2025-2026 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Music
- Requirements for a Major in Music
- Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Music (B.A.)
- Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Music (B.S.)
The Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Music degree provides a course of study for students interested in a liberal arts degree with a major in music. The two degree options provide appropriate backgrounds for prospective advanced-degree candidates who are preparing for careers in composition, technology, music history, music theory, jazz studies, library science, independent studio teaching or for students double majoring in other fields. The culmination event of both degrees is a senior project planned and carried out with the help of a faculty advisor. Students electing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in music must complete a minimum of 40 credit hours in music, planned with the approval of a faculty advisor in the department. Students considering graduate study in music should consult with an advisor about which degree most closely matches their ideal career path.
B.A. Degree Requirements
The B.A. degree requires a third-semester proficiency in a foreign language of the student's choice.
B.S. Degree Requirements
Category I:
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits) - Foundations, Mathematical Sciences
Select one of the following from Category II:
- STA 216 - Intermediate Applied Statistics (3 credits) - STA 215 prerequisite
- STA 301 - Questionnaire Design and Execution (3 credits) - STA 215 prerequisite
Select one of the following from Category III (do not duplicate a course from Category II):
- STA 340 - Statistics in the Media (3 credits) - Information, Innovation, or Technology Issue
- STA 341 - Demographic Methods (3 credits) - Globalization Issue
MUS Credit Requirement: 40 to 41
Requirements for a Major in Music
Major Ensembles (4 credits)
Choose from the following. Each can be taken more than once for credit.
- MUS 101 - University Singers (1 credit)
- MUS 102 - Concert Band (1 credit)
- MUS 103 - Grand Valley Symphony Orchestra (1 credit)
- MUS 104 - Chamber Music Ensembles (0.5 credits)
- MUS 105 - Grand Valley Jazz Ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 107 - Grand Valley Marching Band (1 credit)
- MUS 108 - New Music Ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 109 - Anima Vocal Ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 110 - Early Music Ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 112 - Wind Symphony (1 credit)
- MUS 117 - Grand Valley University Arts Chorale (1 credit)
- MUS 118 - Varsity Glee Club (1 credit)
Applied Music (4 credits)
- MUS 141 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Freshman (1 credit)
- MUS 142 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Freshman (1 credit)
- MUS 241 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Sophomore (1 credit)
- MUS 242 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Sophomore (1 credit)
Music Theory (15 credits)
- MUS 130 - Music Theory I (3 credits)
- MUS 131 - Music Theory II (3 credits)
- MUS 230 - Music Theory III (3 credits)
- MUS 231 - Music Theory IV (3 credits)
- MUS 495 - Musical Synthesis and Comparison (3 credits)
Keyboard Musicianship (2 credits)
Aural Perception and Sight-Singing (2 credits)
- MUS 133 - Aural Perception and Sight-Singing I (1 credit)
- MUS 134 - Aural Perception and Sight-Singing II (1 credit)
Music Literature (6 credits)
- MUS 119 - Survey of Music Literature I (3 credits)
- MUS 120 - Survey of Music Literature II (3 credits)
Music Electives (6 credits)
Choose from the following:
- MUS 218 - World Music (3 credits)
- MUS 219 - Jazz History (3 credits)
- MUS 300 - From Rag to Rock - Exploring American Music (3 credits)
- MUS 302 - Music: Medieval and Renaissance Eras (3 credits)
- MUS 304 - Music: Classical Era (3 credits)
- MUS 305 - Music: 19th Century (3 credits)
- MUS 306 - Music from 1900-1960 (3 credits)
- MUS 308 - Music History Seminar (3 credits)
- MUS 310 - Piano Literature (2 credits)
- MUS 320 - Introduction to Conducting (2 credits)
- MUS 330 - Instrumentation/Orchestration (3 credits)
- MUS 333 - Form and Analysis in Western Music (3 credits)
- MUS 380 - Special Topics in Music (1 to 4 credits)
Final Project
Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Music (B.A.)
Year One
Fall Semester
- Major ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 130 - Music Theory I (3 credits)
- MUS 133 - Aural Perception and Sight-Singing I (1 credit)
- MUS 141 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Freshman (1 credit)
- MUS 263 - Keyboard Musicianship I (1 credit)
Winter Semester
- Major ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 131 - Music Theory II (3 credits)
- MUS 134 - Aural Perception and Sight-Singing II (1 credit)
- MUS 142 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Freshman (1 credit)
- MUS 264 - Keyboard Musicianship II (1 credit)
Year Two
Fall Semester
- Major ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 119 - Survey of Music Literature I (3 credits)
- MUS 230 - Music Theory III (3 credits)
- MUS 241 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Sophomore (1 credit)
- Foreign Language 101 (4 credits)
Winter Semester
- Major ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 120 - Survey of Music Literature II (3 credits)
- MUS 231 - Music Theory IV (3 credits)
- MUS 242 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Sophomore (1 credit)
- Foreign Language 102 (4 credits)
Year Three
Fall Semester
- Foreign Language 201 (4 credits)
- Music electives (3 credits)
Winter Semester
- Music electives (3 credits)
Year Four
Fall Semester
Winter Semester
Music Program Description
Click here for the program description.
Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Music (B.S.)
Year One
Fall Semester
- Major ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 130 - Music Theory I (3 credits)
- MUS 133 - Aural Perception and Sight-Singing I (1 credit)
- MUS 141 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Freshman (1 credit)
- MUS 263 - Keyboard Musicianship I (1 credit)
Winter Semester
- Major ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 131 - Music Theory II (3 credits)
- MUS 134 - Aural Perception and Sight-Singing II (1 credit)
- MUS 142 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Freshman (1 credit)
- MUS 264 - Keyboard Musicianship II (1 credit)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
Year Two
Fall Semester
- Major ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 119 - Survey of Music Literature I (3 credits)
- MUS 230 - Music Theory III (3 credits)
- MUS 241 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Sophomore (1 credit)
- B.S. Category II course (3 credits)
Winter Semester
- Major ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 120 - Survey of Music Literature II (3 credits)
- MUS 231 - Music Theory IV (3 credits)
- MUS 242 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Sophomore (1 credit)
Year Three
Fall Semester
- B.S. Category III course (3 credits)
- Music electives (3 credits)
Winter Semester
- Music electives (3 credits)
Year Four
Fall Semester
Winter Semester