Music

Major Requirements

No courses in music (MUSI) may be taken for credit by examination.

First-Year Students

Students intending to major in music should begin the major music sequences in the first year. Failure to do so may mean an extra semester or year to complete the program.

Required first year courses are:

• MUSI 120: Music and Culture (4)
• MUSI 125: Ear Training I (1)
• MUSI 126: Ear Training II (1)
• MUSI 133: Music Theory & Analysis IA (2)
• MUSI 135: Music Theory & Analysis IB (2)
• MUSI 136: Music Theory & Analysis II (3)
• MUSI 151: Keyboard Musicianship I (1) and/or MUSI 152: Keyboard Musicianship II (1)
  • or MUSI 251: Keyboard Musicianship III (1)
  • or successful completion of the Keyboarding Proficiency Assessment

All first-year students should complete the Theory online placement test before class registration. Students will be placed in the appropriate level Music Theory & Analysis course based on the test outcome. MUSI 133 and 135 are half-semester courses.

Music Major Degrees

General Requirements

• Entrance Audition:
  To be admitted to a music major program, prospective students must audition for the music faculty.
• Declaration of Major:
  Students interested in majoring in music should declare a music major during their first semester of enrollment in the program. They will be assigned a music faculty advisor who will assure that the student receives help in exploring the various majors and in scheduling music study in the most efficient and economical manner. Majors can always be changed later.
• Ensemble Requirement:
  Music majors are required to participate every semester in one of the music ensembles specified in their major. (Exception: semesters involving study away and/or student teaching.)
• Keyboard Proficiency:
  Basic keyboard skills are required in all music majors (B.M., B.M.E., B.M.A., B.A.). For students pursuing the B.A. degree, attainment of adequate keyboard skills is determined by successful completion of MUSI 152: Keyboard Musicianship II, with a grade of C or better. Students in all other programs must complete MUSI 251: Keyboard Musicianship III, with a grade of C or better and/or successfully pass the Keyboarding Proficiency Assessment. Students who do not pass the Keyboarding Proficiency Assessment by the end of their fifth semester (fall of junior year) may not be permitted to continue in the B.M., B.M.E., or B.M.A. degree.
• Language Requirement:
  Vocal performance majors are required to take at least one year of language study in French.
• Music Electives:
  Unless specified in the degree program, music electives must be at the 300-level or higher.
• Grades and Grade Point Policy:
  Only grades of C or higher in music courses may be counted toward the major. Courses in which the student receives lower than a C must be repeated, unless the department authorizes substitute course work. Majors must maintain a 2.50 cumulative grade point average in academic music courses (private lessons and ensembles excluded) to remain in the program.
• Music Major Assessment:
  Students pursuing Bachelor of Music (B.M.), Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.), Bachelor of Musical Arts (B.M.A.) or Bachelor of Arts in Music (B.A.) degrees will have their progress and potential assessed at the end of the first, sophomore, junior and senior years. Assessments are made by the music faculty via progress reviews, juries and public presentations. Outcomes are pass/fail; students who fail an assessment will not be allowed to continue in the music program.

Music Core

27 semester hours for the B.A.; 33 semester hours for the B.M., B.M.E., and B.M.A.

The following core is required in all music degree programs:

• MUSI 120: Music and Culture (4)
• MUSI 125 Ear Training I (1)
• MUSI 126: Ear Training II (1)
• MUSI 133: Music Theory & Analysis IA (2)
• MUSI 135: Music Theory & Analysis IB (2)
• MUSI 136: Music Theory & Analysis II (3)
• MUSI 151: Keyboard Musicianship I (1)
• MUSI 152: Keyboard Musicianship II (1)
• MUSI 225: Ear Training III (1)
• MUSI 226: Ear Training IV (1) (not for B.A.)
• MUSI 235: Music Theory & Analysis III (3)
• MUSI 236: Music Theory & Analysis IV (4)*
• MUSI 251: Keyboard Musicianship III (1) (not for B.A.)
• MUSI 301: Music in Historical Context I (4)*
• MUSI 302: Music in Historical Context II (4)*

*Students pursuing the B.A. degree choose two courses among MUSI 236, 301, and 302.

Required Music Core Sequence

All entering first-year students who intend to major in music must follow the required music core sequence in the indicated years. All students will complete diagnostic placement testing prior to (or during) the first week of Fall classes and must complete the core sequence as prescribed by the music faculty.

Year One: Fall Semester

• MUSI 120: Music and Culture (4) (if preferred may take in Spring Semester)
• MUSI 125: Ear Training I (1)
• MUSI 133 and MUSI 135: Music Theory & Analysis IA (2)/IB (2)
• MUSI 151 or 251: Keyboard Musicianship I or III (1)

Year One: Spring Semester

• MUSI 120: Music and Culture (4) (if not taken in the Fall Semester)
• MUSI 126: Ear Training II (1)
• MUSI 136: Music Theory & Analysis II (3)
• MUSI 152: Keyboard Musicianship II (1)

Year Two: Fall Semester

• MUSI 225: Ear Training III (1)
• MUSI 235: Music Theory & Analysis III (3)
• MUSI 251: Keyboarding Musicianship III (1)
• MUSI 301: Music in Historical Context I (4)

Year Two: Spring Semester

• MUSI 226: Ear Training IV (1)
• MUSI 236: Music Theory & Analysis IV (4)
• MUSI 302: Music in Historical Context II (4)

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree

Major in Music

Maximum of 44 semester hours in music, plus cognate

• Music Core: (27)
• Ensembles (6)
  • Choose from: MUSI 360-383
• Applied Lessons (6)
  • Choose from: MUSI 201-219, 401-419
• Capstone Sequence (2)
  • MUSI 499: Capstone Senior Project (two semesters) (1, 1)
• Electives (3)
  • Choose any MUSI 300-498 not already used in the major

Also required for the B.A. degree are:

• Meet Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science (BA/BS) requirement (Option I or II) (one year of language)
• Take a non-music arts elective course in visual arts, theatre or dance.
• Cognate: An academic minor or second major outside of music.

Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.) Degree

The music education program is demanding of students’ time and energies. Successful continuation in the program is predicated on meeting the program requirements by the end of the Fall Semester of the sophomore year. Transfer students should meet the requirements by Fall Semester of their first year at PLU. Program requirements are listed below:

• 2.50 cumulative G.P.A.
• PSYC 101
• Two semesters of keyboarding (from MUSI 151/152) or successful completion of the Keyboard Proficiency Assessment
• MUSI 240 with a grade of B or better; this course will include the preparation of documents required for application to the B.M.E. program:
  • personal statement describing why you wish to become a music teacher
  • recommendation from a person who knows of your work with children/students
  • completed evaluation forms from studio teacher and ensemble director

Major in Music

87 semester hours in music; total 104 semester hours

First-Year, sophomore, junior and senior assessments required.

• Bachelor of Music Education: K-12 Choral
• Bachelor of Music Education: K-12 Instrumental (Band)
• Bachelor of Music Education: K-12 Instrumental (Orchestra)

Music Education Core
12 semester hours

All B.M.E. degrees include the following music education core courses:

• MUSI 240: Introduction to Music Education (3)
• MUSI 340: Managing the Classroom and Curriculum  (3)
• MUSI 345: Conducting I (1)
• MUSI 346: Conducting II (1)
• MUSI 464: Practicum in Music Education I (1)
• MUSI 465: Practicum in Music Education II (1)
• MUSI 469: Student Teaching Seminar (2)

Department of Education Sequence

17 semester hours

In addition to the music courses listed, all music education majors are required to take the following courses in the Department of Education.

• EDUC 391: Foundations of Learning (3)
• EPSY 361: Psychology for Teaching (3)
• EDUC 320: Issues in Child Abuse and Neglect (1)
• EDUC 468: Student Teaching – Secondary (10)

The WEST-E exam in the appropriate area of concentration is taken during the senior year and must be passed prior to student teaching.

Application for admission to the Department of Education requires completion of WRIT 101 (or equivalent) and PSYC 101, each of which also satisfies an element in the General Education Program required of all students.

K-12 Choral

• Music Core (33)
• Ensembles (8)
  • Choose from: MUSI 360-363 (1 each semester)
• Applied Lessons (16)
  • Choose from: MUSI 204 and 404 (14)
  • MUSI 499: Capstone: Senior Project (senior recital) (2)
• Music Education Core (12)
• Concentration (18): Choose Secondary or Elementary focus
  • Secondary Focus (18)
    • MUSI 355: Diction I (1)
    • MUSI 356: Diction II (1)
    • MUSI 421: Functional Piano for the Professional Musician (2)
    • MUSI 445: Conducting III (1)
    • MUSI 453: Vocal Pedagogy (2)
    • MUSI 460: Elementary Music Methods (3)
    • MUSI 462: Choral Repertoire and Rehearsal (3)
    • Choose five credits from the following:
      • MUSI 241: String Lab I (1) or MUSI 242: String Lab II (1)
      • MUSI 243: Woodwind Lab I (1) or MUSI 244: Woodwind Lab II (1)
      • MUSI 245: Brass Lab I (1) or MUSI 246: Brass Lab II (1)
      • MUSI 247: Percussion Lab (1)
      • MUSI 321: Guitar Lab (1)
      • MUSI 325: Class Composition I (2)
      • MUSI 326: Class Composition II (2)
      • MUSI 451: Piano Pedagogy (2)
  • Elementary Focus (18)
    • MUSI 247: Percussion Lab I (1)
    • MUSI 321: Guitar Lab (1)
    • MUSI 421: Functional Piano for the Professional Musician (2)
    • MUSI 460: Elementary Music Methods (3)
    • MUSI 462: Choral Repertoire and Rehearsal (3)
    • DANC 301: Dance in World Cultures (4)
    • Choose four credits from the following:
      • DANC 252: Beginning/Intermediate Contemporary (2)
      • DANC 255: Beginning/Intermediate Hip Hop (2)
      • MUSI 241: String Lab I (1) or MUSI 242: String Lab II (1)
      • MUSI 325: Class Composition I (2)
      • MUSI 326: Class Composition II (2)
      • MUSI 445: Conducting III (1)
      • MUSI 451: Piano Pedagogy (2)
      • MUSI 453: Vocal Pedagogy (2)

K-12 Instrumental (Band Emphasis)

• Music Core (33)
• Ensembles (8)
  • Choose from large ensemble: MUSI 370-371, 380 (8)
• Applied Lessons (16)
  • Choose from: MUSI 202-219, 402-419
  • MUSI 499: Capstone: Senior Project (recital) (2)
• Music Education Core (12)
• Concentration (18): Choose Secondary or Elementary Focus
  • Secondary Focus (18):
    • MUSI 241: String Lab I (1) or MUSI 242: String Lab II (1)
    • Lab Electives – Choose 4 semester hours from:
      • MUSI 243/244: Woodwind Lab I, II (1,1)
      • MUSI 245/246: Brass Lab I, II (1,1)
      • MUSI 247: Percussion Lab (1)
    • MUSI 445: Conducting III (1)
    • MUSI 460: Elementary Music Methods (3)
    • MUSI 461: Band Repertoire and Rehearsal (3)
    • Choose six credits from the following:
      • MUSI 321: Guitar Lab (1)
      • MUSI 325: Class Composition I (2)
      • MUSI 326: Class Composition II (2)
      • MUSI 360-363: Choral Ensemble (1, repeatable for credit)
      • MUSI 381: Chamber Ensemble (1, repeatable for credit)
      • MUSI 421: Functional Piano for the Professional Musician (2)
  • Elementary Focus (18)
    • MUSI 241: String Lab I (1) or MUSI 242: String Lab II (1)
    • Lab Electives – Choose 4 semester hours from:
      • MUSI 243/244: Woodwind Lab I, II (1,1)
      • MUSI 245/246: Brass Lab I, II (1,1)
      • MUSI 247: Percussion Lab (1)
    • MUSI 321: Guitar Lab (1)
    • MUSI 460: Elementary Music Methods (3)
    • MUSI 461: Band Repertoire and Rehearsal (3)
    • DANC 301: Dance in World Cultures (4)
    • Choose two credits from the following:
      • DANC 252: Beginning/Intermediate Contemporary (2)
      • DANC 255: Beginning/Intermediate Hip Hop (2)
      • MUSI 325: Class Composition I (2)
      • MUSI 326: Class Composition II (2)
      • MUSI 360-363: Choral Ensemble (1, repeatable for credit)
      • MUSI 381: Chamber Ensemble (1, repeatable for credit)
      • MUSI 445: Conducting III (1)

K-12 Instrumental (Orchestra Emphasis)

• Music Core (33)
• Ensembles (8)
  • Choose from large ensemble: MUSI 370-371, 380 (8)
• Applied Lessons (16)
  • Choose from: MUSI 202-219, 402-419
  • MUSI 499: Capstone: Senior Project (recital) (2)
• Music Education Core (12)
• Concentration (18): Choose Secondary or Elementary Focus
  • Secondary Focus (18)
    • MUSI 241/242: String Lab I, II (1,1)
    • MUSI 243: Woodwind Lab I (1) or MUSI 244: Woodwind Lab II (1)
    • MUSI 245: Brass Lab I (1) or MUSI 246: Brass Lab II (1)
    • MUSI 247: Percussion Lab (1)
    • MUSI 445: Conducting III (1)
    • MUSI 460: Elementary Music Methods (3)
    • MUSI 463: Orchestral Repertoire and Rehearsal (3)
    • Choose six credits from the following:
      • MUSI 321: Guitar Lab (1)
      • MUSI 325: Class Composition I (2)
      • MUSI 326: Class Composition II (2)
      • MUSI 360-363: Choral Ensemble (1, repeatable for credit)
      • MUSI 381: Chamber Ensemble (1, repeatable for credit)
      • MUSI 421: Functional Piano for the Professional Musician (2)
  • Elementary Focus (18)
    • MUSI 241/242: String Lab I, II (1,1)
    • MUSI 243: Woodwind Lab I (1) or MUSI 244: Woodwind Lab II (1)
    • MUSI 245: Brass Lab I (1) or MUSI 246: Brass Lab II (1)
    • MUSI 247: Percussion Lab (1)
    • MUSI 321: Guitar Lab (1)
    • MUSI 460: Elementary Music Methods (3)
    • MUSI 463: Orchestral Repertoire and Rehearsal (3)
    • DANC 301: Dance in World Cultures (4)
    • Choose two credits from the following:
      • DANC 252: Beginning/Intermediate Contemporary (2)
      • DANC 255: Beginning/Intermediate Hip Hop (2)
      • MUSI 325: Class Composition I (2)
      • MUSI 326: Class Composition II (2)
      • MUSI 360-363: Choral Ensemble (1, repeatable for credit)
      • MUSI 381: Chamber Ensemble (1, repeatable for credit)
      • MUSI 445: Conducting III (1)

Bachelor of Musical Arts (B.M.A.) Degree

Major in Music

62 semester hours, plus cognate

• Music Core (33)
• Ensembles (8)
  • Choose from: MUSI 360-383 (one each semester)
• Applied Lessons (8)
  • Choose from: MUSI 201-219, 401-419 (8)
• Conducting (2)
  • MUSI 345: Conducting I (1)
  • MUSI 346: Conducting II (1)
• Capstone Sequence
  • MUSI 499: Capstone Senior Project (two semesters) (1,1)
• Electives (9)
  • Choose any MUSI 300-498 not already used in the major
• Cognate: An academic minor or second major outside of music. First-year, sophomore, junior and senior assessments required.

Bachelor of Music (B.M.) Degree

Major in Music

84-88 semester hours

• First-year, sophomore, junior and senior assessments required.
• For vocal performance: language study required.
• Applied Lessons are to be taken in consecutive Fall/Spring Semesters; continuous non-jazz study throughout the program required.

Concentrations

Composition
84 semester hours

• Music Core (33)
• Ensembles (10)
  • MUSI 360-383 (one each semester, 8)
  • MUSI 381: Chamber Ensemble (world music focus) (2)
• Applied Lessons (8)
  • Choose from: MUSI 201-219, 401-419 (8)
• Concentration Module (26)
  • MUSI 325: Class Composition I (2)
  • MUSI 326: Class Composition II (2)
  • MUSI 327: Classical Music Composition (4-12)
  • MUSI 329: Popular Songwriting and Media Music (4-12)
  • MUSI 345: Conducting I (1)
  • MUSI 346: Conducting II (1)
  • MUSI 499: Capstone: Senior Project (4)
• Music Electives (7)
  • Choose any MUSI 300-498 not already used in the major

Instrumental (Performance)
84 semester hours

• Music Core (33)
• Ensembles (8) (1 each semester)
  • Choose from: MUSI 370-371, 380
• Applied Lessons (22)
  • Principal Instrument (15)
    • Choose from: MUSI 205-219, 405-419 (15)
  • MUSI 399: Junior Recital (3)
  • MUSI 499: Capstone: Senior Project (Senior Recital) (4)
• Concentration Module (13)
  • MUSI 345: Conducting I (1)
  • MUSI 346: Conducting II (1)
  • MUSI 381: Chamber Ensemble (2)
  • MUSI 420: Private Instruction: Pedagogy (2)
  • Choose seven credits from the following:
    • MUSI 201-219, 401-419: Private Instruction (in secondary area) (1-2)
    • MUSI 241: String Lab I (1)
    • MUSI 242: String Lab II (1)
    • MUSI 243: Woodwind Lab I (1)
    • MUSI 244: Woodwind Lab II (1)
    • MUSI 245: Brass Lab I (1)
    • MUSI 246: Brass Lab II (1)
    • MUSI 247: Percussion Lab (1)
    • MUSI 325: Class Composition I (2)
    • MUSI 326: Class Composition II (2)
    • MUSI 421: Functional Piano for the Professional Musician (2)
    • MUSI 445: Conducting III (1)
• Electives (8)
  • Choose any MUSI 300-498 not already used in the major

Organ (Performance)
84 semester hours

• Music Core (33)
• Ensemble (8)
  • MUSI 381: Chamber Ensemble (1)
  • Music Ensembles (7)
    • Choose from: MUSI 360-383 (one each semester)
• Applied Lessons (22)
  • MUSI 203: Private Instruction: Organ (8)
  • MUSI 403: Private Instruction: Organ (7)
  • MUSI 399: Keystone: Junior Recital (3)
  • MUSI 499: Capstone: Senior Project (Senior Recital) (4)
• Concentration Module (13)
  • MUSI 219: Harpsichord (1)
  • MUSI 345: Conducting I (1)
  • MUSI 346: Conducting II (1)
  • MUSI 352: Organ – Improvisation (1)
  • MUSI 420:  Private Instruction: Pedagogy (2)
  • MUSI 421: Functional Piano for the Professional Musician (2)
  • Choose five credits from the following:
    • MUSI 325: Class Composition I (2)
    • MUSI 326: Class Composition II (2)
    • MUSI 445: Conducting III (1)
    • MUSI 451: Piano Pedagogy (2)
    • MUSI 453: Vocal Pedagogy (2)
• Electives (8)
  • Choose any MUSI 300-498 not already used in the major

Piano (Performance)
84 semester hours

• Music Core (33)
• Ensembles (8)
  • Choose from: MUSI 360-363, 370-371, 380 (2)
  • MUSI 351: Collaborative Piano Studies (2)
  • MUSI 383: Piano Ensemble (2)
  • Piano ensemble electives (2)
    • Choose from: MUSI 351, 360-363, 370-371, 380, 383
• Applied Lessons (22)
  • MUSI 202 or 402: Private Instruction – Piano (15)
  • MUSI 399: Junior Recital (3)
  • MUSI 499: Capstone: Senior Project (Senior Recital) (4)
• Concentration Module (11)
  • MUSI 219: Harpsichord (1) or MUSI 203: Organ (1)
  • MUSI 345: Conducting I (1)
  • MUSI 346: Conducting II (1)
  • MUSI 421: Functional Piano for the Professional Musician (2)
  • MUSI 430: Piano Literature 1 (2)
  • MUSI 431: Piano Literature 2 (2)
  • MUSI 451: Piano Pedagogy (2)
• Electives (10)
  • Choose any MUSI 300-498 not already used in the major

Voice (Performance)
88 semester hours

• Music Core (33)
• Ensembles (8)
  • Choral Ensemble: Choose from: MUSI 360-363 (one each semester)
• Applied Lessons (22)
  • MUSI 204 or 404: Private Instruction – Voice (15)
  • MUSI 399: Junior Recital (3)
  • MUSI 499: Capstone: Senior Project (Senior Recital) (4)
• J-Term – One Required (4)
  • MUSI 366: Opera (4)
• Concentration Module (10)
  • MUSI 345: Conducting I (1)
  • MUSI 346: Conducting II (1)
  • MUSI 353: Solo Vocal Lit (2)
  • MUSI 355: Diction I (1)
  • MUSI 356: Diction II (1)
  • MUSI 366: Opera (2)
  • MUSI 453: Vocal Pedagogy (2)
• Electives (3)
  • Choose any MUSI 300-498 not already used in the major
• Language (one year required) (8)
  • Choose from FREN 101, 102, 201, 202, 301, 302

Minors

General Minor

22 semester hours including:

• MUSI 120: Music and Culture (4)
• MUSI 125, 126, 136 (5)
• One of the following: MUSI 151, 152, or 251 (1)
• 4 semester hours of Private Instruction: (MUSI 201-219, 401-419)
• 4 semester hours of Ensemble (MUSI 360-383)
• One of the following: MUSI 101-106, 301-302

Specialized Minor

32 semester hours

• Includes courses required in the General Minor as listed above (22 semester hours), plus:
  • 4 additional semester hours of Private Instruction (MUSI 401-419)
  • 6 additional hours from one of the Bachelor of Music concentration modules (see above) or in jazz study as listed below.

Jazz Study at PLU

Students interested in pursuing the academic study of jazz at PLU have three options:

Specialized Music Minor in Jazz

32 semester hours, including:

• Courses in the general minor (22 semester hours), plus 4 additional semester hours of private instruction.
• Six additional semester hours, including: MUSI 103 and 427
• Jazz students may fulfill the ensemble requirement in jazz-related ensembles.

Jazz study in combination with an outside, non-music field (Bachelor of Musical Arts degree)

62 semester hours

Jazz students may major in music under the B.M.A. degree while combining music studies with a non-music academic minor or second major. In this program, all private lesson and ensemble credit may be in jazz.

Jazz study in combination with non-jazz (classical) performance study (Bachelor of Music degree)

84 semester hours

Instrumental jazz students may major in performance (see Bachelor of Music above) in which up to half the studio instruction and recital literature can be in jazz (see academic program contract for details).

Private Music Lessons

Special fee in addition to tuition. Private music lesson fees are non-refundable.

One Semester Hour

Fall and Spring Semesters: One half-hour private lesson per week (12 weeks) in addition to daily practice. Students in piano, voice, and guitar may be assigned to class instruction at the discretion of the music faculty.

Two Semester Hours

Fall and Spring Semesters: One-hour lesson per week (12 weeks) in addition to daily practice.

Three or Four Semester Hours

By permission of department only.