Music (BA) Performance

Summary

The degree is ideal for students seeking a career on stage, in the teaching studio, or in a sacred setting. The degree provides students the opportunity to practice and refine their craft. Students studying performance will have more access to one-on-one applied lessons with faculty and work side-by-side with other performers to create dynamic, professional-level concerts and media projects.
Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Bachelor of Arts

Major Credits

73

Total Credits

120

Locations

Mankato

Career Cluster

Arts, Audio/Video, Technology, and Communications

Accreditation

NASM

National Association of Schools of Music

Update Your Major

Program Requirements

Major Common Core

Part 1 of a three-course sequence focusing on music theory, sight-singing, ear training, and piano skills.

Prerequisites: none

Part 2 of a three-course sequence focusing on music theory, sight-singing, ear training, and piano skills.

Prerequisites: none

Part 3 of a three-course sequence focusing on music theory, sight-singing, ear training, and piano skills.

Prerequisites: none

Demonstrate mastery of musicianship skills through performance, conducting, arranging, collaboration and/or other creative activities, considering multiple musical genres. Demonstration of an awareness of social/historical context of music through a written/an or oral presentation. Demonstrate entrepreneurial skills.

Prerequisites: none

Major Restricted Electives

Students should only take one Music History as a writing intensive class.

Music History 1 - Choose 3 Credit(s).

This writing-intensive course focuses on the repertory of Western Music from prehistory through 1800. It examines the ways that culture and patronage impacted music developments, and focuses on techniques appropriate to research, including finding, evaluating, and using sources.

Prerequisites: ENG 101, MUSC 131

Musical styles of western culture prior to 1800. There is a particular focus on developing the skills for teaching the content in K-12 teaching.

Prerequisites: MUS 231, MUS 232, ENG 101

Music History 2 - Choose 3 Credit(s).

This writing-intensive course focuses on the repertory of Western Music from 1800 to the present. It examines the ways that culture and patronage impacted music developments, and focuses on techniques appropriate to research, including finding, evaluating, and using sources.

Prerequisites: ENG 101, MUS 131

Musical styles of western culture after 1800. There is a particular focus on developing the skills for teaching the content in K-12 teaching.

Prerequisites: MUS 231, MUS 232, ENG 101

Emphasis Common Core

Choose 8 credit(s):
take one series from World Language and Cultures.

Emphasis Restricted Electives

Select One Area of Specialization

Specialization: Vocal Performance

Foundation

Part 1 of a three-course sequence in choral music education methods.

Prerequisites: none

This pedagogical ensemble is part of the music education sequence, and this course allows students to focus on the skills needed for successful conducting in school music settings.

Prerequisites: none

Applying the International Phonetic Alphabet to song texts in English, French, Italian, Spanish and German.

Prerequisites: none

Significant musical forms, past and present.

Prerequisites: none

A survey of solo and small ensemble vocal literature through classical art song, musical theater and contemporary styles.

Prerequisites: none

Principles of applied voice instruction and application of healthy vocal techniques.

Prerequisites: none

Lessons - Choose 20 Credit(s).

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor

Introducing fundamental healthy vocal technique, practice techniques, performance practices, collaborative musicianship, stage deportment, basic solfege, and elements of critical listening. Learning skills that are applied to private study for all music majors and minors. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor

Ensemble - Choose 11 Credit(s).

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

No audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

A select group of approximately 20 singers who perform works for small ensemble. The group tours regularly in the state and in the region. Prereq: audition required

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

A select group of wind and percussion players. Open to all students who play a band instrument. Concerts on and off campus. Prereq: audition required

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

No audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: MUS 299

No audition required.

Prerequisites: MUS 299. Permission

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Experience in accompanying. Advanced pianists may participate in chamber ensembles. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Directing and accompanying large vocal ensembles from the keyboard.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Working collaboratively with smaller vocal ensembles and vocal soloists at the keyboard in different styles and genres.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

No audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Specialization: Piano Performance

Foundation - *MUSP 215 and MUSP 315 may be repeated for credit. A total of 2 credits is required for each course.

Part 1 of a three-course sequence in choral music education methods.

Prerequisites: none

Significant musical forms, past and present.

Prerequisites: none

Technical problems in relationship to different styles.

Prerequisites: none

A survey of literature for the keyboard from the early baroque to the present.

Prerequisites: none

Experience in accompanying. Advanced pianists may participate in chamber ensembles. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Experience in accompanying. Advanced pianists may participate in chamber ensembles. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Lessons - Choose 24 Credit(s).

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor required.

Ensemble - Choose 8 Credit(s).

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

No audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

A select group of approximately 20 singers who perform works for small ensemble. The group tours regularly in the state and in the region. Prereq: audition required

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

A select group of wind and percussion players. Open to all students who play a band instrument. Concerts on and off campus. Prereq: audition required

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

No audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: MUS 299

No audition required.

Prerequisites: MUS 299. Permission

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Experience in accompanying. Advanced pianists may participate in chamber ensembles. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Directing and accompanying large vocal ensembles from the keyboard.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Working collaboratively with smaller vocal ensembles and vocal soloists at the keyboard in different styles and genres.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

No audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Junior Capstone - Choose 1 Credit(s).

Specialization: Instrumental Performance

Foundation

Covers the legal framework of the music industry in the U.S. and abroad. Emphasis is placed on the publishing business, recording contracts, vertically integrated media deals, and the entertainment business.

Prerequisites: none

Examines promotions from three perspectives: 1) The promotion of music and artists. 2) The promotion of other products, services and causes through using music. 3) The presentation and promotion of oneself as a music expert.

Prerequisites: none

This course is part of the instrumental music education degree program. It focuses on the pedagogy of teaching individual or groups of instruments.

Prerequisites: none

Part 1 of a three-course sequence in instrumental music education methods.

Prerequisites: none

Significant musical forms, past and present.

Prerequisites: none

Lessons - Choose 20 Credit(s).

Private instruction in jazz. This instruction would be individualized to the areas of focus of individual students (i.e. jazz improvisation, jazz theory, jazz arranging).

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor

Audition required. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Private lessons on a secondary instrument. This course is designed for music teachers who wish to gain basic proficiency on instruments other than their primary instrument of study.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor required.

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor required.

Initial preparations for capstone experience through performances and possible junior recital; Advanced techniques in pedagogy; Collaborative and independent musicianship developed; Introduction to entrepreneurial skills; Service or in-service activities. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor required.

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor

Audition required. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Upper Level Jury, and consent, permission of instructor.

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor.

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor.

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor.

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor.

Audition required.

Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor.

Ensemble - Choose 12 Credit(s).

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

No audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

A select group of approximately 20 singers who perform works for small ensemble. The group tours regularly in the state and in the region. Prereq: audition required

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-11

A select group of wind and percussion players. Open to all students who play a band instrument. Concerts on and off campus. Prereq: audition required

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

No audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-06, GE-11

Audition required.

Prerequisites: MUS 299

No audition required.

Prerequisites: MUS 299. Permission

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Experience in accompanying. Advanced pianists may participate in chamber ensembles. May be repeated.

Prerequisites: none

Directing and accompanying large vocal ensembles from the keyboard.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Working collaboratively with smaller vocal ensembles and vocal soloists at the keyboard in different styles and genres.

Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

No audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Part 1 of a three-course sequence focusing on music theory, sight-singing, ear training, and piano skills.

Prerequisites: none

Musical styles of western culture prior to 1800. There is a particular focus on developing the skills for teaching the content in K-12 teaching.

Prerequisites: MUS 231, MUS 232, ENG 101

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 16 Credits

Part 2 of a three-course sequence focusing on music theory, sight-singing, ear training, and piano skills.

Prerequisites: none

This writing-intensive course focuses on the repertory of Western Music from 1800 to the present. It examines the ways that culture and patronage impacted music developments, and focuses on techniques appropriate to research, including finding, evaluating, and using sources.

Prerequisites: ENG 101, MUS 131

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Second Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Part 3 of a three-course sequence focusing on music theory, sight-singing, ear training, and piano skills.

Prerequisites: none

This pedagogical ensemble is part of the music education sequence, and this course allows students to focus on the skills needed for successful conducting in school music settings.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 14 Credits

Part 1 of a three-course sequence in choral music education methods.

Prerequisites: none

Significant musical forms, past and present.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Third Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Applying the International Phonetic Alphabet to song texts in English, French, Italian, Spanish and German.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 16 Credits

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Fourth Year

Fall - 14 Credits

Principles of applied voice instruction and application of healthy vocal techniques.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none

Spring - 14 Credits

Demonstrate mastery of musicianship skills through performance, conducting, arranging, collaboration and/or other creative activities, considering multiple musical genres. Demonstration of an awareness of social/historical context of music through a written/an or oral presentation. Demonstrate entrepreneurial skills.

Prerequisites: none

Audition required.

Prerequisites: none