Music Major – Bachelor of Arts

Admission Requirements

All students are required to pass a successful performance audition for admission into the BA in Music program.

Program Competencies

As an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), Morehead State University adheres to and complies with the standards of the association. Major categories are

  1.  Performance (technical skills, understanding of repertory, ability to read music, leadership and collaboration skills, keyboard competency, growth in artistry)
  2.  Aural Skills and Analysis (understanding of musical elements, organizational patterns, forms, processes, structures, and historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts)
  3.  Composition and Improvisation (create original music, improvisation)
  4.  History and Repertory (knowledge of music history, acquaintance with repertory outside specialization)
  5.  Technology (how technology serves music field, knowledge of technological developments in specialization)
  6.  Synthesis (combining musical capabilities, value judgements, work with comprehensive repertory, understanding interrelationships and interdependencies of music enterprise)

Assessment

In addition to course grades, competencies will be measured by:

  1. Successful jury examinations required each semester and evaluated by the music faculty in each student's specialization area.
  2. Upper Division Assessment required prior to enrolling for junior-level applied lessons evaluated by the music faculty in each student's specialization area.
  3. Recital hearing examinations required prior to each recital performance and evaluated by the music faculty in each student's specialization area.
  4. Capstone course consisting of musical performance combined with a research project required of all Bachelor of Arts in Music students during the capstone course in the senior year and evaluated by the music faculty in each student's specialization area.
  5. ETS Major Field Exam required prior to graduation with results distributed to music faculty each year.

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Music provides for the study of music within a liberal arts curriculum. The program is suitable for preparing for careers in music other than performance and certified teaching in the schools. 

General Education

General Education Courses(See GNED Course Listings)

33

Total Credit Hours:33

Refer to the General Education section for a complete listing of general education requirements for the University. Program requirements that are also general education requirements will count in both places (as applicable).

Major Core Requirements

MUST 131Music Theory I

3

MUST 132Music Theory II

3

MUST 133Music Reading I

1

MUST 135Music Reading II

1

MUSE 215Microcomputers and Music

3

MUSH 171Global Perspectives in Music

3

MUSW 310Music Business

2

MUSM 200Student Recital

0

MUSP 2XXPrivate Applied (4 semesters at 2 credit hours each)

8

MUSP 200Performance Class

0

MUSW 499CSenior Project

3

Total Credit Hours:27

MUSM 200 (four semesters required, 0 credit hours each)

MUSP 2XX (four semesters required, 2 credit hours each)

MUSP 200 (four semesters required, 0 credit hours each)

The senior project course is an option for music BA students only. This course involves a performance component as well as a component involving the student’s academic interests. This project is required to have writing and presentation activities. The performance and academic components can be related. The project is to be developed by the student and his/her private applied teacher. Approval required from appropriate area performance faculty.

Tracks - Choose one

General Music Track
MUSG 123Class Piano I

1

MUSG 124Class Piano II

1

MUST 233Music Reading III

1

MUST 234Music Reading IV

1

MUST 236Music Theory III

2

MUST 237Music Theory IV

2

MUSH 361History of Music I

3

MUSH 362History of Music II

3

MUSM 400Student Recital

0

MUSP 4XXPrivate Applied - Major Instrument

6

MUSP 400Performance Class

0

MUSM 3XXEnsemble

4

Total Credit Hours:24

MUSM 400 (four semesters required, 0 credit hours each)

MUSP 4XX (three semesters required, 2 credit hours each)

MUSP 400 (four semesters required, 0 credit hours each)

MUSM 3XX (four semesters required, 1 credit hour each)

Commercial Music Track
MUSG 245Jazz Keyboard I

1

MUSG 246Jazz Keyboard II

1

MUSG 183Studio Improvisation

1

MUST 240Jazz Theory

2

MUST 433Arranging for Jazz Ensembles I

2

MUSW 325Music Recording and Sound Reinforcement

3

MUSM 400Student Recital

0

MUSP 4XXPrivate Applied - Major Instrument

6

MUSP 400Performance Class

0

MUSM 3XXEnsemble

4

Total Credit Hours:20

MUSM 400 (four semesters required, 0 credit hours each)

MUSP 4XX (three semesters required, 2 credit hours each)

MUSP 400 (four semesters required, 0 credit hours each)

MUSM 3XX (four semesters required, 1 credit hour each)

Choose three hours from the following:
MUSH 338Traditional Music History I

3

MUSH 361History of Music I

3

MUSH 365Jazz History and Literature

3

Total Credit Hours:3

Minor

All majors must also include a minor or additional major. See Terms to Know.
Total Credit Hours:21

Free Electives

Chosen from 300+ level

Free Electives (chosen by student)

variable

Total Credit Hours: 120