Nov 02, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog [Current Academic Year] 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog [Current Academic Year]

Music Performance [B.M.]

Location(s): In-person/hybrid


Revised Program [Fall 2024]


The Bachelor of Music in Music Performance degree program is intended for those instrumental students seeking a professional music career.

Learn

Students in this program will develop their skills through intensive study of applied music, working individually with specialized faculty. They will gain further experience in large and small music ensembles and solo performances, including a required junior and senior solo recital. In addition, they will study music theory, music history, and other foundational courses in music.

Opportunities

Many students continue their musical education, completing a master’s degree and some pursuing a doctoral degree. The continued study of music can lead to a performing career in large ensembles, smaller chamber ensembles, or solo performance opportunities. This degree may also lead to a career as a college professor or private studio teacher. Some will combine music and other fields for a diversified career.

For more information on specific music program policies, please refer to the School of Music & Dance Student Handbook.

School Information


Music & Dance N101 Alexander, 734.487.4380 

Christopher Barrick, DMA, Director

Advisor Information


Robert Peavler, DMA, 339 Alexander, 734.487.3728

School of Music & Dance Admission


All prospective students (including transfers) must apply to the School of Music & Dance and complete an entrance audition. Admissions information and access to the School’s online application are available on the School’s website. Applications must be submitted at least seven days in advance of the requested audition day.

In addition to the degree requirements stated below, students must learn and abide by additional School of Music & Dance policies on the School’s website.

General Education Requirements:


For specific requirements, see General Education  or view the General Education Worksheet [PDF] .  

Major Requirements: 80-87 hours


Concert and Recital Attendance Graduation Requirement


 Students are required to satisfy a concert and recital attendance requirement. For additional details, please see Concert and Recital Attendance Graduation Requirement .

Core Requirements: 64-66 hours


Applied Music: 30 hours


  • Both a junior and a senior recital are required.
  • Students must enroll in Applied Music during the semester each recital is performed.
  • Students enrolled in Applied Music will also participate in a weekly studio class. Studio class times vary; please contact the Applied Music teacher for schedule.

Improvisation Requirement: 0-2 hours


Students in this degree must meet an improvisation requirement. This requirement may be met in one of the following ways:

  •   2 hrs
  •   1 hr
  •   1 hr
  • Other approved improvisation course (see an advisor for details)
  • Contract in Applied Music for at least one Fall or Winter semester. An improvisation Contract must be completed by the student and approved by the applied music instructor and school director at the beginning of the semester. A written evaluation of the student’s improvisation work must be provided by the applied music instructor and approved by the school director at the completion of the semester. Applied music improvisation projects can be in any style (jazz, classical, world music, etc.) and should be equivalent to one credit of independent study.

Concentration: 16-21 hours


Choose one concentration from the following.

Instrumental: 16-19 hours


Courses are chosen according to Area of Specialization.

Area I - Guitar

Students will complete all of the following.

  • Ensembles: Complete 8 credit hours of ensembles. No more than one credit hour per semester.
  • Chamber Music Performance: Complete MUEN 475 three times, for a total of three credit hours, but no more than one credit hour per semester.
  • Music Electives: Complete 5-8 credit hours of music coursework. See your advisor for course options.
Area II - Keyboard

Students will complete all of the following.

  • Ensembles: Complete 8 credit hours of ensembles. No more than one credit hour per semester.
  • Chamber Music Performance: Complete MUEN 475  three times, for a total of three credit hours, but no more than one credit hour per semester.
  • Music Electives: Complete 5-8 credit hours of music coursework. See your advisor for course options.
Area III - Strings

  • University Orchestra: Complete 8 credit hours (8 semesters) of MUEN 248L3 . No more than one credit hour per semester.

  • Principal Instrument: Choose one course from the following: Violin (AMUS 115A  or MUED 261 ), Viola (AMUS 115A  or MUED 262 ), Cello or String Bass (AMUS 115A  or MUED 263 )

  • Chamber Music Performance: Complete MUEN 475  three times, for a total of three credit hours, but no more than one credit hour per semester.

  • Music Electives: Complete 4-7 credit hours of music coursework. See your advisor for course options.

Area IV - Wind and Percussion

  • University Band: Complete 8 credit hours (8 semesters) of MUEN 249L3  and/or MUEN 251L3 . No more than one credit hour per semester.
  • Chamber Music Performance: Complete MUEN 475  three times, for a total of three credit hours, but no more than one credit hour per semester.
  • Music Electives: Complete 5-8 credit hours of music coursework. See your advisor for course options.

Vocal: 21 hours


Major Vocal Ensemble: 6 hours

Students will complete six credit hours of a major vocal ensemble. See your advisor for course options. A maximum of one credit hour per semester will count towards the degree.

Minor Requirement:


This major does not require a minor.

Program Total:


Students must earn a minimum total of 120 credits at the 100-level or above.

Critical Graduation Information


Each undergraduate student will be responsible for fulfilling the requirements (or their equivalents) of the Eastern Michigan University catalog in force at the time of their initial registration at a college or university or a subsequent catalog, including the one in effect at the time of their graduation.

In the event an undergraduate student does not complete the degree requirements within seven years of the date of their original registration at a college or university, the student may be required to have their credits re-evaluated by the academic department(s) of their major/minor in keeping with catalog requirements in force during the year of their graduation.

Minimum requirements for all bachelor’s degrees awarded by Eastern Michigan University

Some majors and minors require more than the minimum in one or more of the areas below; students are urged to consult this catalog for the requirements of their particular programs.

  • Earn a minimum total of 120 credit hours at the 100-level and above.
    • Courses numbered below 100 are not counted toward this degree requirement.
    • At most, eight credit hours of physical education (PEGN) activity courses are counted toward this requirement.
  • Meet the requirements of the General Education program (see information below), including completing a Writing Intensive (GEWI) course in the student’s major.
  • Earn a minimum of 60 credits from a four-year college or university; courses taken at community colleges cannot be used to meet this requirement (Some formal program-to-program articulation agreements modify this requirement. See specific agreements for details).
  • Earn a minimum of 30 credits from courses taken at EMU.
  • Complete 10 of the last 30 hours for the degree from courses taken at EMU.
  • Have a minimum of 30 unique credit hours in their major and 20 unique credit hours in their minor for a total of at least 50 unique credit hours between them. Some majors that require 50 or more hours themselves do not require a minor. A double major automatically satisfies the need for a minor unless one of the two majors requires a specific minor. Students should check the requirements of the selected major in the undergraduate catalog to see if a minor is required. 
  • Earn no more than 60 credit hours in one subject area (prefix). Credits over the 60 maximum will not be counted toward the minimum of 120 credits required for a bachelor’s degree.
  • Earn the minimum number of credits in 300-level and above courses in each major and minor as specified below - these credits must be earned in distinct courses; that is, no course can be used to fulfill this requirement in more than one major or minor.
    • Earn a minimum of 6 credits in 300-level or higher courses at EMU in each minor
    • Earn a minimum of 9 credits in 300-level or higher courses at EMU in each major that requires a minor.
    • Earn a minimum of 15 credits in 300-level or higher courses at EMU in each major that does not require a minor
  • Transfer credit will be awarded for courses taken at colleges and universities that are accredited by one of the recognized regional accrediting bodies only if the courses are college-level (equated to 100-level or above at EMU) and the student earned a “C” (or 2.0 on a 4 point scale) or better. Transfer credit may be awarded on a case-by-case basis for college-level courses in which a “C” (2.0) or better was earned at institutions outside the U.S. or at non-accredited U.S. institutions; individual departments/schools conduct the internal review of such courses within EMU, and additional documentation may be required. Please note: EMU awards only credit for transferred courses; grades are not used to calculate an EMU GPA.
  • Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in courses taken at EMU to graduate. In addition, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 must be reached in each major and minor. Only courses a student takes at EMU and those applied to their major or minor are used to calculate their major and minor cumulative GPAs. (Note: some programs may require a higher GPA - check with your program advisor.)

General Education Requirements - EMU’s General Education Program requires students to choose from a menu of approved courses in several different areas; do not assume that other courses in the same department or similar names will fulfill these requirements. A detailed description of General Education requirements is available in the General Education  section of the catalog.

Students who transferred to EMU may have modified general education requirements based on Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) or articulation agreements; consult your academic advisor for additional information.