Updated 2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog | 20265

Music, B.Mus major
Instrumental Performance Emphasis

The Bachelor of Music (B.MUS) at BSU is designed for students to prepare for performance at the highest level. Students will have the opportunity to perform in a wide variety of ensembles and refine their craft with intensive applied studies and courses designed to bolster an understanding of musical styles and cultures, as well as to prepare them for success as professional performing musicians.

A total of 120 semester credits are needed for the Music, Instrumental Performance emphasis B.MUS. degree and includes the following:

• 40 upper division credits (level 3000/4000)
• 71 required major core credits 
• Completion of Core Curriculum credits (Minnesota Transfer Curriculum [MnTC] Goal Areas 1-10) - required for all baccalaureate degrees
• Completion of BSU Focus and Nisidotaading Course Requirements

Required Credits: 71
Required GPA: 2.25

I REQUIRED COURSES

Complete the following course (required 7 semesters):

• MUS 1800 Performance Laboratory (0 credit)

Complete the following courses:
(Completion of the following courses with a grade of
"C" or better is required for all music degrees.)

• MUS 2411 Music Theory I (3 credits)
• MUS 2412 Music Theory II (3 credits)
• MUS 2451 Musicianship I (1-2 credits)
• MUS 2452 Musicianship II (1-2 credits)
• MUS 3411 Music Theory III (3 credits)
• MUS 3412 Music Theory IV (3 credits)
• MUS 3451 Musicianship III (1-2 credits)
• MUS 3452 Musicianship IV (1-2 credits)
• MUS 3501 Music Technology I (2 credits)
• MUS 3618 Conducting Fundamentals (2 credits)
• MUS 3801 History and Literature of Music I (3 credits)
• MUS 3802 History and Literature of Music II (3 credits)
• MUS 4411 Form and Analysis (3 credits)

Complete the following courses:

• MUS 2310 Piano Proficiency (0 credit)
• MUS 4190 B.MUS Barrier Jury Level 1 (0 credit)
• MUS 4195 BMUS Barrier Jury Level 2 (0 credit)
• MUS 4199 Recital: Performance Major (0 credit)

INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE EMPHASIS

REQUIRED COURSES

a. Required Applied Area
Complete 24 credits of 40x1 or 41x1 applied courses

Must pass both barrier juries (levels 1 MUS 4190 and
2 MUS 4191) before presenting degree recital.

b. Required Major Ensemble (8 credits)
Note: All music majors are required to participate in a
major ensemble every semester they are enrolled.

• MUS 4500 Bemidji Symphony Orchestra (0-2 credits)
• MUS 4710 Wind Ensemble (0-2 credits)

c. Required Courses
Choose 4 credits from any of the following courses:

• MUS 4700 Instrumental Ensembles (0-2 credits)
• MUS 4703 Brass Ensemble (1 credit)
• MUS 4706 Brass Quintet (0-1 credits)
• MUS 4707 Percussion Ensemble (0-1 credits)
• MUS 4740 Bemidji Chamber Orchestra (0-2 credits)

Select 3 of the following courses:

• MUS 2400 Music and Film (3 credits)
• MUS 3150 Arts Organization Management (3 credits)
• MUS 3170 Arts Organization Fundraising and Grant Writing (3 credits)
• MUS 3190 Arts Organization Innovation (3 credits)
• MUS 3430 Topics in Solo Song Literature (2 credits)
• MUS 4104 Piano Literature I (2 credits)
• MUS 4105 Piano Literature II (2 credits)
• MUS 4510 Topics in Choral Literature (2 credits)
• MUS 4608 Topics in Musicology (2 credits)
• MUS 4609 Topics in Music Theory (2 credits)
• MUS 4708 Topics in Chamber Music (2 credits)
• MUS 4807 Topics in Symphonic Literature (2 credits)
• MUS 4808 Topics in Opera and Chamber Opera (2 credits)