Music
School Office: 3053 Music Building, 1114 West Nevada, Urbana, (217) 244-2676
School of Music
3030 Music Building
1114 West Nevada Street
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-2620
The School of Music occupies the Music Building, Smith Memorial Hall, Harding Band Building, Music Annex, and space in both the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and the Levis Center (Robert E. Brown Center for World Music). These facilities include faculty studios, classrooms, and practice and rehearsal rooms; experimental electronic music, computer music, digital piano, two computer-assisted music instruction laboratories, and jazz multimedia practice rooms; and musical instruments, audio equipment, and several auditoriums used for concert, recital, opera, and musical theatre performances. The Music Library is the home of one of the largest collections of music items in America.
The faculty and students of the school present more than 1,000 concerts, recitals, and stage performances throughout the year, both on and off campus. In addition, visiting artists and scholars from throughout the world present master classes and lectures that complement the concert and academic offerings provided on the Urbana-Champaign campus.
The School offers two professional undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Music and the Bachelor of Music Education. Undergraduate students whose musical interests are in the broad historical, cultural, and theoretical aspects of music (rather than professional training) may want to investigate the Bachelor of Arts degree, also offered by the School of Music. Graduate degrees are offered in a variety of fields of study in music at the master's and doctoral levels.
Bands, choral ensembles, orchestras, jazz bands, new music ensembles, world music ensembles, opera theatre, and many other musical organizations are open by audition to music and non-music majors and members of the university and civic communities. Private lessons and courses in music history, theory, and music appreciation are open to all qualified students in the University. A minor in music for non-music majors is also available.
All applicants for admission to the School of Music must apply and be admitted to the University of Illinois, must audition successfully on their major performance instrument or in voice, and must take the Music Fundamentals Proficiency Exam. On-campus auditions are preferred, but taped auditions are acceptable under certain circumstances. In addition, applicants for music composition-theory and history of music majors must submit original scores or other pertinent writings to substantiate their ability to pursue work in these areas. Applicants in music education, composition-theory and music history must also complete an interview with faculty in those respective areas.
For complete information concerning audition schedules, special admission requirements, and curricula (including a minor in music), prospective students should visit the School's web site or contact the Assistant Director for Enrollment Management and Student Services, School of Music, 1114 West Nevada Street, Urbana IL 61801, (217) 244-7899.
Curricula
For the Degree of Bachelor of Music
This degree requires 130 semester hours of credit for graduation.
Public performance is an integral part of the training in applied music, and all students, when sufficiently prepared, are required to participate in student recitals.
All students pursuing this degree are required to successfully complete at least one course in conducting (normally MUS 242) and must demonstrate keyboard competency by examination at the outset of their matriculation, or by enrolling in MUS 172 and/or MUS 173; keyboard performance majors must demonstrate competency by successfully completing MUS 454.
Foreign language study may be required according to the concentration chosen, experience in or study of languages prior to matriculation, and/or the results of language placement tests at the University.
For a semester-by-semester sequential listing of classes a student might take during a four-year course of study, please go to the Handbook for Undergraduate Music Majors section of the School of Music Website.
Students majoring in music should meet with their adviser at least once per semester and consult the Undergraduate Music Major Handbook, available on the School of Music Website, for clarification and explanations concerning the Bachelor of Music concentrations.
Common Requirements for all Bachelor of Music Degrees
Students in the School of Music must complete the Campus General Education requirements. Some Music courses apply toward the General Education requirements.
| Hours | Required Music Courses |
|---|---|
| 8 | Ensembles1 |
| 2 | MUS 242 - Conducting |
| 10 | Total |
1. All students are required to enroll in at least one approved performance ensemble each semester in residence, with a maximum of 16 semester hours of such ensemble applicable to the Bachelor of Music degree. Jazz Performance majors must enroll in MUS 266.
Instrumental Performance Concentration
Students may major in piano, organ, harpsichord, violin, viola, violoncello, double bass, harp, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, horn, euphonium, baritone, trombone, tuba, or percussion.
A student enrolled in this concentration normally takes two applied subjects, one a major (24-32 semester hours in the same applied area) and the other a minor (8 semester hours in the same applied area). Third- and fourth-year students must present satisfactory public junior and senior recitals as part of the requirements for the Instrumental Performance Major within the Bachelor of Music degree.
| Hours | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|
| 32 | Major applied music subject1, 2 |
| 8 | Minor applied music subject |
| 4 | MUS 431/432, Piano Pedagogy I or II3 |
| Electives as needed to total 130 hours |
1. Concurrent registration
in MUS 250 (University Orchestra) is required for all students who
register for any of MUS 183-186 and MUS 483-486.
2. String majors will register for four semester hours of applied music in the first year; thereafter, string majors will register for three semester hours of applied music and one semester hour of MUS 267 (Chamber Music) in the second, third, and fourth years. Brass majors will register for three semesters hours of applied music and one semester hour of MUS 267 (Chamber Music) each semester for all four years.
3. For piano majors only. Other majors may choose four semester hours of electives.
Music Composition-Theory Concentration
In this concentration, emphasis may be placed on music composition or on the theory of music. Necessary course adjustments require approval of the composition-theory division.
If the emphasis is on composition, the fourth-year student must present a satisfactory senior recital of original compositions. If the emphasis is on theory, an advanced project (MUS 299, Thesis, two semesters) approved by the composition-theory division is required in the fourth year.
| Hours | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|
| 16 | Applied music |
| 4 | MUS 106 - Beginning Composition |
| 4 | MUS 206 - Intermediate Composition |
| 12 | MUS 406 - Composition1 |
| 3 | MUS 402 - Musical Acoustics |
| 3 | An advanced (400-level) music history course |
| 3 | MUS 425 - Post-Tonal Pitch Organization |
| 3 | MUS 426 - Orchestration |
| 8 | Music Theory1 |
| 8 | French, German, or Italian2 |
| Electives as needed to total 130 hours |
1. The music theory electives for the third and fourth years are
to be chosen from MUS 401, 403, 404 (may be repeated to a maximum
of six semester hours), 405, 407, 408 (may be repeated to a maximum of
six semester hours in addition to MUSIC 408, sections D or E), 409, 445, and 499 (may be repeated to a maximum
of four semester hours; senior standing in music required). If the curricular emphasis is in music theory,
the following will apply: juniors will substitute an additional
three semester hours of MUS 408 for MUS 406; seniors will take MUS
299 (two semesters), 401, 405, and substitute an additional 400-level music
history course for MUS 406.
2. Students who completed 2 years of French, German, or Italian in high school have met this requirement. Other languages may be chosen with permission of the composition-theory adviser.Completion of this requirement does not complete the General Education language requirement.
History of Music Concentration
This concentration offers a broad cultural education that unites academic and musical training. It also provides preparation for the graduate study required for research and teaching in musicology or ethnomusicology.
Students must complete a fourth-level college foreign language course or its equivalent for graduation. French, German, or Italian are strongly encouraged.
The fourth-year student, working with an adviser, must complete a satisfactory thesis (MUS 299) as part of the requirements for the Music History Major Bachelor of Music Degree.
| Hours | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|
| 16 | Applied music1 |
| 3 | MUS 408 |
| 8 | Foreign language |
| 6 | History2 |
| 6 | Literature2 |
| 6 | Music history (chosen in consultation with an advisor) |
| 4 | MUS 299 - Thesis/Adv UG Honors in Music |
| Electives as needed to total 130 hours |
1.Students enroll in applied music in the same instrument or in voice each semester. It is strongly recommended that students in this major acquire a thorough practical knowledge of the piano beyond basic keyboard competency as part of the applied music study.
2. May not be used to satisfy general education requirements.
Vocal Performance Concentration
The primary applied subject in this concentration includes both private lessons in voice and classes in vocal diction.
At least eight semester hours each in the Italian, French, and German languages are required for the voice major. A student who has not completed at least two years of one of these languages in high school should begin study of languages during the first year. Whenever possible, vocal majors who do not have at least two years of high school study in Italian should take Italian in their first and second semesters. Completion of this requirement does not complete the campus general education language requirement, which is twelve semester hours.
Third- and fourth-year students must present satisfactory public junior and senior recitals as part of the requirements for the Vocal Performance Major within the Bachelor of Music degree.
| Hours | Performance Studies |
|---|---|
| 24 | Major applied music subject |
| 1 | MUS 120 - English Diction |
| 1 | MUS 121 - Italian Diction |
| 1 | MUS 122 - German Diction |
| 1 | MUS 123 - French Diction |
| 4 | MUS 430 - Applied Music Pedagogy |
| 8 | French |
| 8 | German |
| 8 | Italian |
| 8 | Piano |
| Electives as needed to total 130 hours |
Jazz Performance Concentration
Students majoring in jazz performance may do so with piano, double bass, saxophone/clarinet, trumpet, trombone, percussion, or guitar as the major instrument. Third- and fourth-year students must present satisfactory public junior and senior recitals as part of the requirements for the Bachelor of Music degree in jazz performance. All students must successfully complete one semester of Conducting, MUS 242. All students in the jazz performance concentration must meet the current campus general education requirements found at www.courses.illinois.edu.
| Hours | Jazz Core |
|---|---|
| 16 | Applied Music1 |
| 4 | MUS 172 and 173 - Grp Instr Pno NonMus Maj I and II |
| 4 | MUS 163 - Jazz Kbd I, II2 |
| 2 | MUS 360 - Jazz Improv Theory and Practice I |
| 2 | MUS 361 - Jazz Improv Theory and Practive II |
| 6 | MUS 362 and MUS 363 - Jazz Arranging I and II |
| 4 | MUS 364 and MUS 365 - Jazz Composition I and II |
| 4 | MUS 368 and MUS 369 - Jazz Improvisation Styles I and II |
| 4 | MUS 435 and 436 - Jazz Pedagogy I and II |
| Electives as needed to total 130 hours |
1. Of the eight semesters of applied music, two semesters (4 hours) must be in classical applied study.
2. For students with no keyboard skills, MUS 172 and MUS 173 taken in the first year, followed by Jazz Keyboard I and II in the second year will satisfy the secondary applied instrument requirement. For students whose principal instrument is piano, a secondary instrument or jazz voice may be chosen as a substitute for MUS 172, MUS 173 and Jazz Keyboard I and II, in consultation with the advisor.
Open Studies Concentration
Open Studies allows students to focus on diverse fields such as music of other cultures, piano pedagogy, or other areas not included in the concentrations above. Open Studies requires completion of the common requirements for all BMUS degrees and a minimum of 130 semester hours of credit for graduation.
Admission to Open Studies is initiated by petition to a committee of three faculty members, the open studies adviser, and the associate dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts. Additional information may be obtained from the Office of Enrollment Management and Student Services, Music Building Room 3022.
Curriculum for the Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Music
The Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Music is designed for students whose academic interests are broader than can be accommodated within the Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music Education. The BA in music, which incorporates a high degree of flexibility beyond the core of required courses, can prepare the way for graduate study in music theory, composition, or the various branches of musicology. Students must select an option with the assistance of an adviser and submit a major plan of study form. Students interested in the composition option must pass a portfolio review before acceptance into MUS 106. For information on composition portfolio requirements and other admission requirements, please contact the Assistant Director for Enrollment Management and Student Services, School of Music: 1114 W. Nevada Street, Urbana, IL 61801, (217) 244-7899.
E-mail: music-adv@illinois.edu
Minimum required major and supporting course work normally equates to 48-50 hours excluding keyboard skills requirement, and includes 37-41 hours in music courses and 29-31 hours in core courses.
Students who wish to study voice or an instrument for credit, in addition to satisfying the requirement of MUS 172 and 173, are required to satisfy the instrumental or vocal qualifying audition designed for students outside the School of Music; credits earned in applied music beyond the keyboard requirement stated above are generally considered elective.
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours
Students must complete the following core courses and one option.
| Hours | Music Theory Core (BA) |
|---|---|
| 8 | MUS 101, 102, 103, and 104 - Music Theory and Practice I, II, III, and IV |
| 7 | MUS 107, 108, 207, 208 - Aural Skills I, II, III, and IV |
| 3 | Advanced music theory |
| 18 | Total |
| Hours | Music History and Literature Core (BA) |
|---|---|
| 2 | MUS 110 - Introd Art Mus Intl Perspect |
| 6 | MUS 313 and 314* - The History of Music I and II (completion of both MUS 313 and 314 meets the general education Humanities and the Arts requirement) |
| 3 | Advanced music history |
| 11 | Total |
| Hours | Performance Studies (BA) |
|---|---|
| 4 | MUS 172 and 173 - Group Instruction in Piano for Music Majors I and II |
| 4 | Total |
For All Options:
Note: This concentration is undergoing revisions. For the most up-to-date information, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Studies in Music, 3062 Music Building, 217/244-2670.
Note: Twelve hours of 400-level courses in music must be taken on the Urbana-Champaign campus.
A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the Undergraduate Music Office (Music Building 3062) before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see your BA Music advisor for assistance in completing the form.
Options
In consultation with a Bachelor of Arts advisor in the School of Music, students may structure an option that includes music courses as well as non-music courses that focus on subject matter of special interest to the student. Such options as studies in a particular era of music history, ethnomusicology, music business, sound recording technology, music theory, music composition, or other possibilities exist. Specialized courses supporting option choices would normally be taken in the junior and senior years. For more information, contact the Office of Undergraduate Studies in Music, 3062 Music Building, 217/244-2670.Minor in Music
The School of Music offers non-music majors an exposure to music through courses in music history/literature, music theory, and performance studies (through applied lessons and ensemble). The music minor is intended for student musicians with previously established, substantive musical experiences - individuals who wish to expand upon already obtained musical skills and related study, and is not intended to be an introduction to music.
Admission to the Music Minor
Prospective music minors must apply for acceptance into the program, and must also audition for acceptance into the appropriate performance studies area and/or ensemble(s) as per normal procedures. For more information, please see https://my.faa.illinois.edu/gradstat/login.asp, or contact the Music Admissions Office (in Music Building Room 3022) for general instructions on how to apply for the minor and secure an audition.
Course Requirements
The music minor requires the successful completion of 21 semester hours of courses in music according to the following distribution:
1. Five to six semester hours in music history or music literature courses, to be selected from MUS 110, 130-134, 313, 314, or courses at the 400-level for which students meet the prerequisites (see 5);
2. Six semester hours in music theory courses to be selected from MUS 103 and 104, or the equivalent (MUS 101/107 and 102/108 – please note, however, that the student may not “mix and match” );
3. Four semester hours of applied music (a minimum of two semesters of study in the same instrument or in voice) to be selected from MUS 178-198 pending successful completion of an audition;
4. The five to six remaining hours may be selected from any of the areas included in 1-3, and may include up to three hours of a conducted music ensemble (to be selected from MUS 250, 252, 260-266, or 268-272; not more than three semester hours of ensemble may count toward the minor);
5. At least six semester hours must derive from upper division or advanced music courses - for music minors, this includes MUS 313, MUS 314, or any 400-level music course;
6. Topics offered under MUS 199 (Undergraduate Open Seminar) or MUS 499 (Proseminar in Music) must be approved for credit toward the minor in advance by the music minor advisor.