Music Major, Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.)

The Bachelor of Music program is designed for those seeking a degree that offers a more extensive component in performance, history, ethnomusicology, theory, composition, or music education. Students must complete 64 credit hours in music and at least 54 credit hours outside the major.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the music program (B.Mus.), 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. 

Core Requirements
Foundations:
MUSC 120IDEAs in Action General Education logo Foundations in Music F3
Musicianship:
MUSC 128Improvisation Without Borders1
Two additional courses (two hours), chosen from:2
Aural-based Musicianship
Tonal Musicianship Skills I
Tonal Musicianship Skills II
Music Theory:
MUSC 131Tonal Theory I (requires a grade of C or better) H3
Two courses (six hours), chosen from:6
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Tonal Theory II (requires a grade of C or better) H
Jazz Theory
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Patterns in Music
Beat Making Lab
Introduction to Composition
Theory III H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo World Musics in Theory and Practice
Inside the Song: Analysis of Songcraft
Critical Approaches to Music:
MUSC 270IDEAs in Action General Education logo Critical Approaches to Music: Object Lessons3
MUSC 271IDEAs in Action General Education logo Critical Approaches to Music: Critical Moves3
MUSC 351IDEAs in Action General Education logo Critical Approaches to Music: Guided Research3
Individual Lessons (twelve hours): chosen from MUSC 200MUSC 207 taken over six semesters (or the equivalent for students whose primary focus is composition). 112
Ensemble performance (eight hours) chosen from:8
Ensemble I
Ensemble II
Chamber Music 2, H
Keyboard skills (two hours) chosen from:2
Jazz Theory
Keyboard Skills I
Advanced Individual Lessons in Keyboard 3, H
Keyboard Skills II
Senior Presentation3
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Keyboard Lessons and Recital
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Voice Lessons and Recital H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced String Lessons and Recital H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Woodwind Lessons and Recital H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Brass Lessons and Recital H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Percussion Lessons and Recital H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Composition/Recital
Intermediate Lessons in Conducting
Advanced Lessons in Conducting
Additional Requirements
Music electives (fifteen hours) chosen from MUSC courses: students may count no more than six 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.15
Total Hours64
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

Students may petition the director of undergraduate studies to count toward this requirement no more than two hours of MUSC 100–MUSC 107. Students wishing to take a seventh semester of individual lessons may use an additional two hours of MUSC 200–MUSC 207 for elective credit.

2

Pursuant to area needs and preferences, or by approval of the director of undergraduate studies. 

3

With the approval of the director of undergraduate studies.

Students pursuing the B.Mus. must complete at least 64 credit hours in music, which is combined with an additional 56 credit hours for a total of 120 credit hours. Students may receive no more than 66 credit hours in music and must complete a minimum of 54 credit hours of coursework outside music, including all General Education requirements.

Students who wish to gain certification to teach music in public schools may take a prescribed course of study as part of the bachelor of music degree and apply to the music education licensure program offered through the School of Education. Admission to the music education licensure program requires a separate application to the School of Education (usually submitted during the spring of the first year), and candidates must meet North Carolina Department of Public Instruction licensure standards and be able to complete the course of study prior to spring of their senior year. Students who complete the program are eligible for North Carolina initial-level licensure.

Optional Pathways within the Bachelor of Music Degree

Students working toward the bachelor of music 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 12 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 100MUSC 107 and MUSC 200MUSC 207) requires an audition.

Composition

MUSC 307IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Composition/Recital3
Plus nine hours taken from:9
Introduction to Music Technology
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Composition (repeated)
Musical Form and Analysis
Counterpoint
Analysis of Music since 1900
IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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.

Ethnomusicology

MUSC 234IDEAs in Action General Education logo World Musics in Theory and Practice3
Plus six hours from:6
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to World Musics
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to the Music of the Américas
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Black Music
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Music of South Asia
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Musical Movements: Migration, Exile, and Diaspora
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Music in the Community
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Music as Culture (in an appropriate topic) H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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

Three hours from:3
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced String Lessons and Recital H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Woodwind Lessons and Recital H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Brass Lessons and Recital H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Percussion Lessons and Recital H
Plus three hours of individual lessons on a second instrument:3
Individual Keyboard Lessons
Individual Voice Lessons
Individual String Lessons
Individual Woodwind Lessons
Individual Brass Lessons
Individual Percussion Lessons
Applied Instruction
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
Or an additional semester of:
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced String Lessons and Recital H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Woodwind Lessons and Recital H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Brass Lessons and Recital H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Brass Lessons and Recital H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Percussion Lessons and Recital H
Plus six hours from:6
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
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Music in the Community
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Music as Culture H
Musical Form and Analysis
Analysis of Music since 1900
IDEAs in Action General Education logo History and Culture of Music 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

MUSC 135Jazz Theory3
MUSC 163Jazz Improvisation I3
Plus six hours from:6
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Jazz
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
IDEAs in Action General Education logo History and Culture of Music (in an appropriate topic) H
Studies in Jazz
IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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 Education

MUSC 168Basic Conducting3
MUSC 226Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, and Strings Techniques3
MUSC 227Keyboard, Vocal, and Elementary Music Techniques3
MUSC 228Principles of Teaching Music3

Music History

MUSC 355IDEAs in Action General Education logo History and Culture of Music (in an appropriate topic) H3
Plus nine hours taken from:9
Studies in Performance Practices
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Musical Movements: Migration, Exile, and Diaspora
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Music and Politics
Musical Form and Analysis
Counterpoint
Analysis of Popular Music
Analysis of Music since 1900
IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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

Twelve hours taken from:12
Introduction to Composition
Introduction to Music Technology
Musical Form and Analysis
Counterpoint
Analysis of Popular Music
Analysis of Music since 1900
IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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

MUSC 355IDEAs in Action General Education logo History and Culture of Music H3
Plus three hours taken from:3
Musical Form and Analysis
Counterpoint
Analysis of Popular Music
Analysis of Music since 1900
IDEAs in Action General Education logo History and Culture of Music (repeated) H
Plus three hours taken from:3
IDEAs in Action General Education logo World Musics in Theory and Practice
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Musical Movements: Migration, Exile, and Diaspora
Plus three hours from any additional course listed in this category or from:3
Studies in Performance Practices
Jazz Improvisation II
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

Three hours of:
MUSC 300IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Keyboard Lessons and Recital3
Plus nine hours from:9
Individual Keyboard Lessons (up to three hours on organ or harpsichord)
Jazz Improvisation I
Basic Conducting
Piano Literature
Piano Pedagogy
Studies in Performance Practices
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Keyboard Lessons and Recital (repeated)

Popular Music

Six hours taken from:6
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Rock Music
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Country Music
IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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 six hours from any additional courses listed in this category or from:6
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Jazz
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to the Music of the Américas
Introduction to Music Technology
Jazz Innovators
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Music as Culture (in an appropriate topic) H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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

MUSC 123Diction for Singers I (English/Italian)1
MUSC 124Diction for Singers II (French)1
MUSC 125Diction for Singers III (German)1
MUSC 302IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Voice Lessons and Recital H3
Plus six hours from:6
Basic Conducting
Vocal Pedagogy
Studies in Performance Practices
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Gender on the Musical Stage
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Advanced Voice Lessons and Recital (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.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans can be used as a guide to identify the courses required to complete the major and other requirements needed for degree completion within the expected eight semesters. The actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Students should meet with their academic advisor to create a degree plan that is specific and unique to their interests. The sample plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UNC–Chapel Hill in the fall term. Some courses may not be offered every term.

Plan of Study Grid
First YearHours
First-Year Foundation Courses
IDST 101 IDEAs in Action General Education logo College Thriving 1
ENGL 105
IDEAs in Action General Education logo English Composition and Rhetoric
or IDEAs in Action General Education logo English Composition and Rhetoric (Interdisciplinary)
3
First-Year Seminar or First-Year Launch 1, F 3
Triple-I and Data Literacy 4
Global Language through level 3 varies
Hours 11
Fall Semester
MUSC 120 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Foundations in Music 1, F 3
Keyboard Skills 1-3
Jazz Theory
Keyboard Skills I
Advanced Individual Lessons in Keyboard H
Musicianship 1
Improvisation Without Borders
MUSC 20xIndividual Lessons 2
Ensemble 1
Hours 8-10
Spring Semester
MUSC 131
MUSC 130
Tonal Theory I
and Tonal Musicianship Skills I H
4
Keyboard Skills 1-3
Jazz Theory
Keyboard Skills II
Advanced Individual Lessons in Keyboard H
MUSC 20xIndividual Lessons 2
Ensemble 1
Hours 8-10
Second Year
Fall Semester
Theory 3
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Tonal Theory II H
Jazz Theory
IDEAs in Action General Education logo Patterns in Music
Beat Making Lab
Introduction to Composition
Musicianship 1
Aural-based Musicianship
Tonal Musicianship Skills II
MUSC 270 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Critical Approaches to Music: Object Lessons 3
MUSC 2xxLessons 2
Ensemble 1
Hours 10
Spring Semester
Theory 3
Theory III H
IDEAs in Action General Education logo World Musics in Theory and Practice
Inside the Song: Analysis of Songcraft
MUSC 271 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Critical Approaches to Music: Critical Moves 3
MUSC 20xIndividual Lessons 2
Ensemble 1
Hours 9
Junior Year
Fall Semester
MUSC 351 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Critical Approaches to Music: Guided Research 3
MUSC 20xIndividual Lessons 2
Ensemble 1
MUSC ---Music Elective 3
Hours 9
Spring Semester
MUSC 20xIndividual Lessons 2
Ensemble 1
MUSC ---Music Elective 6
Hours 9
Senior Year
Fall Semester
MUSC 30xSenior Presentation (or in spring semester) 3
Ensemble 1
MUSC ---Music Elective 3
Hours 7
Spring Semester
Senior Presentation (if not completed in Fall Semester)
Ensemble 1
MUSC ---Music Elective 3
Hours 4
Total Hours 75-79
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

Students are strongly encouraged to complete their FY-LAUNCH requirement with MUSC 120. If not, students will need to take another FY-SEMINAR or FY-LAUNCH course to fulfill the IDEAs in Action requirement.  

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 of Music

Visit Program Website

Hill Hall, CB# 3320

(919) 962-1039

Chair

Jocelyn Neal

jneal@email.unc.edu

Associate Chair for Performance, Composition, and Music Education

Evan Feldman

evanfeldman@unc.edu

Associate Chair for Academic Studies

Mark Katz

mkatz@unc.edu

Director of Undergraduate Studies

Lee Weisert

weisert@email.unc.edu

Registrar

Angeline Warren

awarren@email.unc.edu

Co-Chair, Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships Committee

Juan Álamo

jalamo@email.unc.edu

Co-Chair, Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships Committee

LaToya Lain

lalain@email.unc.edu