2019-2020 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Arts in Music
The B.A. degree provides a course of study for students interested in a liberal arts degree with a major in music. This degree, with its foreign language component, offers an appropriate background for prospective advanced-degree candidates who are preparing for careers in composition, technology, music history, music theory, jazz studies, library science, or independent studio teaching. It also works well for students who want to study music but are aiming at careers in other fields, and for students with double majors. There is sufficient flexibility within the B.A. to provide an opportunity for acquisition of those skills that are necessary in the current technological environment. The culmination event of the B.A. is a senior project planned and carried out with the help of a faculty advisor. Students electing a B.A. in music must complete a minimum of 41 credit hours in music, planned with the approval of a faculty advisor in the department.
MUS Credit Requirement: 40 to 41
Requirements for a Major in Music
Major Ensembles (Credits: 4)
Choose from the following. Each can be taken more than once for credit.
- MUS 101 - University Singers Credits: 1
- MUS 102 - Concert Band Credits: 1
- MUS 103 - Grand Valley Symphony Orchestra Credits: 1
- MUS 104 - Chamber Music Ensembles Credits: .5
- MUS 105 - Grand Valley Jazz Ensemble Credits: 1
- MUS 107 - Grand Valley Marching Band Credits: 1
- MUS 108 - New Music Ensemble Credits: 1
- MUS 109 - Select Women's Ensemble Credits: 1
- MUS 110 - Early Music Ensemble Credits: 1
- MUS 112 - Wind Symphony Credits: 1
- MUS 117 - Grand Valley University Arts Chorale Credits: 1
- MUS 118 - Varsity Men Credits: 1
Applied Music (Credits: 4)
- MUS 141 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Freshman Credits: 1
- MUS 142 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Freshman Credits: 1
- MUS 241 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Sophomore Credits: 1
- MUS 242 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Sophomore Credits: 1
Music Theory (Credits: 15)
- MUS 130 - Music Theory I Credits: 3
- MUS 131 - Music Theory II Credits: 3
- MUS 230 - Music Theory III Credits: 3
- MUS 231 - Music Theory IV Credits: 3
- MUS 495 - Analytical Techniques (Capstone) Credits: 3
Keyboard Musicianship (Credits: 2)
- MUS 263 - Keyboard Musicianship I Credits: 1
- MUS 264 - Keyboard Musicianship II Credits: 1
Aural Perception and Sight Singing (Credits: 2)
- MUS 133 - Aural Perception and Sight-Singing I Credits: 1
- MUS 134 - Aural Perception and Sight-Singing II Credits: 1
Music Literature (Credits: 6)
- MUS 119 - Survey of Music Literature I Credits: 3
- MUS 120 - Survey of Music Literature II Credits: 3
Music Electives (Credits: 6)
Choose from the following:
- MUS 218 - World Music Credits: 3
- MUS 219 - Jazz History Credits: 3
- MUS 300 - Exploring American Music Credits: 3
- MUS 302 - Music: Medieval and Renaissance Eras Credits: 3
- MUS 303 - Music: Baroque Era Credits: 3
- MUS 304 - Music: Classical Era Credits: 3
- MUS 305 - Music: 19th Century Credits: 3
- MUS 306 - Music from 1900-1960 Credits: 3
- MUS 307 - Music Since 1960 Credits: 3
- MUS 308 - Music History Seminar Credits: 3
- MUS 310 - Piano Literature Credits: 2
- MUS 320 - Introduction to Conducting Credits: 2
- MUS 330 - Instrumentation/Orchestration Credits: 3
- MUS 333 - Form and Analysis in Western Music Credits: 3
- MUS 335 - Counterpoint Credits: 3
- MUS 337 - Jazz Theory Credits: 2
- MUS 380 - Special Topics in Music Credits: 1 to 4
Final Project
- MUS 479 - B.A. Senior Project Credits: 1 to 2
Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Music
Freshman Year - Fall
- Major ensemble Credits: 1
- MUS 141 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Freshman Credits: 1
- MUS 263 - Keyboard Musicianship I Credits: 1
Freshman Year - Winter
- Major ensemble Credits: 1
- MUS 142 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Freshman Credits: 1
- MUS 264 - Keyboard Musicianship II Credits: 1
Sophomore Year - Fall
- Major ensemble Credits: 1
- MUS 119 - Survey of Music Literature I Credits: 3
- MUS 130 - Music Theory I Credits: 3
- MUS 133 - Aural Perception and Sight-Singing I Credits: 1
- MUS 241 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Sophomore Credits: 1
Sophomore Year - Winter
- Major ensemble Credits: 1
- MUS 120 - Survey of Music Literature II Credits: 3
- MUS 131 - Music Theory II Credits: 3
- MUS 134 - Aural Perception and Sight-Singing II Credits: 1
- MUS 242 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Sophomore Credits: 1
Junior Year - Fall
- MUS 230 - Music Theory III Credits: 3
Junior Year - Winter
- Music electives Credits: 3
- MUS 231 - Music Theory IV Credits: 3
Senior Year - Fall
- Music electives Credits: 3
Senior Year - Winter
- MUS 479 - B.A. Senior Project Credits: 1 to 2
- MUS 495 - Analytical Techniques (Capstone) Credits: 3