Music Performance: Instrumental (BM)

Degree: Bachelor of Music
Major: Music Performance – Instrumental Performance
Program Code: 3285

About This Major . . .

The Bachelor of Music Performance is designed for those students who desire a performance-focused career. A strong core curriculum of musicianship courses includes music theory, history, literature, pedagogy, ensemble performance, and applied study. These courses develop the student's abilities and prepare them to perform in a plethora of venues. As a musician in the 21st Century, this degree also seeks to create excellent performers who create their own future. This program will train musicians with professional skills to make their own opportunities, shape their careers like entrepreneurs, produce their own performances, collaborate with artists from other genres and art forms, and perform at a high artistic level.  Training in the following areas will assist performers to create a meaningful career in music: identifying entrepreneurial opportunities in music and the creative sector, interdisciplinary collaborations, e-marketing your music, creating an artist’s digital portfolio, video marketing, and independent business website.

For more information on what you can do with this major, visit Career Services’ What to Do with a Major? resource.

All CMU baccalaureate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy. In addition to these campus-wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:

  1. Create a digital portfolio that demonstrates experience with your instrument and reflects current trends in the music profession (Applied Learning)
    2.
  2. Develop musical interpretations using musical analysis (Quantitative Fluency)
    3.
  3. Explain knowledge of music history in presentations (Specialized Knowledge)
    4.
  4. Develop musical interpretations through solo performances (Critical Thinking)
    5.
  5. Demonstrate professionalism through ethical conduct, reflection, and leadership (Personal and Social Responsibility)
    6.
  6. Find relevant sources of information, evaluate information critically, and apply the information appropriately and effectively to specific purposes (Information Literacy)

Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements. 

To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity. 

Institutional Degree Requirements

The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU baccalaureate degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.

  • 120 semester hours minimum.
  • Students must complete a minimum of 30 of the last 60 hours of credit at CMU, with at least 15 semester hours in major discipline courses numbered 300 or higher.
  • 40 upper-division credits (an alternative credit limit applies to the Bachelor of Applied Science degree).
  • 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
  • A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
  • No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
  • Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 30 semester credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 15 of the 30 credits may be for cooperative education, internships, and practica.
  • Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
  • Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
  • The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
  • See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.

Essential Learning Requirements

(31 semester hours)

See the current catalog for a list of courses that fulfill the requirements below. If a course is an Essential Learning option and a requirement for your major, you must use it to fulfill the major requirement and make a different selection for the Essential Learning requirement.

English 1
ENGL 111English Composition I-GTCO13
ENGL 112English Composition II-GTCO23
Mathematics 1
MATH 110Mathematical Investigations-GTMA13
History
Select one History course3
Humanities
Select one Humanities course3
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course3
Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course3
Fine Arts
Select one Fine Arts course3
Natural Sciences 2
Select one Natural Sciences course3
Select one Natural Sciences course with a lab4
Total Semester Credit Hours31
1

Must receive a grade of “C” or better and must be completed by the time the student has 60 semester hours.

2

One course must include a lab.

Other Lower Division Requirements

Wellness Requirement
KINE 100Health and Wellness1
Select one Activity course1
Essential Learning Capstone 1
ESSL 290Maverick Milestone3
ESSL 200Essential Speech1
Total Semester Credit Hours6
1

Essential Learning Capstone must be taken after completion of the Essential Learning English and Mathematics requirements, and when a student has earned between 45 and 75 hours.

Foundation Courses

(24 semester hours, must pass each course with a grade of "C" or better.)

MUSA 111Music Technology1
MUSA 114Theory I-Introduction3
MUSA 115Theory II-Diatonic Concepts3
MUSA 116Ear Training and Sightsinging I2
MUSA 117Ear Training and Sightsinging II2
MUSA 214Theory III - Chromatic Concepts3
MUSA 215Theory IV - Twentieth Century Form and Analysis3
MUSL 1__Music Lesson2
MUSL 2__Music Lesson2
MUSP 1__Music Performance1
MUSP 1__Music Performance1
MUSP 2__Music Performance1
Total Semester Credit Hours24

Program Specific Degree Requirements

(54 semester hours, must pass all courses with a “C” or better and maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA or higher in coursework in this area.)

  • MUSP and MUSL credits may only be used once on a program sheet.  Student should consult their advisor when determining the section to use these courses.
  • Students deficient in piano skills will be required to complete MUSA 130, MUSA 131, MUSA 230, and MUSA 231 in the first two years.  Some Essential Learning credits will have to be completed in the junior year
Music Core
MUSA 101Concert Attendance0
MUSA 101Concert Attendance0
MUSA 101Concert Attendance0
MUSA 101Concert Attendance0
MUSA 101Concert Attendance0
MUSA 101Concert Attendance0
MUSA 101Concert Attendance0
MUSA 101Concert Attendance0
MUSA 250Beginning Conducting2
MUSA 258Introduction to Improvisation1
MUSA 268Beginning Jazz Improvisation1
MUSA 311Advanced Music Technology2
MUSA 317Applied Orchestration and Arranging2
MUSA 326Music History and Literature I3
MUSA 327Music History and Literature II3
MUSA 363Music Industry and Marketing2
Select one of the following Music Business Electives:2
MUSA 312
Electronic Music
MUSA 365
Entrepreneurship for Creatives
MUSA 367
Arts Management
MUSA 426The Music of World Cultures2
MUSP 320Junior Recital1
MUSL 1__Music Lesson2
MUSL 2__Music Lesson2
MUSL 3__Music Lesson2
MUSL 3__Music Lesson2
MUSL 4__Music Lesson2
MUSL 4__Music Lesson2
MUSP 2__Music Performance1
MUSP 3__Music Performance1
MUSP 3__Music Performance1
MUSP 4__Music Performance1
MUSP 4__Music Performance1
MUSP 420Senior Recital/Presentation1
Foreign Language
One course in any foreign language 13
Instrumental Performance
MUSA 303Symphonic Literature3
MUSL 340Instrumental Pedagogy and Literature1
MUSL 340Instrumental Pedagogy and Literature1
Select 4 semester hours chosen from the following Restricted Electives:4
MUSA 368
Advanced Jazz Improvisation
MUSA 350B
Advanced Conducting: Instrumental
MUSP 3__
Upper Division Music Performance Ensemble
MUSP 4__
Upper Division Music Performance Ensemble
Select 3 semester hours chosen from Fine and Performing Arts, must be outside of the concentration3
Total Semester Credit Hours54
1

Must receive a grade of “C” or better.

General Electives

All college level courses appearing on your final transcript, not listed above that will bring your total semester hours to 120 hours, including 40 upper-division hours. 5 semester hours, including 1 upper-division hour.

Select electives5
Total Semester Credit Hours5

While the total semester hours below reads 119-121, students must complete a minimum of 120 hours for this degree. This variation is due to different options for vocal and instrumental students, which results in varying potential credit hours by semester. Students should work with their advisor to make sure the correct number of Music Elective hours are completed depending on the course selected to complete this requirement. 

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterSemester Credit Hours
MUSA 101 Concert Attendance 0
MUSA 111 Music Technology 1
MUSA 114 Theory I-Introduction 3
MUSA 116 Ear Training and Sightsinging I 2
MUSL 1__Music Lesson 2
MUSP 1__Music Performance 1
MATH 110 Mathematical Investigations-GTMA1 3
ENGL 111 English Composition I-GTCO1 3
 Semester Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
MUSA 101 Concert Attendance 0
MUSA 115 Theory II-Diatonic Concepts 3
MUSA 117 Ear Training and Sightsinging II 2
MUSL 1__Music Lesson 2
MUSP 1__Music Performance 1
ENGL 112 English Composition II-GTCO2 3
Essential Learning - Fine Arts 3
 Semester Credit Hours14
Second Year
Fall Semester
MUSA 101 Concert Attendance 0
MUSA 214 Theory III - Chromatic Concepts 3
MUSA 258 Introduction to Improvisation 1
MUSL 2__Music Lesson 2
MUSP 2__Music Performance 1
Essential Learning - Natural Science with Lab 4
Essential Learning - History 3
Fine Arts Course (Outside Music) 3
 Semester Credit Hours17
Spring Semester
MUSA 101 Concert Attendance 0
MUSA 215 Theory IV - Twentieth Century Form and Analysis 3
MUSA 250 Beginning Conducting 2
MUSL 2__Music Lesson 2
MUSP 2__Music Performance 1
Essential Learning - Natural Science 3
ESSL 290 Maverick Milestone 3
ESSL 200 Essential Speech 1
KINA Activity 1
 Semester Credit Hours16
Third Year
Fall Semester
MUSA 101 Concert Attendance 0
MUSA 268 Beginning Jazz Improvisation 1
MUSA 317 Applied Orchestration and Arranging 2
MUSA 326 Music History and Literature I 3
MUSL 340 Instrumental Pedagogy and Literature 1
MUSL 3__Music Lesson 2
MUSP 3__Music Performance 1
Restricted Electives 2
MUSA 363 Music Industry and Marketing 2
or select a Music Business Elective.
 Semester Credit Hours14
Spring Semester
MUSA 101 Concert Attendance 0
MUSA 303
or MUSA 426
 Symphonic Literature
or The Music of World Cultures
 2-3
MUSA 327 Music History and Literature II 3
MUSP 320 Junior Recital 1
MUSL 340 Instrumental Pedagogy and Literature 1
Restricted Electives 2
MUSL 3__Music Lesson 2
MUSP 3__Music Performance 1
Foundation Course - Foreign Language 3
 Semester Credit Hours15-16
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
MUSA 101 Concert Attendance 0
MUSL 4__Music Lesson 2
MUSP 4__Music Performance 1
MUSA 311 Advanced Music Technology 2
Essential Learning – Humanities 3
Essential Learning – Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
KINE 100 Health and Wellness 1
Upper Division General Electives 1
MUSA 363 Music Industry and Marketing 2
or select a Music Business Elective.
 Semester Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
MUSA 101 Concert Attendance 0
MUSA 303
or MUSA 426
 Symphonic Literature
or The Music of World Cultures
 2-3
Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
MUSL 4__Music Lesson 2
MUSP 4__Music Performance 1
MUSP 420 Senior Recital/Presentation 1
General Electives 4
 Semester Credit Hours13-14
 Total Semester Credit Hours119-121

Advising Process and DegreeWorks

Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. The suggested course sequencing outlines how students could finish degree requirements. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters, while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and altering the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for their intended degree(s).

DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a degree and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.

Graduation Process

Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:

  • Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
  • Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
  • Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
  • Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.

Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/graduation.html.

If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be their responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.