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
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
Students who wish to study voice or an instrument for credit are credit are required to satisfy the instrumental or vocal qualifying audition designed for students outside the School of Music.
A minimum of twelve hours of 400-level courses in Music must be taken on the Urbana-Champaign campus.
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| Humanities and the Arts (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences and Technology (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | 6-10 | |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | 0-15 | |
Orientation Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 100 | First-year Seminar for Music Majors | 0 |
| FAA 101 | Arts at Illinois | 1 |
| Total Hours | 1 | |
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 |
| MUS 314 | The History of Music II | 3 |
| Keyboard Proficiency | ||
| MUS 172 | Grp Instr Pno for Mus Major I | 2 |
| MUS 173 | Grp Instr Pno for Mus Maj II | 2 |
| Total Hours | 29 | |
Instrumental Music Studies Core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 242 | Elements of Conducting | 2 |
| Music Lessons | ||
Woodwind, String, Percussion and Brass students register for one 3-credit hour lesson each semester for a minimum of eight consecutive semesters, unless otherwise advised by the applied teacher. | ||
Keyboard students register for one 4-credit lesson each semester | ||
| Applied Music Lessons (years 1 & 2). Students choose from: | 12-16 | |
| Applied Music Lessons (years 3 & 4). Students choose from: | 12-16 | |
| Ensemble, MUSC 400-level courses | 4-8 | |
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. | ||
Keyboard performance majors take only four semesters of ensemble and may substitute accompanying for ensemble credit. | ||
Students may choose from: | ||
| Advanced Musicology or Music Theory | 3 | |
Students may choose from: | ||
| Recital | ||
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. | ||
| MUSC 300 | Junior Recital | 0 |
| MUSC 400 | Senior Recital | 0 |
| Total Hours | 33-45 | |
Instrumental Music Options
Woodwind Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Upper-Level Music Electives (MUS courses, 300- or 400-level) | 5 | |
Brass Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 454 | Brass Ensemble (8 semesters) | 8 |
| MUS 199 | Undergraduate Open Seminar (Applied Instrument Literature, Brass Quintet Literature) | 2 |
| MUS 430 | Applied Music Pedagogy | 2 |
| Upper-Level Music Electives (MUS courses, 300- or 400-level) | 3 | |
Percussion Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 455 | Percussion Ensemble (4 semesters) | 4 |
| MUSC 456 | Steel Band (2 semesters) | 2 |
| MUS 430 | Applied Music Pedagogy (2 semesters) | 4 |
| MUS 443 | Orchestral Repertory (2 semesters) | 2 |
| Upper-Level Music Electives (MUS courses, 300- or 400-level) | 3 | |
String Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 450 | Chamber Music (6 semesters) | 6 |
| Upper-Level Music Electives (MUS courses, 300- or 400-level) | 5 | |
Keyboard Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Keyboard Instrument | 6 | |
Keyboard students take a minimum of three 2-credit hour applied lessons (100-level) on a minor keyboard instrument. | ||
| 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 |
| Upper-Level Music Electives (MUS courses, 300- or 400-level) | 3 | |
Summary of Credit for the Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Orientation | 1 | |
| Music Core | 29 | |
| Instrumental Music core | 33-45 | |
| Instrumental Music options | 5-21 | |
| Free electives to bring the total hours earned to 120 | ||
| A minimum of 40 credits at the 300- or 400-level must be completed for this degree | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
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 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 | General Education course or Composition 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 |
| Free Elective course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
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 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 | General Education course or Composition 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 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 | General Education course or Composition 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 |
| Composition I or General Education course | 4 | General Education course or Composition 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 Composition I | 3 |
| Composition 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 (choose a Humanities or Social/Behavioral Science course with Cultural Studies designation) | 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 |
| Free Elective course | 1 | General Education course | 3 |
| 13 | 13 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
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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