Updated 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog | 20275

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:

• Completion of a minimum of 40 upper division credits (level 3000/4000)
• Completion of all required major credits 
• Completion of Core Curriculum credits (Minnesota Transfer Curriculum [MnTC] Goal Areas 1-10 with a minimum of 40 credits) 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):

• MUSC 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.)

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

Complete the following courses:

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

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

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

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

Select 3 of the following courses:

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