinds, brass, or percussion.
2. Select 2 credits at the 3000 level (numbered 3x48, 3x58, 3x68, 3x78) in one of the following, depending on major instrument: strings, woodwinds, brass, or percussion.
3. MUS 3898 Degree Recital (0 credits)
4. Select 1 credit at the 2000 level (numbered 2x48, 2x58, 2x68, 2x78) in one of the following, depending on secondary instrument: strings, woodwinds, brass, or percussion.

3. Required Instrumental Performing Organizations (6 credits)

Note: All music majors are required to participate in a major ensemble every semester they are enrolled. MUS 4500 and 4610 are by audition only; MUS 4710 is with the consent of instructor.
Select 6 credits from the following courses:

 

Note: At least 1 credit must be taken from MUS 4700 (small ensembles).

 

MUS 4500 Bemidji Symphony Orchestra (1-2 credits)

MUS 4610 Jazz Band (1-2 credits)
MUS 4700 Instrumental Ensembles (1 credit)

MUS 4710 Wind Ensemble (1-2 credits)

 

Subtotal for Specialization B 26 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Major 90 Credits

A Total of 128 Semester Credits is Required for a Bachelor's Degree

SUGGESTED SCHEDULE FOR MUSIC EDUCATION MAJOR, B.S. (TEACHER LICENSURE)

The following is a list of courses arranged approximately by year. This schedule is only a suggestion; it is not recommended that students rely solely on this plan for advising purposes, as the frequency of course offerings cannot be guaranteed. See the department chair for specific guidelines. See course descriptions for prerequisites.

VOCAL AND CLASSROOM MUSIC (K-12) SPECIALIZATION