for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Instrumental Music

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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

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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.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Composition I		4-6
Advanced Composition		3
Humanities and the Arts (6 hours)		6
fulfilled by MUS 313 and MUS 314
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

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
MUS 100	First-year Seminar for Music Majors	0
FAA 101	Arts at Illinois	1
Total Hours		1

Music Core 

Course List

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	Introduction to Music & Sound Studies	3
MUS 313	The History of Music I	3
MUS 314	The History of Music II	3
Keyboard Proficiency
All students, except keyboard students, must demonstrate keyboard competency when they audition, by proficiency examination when they matriculate, or by enrolling in MUS 172 and/or MUS 173.
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

Course List

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
MUSC 101, MUSC 102, MUSC 103, MUSC 110, MUSC 111, MUSC 112, MUSC 113, MUSC 114, MUSC 115, MUSC 116, MUSC 117, MUSC 120, MUSC 121, MUSC 122, MUSC 123, MUSC 124, MUSC 125, MUSC 126, MUSC 127, MUSC 128, MUSC 129, MUSC 130
Applied Music Lessons (years 3 & 4). Students choose from:		12-16
MUSC 401, MUSC 402, MUSC 403, MUSC 410, MUSC 411, MUSC 412, MUSC 413, MUSC 414, MUSC 415, MUSC 416, MUSC 417, MUSC 420, MUSC 421, MUSC 422, MUSC 423, MUSC 424, MUSC 425, MUSC 426, MUSC 427, MUSC 428, MUSC 429, MUSC 430
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:
MUSC 473, MUSC 475, MUSC 476, MUSC 477, MUSC 480, MUSC 481, MUSC 482, MUSC 483
Advanced Musicology or Music Theory		3
Students may choose from:
MUS 400, MUS 407, MUS 408, MUS 409, MUS 410, MUS 411, MUS 412, MUS 413, MUS 414, MUS 415, MUS 416, MUS 418, MUS 421, and MUS 426.
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

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Upper-Level Music Electives (MUS courses, 300- or 400-level)		5

 
Brass Requirements

Course List

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

Course List

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

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
MUSC 450	Chamber Music (6 semesters)	6
Upper-Level Music Electives (MUS courses, 300- or 400-level)		5

Keyboard Requirements

Course List

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

Course List

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
8 of these hours are fulfilled by MUS 201, MUS 202, MUS 207, and MUS 208, each of which has at least 2 prerequisites and may count as advanced
A maximum of 8 hours of upper level coursework may be earned through ensembles, MUSC 447 through MUSC 498
Total Hours		120

for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Instrumental Music

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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.

Woodwind First Year 

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
FAA 101 - Arts at Illinois	1
MUS 100 - First-year Seminar for Music Majors	0
MUS 101 - Music Theory and Practice I	2
MUS 107 - Musicianship I	2
Composition I or General Education course	4
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	16

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUS 102 - Music Theory and Practice II	2
MUS 108 - Musicianship II	2
MUS 110 - Introduction to Music & Sound Studies	3
MUS 172 - Grp Instr Pno for Mus Major I	2
General Education course or Composition I	3
Semester Hours	16

Woodwind Second Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUS 173 - Grp Instr Pno for Mus Maj II	2
MUS 201 - Music Theory and Practice III	2
MUS 207 - Musicianship III	2
MUS 313 - The History of Music I	3
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	16

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUS 202 - Music Theory and Practice IV	2
MUS 208 - Musicianship IV	2
MUS 314 - The History of Music II	3
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	14

Woodwind Third Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUS 242 - Elements of Conducting	2
Advanced Musicology or Music Theory (400-level MUS course)	3
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	15

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUSC 300 - Junior Recital	0
Upper-Level Music Elective (300- or 400-level MUS course)	3
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	2
Semester Hours	15

Woodwind Fourth Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC course)	3
Upper-Level Music Elective (300- or 400-level MUS course)	2
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	15

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUSC 400 - Senior Recital	0
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
Semester Hours	13

Woodwind Total Hours

Total hours for all requirements: 120

Brass First Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
FAA 101 - Arts at Illinois	1
MUS 100 - First-year Seminar for Music Majors	0
MUS 101 - Music Theory and Practice I	2
MUS 107 - Musicianship I	2
MUSC 454 - Brass Ensemble	1
Composition I or General Education course	4
Semester Hours	14

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUS 102 - Music Theory and Practice II	2
MUS 108 - Musicianship II	2
MUS 110 - Introduction to Music & Sound Studies	3
MUS 172 - Grp Instr Pno for Mus Major I	2
MUSC 454 - Brass Ensemble	1
General Education course or Composition I	3
Semester Hours	17

Brass Second Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUS 173 - Grp Instr Pno for Mus Maj II	2
MUS 207 - Musicianship III	2
MUS 201 - Music Theory and Practice III	2
MUS 313 - The History of Music I	3
MUSC 454 - Brass Ensemble	1
Semester Hours	14

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUS 202 - Music Theory and Practice IV	2
MUS 208 - Musicianship IV	2
MUS 314 - The History of Music II	3
General Education course	3
MUSC 454 - Brass Ensemble	1
Semester Hours	15

Brass Third Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUS 199 - Undergraduate Open Seminar (instrument literature)	1
MUS 242 - Elements of Conducting	2
MUSC 454 - Brass Ensemble	1
Upper-Level Music Elective (300- or 400-level MUS course)	3
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	17

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUSC 300 - Junior Recital	0
MUS 199 - Undergraduate Open Seminar (Brass Quintet Literature)	1
MUS 430 - Applied Music Pedagogy	2
MUSC 454 - Brass Ensemble	1
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	14

Brass Fourth Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUSC 454 - Brass Ensemble	1
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Advanced Musicology or Music Theory (400-level MUS course)	3
Semester Hours	14

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUSC 400 - Senior Recital	0
MUSC 454 - Brass Ensemble	1
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Free Elective courses	4
Semester Hours	15

Brass Total Hours

Total hours for all requirements: 120

Percussion First Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
FAA 101 - Arts at Illinois	1
MUS 100 - First-year Seminar for Music Majors	0
MUS 101 - Music Theory and Practice I	2
MUS 107 - Musicianship I	2
MUSC 455 - Percussion Ensemble	1
Composition I or General Education course	4
Semester Hours	14

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUS 102 - Music Theory and Practice II	2
MUS 108 - Musicianship II	2
MUS 110 - Introduction to Music & Sound Studies	3
MUS 172 - Grp Instr Pno for Mus Major I	2
MUSC 455 - Percussion Ensemble	1
General Education course or Composition I	3
Semester Hours	17

Percussion Second Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC)	1
MUS 173 - Grp Instr Pno for Mus Maj II	2
MUS 201 - Music Theory and Practice III	2
MUS 207 - Musicianship III	2
MUS 313 - The History of Music I	3
MUSC 455 - Percussion Ensemble	1
Free Elective course	1
Semester Hours	15

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUS 202 - Music Theory and Practice IV	2
MUS 208 - Musicianship IV	2
MUS 314 - The History of Music II	3
MUSC 455 - Percussion Ensemble	1
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	15

Percussion Third Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUSC 456 - Steel Band	1
MUS 242 - Elements of Conducting	2
MUS 443 - Orchestral Repertory	1
Advanced Musicology or Music Theory (400-level MUS course)	3
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	14

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUSC 300 - Junior Recital	0
MUSC 456 - Steel Band	1
MUS 443 - Orchestral Repertory	1
Upper-Level Music Elective (300- or 400-level MUS course)	3
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	3
Semester Hours	15

Percussion Fourth Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUS 430 - Applied Music Pedagogy	2
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	15

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC courses)	1
MUSC 400 - Senior Recital	0
MUS 430 - Applied Music Pedagogy	2
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	15

Total Hours

Total hours for all requirements: 120

Strings First Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
FAA 101 - Arts at Illinois	1
MUS 100 - First-year Seminar for Music Majors	0
MUS 101 - Music Theory and Practice I	2
MUS 107 - Musicianship I	2
MUSC 450 - Chamber Music	1
Composition I or General Education course	4
Semester Hours	14

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUS 102 - Music Theory and Practice II	2
MUS 108 - Musicianship II	2
MUS 110 - Introduction to Music & Sound Studies	3
MUS 172 - Grp Instr Pno for Mus Major I	2
MUSC 450 - Chamber Music	1
General Education course or Composition I	3
Semester Hours	17

Strings Second Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUS 173 - Grp Instr Pno for Mus Maj II	2
MUS 201 - Music Theory and Practice III	2
MUS 207 - Musicianship III	2
MUS 313 - The History of Music I	3
MUSC 450 - Chamber Music	1
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	17

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUS 202 - Music Theory and Practice IV	2
MUS 208 - Musicianship IV	2
MUS 314 - The History of Music II	3
MUSC 450 - Chamber Music	1
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	1
Semester Hours	16

Strings Third Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
Advanced Musicology or Music Theory (400-level MUS course)	3
MUS 242 - Elements of Conducting	2
MUSC 450 - Chamber Music	1
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	13

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUSC 300 - Junior Recital	0
MUSC 450 - Chamber Music	1
Upper-Level Music Elective (300- or 400-level MUS course)	3
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	14

Strings Fourth Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
Upper-Level Music Elective (300- or 400-level MUS course)	2
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	15

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC course)	3
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUSC 400 - Senior Recital	0
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	4
Semester Hours	14

Strings Total Hours

Total hours for all requirements: 120

Keyboard First Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	4
Ensemble (400-level MUSC)	1
FAA 101 - Arts at Illinois	1
MUS 100 - First-year Seminar for Music Majors	0
MUS 101 - Music Theory and Practice I	2
MUS 107 - Musicianship I	2
Composition I or General Education course	4
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	17

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	4
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUS 102 - Music Theory and Practice II	2
MUS 108 - Musicianship II	2
MUS 110 - Introduction to Music & Sound Studies	3
General Education course or Composition I	3
Semester Hours	15

Keyboard Second Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	4
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUS 201 - Music Theory and Practice III	2
MUS 207 - Musicianship III	2
MUS 313 - The History of Music I	3
Applied Minor Instrument (100-level MUSC course)	2
General Education course (choose a course that has both Quantitative Reasoning and Natural Sciences and Technology designation)	3
Semester Hours	17

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (100-level MUSC course)	4
Ensemble (400-level MUSC course)	1
MUS 202 - Music Theory and Practice IV	2
MUS 208 - Musicianship IV	2
MUS 314 - The History of Music II	3
Applied Minor Instrument (100-level MUSC course)	2
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	17

Keyboard Third Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC course)	4
MUS 242 - Elements of Conducting	2
MUS 317 - Intro to Piano Literature	3
MUS 431 - Piano Pedagogy I	2
Advanced Musicology or Music Theory (400-level MUS course)	3
Applied Minor Instrument (100-level MUSC course)	2
Semester Hours	16

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC course)	4
MUSC 300 - Junior Recital	0
MUS 318 - Introduction to Piano Literature II	3
MUS 432 - Piano Pedagogy II	2
Upper-Level Music Elective (300- or 400-level MUS course)	3
Semester Hours	12

Keyboard Fourth Year

First Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC courses)	4
Upper-Level Music Elective (300- or 400-level MUS course)	2
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	1
Semester Hours	13

Second Semester

Requirements	Hours
Applied Music Lessons (400-level MUSC course)	4
MUSC 400 - Senior Recital	0
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Semester Hours	13

Keyboard Total Hours

Total hours for all requirements: 120

for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Instrumental Music

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Bachelor of Music graduates will:

1. 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.
2. Demonstrate the ability to learn independently, make inquiries, think critically, discover solutions, and integrate knowledge across both similar and varied areas of musical study.
3. Develop and demonstrate effective performance skills (technical and expressive) using critical thinking to inform historical and stylistic performance practices and artistic expression.
4. Develop and demonstrate effective communication skills, including artistic self-expression, with diverse audiences through multiple media. 
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Acquire a basic understanding of technology and professional skills, along with knowledge of specific technological developments within area of specialization.
8. 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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