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BS Degree in Commercial Music {23-24}

B.S. Degree in Commercial Music

Description
A degree designed to prepare individuals for careers in the commercial/jazz/popular music industries as performers and composers/arrangers while also developing skills in the areas of live/recorded sound and music business/law.
To receive the B.S. Degree in Commercial Music, the student must meet the minimum university requirements and specific requirements for the program. Completion of 120 credits is required for this degree which includes the Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate a sufficient level of technique in their primary performance medium to artistically perform standard undergraduate level repertoire.
  • Understand the common elements and organizational patterns in music to demonstrate knowledge of forms, processes, structure, context, and styles including diverse cultural sources, from historical and theoretical perspectives.
  • Show competency in secondary performing areas including commercial/jazz arranging, commercial/jazz improvisation, piano and conducting.
  • Complete a capstone project showing all of these skills. This project will, in the majority of cases, involve the creation of a studio recording of their work as performers/arrangers that they will also produce.

Program Delivery Mode
Land plus: face-to-face where some online courses may be available or required

Core Requirements ( 56 credits )

MUS 107A Music Theory I (3)
MUS 107B Aural Skills I (1)
MUS 108A Music Theory II (3)
MUS 108B Aural Skills II (1)
MUS 207A Music Theory III (3)
MUS 207B Aural Skills III (1)
MUS 208 Theory & Ear Training IV (2)
MUS 300 Basic Conducting (2)
MUS 303 History of Western Music to 1750 (3)
MUS 304 History of Western Music since 1750 (3)
MUS 316 World Music Survey (3)
MUS 374 Instrumental/Choral Arranging (2)

MUS 150C Class Piano III (1)
MUS 151 Commercial Keyboard (1)
MUS 287 Commercial/Jazz Improvisation and Theory I (2)
MUS 372 Commercial/Jazz Arranging I (2)
MUS 387 Commercial/Jazz Improvisation and Theory II (2)
MUS 472 Commercial/Jazz Arranging II (2)
MUS 487 Commercial/Jazz Improvisation and Theory III (2)
MUS 492 Capstone Project (1)

8 credits of Applied Lessons on Primary Instrument.
At least 2 credits of study is to be at the 300 level.
                                                         
8 credits of Ensembles: (8)
MUS 320* or MUS 330* Ensemble

Designated Writing Intensive Course for Major
MUS 304 History of Western Music Since 1750 (3)

Related Requirements ( 12 credits )

Twelve (12) credits of coursework from the Audio Production and Entertainment Management curriculum to be decided upon in ongoing consultation with AEM faculty.

Restricted Electives ( 3 credits )

Choose one of the following courses:                                                     
MUS 215 History of Jazz (3)
MUS 217 Pop/Rock Music for Non-Majors (3)
MUS 240 American Music (3)

Electives ( 13 credits )

Electives will be chosen in close consultation with the advisor and are to be classes from any rubric in accordance with the prerequisites in place. Electives can be from AEM, BUS, FILM, ENTR, and COMM.

Up to four (4) credits of music (MUS rubric) coursework may be allowed as elective credit. Additional ensemble credit cannot be counted toward those four credits, only additional classes and lessons.