Music

major

Program at a Glance

Degree(s)

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Music

College(s)/School(s)

College of Arts and Humanities

Department(s)

Performing Arts - Music

In our Music program, you will prepare for a career in performance, composition, or education. You'll receive professional instruction on various instruments, develop your skills, and explore music technology, conducting, and improvisation. Participate in ensemble performances, and refine your craft under the guidance of experienced faculty. Unleash your creativity, showcase your talent, and embark on a fulfilling musical journey.

At CNU, you can focus your studies even further in the following subject areas:

Performance
Composition
Music Studies
Creative Studies
Pre-Certification: Choral
Pre-Certification: Instrumental

Degree Requirements

Music

Students majoring in Music who complete all requirements earn the degree of BA, Music.

Core

APP MUSC 131 - Applied Music
APP MUSC 132 - Applied Music
APP MUSC 231 - Applied Music
APP MUSC 232 - Applied Music
MUSC 014 (four semesters)
Eight credits in:
- MUSC 101 - Wind Ensemble
- MUSC 102 - University Orchestra
- MUSC 105 - Chamber Choir
- MUSC 106 - Women’s Chorus
- MUSC 111
- MUSC 112 - Marching Band
- MUSC 114 - University Band
- MUSC 117 - Men’s Chorus
Four semesters of piano
MUSC 012 - Performance Attendance (eight semesters)
MUSC 492 - Music Capstone Project

Electives

Six credits of upper-level music electives
Six credits of upper-level, non-music electives
Nine credits of upper- or lower-level non-music electives
MUSC 125 - Elementary Improvisation Skills
MUSC 200 - Music Technology
MUSC 209 - Elementary Ear Training
MUSC 210 - Elementary Ear Training
MUSC 211 - The Tonal System
MUSC 212 - Tonal Harmony and Voice Leading
MUSC 303 - History of Western Music
MUSC 304 - History of Western Music
MUSC 305W - History of Western Music
MUSC 306 - Global Transformations: “World Music” and the “World”
MUSC 309 - Advanced Ear Training
MUSC 310 - Advanced Ear Training
MUSC 311 - Chromatic Harmony
MUSC 312 - Extended Tonal Techniques and Atonality
Select one:
- MUSC 314 - Principles of Choral Conducting
- MUSC 316 - Principles of Instrumental Conducting
Select one:
- PHIL 201 - Ancient and Medieval Philosophy
- PHIL 202 - Modern Philosophy
- PHIL 207 - Ethical Issues in Business: A Critical Thinking Approach
- PHIL 304 - Ethics and Current Value Questions
- PHIL 337 - Radical Evil and the Philosophy of Law
- PHIL 376 - Environmental Ethics
- PHIL 384 - Medical Ethics
- RSTD 337 - Religion and Ecology
Three credits in FNAR
Three credits in THEA

Composition concentration

Students majoring in Music with a concentration in Composition who complete all requirements earn the degree of BM, Music.

MUSC 125 - Elementary Improvisation Skills
MUSC 200 - Music Technology
MUSC 209 - Elementary Ear Training
MUSC 210 - Elementary Ear Training
MUSC 211 - The Tonal System
MUSC 212 - Tonal Harmony and Voice Leading
MUSC 303 - History of Western Music I
MUSC 304 - History of Western Music
MUSC 305W - History of Western Music
MUSC 306 - Global Transformations: “World Music” and the “World”
MUSC 309 - Advanced Ear Training
MUSC 310 - Advanced Ear Training
MUSC 311 - Chromatic Harmony
MUSC 312 - Extended Tonal Techniques and Atonality
Select one:
- MUSC 314 - Principles of Choral Conducting
- MUSC 316 - Principles of Instrumental Conducting
MUSC 401W - Seminar in Music Bibliography
MUSC 411 - Post-Tonal Theory
MUSC 413 - Counterpoint
MUSC 415 - Orchestration
APP COMP 131-132 and APP COMP 231-232
APP MUSC 131-132 and APP MUSC 231-232 (non-composition); four semesters of MUSC 014 - Masterclass
APP COMP 331-332 and APP COMP 431-432; four semesters of MUSC 014 - Masterclass
MUSC 220 - Brass Instrument Techniques
MUSC 230 - Woodwind Instrument Techniques
MUSC 240 - Percussion Techniques
MUSC 250 - String Instrument Techniques
Twelve credits of electives within or outside of MUSC
Eight credits in:
- MUSC 101 - Wind Ensemble
- MUSC 102 - University Orchestra
- MUSC 105 - Chamber Choir
- MUSC 106 - Women’s Chorus
- MUSC 111
- MUSC 112 - Marching Band
- MUSC 114 - University Band
- MUSC 117 - Men’s Chorus
Four semesters of piano
Eight semesters in MUSC 012 - Performance Attendance

Performance concentration

Students majoring in Music with a concentration in Performance who complete all requirements earn the degree of BM, Music.

Brass, Woodwinds, Percussion, Keyboard, Strings, Voice

MUSC 125 - Elementary Improvisation Skills
MUSC 200 - Music Technology
MUSC 209 - Elementary Ear Training
MUSC 210 - Elementary Ear Training
MUSC 211 - The Tonal System
MUSC 212 - Tonal Harmony and Voice Leading
MUSC 303 - History of Western Music I
MUSC 304 - History of Western Music
MUSC 305W - History of Western Music
MUSC 306 - Global Transformations: “World Music” and the “World”
MUSC 309 - Advanced Ear Training
MUSC 310 - Advanced Ear Training
MUSC 311 - Chromatic Harmony
MUSC 312 - Extended Tonal Techniques and Atonality
Select one:
- MUSC 314 - Principles of Choral Conducting
- MUSC 316 - Principles of Instrumental Conducting
Instrumentalists select one:
- MUSC 391 - String Literature and Pedagogy
- MUSC 394 - Keyboard Literature and Pedagogy
- MUSC 396 - Woodwind Literature and Pedagogy
- MUSC 39
- MUSC 398 - Percussion Literature and Pedagogy
Vocalists must take:
- MUSC 261 - Opera Workshop
- MUSC 265 - Foreign Language Diction I
- MUSC 266 - Foreign Language Diction II
- MUSC 450 - Vocal Literature
- MUSC 496 - Vocal Pedagogy
- THEA 230 - Practical Acting: From Broadway to Boardroom
- One 200-level course in French, German or Italian
Keyboardists must take an upper-level music elective, and all instrumentalists must take an upper-level elective that is writing intensive
Twelve credits of electives within or outside of MUSC
APP MUSC 133-134 - Applied Music
APP MUSC 233-234 - Applied Music
APP MUSC 333-334 - Applied Music: Junior recital)
APP MUSC 433-434 - Applied Music: Senior recital)
Eight credits in:
- MUSC 101 - Wind Ensemble
- MUSC 102 - University Orchestra
- MUSC 111
- MUSC 112 - Marching Band
- MUSC 114 - University Band
Four credits of chamber ensembles for instrumentalists (for percussion take MUSC 124 - Percussion Ensemble)
Four for keyboardists
Eight credits in:
- MUSC 105 - Chamber Choir
- MUSC 106 - Women's Chorus
- MUSC 117 - Men's Chorus
One credit in MUSC 107 - Opera CNU for vocalists
Four semesters of piano (keyboardists must take MUSC 216 - Advanced Keyboard Skills II)
Eight semesters in MUSC 012 - Performance Attendance and MUSC 014 - Masterclass

Music Studies concentration

Students majoring in Music with a concentration in Music Studies who complete all requirements earn the degree of BA, Fine and Performing Arts.

In addition to successful completion of the liberal learning curriculum, the degree requires successful completion of the following:

Six credit hours of upper-level music electives;
Six credit hours of upper-level, non-music electives;
MUSC 492 (capstone);
Nine credit hours of upper- or lower-level non-music electives;
MUSC 125, 200, 209-210, 211-212, 303-304-305, 306, 309-310, 311-312; MUSC 314 or 316;
APP MUSC 131-132 and 231-232; four semesters of MUSC 014;
Eight credit hours in MUSC 100, 101, 102, 103, 105, 112, or 114, depending on area of concentration (keyboardists take eight credit hours of MUSC 127); one credit of chamber ensembles;
Four semesters of piano;
Eight semesters in MUSC 012 (performance attendance);
One course (3 credit hours): PHIL 201, 202, 207, 304, 337, 376, 384 or RSTD 337;
Three credit hours in FNAR and three credit hours in THEA;
Pass the exit examinations in music theory, ear training and music history and complete the ETS Music Field Test;
Pass the scales (instrumentalists only) and piano proficiency examinations and successfully complete the Library Orientation

Creative Studies concentration

Students majoring in Music with a concentration in Creative Studies who complete all requirements earn the degree of BA, Fine and Performing Arts.

In addition to successful completion of the liberal learning curriculum, the degree requires successful completion of the following:

Nine credit hours of upper- or lower-level, non-music electives from the following: CPSC 110, 125, 140, 150, 250, 270, 280; FNAR 117, 118, 128, 205, 333;
Six credit hours of upper-level, non-music electives from the following: CPSC 327, 330, 335, 350, 440; FNAR 331, 332, 333, 334;
MUSC 492 (capstone);
Three credit hours in FNAR;
Three credit hours in THEA or DANC from the following: THEA 252, 250; DANC 204, 205, 206;
Three credit hours from the following: PHIL 201, 202, 207, 304, 337, 376, 384; RSTD 337;
MUSC 125, 200, 209-210, 211-212, 303-304-305, 306, 315, 417;
BUSN 302;
Six credit hours of upper-level music electives;
APP MUSC 131-132, 231-232;
Four semesters of MUSC 014;
Eight credit hours in MUSC 100, 101, 102, 103, 105, 112, or 114 (keyboardists take eight credit hours of MUSC 127), depending on area of concentration;
Four credit hours in MUSC 104 (Electronic Music Ensemble) and one credit in MUSC 104 (Chamber Ensemble);
MUSC 115-116;
Eight semesters of MUSC 012 (performance attendance);
Successfully complete the Library Orientation.

Choral Music pre-certification

Students majoring in Music with a concentration in Pre-Certification in Choral Music who complete all requirements earn the degree of BM, Music.

MUSC 125 - Elementary Improvisation Skills
MUSC 200 - Music Technology
MUSC 209 - Elementary Ear Training
MUSC 210 - Elementary Ear Training
MUSC 211 - The Tonal System
MUSC 212 - Tonal Harmony and Voice Leading
MUSC 303 - History of Western Music I
MUSC 304 - History of Western Music
MUSC 305W - History of Western Music
MUSC 306 - Global Transformations: “World Music” and the “World”
MUSC 309 - Advanced Ear Training
MUSC 310 - Advanced Ear Training
MUSC 311 - Chromatic Harmony
MUSC 312 - Extended Tonal Techniques and Atonality
MUSC 314 - Principles of Choral Conducting
MUSC 401W - Seminar in Music Bibliography
MUSC 220 - Brass Instrument Techniques
MUSC 230 - Woodwind Instrument Techniques
MUSC 240 - Percussion Techniques
MUSC 250 - String Instrument Techniques
MUSC 265 - Foreign Language Diction I
MUSC 266 - Foreign Language Diction II
One 200-level course in French, German or Italian
MUSC 415 - Orchestration
MUSC 496 - Vocal Pedagogy
MUSC 510 - Foundations of Music Education
MUSC 520 - Choral Literature and Conducting
MUSC 580 - Jazz Ensemble Techniques
APP MUSC 131-132 - Applied Music
APP MUSC 231-232 - Applied Music
APP MUSC 331-332 - Applied Music
APP MUSC 431-432 - Applied Music: Senior Recital
Eight credits in any of the following:
- MUSC 105 - Chamber Choir
- MUSC 106 - Women’s Chorus
- MUSC 117 - Men’s Chorus
MATH 125 - Elementary Statistics
Select one:
- PSYC 207 - Lifespan Development
- PSYC 208 - Child Development
PSYC 312 - Educational Psychology
SOCL 314 - Education, Culture and Society
CPSC 110 - Introduction to Computing
THEA 230 - Practical Acting: From Broadway to Boardroom
Four semesters of piano
One credit of electives, in or outside of MUSC
Eight semesters in MUSC 012 - Performance Attendance and MUSC 014 - Masterclass

Instrumental Music pre-certification

Students majoring in Music with a concentration in Pre-Certification in Instrumental Music who complete all requirements earn the degree of BM, Music.

MUSC 125 - Elementary Improvisation Skills
MUSC 200 - Music Technology
MUSC 209 - Elementary Ear Training
MUSC 210 - Elementary Ear Training
MUSC 211 - The Tonal System
MUSC 212 - Tonal Harmony and Voice Leading
MUSC 303 - History of Western Music I
MUSC 304 - History of Western Music
MUSC 305W - History of Western Music
MUSC 306 - Global Transformations: “World Music” and the “World”
MUSC 309 - Advanced Ear Training
MUSC 310 - Advanced Ear Training
MUSC 311 - Chromatic Harmony
MUSC 312 - Extended Tonal Techniques and Atonality
MUSC 316 - Principles of Instrumental Conducting
MUSC 401W - Seminar in Music Bibliography
MUSC 220 - Brass Instrument Techniques
MUSC 230 - Woodwind Instrument Techniques
MUSC 240 - Percussion Techniques
MUSC 250 - String Instrument Techniques
MUSC 260 - Voice Techniques
MUSC 415 - Orchestration
MUSC 510 - Foundations of Music Education
MUSC 580 - Jazz Ensemble Techniques
Select one depending on area of concentration:
- MUSC 530 - Wind Literature and Conducting
- MUSC 540 - Orchestral Literature and Conducting
APP MUSC 131-132 - Applied Music
APP MUSC 231-232 - Applied Music
APP MUSC 331-332 - Applied Music
APP MUSC 431-432 - Applied Music: Senior Recital
Eight credits in any of the following:
- MUSC 101 - Wind Ensemble
- MUSC 102 - University Orchestra
- MUSC 111 -
- MUSC 112 - Marching Band (four credits of MUSC 112 are required for band emphasis)
- MUSC 114 - University Band
MATH 125 - Elementary Statistics
Select one:
- PSYC 207 - Lifespan Development
- PSYC 208 - Child Development
PSYC 312 - Educational Psychology
SOCL 314 - Education, Culture and Society
CPSC 110 - Introduction to Computing
THEA 230 - Practical Acting: From Broadway to Boardroom
Four semesters of piano
Eight semesters in MUSC 012 - Performance Attendance and MUSC 014 - Masterclass
Four credits of chamber ensembles (MUSC 124 for percussion)
One credit of electives in or outside of MUSC

Course Catalog

Career Options

Musician/Performer
Music Teacher/Instructor
Music Producer
Music Therapist
Composer/Arranger