Music Major, B.A.
The Department of Music provides many opportunities to students who wish to study music within a strong liberal arts curriculum. We foster creative endeavor and critical inquiry through courses, ensembles, and lessons on instruments or voice that explore music from a variety of perspectives.
The B.A. requires at least 35 credit hours in music and at least 75 outside the major, with 120 total credit hours in the degree. Given the ample opportunity to explore the breadth of the University’s course offerings, many B.A. candidates seek minors in other fields or take on a second major.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the music program (B.A.), students should be able to:
- Acquire sufficient technical capabilities to be able to perform expressively — on an instrument or the voice — appropriate repertoire for the area in which they are studying
- Show proficiency in the materials and language of music for purposes of analysis and evaluation
- Be aware of the connection between general culture and history and the musical works that come from composers of particular times and places
- Demonstrate the ability to perform successfully in individual, small-, and large-ensemble performance and have a working familiarity with repertoire for solo or ensemble performance
Requirements
In addition to the program requirements, students must
- earn a minimum final cumulative GPA of 2.000
- complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill courses
- take at least half of their major core requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill
- earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the major core requirements. Some programs may require higher standards for major or specific courses.
For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.
Courses listed more than once can be counted for only one category.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| Foundations: | ||
| MUSC 120 |  Foundations in Music F | 3 |
| Musicianship: | ||
| MUSC 128 | Improvisation Without Borders | 1 |
| One additional course (one hour), chosen from: | 1 | |
| Aural-based Musicianship | ||
| Tonal Musicianship Skills I | ||
| Music theory (six hours), two of: | 6 | |
| Tonal Theory I (requires a grade of C or better) H | ||
| Tonal Theory II H | ||
| Jazz Theory | ||
| Patterns in Music | ||
| Beat Making Lab | ||
| Introduction to Composition | ||
| World Musics in Theory and Practice | ||
| Inside the Song: Analysis of Songcraft | ||
| Critical approaches to music: | ||
| MUSC 270 | Critical Approaches to Music: Object Lessons | 3 |
| MUSC 271 | Critical Approaches to Music: Critical Moves | 3 |
| MUSC 351 | Critical Approaches to Music: Guided Research | 3 |
| Individual/group lessons (taken over two semesters) chosen from: 1 | 2-6 | |
| Individual Keyboard Lessons | ||
| Individual Voice Lessons | ||
| Individual String Lessons | ||
| Individual Woodwind Lessons | ||
| Individual Brass Lessons | ||
| Individual Percussion Lessons | ||
| Applied Instruction | ||
| Group Lessons in Piano | ||
| Group Lessons in Voice | ||
| Group Lessons in Strings | ||
| Group Lessons in Woodwinds | ||
| Group Lessons in Brass | ||
| Group Lessons in Percussion | ||
| Beat Making Lab | ||
| Rap Lab | ||
| Advanced Individual Lessons in Keyboard H | ||
| Advanced Individual Lessons in Voice H | ||
| Advanced Individual Lessons in Strings H | ||
| Advanced Individual Lessons in Woodwinds H | ||
| Advanced Individual Lessons in Brass H | ||
| Advanced Individual Lessons in Percussion H | ||
| Advanced Applied Instruction | ||
| Composition | ||
| Inside the Song: Analysis of Songcraft | ||
| Ensemble performance (four hours) chosen from: | 4 | |
| Ensemble I | ||
| Ensemble II | ||
| Ensemble III | ||
| Chamber Music 2, H | ||
| Music electives (nine hours) chosen from MUSC courses: students may count no more than three additional hours from MUSC 211 - MUSC 214 towards their music major. They may count as credit hours for graduation, subject to the overall limit on music hours. | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 35-39 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
- 1
30-minute lessons count for .5 credit hours. Students choosing to take 30-minute lessons to satisfy this requirement must take lessons for four semesters to accumulate the requirement's 2-credit hour minimum.
- 2
Pursuant to area needs and preferences, or by DUS approval.
Music (MUSC) course descriptions.
Students may receive no more than 45 credit hours in music and must complete a minimum of 75 hours of coursework outside music, including all General Education requirements.
Optional Pathways within the Bachelor of Arts in Music Degree
Students working toward the bachelor of arts degree have the option to pursue one or more pathways in their musical studies. These pathways identify recommended course selections for students who have interests in one or more areas. We suggest nine credit hours of study; students are free to take additional credits. Some of these courses also satisfy core requirements. Please note that enrollment in individual lessons (MUSC 100–MUSC 107 and MUSC 200–MUSC 207) requires an audition.
Composition
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 166 | Introduction to Composition | 3 |
| MUSC 266 |
Composition | 3 |
| Plus three hours from: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Music Technology | ||
|
Composition (repeated) | ||
| Musical Form and Analysis | ||
| Counterpoint | ||
| Analysis of Music since 1900 | ||
Ethnomusicology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 234 |
World Musics in Theory and Practice | 3 |
| Plus three hours from: | 3 | |
|
Introduction to World Musics | ||
|
Introduction to the Music of the Américas | ||
|
Introduction to Black Music | ||
|
Music of South Asia | ||
|
Musical Movements: Migration, Exile, and Diaspora | ||
|
Music in the Community | ||
|
Music as Culture (in an appropriate topic) H | ||
|
History and Culture of Music (in an appropriate topic) H | ||
| Plus three hours from: | 3 | |
| Applied Instruction | ||
| Advanced Applied Instruction (in appropriate repertoire) | ||
| Ensemble II (in an appropriate ensemble, including Bluegrass Band, Charanga Carolina, Gamelan, Global Rhythms) | ||
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
Instrumental Performance
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Three hours from: | 3 | |
| Individual String Lessons | ||
| Individual Woodwind Lessons | ||
| Individual Brass Lessons | ||
| Individual Percussion Lessons | ||
| Applied Instruction | ||
| Advanced Individual Lessons in Strings H | ||
| Advanced Individual Lessons in Woodwinds H | ||
| Advanced Individual Lessons in Brass H | ||
| Advanced Individual Lessons in Percussion H | ||
| Advanced Applied Instruction | ||
| Plus three hours from: | 3 | |
| Individual Keyboard Lessons | ||
| Tonal Musicianship Skills I | ||
| Tonal Musicianship Skills II | ||
| Keyboard Skills I | ||
| Advanced Individual Lessons in Keyboard H | ||
| Keyboard Skills II | ||
|
Advanced String Lessons and Recital H | ||
|
Advanced Woodwind Lessons and Recital H | ||
|
Advanced Brass Lessons and Recital H | ||
|
Advanced Percussion Lessons and Recital H | ||
| Plus three hours from: | 3 | |
| Jazz Improvisation I | ||
| Introduction to Composition | ||
| Basic Conducting | ||
| Ensemble I (in an appropriate ensemble) | ||
| Ensemble II (in an appropriate ensemble) | ||
| Ensemble III (in an appropriate ensemble) | ||
| Studies in Performance Practices | ||
|
Music in the Community | ||
|
Music as Culture (in an appropriate topic) H | ||
| Musical Form and Analysis | ||
| Analysis of Music since 1900 | ||
|
History and Culture of Music (in an appropriate topic) H | ||
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
Jazz Studies
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 135 | Jazz Theory | 3 |
| Plus six hours from: | 6 | |
|
Introduction to Jazz | ||
| Jazz Improvisation I | ||
| Ensemble I (up to three hours in an appropriate ensemble) | ||
| Ensemble II (up to three hours in an appropriate ensemble) | ||
| Ensemble III (up to three hours in an appropriate ensemble) | ||
| Jazz Improvisation II | ||
| Jazz Composition and Arranging | ||
| Jazz Innovators | ||
|
History and Culture of Music (in an appropriate topic) H | ||
| Studies in Jazz | ||
|
UNC Summer Jazz Workshop | ||
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
Music History
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 355 |
History and Culture of Music (in an appropriate topic) H | 3 |
| Plus six hours from: | 6 | |
| Studies in Performance Practices | ||
|
Musical Movements: Migration, Exile, and Diaspora | ||
|
Music and Politics | ||
| Musical Form and Analysis | ||
| Analysis of Popular Music | ||
| Analysis of Music since 1900 | ||
|
History and Culture of Music (repeated; in an appropriate topic) H | ||
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
Music Theory
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 232 | Theory III H | 3 |
| Plus six hours taken from: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Composition | ||
| Introduction to Music Technology | ||
| Musical Form and Analysis | ||
| Counterpoint | ||
| Analysis of Popular Music | ||
| Analysis of Music since 1900 | ||
|
History and Culture of Music (in an appropriate topic) H | ||
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
Musicology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 355 |
History and Culture of Music H | 3 |
| Plus three hours from: | 3 | |
| Musical Form and Analysis | ||
| Counterpoint | ||
| Analysis of Popular Music | ||
| Analysis of Music since 1900 | ||
| Plus three hours from: | 3 | |
|
World Musics in Theory and Practice | ||
|
Musical Movements: Migration, Exile, and Diaspora | ||
|
History and Culture of Music (repeated) H | ||
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
Piano Performance
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Three hours from: | 3 | |
| Individual Keyboard Lessons | ||
| Advanced Individual Lessons in Keyboard H | ||
| Plus six hours from: | 6 | |
| Individual Keyboard Lessons (repeated) | ||
| Advanced Individual Lessons in Keyboard (repeated) H | ||
| Piano Literature | ||
| Piano Pedagogy | ||
| Studies in Performance Practices | ||
|
Advanced Keyboard Lessons and Recital | ||
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
Popular Music
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Six hours from: | 6 | |
|
Introduction to Rock Music | ||
|
Introduction to Country Music | ||
|
Introduction to Black Music | ||
| The Art and Culture of the DJ | ||
| Beat Making Lab | ||
| Rap Lab | ||
| Rock Lab | ||
| Popular Song in American Culture | ||
| Analysis of Popular Music | ||
| Plus three hours from any additional course listed in this category or from: | 3 | |
|
Introduction to Jazz | ||
|
Introduction to the Music of the Américas | ||
| Introduction to Music Technology | ||
| Jazz Innovators | ||
|
Music as Culture (in an appropriate topic) H | ||
|
History and Culture of Music (in an appropriate topic) H | ||
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
Classical Voice Performance
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two hours of: | ||
| MUSC 202 | Advanced Individual Lessons in Voice (in two semesters in an appropriate ensemble) H | 2 |
| MUSC 211 | Ensemble I (in two semesters in an appropriate ensemble) | 2 |
| Plus five hours from: | 5 | |
| Diction for Singers I (English/Italian) | ||
| Diction for Singers II (French) | ||
| Diction for Singers III (German) | ||
| Basic Conducting | ||
| Advanced Individual Lessons in Voice (repeated) H | ||
| Ensemble I (in an appropriate ensemble; up to three hours) | ||
| Ensemble II (in an appropriate ensemble; up to three hours) | ||
| Vocal Pedagogy | ||
| Studies in Performance Practices | ||
|
Advanced Voice Lessons and Recital H | ||
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
Special Opportunities
Honors in Music
Students interested in becoming candidates for a degree with honors in music should read the regulations governing departmental honors in the College of Arts and Sciences, found in the Degree Requirements section of this catalog, and should consult the honors advisor of the department toward the end of the sophomore year.
Study Abroad
The department actively encourages students to participate in study abroad programs to pursue their musical and other interests in an international context. The department maintains a strong relationship with institutions in Hong Kong, London, and Vienna, and can facilitate connections with programs around the world.
Department Programs
Majors
Minor
Graduate Programs
Co-Chair, Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships Committee
Nicholas DiEugenio
