Music Major, Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.)
David Garcia, Chair
Evan Feldman, Associate Chair for Performance, Composition, and Music Education
Jocelyn Neal, Associate Chair for Academic Studies
Lee Weisert, Director of Undergraduate Studies (Spring 2021)
Tonu Kalam, Director of Undergraduate Studies (Fall 2020)
Evan Feldman, Chair, Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships Committee
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 63 credit hours in music and at least 54 credit hours outside the major.
Department Programs
Majors
Minor
Graduate Programs
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
- attain a final cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
- complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill courses
- take at least half of their major course requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill
- earn a minimum of 18 hours of C or better in the major core requirements (some majors require 21 hours).
For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| Foundations (three hours): | ||
| MUSC 120 | Foundations in Music | 3 |
| Musicianship (three hours): | ||
| MUSC 130 | Musicianship Skills I | 1 |
| MUSC 133 | Musicianship Skills II | 1 |
| MUSC 230 | Musicianship Skills III | 1 |
| Music theory (nine hours): | ||
| MUSC 131 | Theory I (requires a grade of C or better) H | 3 |
| MUSC 132 | Theory II (requires a grade of C or better) H | 3 |
| MUSC 232 | Theory III H | 3 |
| Music History (six hours): | ||
| MUSC 254 | Studies in Music History I, Antiquity to 1750 | 3 |
| MUSC 255 | Studies in Music History II, 1750 to the Present | 3 |
| Capstone seminar (three hours), one of: | 3 | |
| Studies in Performance Practices | ||
| World Musics in Theory and Practice | ||
| Musical Form and Analysis | ||
| Counterpoint | ||
| Analysis of Popular Music | ||
| Analysis of Music since 1900 | ||
| History and Culture of Music H | ||
| Studies in Jazz | ||
| Individual Lessons (14 hours): chosen from MUSC 200–MUSC 207 taken over seven semesters (or the equivalent for students whose primary focus is composition; see below). 1 | 14 | |
| Ensemble performance (eight hours) chosen from: | 8 | |
| Ensemble I (at least five hours) | ||
| Ensemble II | ||
| Keyboard skills (two hours) chosen from: | 2 | |
| Individual Keyboard Lessons | ||
| Keyboard Skills I | ||
| Advanced Individual Lessons in Keyboard (with the approval of the director of undergraduate studies) H | ||
| Keyboard Skills II | ||
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Global music requirement (at least one hour): Within the required courses, ensembles, or electives, students must take at least one of the ensembles or courses that engage primarily with repertoires or concepts outside the tradition of Western art music, chosen from "Global Music Requirement" below. | ||
| Music electives (15 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 Hours | 63 | |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| 1 | Students may petition the director of undergraduate studies to count toward this requirement no more than two hours of MUSC 100–MUSC 107. Two of these 14 hours may be substituted by three of MUSC 300–MUSC 306. Students wishing to take an eighth semester of individual lessons may use an additional two hours of MUSC 200–MUSC 207 or three of MUSC 300–MUSC 306 for elective credit. In any case, MUSC 300–MUSC 306 may only be taken twice within the program. |
Students pursuing the B.Mus. must complete at least 63 credit hours in music, which is combined with an additional 57 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.
Global Music Requirement
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 146 | Introduction to World Musics | 3 |
| MUSC 147 | Introduction to the Music of the Américas | 3 |
| MUSC 148 | Introduction to Black Music | 3 |
| MUSC 164 | Music of South Asia | 3 |
| MUSC 212 | Ensemble II (in an appropriate ensemble: Bluegrass Band, Charanga Carolina, Gamelan, Global Rhythms) | 1 |
| MUSC 234 | World Musics in Theory and Practice | 3 |
| MUSC 240 | Performance in Southeast Asia: Gongs, Punks, and Shadow Plays | 3 |
| MUSC 245 | Dance in Indonesia | 3 |
| MUSC 258 | Musical Movements: Migration, Exile, and Diaspora | 3 |
| MUSC 291 | Music and Politics | 3 |
| MUSC 292 | Media and Social Change in Africa | 3 |
| or any other appropriate departmental course or ensemble (including MUSC 286, 355) approved by the director of undergraduate studies. | ||
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 100–MUSC 107 and MUSC 200–MUSC 207) requires an audition.
Composition
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 307 | Advanced Composition/Recital | 3 |
| Plus nine hours taken from: | 9 | |
| Introduction to Music Technology | ||
| Composition (repeated) | ||
| Musical Form and Analysis | ||
| Counterpoint | ||
| 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. |
Ethnomusicology
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 234 | World Musics in Theory and Practice | 3 |
| Plus six hours from: | 6 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 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: | ||
| Advanced String Lessons and Recital H | ||
| Advanced Woodwind Lessons and Recital H | ||
| Advanced Brass Lessons and Recital H | ||
| Advanced Brass Lessons and Recital H | ||
| 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 | ||
| Music in the Community | ||
| Music as Culture H | ||
| Musical Form and Analysis | ||
| Analysis of Music since 1900 | ||
| 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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 135 | Jazz Theory | 3 |
| MUSC 163 | Jazz Improvisation I | 3 |
| Plus six hours from: | 6 | |
| 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 | ||
| 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 Education
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 168 | Basic Conducting | 3 |
| MUSC 226 | Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, and Strings Techniques | 3 |
| MUSC 227 | Keyboard, Vocal, and Elementary Music Techniques | 3 |
| MUSC 228 | Principles of Teaching Music | 3 |
Music History
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 355 | History and Culture of Music (in an appropriate topic) H | 3 |
| Plus nine hours taken from: | 9 | |
| Studies in Performance Practices | ||
| Musical Movements: Migration, Exile, and Diaspora | ||
| Music and Politics | ||
| Musical Form and Analysis | ||
| Counterpoint | ||
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
| 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 taken from: | 3 | |
| Musical Form and Analysis | ||
| Counterpoint | ||
| Analysis of Popular Music | ||
| Analysis of Music since 1900 | ||
| History and Culture of Music (repeated) H | ||
| Plus three hours taken from: | 3 | |
| World Musics in Theory and Practice | ||
| 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
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Three hours of: | ||
| MUSC 300 | Advanced Keyboard Lessons and Recital H | 3 |
| 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 | ||
| Advanced Keyboard 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. |
Popular Music
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Six hours taken 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 six hours from any additional courses listed in this category or from: | 6 | |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 123 | Diction for Singers I (English/Italian) | 1 |
| MUSC 124 | Diction for Singers II (French) | 1 |
| MUSC 125 | Diction for Singers III (German) | 1 |
| MUSC 302 | Advanced Voice Lessons and Recital H | 3 |
| Plus six hours from: | 6 | |
| Basic Conducting | ||
| Vocal Pedagogy | ||
| Studies in Performance Practices | ||
| Gender on the Musical Stage | ||
| 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.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| MUSC 120 | Foundations in Music | 3 |
| MUSC 136 | Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
| MUSC 20x | Individual Lessons | 2 |
| MUSC 211 | Ensemble I | 1 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MUSC 131 & MUSC 130 | Theory I and Musicianship Skills I H | 4 |
| MUSC 236 | Keyboard Skills II | 1 |
| MUSC 20x | Individual Lessons | 2 |
| MUSC 211 | Ensemble I | 1 |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MUSC 132 & MUSC 133 | Theory II and Musicianship Skills II H | 4 |
| MUSC 254 | Studies in Music History I, Antiquity to 1750 | 3 |
| MUSC 20x | Individual Lessons | 2 |
| MUSC 211 | Ensemble I | 1 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MUSC 232 & MUSC 230 | Theory III and Musicianship Skills III H | 4 |
| MUSC 255 | Studies in Music History II, 1750 to the Present | 3 |
| MUSC 20x | Individual Lessons | 2 |
| MUSC 211 | Ensemble I | 1 |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MUSC --- | Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| MUSC 20x | Individual Lessons | 2 |
| MUSC 211 | Ensemble I | 1 |
| MUSC --- | Music Elective | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MUSC 20x | Individual Lessons | 2 |
| MUSC 211 or MUSC 212 | Ensemble I or Ensemble II | 1 |
| MUSC --- | Music Elective Global | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| MUSC 20x | Individual Lessons | 2 |
| MUSC 211 or MUSC 212 | Ensemble I or Ensemble II | 1 |
| MUSC --- | Music Elective | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| MUSC 30x | Individual Lessons with Recital | 3 |
| MUSC 211 or MUSC 212 | Ensemble I or Ensemble II | 1 |
| MUSC --- | Music Elective | 3 |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Total Hours | 63 | |
| 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 General Education Curriculum and Degree Requirements section of this catalog (click on the Degrees and Honors tab), 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.
