Music-Open Studies, BMUS
for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Music-Open Studies
The Open Studies major allows students to focus on diverse fields such as music of other cultures, piano pedagogy, music technology, sound engineering, theatre, social or behavioral science, or any other areas of particular interest. Open Studies requires completion of the common requirements for all BMUS degrees and a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit for graduation.
for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Music-Open Studies
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 | |
Open Studies
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Plan of Study | ||
Students work with an advisor to submit their own Plan of Study for the Open Studies degree coursework. | ||
| Applied Music Lessons | 12 | |
| Students must complete four semesters of 100-level applied lessons before they can move to 400-level applied lessons. The minimum number of applied lesson credits for this program is twelve (12). | ||
Applied Music Lessons (years 1 & 2). Students choose from: | ||
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, MUSC 131, MUSC 132, MUSC 133, MUSC 134, MUSC 135, MUSC 136, MUSC 137, MUSC 138, MUSC 139, MUSC 140, MUSC 141, MUSC 142 | ||
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 MUSC 431, MUSC 432, MUSC 433, MUSC 434, MUSC 435, MUSC 436, MUSC 437, MUSC 438, MUSC 439, MUSC 440, MUSC 441, MUSC 442 | ||
| Ensemble | 8 | |
Open Studies majors must be in an approved ensemble each semester of residence. A maximum of 10 hours of ensemble may be applied to the BMUS Open Studies degree. | ||
Students choose from: | ||
| MUS 242 | Elements of Conducting | 2 |
| Advanced Music Electives in Musicology and Music Theory | 12 | |
Students select 12 hours from the advanced Musicology and Music Theory courses below. | ||
Students must choose at least one musicology course: | ||
and one music theory course: | ||
| Professional Electives | 12 | |
To be chosen in consultation with advisor according to the Open Studies focus area. The focus area can be inside or outside of music, or an area which combines both. | ||
| Capstone Project | 1 | |
| Total Hours | 47 | |
Summary of Credit for the Bachelor of Music in Music-Open Studies
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Orientation | 1 | |
| Music Core | 29 | |
| Open Studies | 47 | |
| 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 Music-Open Studies
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. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 2 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 2 |
| 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 Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4 | Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 2 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 2 |
| 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 | General Education course | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 2 | Applied Music Lessons (MUSC 100-level) | 2 |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| Advanced Music Elective (400-level Musicology) | 3 | Advanced Music Elective (400-level Music Theory) | 3 |
| MUS 242 | 2 | Professional Elective | 3 |
| Professional Elective | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 | Ensemble (MUSC 400-level) | 1 |
| Advanced Music Elective (MUS 400-level Musicology or Music Theory) | 3 | Professional Elective | 3 |
| Advanced Music Elective (MUS 400-level Musicology or Music Theory) | 3 | Professional Elective | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Capstone Project | 1 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 2 | Free Elective courses | 3 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Music Major in Music-Open Studies
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 Music-Open Studies
School of Music
School of Music Website
Music Faculty
College of Fine & Applied Arts
Admissions
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions
Admission to Open Studies is initiated by petition to a committee of three faculty members, the open studies adviser, and the assistant dean of undergraduate affairs in the College of Fine and Applied Arts. Additional information may be obtained from the:
Music Admissions Office
School of Music: 1114 W. Nevada Street, Room 2014
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 244-7899
musicadmissions@illinois.edu