Music Requirements

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Southern Illinois University Carbondale is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, Virginia  20190-5248, (703) 437-0700.

Admission and Advisement: All students who plan to major in Music will first be admitted as Pre-Music students provided they meet the University’s admission policy. Incoming freshmen and transfer students are required to audition in person or by recording prior to admittance to the desired specialty in music. Following a successful audition, students will be granted the status of music major and be allowed to register for classes in the desired specialty. Criteria used for admission to the School of Music may be above and beyond the University standards for general admission. For more information, please contact the School of Music at (618) 536-8742.

Pre-Music Major: All students in the Pre-Music major must successfully complete the Music Major Audition to be classified as a music major. Students in the Pre-Music major and students who have not successfully passed the music major audition will only be allowed to take the following courses: MUS 030A, MUS 040A-X, MUS 101 with a major ensemble (MUS 011, MUS 366A-H, MUS 365G). Students are allowed a maximum of two semesters of Pre-Music major, and should be aware that this designation may extend their time towards graduation.

Transferring students are required to audition in the student’s applied area for admission to the music program and will be placed at the appropriate applied course level. Music credits earned at other accredited institutions will apply toward requirements, but the transferring student remains subject to evaluation by the Undergraduate Program Director for proper placement in the music curriculum.

All pre-music and music majors will be advised by the School of Music advisor for the purpose of completing the courses required.

All Music majors must maintain satisfactory membership in one of the following ensembles: MUS 011, MUS 366A-F every term in residence. Students are exempt from this requirement during the session of student teaching. Students who are unable to meet the major ensemble entrance requirements for one semester will be placed on probation by the School of Music. Students who are denied entrance into a major ensemble a second time will be reviewed by the undergraduate committee for possible continued probation or suspension from all music degree programs. The assignment to major ensembles must be compatible with the student’s applied field. Music Education majors must take one ensemble credit in a non-primary emphasis area. Instrumental Music Education students must enroll in Marching Salukis for a minimum of two semesters. Students also may elect additional large or small ensembles, not to exceed three in any one session.

Each student with a major or minor in music must designate a principal applied field and complete the credits specified within the selected specialization. Changes in the principal applied field are permissible by audition so long as the student accumulates the required credit total and meets the required level of proficiency.

Credits in one’s principal applied field are based on private lessons with a member of the faculty; weekly participation in Studio Hour and Convocations (Tuesday, at 10:00 a.m.); and recorded attendance each semester at seven campus recitals or concerts. All music majors must adhere to the School of Music recital/concert attendance policy each semester in which they are enrolled in applied lessons. The recital/concert attendance policy stipulates that students will attend seven approved campus recitals/concerts in which they are not a performer. Attendance will be taken digitally by School of Music ushers. Students may attend an off-campus recital/concert with prior faculty approval and appropriate documentation. Students who fail to fulfill the Studio Hour or attendance at seven campus recitals/concerts will receive a grade of Incomplete, which can be removed only by making up the deficiency during the ensuing semester. A student who wishes to attempt the performance specialization in applied music must have prior approval of the appropriate faculty jury, and thereafter enrolls for and receives one lesson per week for three credits per semester.

A student may elect private instruction in a second field or fields, but this is at the MUS 040 level for one credit per semester since the studio hour and recital attendance requirements pertain only to the principal applied field.

Students not majoring or minoring in music may elect private applied music instruction if they can exhibit sufficient ability and faculty loads will allow. Registration is at the MUS 040 level for one credit per semester, with no studio hour or recital attendance requirement. Those wishing such instruction should arrange for an interview and audition with the appropriate instructor.

Students specializing in music education should apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program as soon as they have accumulated 30 semester hours of credit. After being admitted, they must complete a series of specific requirements in order to qualify for student teaching and for the Illinois teaching license. Additional information is given under Teacher Education Program, and Curriculum and Instruction. Students specializing in Music Education must maintain a grade of C or better in all courses required for the music degree.

Upper Division Examination, 240 Level Exit Examination

All music majors wishing to study at the 300 applied level or above must pass an upper division examination in order to be admitted to the MUS 340 level of applied music. It is normally taken before finishing 60 hours of academic study and in the second semester of MUS 240A-X. All Bachelor of Arts degree students must pass a MUS 240 level exit exam prior to registering for MUS 487 or MUS 488 Senior Project. The exam is normally taken in the second semester of MUS 240A-X. The Upper Division and 240 exit examinations consist of an applied music jury performance. The upper division examination consists of an applied music jury performance before the entire music faculty.

Financial Information

Special grants and awards are available to students enrolled in the School of Music who are qualified and in need of financial assistance. Opportunities for employment in the student work program are excellent. In addition, there are scholarships (tuition awards) and loan programs available through the Office of Student Work and Financial Assistance.

Students are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks, solo literature, and incidental supplies for music lessons and classes.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music

The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree is a liberal arts degree individually tailored to meet the educational goals of each student pursuing it. The Bachelor of Arts in Music (Liberal Arts specialization), essentially a double major, offers considerable flexibility to students by allowing them to combine their coursework in Music and the University Core Curriculum with another Core Elective area of their choice. The Bachelor of Arts in Music (Liberal Arts specialization) requires a core of 16 hours of music literature and music theory courses.

Of the 52 hours required to complete the Bachelor of Arts in Music (Liberal Arts specialization), the required courses are MUS 030A, MUS 030B, MUS 204A, MUS 204B, MUS 205A, MUS 205B, MUS 488, and eight hours of approved music electives. The 34 Elective Core hours necessary to complete the degree program are selected by the student with the approval of the student’s faculty sponsor and the undergraduate committee. This planning should be done during the first semester of the student’s admittance to the School of Music with undergraduate committee approval secured not later than the end of the second semester. Changes may be made if agreed upon by the student, the undergraduate committee and the student’s faculty sponsor. At least 42 hours toward the Liberal Arts degree must be at the 300-400 level. The Bachelor of Arts in Music does not provide the necessary prerequisites for graduate study in a Master of Music degree program.

B.A. Music Degree Requirements

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
University Core Curriculum Requirements 39
Including MUS 357A as University Core Curriculum substitute
Requirements for Major in Music 81
Theory: MUS 104A, MUS 104B; MUS 105A, MUS 105B 8
Literature and History: MUS 102, MUS 357A, MUS 357B (3)+5
MUS 011, MUS 366A-F 8
Applied MUS 140A-X - MUS 240A-X, 4 semesters 8
Specialization 52
Total 120

B.A. Music- Liberal Arts Specialization Degree Requirements

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
MUS 030A, MUS 030B 2
MUS 204A, MUS 204B 2
MUS 205A, MUS 205B 6
MUS 488 2
Elective Core 40
Approved Music Electives 10
Secondary Elective Core 30
Total 52

B.A. Music - Music Business Specialization Degree Requirements

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
Required Music Courses
MUS 030A, MUS 030B 2
MUS 031 1
Three of the following: MUS 032, MUS 033A,MUS 033B, MUS 034, MUS 035, MUS 036A, MUS 036B 3
MUS 307 2
MUS 377 3
MUS 487 3
Approved Music Electives 11
Required Business Courses 1
ACCT 220, ACCT 230 6
MGMT 304 3
ECON 240 2 (3)
FIN 270 3
MKTG 304, MKTG 363, MKTG 401, MKTG 438 12
Approved Business Electives 3
Total 52

1 Up to six hours in related areas may be substituted for Required Business Courses with the approval of the undergraduate committee.

2 ECON 240 must be taken as a Core Curriculum Social Science course.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Musical Theater

The School of Music and the School of Theater and Dance co-sponsor a B.F.A. in Musical Theater degree. Please refer to the Musical Theater section for degree requirements.

Bachelor of Music (B.M.)

B.M. Music Degree Requirements

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
University Core Curriculum Requirements 39
Including MUS 357A as University Core Curriculum substitute
Requirements for Major in Music 81
Theory: MUS 104A, MUS 104B; MUS 105A, MUS 105B; MUS 204A, MUS 204B; MUS 205A, MUS 205B 16
History-Literature: MUS 102; MUS 357A, MUS 357B (3)+5
Conducting: MUS 316 1
Partial Recital: MUS 398 1 1
Specialization 2 58-59
Total 120

1 Theory/Composition Specialization takes MUS 498 in place of MUS 398

2 Keyboard Specialization does not take MUS 030A-D

B.M. Music - Music Education Specialization Degree Requirements

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
University Core Curriculum Requirements 39
Must include MUS 357A or MUS 357B, EDUC 211, EDUC 214
Requirements for Major in Music 59
Theory: MUS 104A, MUS 104B, MUS 105A, MUS 105B; MUS 204A, MUS 204B; MUS 205A, MUS 205B; MUS 308 or MUS 321 or MUS 322; MUS 324 19
History Literature: MUS 102, MUS 357A, MUS 357B (3) +5
MUS 011, MUS 366A-F 1 8
MUS 140 - MUS 340A-T, principal applied field, 7 semesters 7
MUS 398 half recital 1
MUS 300 2
MUS 304 2
MUS 305 2
MUS 306 2
Music Education Specialization
Instrumental Emphasis 11
MUS 030A, MUS 030B 2
MUS 031, MUS 032, MUS 033A, MUS 033B, MUS 034, MUS 035 6
MUS 318 2
MUS 366E or MUS 366F 1
or
Music Education Specialization
Choral/General emphasis 11
MUS 030A-D 4
MUS 035, MUS 036A; MUS 032 or MUS 033A or MUS 034 3
MUS 317 2
MUS 363A 1
MUS 366A, MUS 366B, MUS 366C, or MUS 366D 1
Professional Education Requirements 24
EDUC 301, EDUC 302, EDUC 303, EDUC 308, EDUC 313, EDUC 319, EDUC 401A
Additional Licensure Requirements - CI 360 3
Total 125

1 Instrumental emphasis must have 2 credits of MUS 011.

B.M. Music - Music Theory and Composition Specialization Degree Requirements

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
MUS 140A-T, MUS 240A-T, MUS 340A-T, principal field, 6 semesters 12
MUS 011, MUS 366A-F 8
MUS 280 4
MUS 380 4
MUS 480 4
MUS 324 and MUS 326 2
MUS 406 2
MUS 421 2
MUS 470, MUS 471, MUS 472, MUS 474, MUS 475, MUS 476, MUS 477, MUS 478A-B, or MUS 479A-K 6
MUS 308, MUS 321, MUS 322 6
MUS 030A-D 4
Approved music electives, 300 level or above 3
MUS 498 2
Total 59

B.M. Music - Performance: Guitar Specialization Degree Requirements

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
MUS 140T, MUS 240T, MUS 340T, MUS 440T, principal field, 8 semesters 21
MUS 366D 8
MUS 107A and MUS 107B 2
MUS 030A-B 2
MUS 498 2
MUS 250A and MUS 250B 2
MUS 308, MUS 321, MUS 322 6
MUS 374, MUS 461 5
MUS 324 and MUS 326 2
MUS 365A-J 3
Approved music electives 5
Total 58

B.M. Music - Performance: Instrumental (Standard Orchestral and Wind Instruments) Specialization Degree Requirements

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
MUS 140A-O, MUS 240A-O, MUS 340A-O, MUS 440A-O, principal field, 8 semesters 21
MUS 011, MUS 366A-F 8
MUS 308, MUS 321, MUS 322 6
MUS 030A-B 2
MUS 498 2
MUS 461 3
MUS 324 and MUS 326 2
MUS 407; MUS 421 or any of MUS 470, MUS 471, MUS 472, MUS 474, MUS 475, MUS 476, MUS 477, MUS 478A, MUS 478B 6
MUS 365A-J 3
Approved music electives 1 5
Total 58

1 Music Elective must be at the 300/400 level.

B.M. Music - Performance: Keyboard (Piano, Organ and Harpsichord) Specialization Degree Requirements

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
MUS 140Q-S, MUS 240Q-S, MUS 340Q-S, MUS 440Q-S, principle field, 8 semesters 21
MUS 011, MUS 366A-F 6
MUS 308, MUS 321, MUS 322 6
MUS 498 2
MUS 461 3
MUS 407; MUS 421, or any of MUS 470, MUS 471, MUS 472, MUS 474, MUS 475, MUS 476, MUS 477, MUS 478A, MUS 478B 5
MUS 341 2
MUS 365F 2
MUS 479A and MUS 479I 4
Approved music electives 7
Total 58

B.M. Music - Performance: Voice Specialization Degree Requirements

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
MUS 140P, MUS 240P, MUS 340P, MUS 440P, MUS 440V, principle field, 8 semesters 21
MUS 366A-F 8
MUS 498 2
MUS 461 3
MUS 479C 2
MUS 308, MUS 321, MUS 322 6
MUS 030A-D 4
Approved foreign language, 2 semesters 6
MUS 401, MUS 402 2
MUS 363A, MUS 363B 2
Approved music electives 2
Total 58

Music Minor

Any student wishing to pursue the music minor curriculum must be accepted by audition on their primary instrument or voice. The minor in music totals 16 credit hours and includes: MUS 030A, MUS 104A, MUS 105A; two semesters of performing ensembles, two credit hours; and four credits of applied lessons (MUS 040A-X - MUS 440A-Y) where a minimum of two credits must be earned at the MUS 140A-X level or above. Students must also complete MUS 102, two credit hours; and three credits of approved music electives. Students may select MUS 103 (three credit hours) in place of MUS 102. If MUS 103 is taken, only two credits of approved music electives are required.

Certificate in Jazz and Improvised Studies

Any student majoring in music may earn the Certificate in Jazz and Improvised Studies by completing 12 credit hours: MUS 112, MUS 231A, MUS 231B, MUS 335, MUS 365J, MUS 366G, MUS 474, 2 credit hours from MUS 307 or MUS 406 or MUS 375.