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
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 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 | ||
| 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 |
| Total Hours | 29 | |
- 3
Completion of both MUS 313 and MUS 314 meets the general education Humanities and Arts requirement.
- 4
All students demonstrate keyboard proficiency when they audition, by proficiency examination when the matriculate, or by enrolling in MUS 172 and/or MUS 173.
Open Studies
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Plan of Study 5 | ||
| Applied Music Lessons (MUSC) 6 | 12 | |
| Ensemble (MUSC 400-level courses) 7 | 8 | |
| MUS 242 | Elements of Conducting | 2 |
| Advanced Music Electives 8 | 12 | |
| Professional Electives 9 | 12 | |
| Capstone Project | 1 | |
| Electives as needed to total 120 hours | ||
- 5
Students work with an advisor to submit their own Plan of Study for the Open Studies degree coursework. Important: A minimum of five (5) hours of courses at the 300- and/or 400-level must be chosen from Professional Electives, General Education (not including MUS 313 and MUS 314), or open electives in order to meet the minimum requirement of 40 hours of upper-level coursework for this degree.
- 6
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).
- 7
Refer to the Undergraduate Music Handbook for a list of approved ensembles. Open Studies majors must be in an approved sensemble each semester of residence. A maximum of 10 hours of ensemble may be applied to the BMUS Open Studies degree.
- 8
To be chosen in consultation with advisor. Students must choose at least one musicology course (MUS 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 418, 421) and one music theory course (MUS 400, 404, 405, 407, 408, 409, 426).
- 9
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.
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 |
| Comp. I or Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4 | Comp. 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) | 3 | Advanced Music Elective (MUS 400-level) | 3 |
| Professional Elective | 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 course | 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
FAA College Website
Admissions
University of Illinois 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
Music Admissions e-mail