Oct 10, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Music (BM)


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The Bachelor of Music (BM) in Composition, with special areas of interest in instrumental, vocal, and piano, provides training in composition, orchestration, and arranging and prepares students for professional work in music.

The Bachelor of Music (BM) in Music Education, a five-year program, with areas of interest in instrumental and vocal, prepares the student for a career in public school music teaching while earning Nevada teacher certification.

The Bachelor of Music (BM) in Performance, with special areas of interest in instrumental, vocal, and piano, prepares the student to begin a professional career in music. All Bachelor of Music degrees in performance provide thorough preparation for further study in music at the graduate level.

Please see the UNLV College of Fine Arts - School of Music web page at www.unlv.edu/music for information about department programs, faculty and facilities. Degree worksheets and 4/5 year plan for the major are available at www.unlv.edu/degree/bm

Available Options

  • Composition/Instrumental
  • Composition/Piano
  • Composition/Vocal
  • Music Education/Instrumental
  • Music Education/Vocal
  • Performance/Instrumental
  • Performance/Piano
  • Performance/Vocal

Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the UNLV School of Music with a Bachelor of Arts degree will:

  1. Perform in one primary performance medium, at a level appropriate for the area of specialization, with sufficient technical and musical skills requisite for artistic self-expression;
  2. Demonstrate broad working knowledge of the solo repertoire for their primary performance medium, at a level appropriate for the area of specialization, and display essential skills to interpret a range of styles within that repertoire;
  3. Perform in solo and ensemble (large and small) settings at a level appropriate for the area of specialization, with sufficient technical and musical skills requisite for artistic self-expression;
  4. Read solo and ensemble (large and small) literature at sight with fluency demonstrating both general musicianship and, in the primary performance medium, a skill level relevant to professional standards appropriate for the area of concentration;
  5. Demonstrate in written, verbal, aural, and visual methods knowledge of styles, composers, genres, forms and processes of Western European art music through present time, including contributions to this tradition made by composers of both genders and multicultural societies;
  6. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of harmony, musical form, and compositional process, and the ability to use this knowledge in written, verbal, aural, and visual analyses;
  7. Demonstrate fluency in written fundamentals and aural comprehension of music theory (including aural dictation);
  8. Utilize the piano for personal music study and instruction;
  9. Synthesize performance, historical, stylistic, analytical, and technological information to solve artistic problems and form musical interpretations, and convincingly communicate these solutions and interpretations in written, verbal, aural, and visual methods;
  10. Develop and plan for instruction in P-12 settings (Music Education Only);
  11. Facilitate the technical development and artistic growth of students’ musical skills through appropriate pedagogical techniques and methodologies (Music Education Only).

Career Possibilities

The Bachelor of Music in Performance (Instrumental or Vocal concentration) prepares the student to attain the knowledge, competencies, and skills to enter many professional careers in music.

Musicians

  • Performer
  • Composer
  • Contractor
  • Teacher
  • Arts administrator
  • Music technologist

Performers

  • Conductors
  • Solo and chamber musicians
  • Commercial or studio musicians
  • Ensemble players
  • Freelancers
  • Military ensemble performers

Composers

  • Arrangers
  • Orchestrators
  • Film Composers
  • Copyists

Music Educators

  • Private studios
  • Public schools
  • Colleges and universities
  • Community music schools
  • Early childhood music programs

There are many other positions in arts administration; artist management, media music, music retailing, instrument repair, manufacturing, and design, and the recording industry.

Advising


Please see advising information at the UNLV College of Fine Arts Student Advising Center.

Modality: Blended


This program requires some In-Person courses to graduate, while other courses can be taken online. A blended student is one who has committed to pursuing their degree, minor, certificate, or microcredential through both in-person and online education.

Accreditation


For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.

University Graduation Requirements


Please see Graduation Policies  for complete information.

Music (BM) Degree Requirements - Total: 120 Credits


General Education Requirements - Subtotal: 37-40


First-Year Seminar - Credits: 2-3


English Composition - Credits: 6


Second-Year Seminar - Credits: 3


Mathematics - Credits: 3


Distribution Requirement: Credits: 19


 Please see Distribution Requirements  for more information.

  • Humanities and Fine Arts
    • Automatically satisfied by Major requirement
  • Social Science: 9 Credits 
  • Life and Physical Sciences and Analytical Thinking: 10 Credits

Multicultural and International


Multicultural and International for Musical Education/Instrumental Concentration


Composition Concentration - Instrumental - Subtotal: 80 Credits


Music History or Theory Elective - Credits: 5


Total Credits: 120


Notes


  1. Students must complete  ,  ,  , and   or show proficiency.
  2. Optional Jazz Emphasis — MUS 257 , MUS 258 ,   , MUSA Jazz Lessons (6 credits). May use three credits of MUSE 131,   to fulfill ensemble requirement of 3 credits. 20 credits.
  3. Composition majors must fulfill Theory/Musicianship courses ( ) with a minimum grade of B-.

Composition Concentration - Piano - Subtotal: 80 Credits


Music Applied for non-majors Elective - Credits: 6


Music History or Theory Elective - Credits: 5


Total Credits: 120


Notes


  1. Students must complete    , and   or show proficiency.
  2. Optional Jazz Emphasis - MUS 257 MUS 258 ,  , MUS 359 . MUSA Jazz Lessons (6 credits). May use three credits of MUSE 131,   to fulfill ensemble requirement. 20 credits.
  3. Composition majors must fulfill Theory/Musicianship courses ( ,  ,   ) with a minimum grade of B-.

 

Composition Concentration - Vocal - Subtotal: 77 Credits


Music History or Theory Elective - Credits: 5


Total Credits: 120


Notes


  1.  Students must complete  ,     or show proficiency.
  2.  Optional Jazz Emphasis — MUS 257 , MUS 258 ,   , MUSA Vocal Jazz Lessons (6 credits). May use three credits of MUSE 135, MUSE 431 , to fulfill ensemble requirement. 20 credits.
  3. Composition majors must fulfill Theory/Musicianship courses with a minimum grade of B-.

Music Education Concentration - Instrumental - Subtotal: 99 Credits


Students whose primary instrument is guitar or piano must choose one of the following: Vocal Ed/Guitar, Vocal Ed/Piano, Instrumental Ed/Guitar, Instrumental Ed/Piano. 

All courses for this concentration require a minimum of C grade.

Total Credits: 136 - 139


Notes


  1. Every student must pass MUS 167  Piano Proficiency before registering for MUS 399  and student teaching.
  2. All music education students must complete an application and be approved for student teaching (MUS 481E, MUS 481S) in the semester before they intend to student teach. Students must have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher and no grade below C, passing scores on the PPST, completion of all other required classes, and complete the required fingerprinting.
  3. MUS 481E and MUS 481S are taken in the final semester before graduation. No other classes may be taken during this student teaching semester; all other required classes must be completed before registering for student teaching.
  4. It is highly recommended that students take and pass PRAXIS II tests in order to complete the Nevada Department of Education requirements for licensure and qualify for employment in the state.
  5. Drum-Set, Jazz Guitar, or Jazz Piano students seeking a Music Education/Instrumental concentration are required to take 6 semesters of 1 credit applied lessons in their primary instruments and 6 semesters of 1 credit classical applied lessons, and attend classical repertoire and jazz repertoire classes during their course of study.
  6. OPTION: Music education students who want to add a jazz option to their degree must contact the Division of Jazz and Commercial Music.

Music Education Concentration - Instrumental/Guitar - Subtotal: 103 credits


Students whose primary instrument is guitar or piano must choose one of the following: Vocal Ed-Guitar, Vocal Ed-Piano, Instrumental Ed-Guitar, Instrumental Ed-Piano. 


All courses for this major require a minimum C grade.

Total Credits: 140 - 143


Notes


  1. Every student must pass MUS 167   Piano Proficiency before registering for MUS 399   and student teaching.
  2. All music education students must complete an application and be approved for student teaching (MUS 481E, MUS 481S) in the semester before they intend to student teach. Students must have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher and no grade below C, passing scores on the PPST, completion of all other required classes, and complete the required fingerprinting.
  3. MUS 481E and MUS 481S are taken in the final semester before graduation. No other classes may be taken during this student teaching semester; all other required classes must be completed before registering for student teaching.
  4. It is highly recommended that students take and pass PRAXIS II tests in order to complete the Nevada Department of Education requirements for licensure and qualify for employment in the state.
  5. Drum-Set, Jazz Guitar, or Jazz Piano students seeking a Music Education/Instrumental concentration are required to take 6 semesters of 1 credit applied lessons in their primary instruments and 6 semesters of 1 credit classical applied lessons, and attend classical repertoire and jazz repertoire classes during their course of study.
  6. OPTION: Music education students who want to add a jazz option to their degree must contact the Division of Jazz and Commercial Music.

Music Education Concentration - Instrumental/Piano - Subtotal: 103 credits


Students whose primary instrument is guitar or piano must choose one of the following: Vocal Ed-Guitar, Vocal Ed-Piano, Instrumental Ed-Guitar, Instrumental Ed-Piano.


All courses for this major require a minimum C grade.

Total Credits: 136 - 139


Notes


  1. Every student must pass MUS 167 Piano Proficiency before registering for MUS 399 and student teaching.
  2. All music education students must complete an application and be approved for student teaching (MUS 481E, MUS 481S) in the semester before they intend to student teach. Students must have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher and no grade below C, passing scores on the PPST, completion of all other required classes, and complete the required fingerprinting.
  3. MUS 481E and MUS 481S are taken in the final semester before graduation. No other classes may be taken during this student teaching semester; all other required classes must be completed before registering for student teaching.
  4. It is highly recommended that students take and pass PRAXIS II tests in order to complete the Nevada Department of Education requirements for licensure and qualify for employment in the state.
  5. Drum-Set, Jazz Guitar, or Jazz Piano students seeking a Music Education/Instrumental concentration are required to take 6 semesters of 1 credit applied lessons in their primary instruments and 6 semesters of 1 credit classical applied lessons, and attend classical repertoire and jazz repertoire classes during their course of study.
  6. OPTION: Music education students who want to add a jazz option to their degree must contact the Division of Jazz and Commercial Music.

Music Education Concentration - Vocal - Subtotal: 103 Credits


Students whose primary instrument is guitar or piano must choose one of the following: Vocal Ed-Guitar, Vocal Ed-Piano, Instrumental Ed-Guitar, Instrumental Ed-Piano. 

 

All courses for this concentration require a minimum C grade. 

 

Total Credits: 140 - 143


Notes


  1. Every student must pass MUS 167 Piano Proficiency before registering for MUS 399 and student teaching.
  2. All music education students must complete an application and be approved for student teaching (MUS 481E, MUS 481S) in the semester before they intend to student teach. Students must have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher and no grade below C, passing scores on the PPST, completion of all other required classes, and complete the required fingerprinting.
  3. MUS 481E and MUS 481S are taken in the final semester before graduation. No other classes may be taken during this student teaching semester; all other required classes must be completed before registering for student teaching.
  4. It is highly recommended that students take and pass PRAXIS II tests in order to complete the Nevada Department of Education requirements for licensure and qualify for employment in the state.
  5. Jazz Guitar students seeking a Music Education/Vocal-Guitar concentration, and Jazz Piano students seeking a Music Education/Vocal-Piano concentration, are required to take 6 semesters of 1 credit applied lessons in their primary instrument and 6 semesters of 1 credit classical applied lessons, and attend classical repertoire and jazz repertoire classes during their course of study.
  6. OPTION: Music education students who want to add a jazz option to their degree must contact the Division of Jazz and Commercial Music.

Music Education Concentration - Vocal/Guitar - Subtotal: 104 Credits


Students whose primary instrument is guitar or piano must choose one of the following: Vocal Ed-Guitar, Vocal Ed-Piano, Instrumental Ed-Guitar, Instrumental Ed-Piano.
 

All courses for this concentration require a minimum C grade.

 

Total Credits: 141 - 144


Notes


  1. Every student must pass MUS 167 Piano Proficiency before registering for MUS 399 and student teaching.
  2. All music education students must complete an application and be approved for student teaching (MUS 481E, MUS 481S) in the semester before they intend to student teach. Students must have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher and no grade below C, passing scores on the PPST, completion of all other required classes, and complete the required fingerprinting.
  3. MUS 481E and MUS 481S are taken in the final semester before graduation. No other classes may be taken during this student teaching semester; all other required classes must be completed before registering for student teaching.
  4. It is highly recommended that students take and pass PRAXIS II tests in order to complete the Nevada Department of Education requirements for licensure and qualify for employment in the state.
  5. Jazz Guitar students seeking a Music Education/Vocal-Guitar concentration, and Jazz Piano students seeking a Music Education/Vocal-Piano concentration, are required to take 6 semesters of 1 credit applied lessons in their primary instrument and 6 semesters of 1 credit classical applied lessons, and attend classical repertoire and jazz repertoire classes during their course of study.
  6. OPTION: Music education students who want to add a jazz option to their degree must contact the Division of Jazz and Commercial Music.

Music Education Concentration - Vocal/Piano - Subtotal: 100 credits


Students whose primary instrument is guitar or piano must choose one of the following: Vocal Ed-Guitar, Vocal Ed-Piano, Instrumental Ed-Guitar, Instrumental Ed-Piano.
 

All courses for this major require a minimum C grade.

 

Total Credits: 137 - 140


Notes


  1. Every student must pass MUS 167 Piano Proficiency before registering for MUS 399 and student teaching.
  2. All music education students must complete an application and be approved for student teaching (MUS 481E, MUS 481S) in the semester before they intend to student teach. Students must have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher and no grade below C, passing scores on the PPST, completion of all other required classes, and complete the required fingerprinting.
  3. MUS 481E and MUS 481S are taken in the final semester before graduation. No other classes may be taken during this student teaching semester; all other required classes must be completed before registering for student teaching.
  4. It is highly recommended that students take and pass PRAXIS II tests in order to complete the Nevada Department of Education requirements for licensure and qualify for employment in the state.
  5. Jazz Guitar students seeking a Music Education/Vocal-Guitar concentration, and Jazz Piano students seeking a Music Education/Vocal-Piano concentration, are required to take 6 semesters of 1 credit applied lessons in their primary instrument and 6 semesters of 1 credit classical applied lessons, and attend classical repertoire and jazz repertoire classes during their course of study.
  6. OPTION: Music education students who want to add a jazz option to their degree must contact the Division of Jazz and Commercial Music.

Performance/Instrumental


Multicultural and International


Major Requirements - B.Mus in Music Performance/Instrumental Concentration - Subtotal: 68 Credits


Music History Elective - Credits: 3


Music Business Elective - Credits: 2-3


Music Electives - Credits: 6


Other Electives - Credits: 3


Total Credits: 120-123


Notes


  1. Students must complete  ,  ,   and   or show proficiency.
  2. Optional Jazz Emphasis MUS 257 ,   MUS 258 MUS 345 ,   , MUSA____Jazz Lesson (6 credits). May use three credits of MUSE 131/  to fulfill ensemble requirement. 13 credits.

Performance/Piano


Multicultural and International


Major Requirement - B.Mus in Music Performance/Piano Concentration - Subtotal: 67 Credits


Music History Elective - Credits: 3


Music Business Elective - Credits: 2-3


Other Electives - Credits: 10


Total Credits: 120


Notes


  1. Students must complete  ,  ,   and  , or show proficiency.
  2. Optional Jazz Emphasis - MUS 257  ,   . May use three credits of MUSE 131/  to fulfill ensemble requirement. 20 credits.

Performance/Vocal


Multicultural and International


Music History Elective - Credits: 3


FREN 113, GER 113, or ITAL 113 - Credits: 3


(1 semester of a different foreign language than above)

Electives - Credits: 5


Total Credits: 120


Notes


  1. Students must complete  ,  ,   and   or show proficiency.
  2. Optional Jazz Emphasis MUS 257 MUS 258   , MUSA____Jazz Lessons. May use three credits of MUSE 131/  to fulfill ensemble requirement. 20 credits.

Notes


  1. MUS 399  is a Milestone Experience course for Music Bachelor of Music.
  2. MUS 499  or MUS 481E  and MUS 481S  are Culminating Experience courses (12 credits total, 6 credits each) for Music Bachelor of Music.

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