Instrumental Music, BMUS
for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Instrumental Music
Students may major in piano, organ, harpsichord, guitar, violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, electric violin, electric viola, flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horn, euphonium, trombone, tuba, or percussion.
for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Instrumental Music
Minimum required major and supporting course work: A student enrolled in this program takes applied lessons in at least one major area and also participates in a major ensemble each semester. Third- and fourth-year students must present satisfactory public junior and senior recitals as part of the requirements for the Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music.
General Education and College Orientation
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation to Fine & Applied Arts and Music | ||
| FAA 101 | Arts at Illinois | 1 |
| MUS 100 | First-year Seminar for Music Majors | 0 |
| General Education and Graduation Requirements | ||
| Composition I | 4 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| Humanities and the Arts - fulfilled by MUS 313 and MUS 314 1 | 6 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Culture(s) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Comparative Culture(s) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Culture(s) | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | 6 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning I and II | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences and Technology | 6 | |
| Foreign Language 2 | 0-12 | |
- 1
Six hours of general education requirements in the Humanities and the Arts are met by courses required in the BMUS degree (MUS 313 and MUS 314).
- 2
The Language Requirement may be satisfied by successfully completing a third-semester college-level course in a language other than English; successful completion, in high school, of the third year of a language other than English; or demonstrating proficiency at the third-semester level in a language proficiency examination approved by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the appropriate department.
Music Core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Music Theory and Musicianship | ||
| MUS 101 | Music Theory and Practice I | 2 |
| MUS 102 | Music Theory and Practice II | 2 |
| MUS 201 | Music Theory and Practice III | 2 |
| MUS 202 | Music Theory and Practice IV | 2 |
| MUS 107 | Musicianship I | 2 |
| MUS 108 | Musicianship II | 2 |
| MUS 207 | Musicianship III | 2 |
| MUS 208 | Musicianship IV | 2 |
| Musicology | ||
| MUS 110 | Introd Art Mus: Intl Perspect | 3 |
| MUS 313 | The History of Music I 3 | 3 |
| MUS 314 | The History of Music II | 3 |
| Keyboard | ||
| MUS 172 | Grp Instr Pno for Mus Major I 4 | 2 |
| MUS 173 | Grp Instr Pno for Mus Maj II | 2 |
- 3
Completion of both MUS 313 and MUS 314 meets the general education Humanities and the Arts requirement.
- 4
All students must demonstrate keyboard competency when they audition, by proficiency examination when they matriculate, or by enrolling in MUS 172 and/or MUS 173.
Instrumental Music Studies
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Music Lessons, MUSC 100-level courses 5 | 12-16 | |
| Applied Music Lessons, MUSC 400-level courses | 12-16 | |
| Ensemble, MUSC 400-level courses 6 | 8 | |
| MUS 242 | Elements of Conducting | 2 |
| Advanced Musicology or Music Theory 7 | 3 | |
| MUSC 300 (Junior Recital) | 0 | |
| MUSC 400 (Senior Recital) | 0 | |
| Instrumental Music Options | ||
Woodwind, Brass, Percussion, String, or Keyboard (See requirements below) | ||
- 5
Woodwind, brass, percussion, and string majors register for three credit lessons each semester for a minimum of eight consecutive semesters, unless otherwise advised by the applied teacher (MUSC 110-117, 120-130, 410-417, 420-430). Keyboard majors register for four credit lessons each semester (MUSC 101-103, 401-403).
- 6
Instrumental Music majors are required to be in a major ensemble each semester of residence; a maximum of 10 hours of ensemble may be applied to the BMUS Instrumental Music degree. Refer to the Undergraduate Music Handbook for a list of approved ensembles. Concurrent registration in one of the orchestras (MUSC 475 or MUSC 476) is required for all classical violin, viola, cello and double bass majors registered for lessons (MUSC 110-113 and MUSC 410-413). Keyboard performance majors take only four semesters of ensemble.
- 7
Students may choose from MUS 400, 405, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 418, 421, and 426.
Instrumental Music Options
Woodwind Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Music Electives (MUS 300- or 400-level) | 5 | |
| Electives as needed to total 120 hours | ||
Brass Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 454 | Brass Ensemble | 8 |
| MUS 199 | Undergraduate Open Seminar (Applied Instrument Literature, Brass Quintet Literature) | 2 |
| MUS 430 | Applied Music Pedagogy | 2 |
| Advanced Music Electives (MUS 300- or 400-level) | 3 | |
| Electives as needed to total 120 hours | ||
Percussion Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 455 | Percussion Ensemble | 4 |
| MUSC 456 | Steel Band | 2 |
| MUS 430 | Applied Music Pedagogy | 4 |
| MUS 443 | Orchestral Repertory | 2 |
| Advanced Music Electives (MUS 300- or 400-level) | 3 | |
| Electives as needed to total 120 hours | ||
String Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 450 | Chamber Music | 6 |
| Advanced Music Electives (MUS 300- or 400-level) | 5 | |
| Electives as needed to total 120 hours | ||
Keyboard Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Minor 8 | 6 | |
| MUS 317 | Intro to Piano Literature | 3 |
| MUS 318 | Introduction to Piano Literature II | 3 |
| MUS 431 | Piano Pedagogy I | 2 |
| MUS 432 | Piano Pedagogy II | 2 |
| MUS 454 | Advanced Keyboard Skills I | 2 |
| Advanced Music Electives (MUS 300- or 400-level) | 3 | |
| Electives as needed to total 120 hours | ||
- 8
Keyboard students take a minimum of three semesters (6 hours) of applied lessons on a minor keyboard instrument: two-credit lessons each semester on either piano, harpsichord, or organ depending on the major keyboard instrument.
for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Instrumental Music
Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. This sample curriculum plan makes the assumption that the foreign language graduation requirement has been satisfied by completing three years of study of a single foreign language in high school. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
Separate sample schedules are below for Woodwind, Brass, Percussion, Strings, and Keyboard. Please scroll down to see them all.
WOODWINDS:
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 3 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 3 |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| FAA 101 | 1 | MUS 102 | 2 |
| MUS 100 | 0 | MUS 108 | 2 |
| MUS 101 | 2 | MUS 110 | 3 |
| MUS 107 | 2 | MUS 172 | 2 |
| Comp. I or General Education course | 4 | General Education course or Comp. I | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 3 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 3 |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| MUS 173 | 2 | MUS 202 | 2 |
| MUS 201 | 2 | MUS 208 | 2 |
| MUS 207 | 2 | MUS 314 | 3 |
| MUS 313 | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level) | 3 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level) | 3 |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| MUS 242 | 2 | MUSC 300 | 0 |
| Advanced Musicology or Music Theory (MUS 400-level) | 3 | Upper-Level Music Elective (MUS 300- or 400-level) | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 2 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level course) | 1 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level) | 3 |
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level course) | 3 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| Upper-Level Music Elective (MUS 300- or 400-level) | 2 | MUSC 400 | 0 |
| General Education course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Free Elective course | 4 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Total Hours 121 | |||
BRASS:
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 3 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 3 |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| FAA 101 | 1 | MUS 102 | 2 |
| MUS 100 | 0 | MUS 108 | 2 |
| MUS 101 | 2 | MUS 110 | 3 |
| MUS 107 | 2 | MUS 172 | 2 |
| MUSC 454 | 1 | MUSC 454 | 1 |
| Comp. I or General Education course | 4 | General Education course or Comp. I | 3 |
| 14 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Applied Music Lessons, MUSC 100-level | 3 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 3 |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| MUS 173 | 2 | MUS 202 | 2 |
| MUS 207 | 2 | MUS 208 | 2 |
| MUS 201 | 2 | MUS 314 | 3 |
| MUS 313 | 3 | MUSC 454 | 1 |
| MUSC 454 | 1 | General Education course | 3 |
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level) | 3 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level) | 3 |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| MUS 199 (Instrument Literature) | 1 | MUSC 300 | 0 |
| MUS 242 | 2 | MUS 199 (Brass Quintet Literature) | 1 |
| MUSC 454 | 1 | MUS 430 | 2 |
| Upper-Level Music Elective (MUS 300- or 400-level) | 3 | MUSC 454 | 1 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| 17 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level) | 3 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level) | 3 |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| MUSC 454 | 1 | MUSC 400 | 0 |
| General Education course | 3 | MUSC 454 | 1 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective courses | 4 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
PERCUSSION:
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MUSC 130 (Percussion lessons) | 3 | MUSC 130 (Percussion Lessons) | 3 |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| FAA 101 | 1 | MUS 102 | 2 |
| MUS 100 | 0 | MUS 108 | 2 |
| MUS 101 | 2 | MUS 110 | 3 |
| MUS 107 | 2 | MUS 172 | 2 |
| MUSC 455 | 1 | MUSC 455 | 1 |
| Comp. I or General Education course | 4 | General Education course or Comp. I | 3 |
| 14 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MUSC 130 (Percussion Lessons) | 3 | MUSC 130 (Percussion Lessons) | 3 |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| MUS 173 | 2 | MUS 202 | 2 |
| MUS 201 | 2 | MUS 208 | 2 |
| MUS 207 | 2 | MUS 314 | 3 |
| MUS 313 | 3 | MUSC 455 | 1 |
| MUSC 455 | 1 | General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 1 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MUSC 430 (Percussion Lessons) | 3 | MUSC 430 (Percussion Lessons) | 3 |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| MUSC 456 | 1 | MUSC 300 | 0 |
| MUS 242 | 2 | MUSC 456 | 1 |
| MUS 443 | 1 | MUS 443 | 1 |
| Advanced Musicology or Music Theory (MUS 400-level) | 3 | Upper-Level Music Elective (MUS 300- or 400-level) | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| MUSC 430 (Percussion Lessons) | 3 | MUSC 430 (Percussion Lessons) | 3 |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level courses) | 1 |
| MUS 430 | 2 | MUSC 400 | 0 |
| General Education course | 3 | MUS 430 | 2 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
STRINGS:
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 3 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 3 |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| FAA 101 | 1 | MUS 102 | 2 |
| MUS 100 | 0 | MUS 108 | 2 |
| MUS 101 | 2 | MUS 110 | 3 |
| MUS 107 | 2 | MUS 172 | 2 |
| MUSC 450 | 1 | MUSC 450 | 1 |
| Comp. I or General Education course | 4 | General Education course or Comp. I | 3 |
| 14 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 3 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 3 |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| MUS 173 | 2 | MUS 202 | 2 |
| MUS 201 | 2 | MUS 208 | 2 |
| MUS 207 | 2 | MUS 314 | 3 |
| MUS 313 | 3 | MUSC 450 | 1 |
| MUSC 450 | 1 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Free Elective course | 1 |
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level) | 3 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level) | 3 |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| Advanced Musicology or Music Theory (MUS 400-level) | 3 | MUSC 300 | 0 |
| MUS 242 | 2 | MUSC 450 | 1 |
| MUSC 450 | 1 | Upper-Level Music Elective (MUS 300- or 400-level) | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | ||
| 13 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level) | 3 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level) | 3 |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| Upper-Level Music Elective (MUS 300- or 400-level) | 2 | MUSC 400 | 0 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Free Elective courses | 4 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
KEYBOARD:
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 4 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 4 |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| FAA 101 | 1 | MUS 102 | 2 |
| MUS 100 | 0 | MUS 108 | 2 |
| MUS 101 | 2 | MUS 110 | 3 |
| MUS 107 | 2 | General Education course or Comp. I | 3 |
| Comp. I or General Education course | 4 | ||
| General Education course | 3 | ||
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 4 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 4 |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| MUS 201 | 2 | MUS 202 | 2 |
| MUS 207 | 2 | MUS 208 | 2 |
| MUS 313 | 3 | MUS 314 | 3 |
| Applied Minor Instrument (MUSC 1xx) | 2 | Applied Minor Instrument (MUSC 1xx) | 2 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| 17 | 17 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level) | 4 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level) | 4 |
| MUS 242 | 2 | MUSC 300 | 0 |
| MUS 317 | 3 | MUS 318 | 3 |
| MUS 431 | 2 | MUS 432 | 2 |
| Advanced Musicology or Music Theory (MUS 400-level) | 3 | Upper-Level Music Elective (MUS 300- or 400-level) | 3 |
| Applied Minor Instrument (MUSC 1xx) | 2 | ||
| 16 | 12 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level courses) | 4 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 400-level) | 4 |
| Upper-Level Music Elective (MUS 300- or 400-level) | 2 | MUSC 400 | 0 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Hours 122 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Instrumental Music
Bachelor of Music graduates will:
- Understand, apply, and integrate foundational concepts of musical study in theory, aural skills, history, composition, improvisation, and keyboard competency, and do so independently and cooperatively.
- Demonstrate the ability to learn independently, make inquiries, think critically, discover solutions, and integrate knowledge across both similar and varied areas of musical study.
- Develop and demonstrate effective performance skills (technical and expressive) using critical thinking to inform historical and stylistic performance practices and artistic expression.
- Develop and demonstrate effective communication skills, including artistic self-expression, with diverse audiences through multiple media.
- Acquire a basic understanding of diverse musical systems and traditions across the world, and develop a sensitivity to and awareness of cultural and societal differences, and their contribution to an interdependent global consciousness.
- Acquire an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility as musicians and citizens, and demonstrate the ability to work professionally and effectively as leaders and collaborators.
- Acquire a basic understanding of technology and professional skills, along with knowledge of specific technological developments within area of specialization.
- Appreciate how music interacts with communities to enhance and engage social and cultural identities and enrich lifelong learning.
for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Instrumental Music
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