Music B.A.
General Degree Requirements
To earn a baccalaureate degree, all students must complete successfully, in addition to any other requirements, the University of Montana General Education Requirements. Please refer to the General Education Requirements page for more information.
Additional requirements for graduation can be found on the Degree/Certificate Requirements for Graduation page.
Unless otherwise noted in individual program requirements, a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all work attempted at the University of Montana-Missoula is required for graduation. Please see the Academic Policies and Procedures page for information on how your GPA is calculated.
Courses taken to satisfy the requirements of a major, minor, or certificate program must be completed with a grade of C- or better unless a higher grade is noted in the program requirements.
Bachelor of Arts - Music
- This major has a minimum cumulative institutional GPA requirement of 2.75.
- Students must complete 51 Credits of non-music (MUSI, MUSE, MUST) courses.
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Seminar | ||
| Complete the following course: | ||
| MUSI 194 | Seminar | 1 |
| Applied | ||
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| MUSI 195 | Applied Study I | 2 |
| MUSI 295 | Applied Study II | 2 |
| Music Theory | ||
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| MUSI 105 | Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUSI 106 | Music Theory II | 2 |
| MUSI 205 | Music Theory III | 2 |
| Aural Perception | ||
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| MUSI 140 | Aural Perception I | 2 |
| MUSI 141 | Aural Perception II | 2 |
| MUSI 240 | Aural Perception III | 2 |
| Keyboard Skills | ||
| Complete all of the following courses: | ||
| MUSI 135A | Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
| MUSI 136A | Keyboard Skills II | 1 |
| Ensembles Requirement | ||
| Students must enroll in a minimum of one qualifying ensemble each semester while registered as a full-time student, resulting in at least 8 semesters of ensemble participation to satisfy degree requirements. Qualifying ensembles are determined by a student’s auditioned principal instrument in consultation with their faculty mentor and academic advisor. | ||
Lower-Division | ||
| Complete 4 credits from the following courses: | 4 | |
| Orchestra: UMSO | ||
| Choir | ||
| Band: UM Concert Band | ||
| Chamber Ensembles I | ||
Upper-Division | ||
| Complete 4 credits from the following courses: | 4 | |
| Orchestras II: UM | ||
| Opera Theatre II | ||
| Choir III | ||
| Band III: UM Concert Band | ||
| Jazz Ensemble II: UM | ||
| Chamber Ensemble III: UM | ||
| Assessment | ||
| Complete the following assessment, which is required to advance to upper-division study: | ||
| MUSI 296 | Upper-Division Required Performance | 0 |
| History and Culture | ||
| Complete the following course: | ||
| MUSI 302H | Music History II | 3 |
| Writing in the Disciplines Requirement | ||
| Complete one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Music 20th Century to Present | ||
| Topics in Music History | ||
| Cultural Studies in Music | ||
| Concert Attendance | ||
| All students majoring in Music are required to attend a minimum of 100 approved recitals/concerts prior to graduation. Upon completion of this requirement, students should register for the following course, which is typically taken in their final semester before graduation. | ||
| MUSI 388 | Concert Attendance UM | 0 |
| Upper-Division Music Electives | ||
| Complete 13 credits of courses in the following subject areas at the 300- or 400-level: | 13 | |
| Music (MUSI) | ||
| Music Education (MUSE) | ||
| Music Technology (MUST) | ||
| Total Hours | 46 | |
Tracks: Applied Studies | Composition | Jazz Studies | Music History | Musical Studies
Applied Studies
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Hours | |
| MUSI 105 | Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUSI 140 | Aural Perception I | 2 |
| MUSI 135A | Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
| MUSI 195 | Applied Study I | 1 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| WRIT 101 | College Writing I | 4 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| MUSI 194 | Seminar (optional but highly recommended) | 1 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSI 106 | Music Theory II | 2 |
| MUSI 141 | Aural Perception II | 2 |
| MUSI 136A | Keyboard Skills II | 1 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 101L |
Enjoyment of Music or History of Jazz or History of Rock & Roll or Country Music: Cowboys, Opry, and Nashville or Intro to Music Literature |
3 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Autumn | ||
| MUSI 205 | Music Theory III | 2 |
| MUSI 240 | Aural Perception III | 2 |
| MUSI 301H | Music History I | 3 |
| MUSI 295 | Applied Study II | 1 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| Humanities requirement | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSI 206 | Music Theory IV | 2 |
| MUSI 241 | Aural Perception IV | 2 |
| MUSI 295 | Applied Study II | 1 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 296 | Upper-Division Required Performance 1 | 0 |
| Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Junior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| MUSI 395 | Applied Study III | 1 |
| Upper-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 356 | Form & Analysis | 2 |
| Foreign Language I | 4 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 7 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSI 395 | Applied Study III | 1 |
| Upper-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 418 | Advanced Topics in Music Theory | 2 |
| Foreign Language II | 4 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 8 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Senior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| MUSI 495 | Applied Study IV | 1 |
| Upper-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 415 |
Music 20th Century to Present or Topics in Music History or Cultural Studies in Music |
3 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 9 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSI 495 | Applied Study IV | 1 |
| Upper-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 388 | Concert Attendance UM 2 | 0 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 13 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 117 | |
Last updated Autumn 2024
Composition
⚠ This is the degree map for a B.A. in Music - Composition, not a B.M. in Music - Composition.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Hours | |
| MUSI 105 | Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUSI 140 | Aural Perception I | 2 |
| MUSI 135A | Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
| MUSI 195 | Applied Study I | 1 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 180 | Composition I | 1-2 |
| MUSI 194 | Seminar (optional but highly recommended) | 1 |
| WRIT 101 | College Writing I | 4 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSI 106 | Music Theory II | 2 |
| MUSI 141 | Aural Perception II | 2 |
| MUSI 136A | Keyboard Skills II | 1 |
| MUSI 195 | Applied Study I | 1 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 101L |
Enjoyment of Music or History of Jazz or History of Rock & Roll or Country Music: Cowboys, Opry, and Nashville or Intro to Music Literature |
3 |
| MUSI 180 | Composition I | 1-2 |
| MUST 110 | Digital Audio & Multitracking | 2 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16-17 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Autumn | ||
| MUSI 205 | Music Theory III | 2 |
| MUSI 240 | Aural Perception III | 2 |
| MUSI 301H | Music History I | 3 |
| MUSI 280 | Composition II | 1-2 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSE 120 |
Techniques: String Instruments in Classical Music I (Techniques Course) or Techniques: String Instruments in Classical Music II or Techniques: Voice or Techniques: Percussion Instruments I or Techniques: Percussion Instruments II or Techniques: Upper Brass or Techniques: Lower Brass or Techniques: Woodwinds – Clarinet and Saxophone or Techniques: Woodwinds - Double Reed and Flute |
1 |
| Humanities requirement | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 1 | |
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSI 206 | Music Theory IV | 2 |
| MUSI 241 | Aural Perception IV | 2 |
| MUSI 280 | Composition II | 1-2 |
| MUSI 295 | Applied Study II | 1 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 296 | Upper-Division Required Performance 1 | 0 |
| MUST 210 | Sequencing, Synthesis, and Sampling | 2 |
| MUSE 120 |
Techniques: String Instruments in Classical Music I (Techniques Course) or Techniques: String Instruments in Classical Music II or Techniques: Voice or Techniques: Percussion Instruments I or Techniques: Percussion Instruments II or Techniques: Upper Brass or Techniques: Lower Brass or Techniques: Woodwinds – Clarinet and Saxophone or Techniques: Woodwinds - Double Reed and Flute |
1 |
| Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 1 | |
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| MUSI 380 | Composition III | 1-3 |
| Upper-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 356 | Form & Analysis | 2 |
| MUSE 120 |
Techniques: String Instruments in Classical Music I (Techniques Course) or Techniques: String Instruments in Classical Music II or Techniques: Voice or Techniques: Percussion Instruments I or Techniques: Percussion Instruments II or Techniques: Upper Brass or Techniques: Lower Brass or Techniques: Woodwinds – Clarinet and Saxophone or Techniques: Woodwinds - Double Reed and Flute |
1 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 9 | |
| Hours | 14-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSI 418 | Advanced Topics in Music Theory | 2 |
| Upper-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSE 120 |
Techniques: String Instruments in Classical Music I (Techniques Course) or Techniques: String Instruments in Classical Music II or Techniques: Voice or Techniques: Percussion Instruments I or Techniques: Percussion Instruments II or Techniques: Upper Brass or Techniques: Lower Brass or Techniques: Woodwinds – Clarinet and Saxophone or Techniques: Woodwinds - Double Reed and Flute |
1 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 12 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Senior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| MUSI 415 |
Music 20th Century to Present or Topics in Music History or Cultural Studies in Music |
3 |
| MUSI 440 | Orchestration | 2 |
| MUSI 480 | Composition IV | 1-3 |
| Upper-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 9 | |
| Hours | 16-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSI 388 | Concert Attendance UM 2 | 0 |
| Upper-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 12 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 119-127 | |
Last updated Autumn 2024
Jazz Studies
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Hours | |
| MUSI 105 | Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUSI 140 | Aural Perception I | 2 |
| MUSI 135A | Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
| MUSI 195 | Applied Study I | 1 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| WRIT 101 | College Writing I | 4 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| MUSI 194 | Seminar (optional but highly recommended) | 1 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSI 106 | Music Theory II | 2 |
| MUSI 141 | Aural Perception II | 2 |
| MUSI 136A | Keyboard Skills II | 1 |
| MUSI 195 | Applied Study I | 1 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Autumn | ||
| MUSI 205 | Music Theory III | 2 |
| MUSI 240 | Aural Perception III | 2 |
| MUSI 301H | Music History I | 3 |
| MUSI 295 | Applied Study II | 1 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 130L | History of Jazz | 3 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSI 206 | Music Theory IV | 2 |
| MUSI 241 | Aural Perception IV | 2 |
| MUSI 302H | Music History II | 3 |
| MUSI 295 | Applied Study II | 1 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 296 | Upper-Division Required Performance 1 | 0 |
| Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| MUSI 395 | Applied Study III | 1 |
| Upper-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 360 | Jazz Theory & Improvisation I (equivalent to 225) | 2 |
| Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 9 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Upper-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 460 | Jazz Theory & Improvisation II | 2 |
| MUSI 420 or MUSI 470 |
Jazz Pedagogy or Jazz Arranging & Composition |
3 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| Upper-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 415 |
Music 20th Century to Present or Topics in Music History or Cultural Studies in Music |
3 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 11 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Upper-Division Ensemble | 1 | |
| MUSI 420 or MUSI 470 |
Jazz Pedagogy or Jazz Arranging & Composition |
3 |
| MUSI 388 | Concert Attendance UM 2 | 0 |
| MUSI 499 | Senior Recital/Capstone Project (Senior Research Project) | 2 |
| MUSI 418 | Advanced Topics in Music Theory | 2 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 8 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Last updated Autumn 2024
Music History
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Hours | |
| MUSI 105 | Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUSI 140 | Aural Perception I | 2 |
| MUSI 135A | Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
| MUSI 195 | Applied Study I | 1 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 194 | Seminar (optional but highly recommended) | 1 |
| WRIT 101 | College Writing I | 4 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSI 106 | Music Theory II | 2 |
| MUSI 141 | Aural Perception II | 2 |
| MUSI 136A | Keyboard Skills II | 1 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 101L |
Enjoyment of Music or History of Jazz or History of Rock & Roll or Country Music: Cowboys, Opry, and Nashville or Intro to Music Literature |
3 |
| MUSI 207X | World Music (equiv to 307) | 3 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Autumn | ||
| MUSI 205 | Music Theory III | 2 |
| MUSI 240 | Aural Perception III | 2 |
| MUSI 301H | Music History I | 3 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| Humanities requirement | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSI 206 | Music Theory IV | 2 |
| MUSI 241 | Aural Perception IV | 2 |
| MUSI 302H | Music History II | 3 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 296 | Upper-Division Required Performance 1 | 0 |
| Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| MUSI 356 | Form & Analysis | 2 |
| MUSI 415 |
Music 20th Century to Present or Topics in Music History or Cultural Studies in Music |
3 |
| Foreign Language I | 4 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 7 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSI 418 | Advanced Topics in Music Theory | 2 |
| MUSI 415 |
Music 20th Century to Present or Topics in Music History or Cultural Studies in Music |
3 |
| Foreign Language II | 4 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 7 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Senior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| MUSI 415 |
Music 20th Century to Present or Topics in Music History or Cultural Studies in Music |
3 |
| Upper-Division Music Elective | 2 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 10 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSI 388 | Concert Attendance UM 2 | 0 |
| MUSI 499 | Senior Recital/Capstone Project (Senior Research Project) | 1-4 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 12 | |
| Hours | 13-16 | |
| Total Hours | 120-123 | |
Last updated Autumn 2024
Musical Studies
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Hours | |
| MUSI 105 | Music Theory I | 2 |
| MUSI 140 | Aural Perception I | 2 |
| MUSI 135A | Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
| MUSI 195 | Applied Study I | 1 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| WRIT 101 | College Writing I | 4 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| MUSI 194 | Seminar (optional but highly recommended) | 1 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSI 106 | Music Theory II | 2 |
| MUSI 141 | Aural Perception II | 2 |
| MUSI 136A | Keyboard Skills II | 1 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 101L |
Enjoyment of Music or History of Jazz or History of Rock & Roll or Country Music: Cowboys, Opry, and Nashville or Intro to Music Literature |
3 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Autumn | ||
| MUSI 205 | Music Theory III | 2 |
| MUSI 240 | Aural Perception III | 2 |
| MUSI 301H | Music History I | 3 |
| MUSI 295 | Applied Study II | 1 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| Humanities requirement | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSI 206 | Music Theory IV | 2 |
| MUSI 241 | Aural Perception IV | 2 |
| MUSI 302H | Music History II | 3 |
| MUSI 295 | Applied Study II | 1 |
| Lower-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 296 | Upper-Division Required Performance 1 | 0 |
| Humanities Requirement | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| MUSI 395 | Applied Study III | 1 |
| Upper-Division Ensemble (see advisor) | 1 | |
| MUSI 356 | Form & Analysis | 2 |
| Foreign Language I | 4 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 7 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSI 415 |
Music 20th Century to Present or Topics in Music History or Cultural Studies in Music |
3 |
| MUSI 418 | Advanced Topics in Music Theory | 2 |
| Foreign Language II | 4 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| MUSI 415 |
Music 20th Century to Present or Topics in Music History or Cultural Studies in Music |
3 |
| General Education Course or Elective | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUSI 388 | Concert Attendance UM 2 | 0 |
| Upper-Division Music Elective | 3 | |
| General Education Course or Elective | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Last updated Autumn 2024