Office in University Center for the Arts, Room 120
(970) 491-5529
music.colostate.edu
The Bachelor of Arts in Music (B.A.) allows students to study music within a larger context of a liberal arts education. In comparison to the curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Music (B.M.), less emphasis is placed on studies specifically in music, with greater flexibility for studies outside of music. In lieu of a larger number of credits in music as required for the B.M., the B.A. student completes 21 elective credits in areas outside of music. In addition, the completion of a capstone paper, project, or recital (half recital) is required during the senior year.
Program-level Learning Objectives
- Hear, identify, and work conceptually with elements of music such as rhythm, melody, harmony, structure, timbre, and texture through composition, improvisation, and performance in multiple musical styles.
- Develop and defend musical judgments and demonstrate a synthesis of knowledge and/or skills in one or more areas of music.
- Articulate knowledge of a wide selection of musical literature, the principal eras, genres, and cultural sources.
- As part of a well-rounded liberal arts program, B.A. in Music majors are also expected to think, speak, and write clearly, and effectively address and defend diverse cultural, historical, moral, scientific, and ethical issues (both orally and in written form) in subject matter related to music, other art forms, and outside disciplines.
Music Audition
In addition to applying to CSU through the Office of Admissions, a successful audition with CSU Music faculty is required for entrance into the B.A. in Music. Please visit the music website for Music Audition Information.
Music Program Fee
A music program fee is assessed with undergraduate and graduate music majors and minors, per semester. The fee does not apply to the following students: online degree students, summers-only master's degree students, music therapy students in an internship off-campus, music education students who are student teaching off-campus, and music minors who are not actively enrolled in any lessons or ensembles. Please visit the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for special course fees.
A minimum grade of C is required in all music courses used to satisfy the requirements of the major programs (B.A. and B.M.) in music.
Effective Fall 2022
Freshman | |||
---|---|---|---|
AUCC | Credits | ||
CO 150 | College Composition (GT-CO2) | 1A | 3 |
MU 117 | Music Theory I | 3 | |
MU 118 | Music Theory II | 3 | |
MU 127 | Aural Skills I | 1 | |
MU 128 | Aural Skills II | 1 | |
MU 131 | Introduction to Music History and Literature (GT-AH1) | 3B | 3 |
MU 1501 | Piano Class I | 1 | |
MU 151B1 | Piano Class II: Performance, Composition, and General Studies | 1 | |
Applied Music Instruction (see list below)2 | 2 | ||
MU *** Ensemble (see list below)3 | 2 | ||
Quantitative Reasoning | 1B | 3 | |
Electives | 5-7 | ||
Total Credits | 30 | ||
Sophomore | |||
MU 217 | Music Theory III | 3 | |
MU 218 | Music Theory IV | 3 | |
MU 227 | Aural Skills III | 1 | |
MU 228 | Aural Skills IV | 1 | |
Applied Music Instruction (see list below)2 | 2 | ||
MU *** Ensemble (see list below)3 | 2 | ||
L*** *** Foreign Language | 6 | ||
Advanced Writing | 2 | 3 | |
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 1C | 3 | |
Non-Music Electives4 | 6 | ||
Total Credits | 30 | ||
Junior | |||
Upper-Division Music History (see list below) | 4A,4B | 6 | |
Upper-Division Music Theory (see list below) | 2-3 | ||
Biological and Physical Sciences | 3A | 3 | |
Historical Perspectives | 3D | 3 | |
MU XXX5 | 3 | ||
Non-Music Electives4 | 6 | ||
Electives | 7-8 | ||
Total Credits | 31 | ||
Senior | |||
Select one from the following: | 1 | ||
Recital | 4C | ||
Thesis | 4C | ||
MU XXX | 6 | ||
Arts and Humanities | 3B | 3 | |
Biological and Physical Sciences | 3A | 4 | |
Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3C | 3 | |
Non-Music Electives4 | 9 | ||
Elective5 | 3 | ||
Total Credits | 29 | ||
Program Total Credits: | 120 |
Applied Music Instruction - Lower-Division
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
MU 272A | Applied Music Instruction: Euphonium | 1-2 |
MU 272B | Applied Music Instruction: French Horn | 1-2 |
MU 272C | Applied Music Instruction: Trombone | 1-2 |
MU 272D | Applied Music Instruction: Trumpet | 1-2 |
MU 272E | Applied Music Instruction: Tuba | 1-2 |
MU 272G | Applied Music Instruction: Harpsichord | 1-2 |
MU 272H | Applied Music Instruction: Organ | 1-2 |
MU 272I | Applied Music Instruction: Piano | 1-2 |
MU 272J | Applied Music Instruction: Percussion | 1-2 |
MU 272K | Applied Music Instruction: Guitar | 1-2 |
MU 272L | Applied Music Instruction: Harp | 1-2 |
MU 272M | Applied Music Instruction: String Bass | 1-2 |
MU 272N | Applied Music Instruction: Viola | 1-2 |
MU 272O | Applied Music Instruction: Violin | 1-2 |
MU 272P | Applied Music Instruction: Violoncello | 1-2 |
MU 272Q | Applied Music Instruction: Voice | 1-2 |
MU 272R | Applied Music Instruction: Bassoon | 1-2 |
MU 272S | Applied Music Instruction: Clarinet | 1-2 |
MU 272T | Applied Music Instruction: Flute | 1-2 |
MU 272U | Applied Music Instruction: Oboe | 1-2 |
MU 272V | Applied Music Instruction: Saxophone (Alto) | 1-2 |
Ensemble Courses
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
MU 201 | Men's Chorus | 1 |
MU 202 | University Chorus | 1 |
MU 204 | Marching Band | 1 |
MU 205 | Concert Band | 1 |
MU 206 | Colorado State University Concert Orchestra | 1 |
MU 300 | Women's Chorus | 1 |
MU 302 | University Orchestra | 1 |
MU 304 | Symphonic Band | 1 |
MU 305 | Colorado State University Concert Choir | 1 |
MU 309 | Jazz Ensemble | 1 |
MU 310 | Jazz Combo | 1 |
MU 400 | Colorado State University Chamber Choir | 1 |
MU 401 | Opera Theater | 1-2 |
MU 402 | Theater/Chamber Orchestra | 1 |
MU 404 | Symphonic Wind Ensemble | 1 |
MU 407 | Accompanying | 1 |
MU 408 | Chamber Music | 1 |
Upper-Division Music Theory
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
MU 317 | Music Theory V | 2 |
MU 318 | Arranging and Orchestration | 2 |
MU 417 | Counterpoint | 3 |
MU 418 | Advanced Orchestration | 2 |
MU 419 | Electronic Music Composition | 2 |
Upper-Division Music History
Code | Title | AUCC | Credits |
---|---|---|---|
MU 332 | History of Jazz | 4A,4B | 3 |
MU 334 | Perspectives in Early Music History | 4A,4B | 3 |
MU 335 | Music of the Common Practice Era | 4A,4B | 3 |
MU 430 | 20th and 21st Century Music | 4A,4B | 3 |
MU 431 | American Music | 4A,4B | 3 |
- 1
Students with previous keyboard experience can test out of MU 150 and/or MU 151B and use the extra credit(s) toward electives.
- 2
First-year voice students must take MU 172A and MU 172B (total of four credits), and then take MU 272Q for one credit each semester of the second year (a total of two credits); instrumentalists take MU 272A-MU 272P or MU 272R-MU 272V on major instrument for one credit each semester of the first 2 years (total of four credits).
- 3
Students must participate in an ensemble during each semester in which they are enrolled in MU 172A, MU 172B, MU 272A-MU 272V, MU 472A-MU 472V. At least once during the program of study, this must be achieved by taking MU 408 or through another small ensemble experience.
- 4
21 credits of non-music courses in one or more fields of study, including at least 12 upper-division (300- to 400-level) credits.
- 5
Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level). 21 elective credits must be outside of the field of music.
Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:
To declare this major, must audition with department. A grade of C or better is required in all music courses used to satisfy major requirements.
Freshman | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Semester 1 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
CO 150 | College Composition (GT-CO2) | X | 1A | 3 | |
MU 117 | Music Theory I | X | 3 | ||
MU 127 | Aural Skills I | X | 1 | ||
MU 150 | Piano Class I | X | 1 | ||
Applied Music Instruction (see list on Program Requirements tab) | X | 1 | |||
MU*** Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab) | X | 1 | |||
Quantitative Reasoning | X | 1B | 3 | ||
Elective | 2-3 | ||||
Total Credits | 16 | ||||
Semester 2 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 118 | Music Theory II | X | 3 | ||
MU 128 | Aural Skills II | X | 1 | ||
MU 131 | Introduction to Music History and Literature (GT-AH1) | X | 3B | 3 | |
MU 151B | Piano Class II: Performance, Composition, and General Studies | X | 1 | ||
Applied Music Instruction (see list on Program Requirements tab) | X | 1 | |||
MU*** Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab) | 1 | ||||
Electives | 3-4 | ||||
AUCC 1B (MATH) and CO 150 must be completed by the end of Semester 2. | X | ||||
Total Credits | 14 | ||||
Sophomore | |||||
Semester 3 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 217 | Music Theory III | X | 3 | ||
MU 227 | Aural Skills III | X | 1 | ||
Advanced Writing | 2 | 3 | |||
L*** *** Foreign Language | 3 | ||||
Applied Music Instruction (see list on Program Requirements tab) | X | 1 | |||
MU*** Ensemble (See List on Program Requirements Tab) | X | 1 | |||
Non-Music Elective | 3 | ||||
Total Credits | 15 | ||||
Semester 4 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 218 | Music Theory IV | X | 3 | ||
MU 228 | Aural Skills IV | X | 1 | ||
Applied Music Instruction | X | 1 | |||
MU*** Ensemble (See List on Program Requirements Tab) | X | 1 | |||
L*** *** Foreign Language | 3 | ||||
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | X | 1C | 3 | ||
Non-Music Elective | 3 | ||||
Total Credits | 15 | ||||
Junior | |||||
Semester 5 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
Upper-Division Music History (See List on Program Requirements Tab) | X | 4A,4B | 3 | ||
Upper-Division Music Theory (See List on Program Requirements Tab) | 3 | ||||
Biological and Physical Sciences | 3A | 3 | |||
Non-Music Elective | 3 | ||||
Elective | 3 | ||||
Total Credits | 15 | ||||
Semester 6 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
Upper-Division Music History (See List on Program Requirements Tab) | X | 4A,4B | 3 | ||
Historical Perspectives | 3D | 3 | |||
MU XXX | 3 | ||||
Non-Music Elective | 3 | ||||
Electives | 4 | ||||
Total Credits | 16 | ||||
Senior | |||||
Semester 7 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU XXX | 3 | ||||
Biological and Physical Sciences | 3A | 4 | |||
Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3C | 3 | |||
Non-Music Elective | 3 | ||||
Elective | 3 | ||||
Total Credits | 16 | ||||
Semester 8 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
Select one course from the following: | 1 | ||||
Recital | X | 4C | |||
Thesis | X | 4C | |||
MU XXX | X | 3 | |||
Non-Music Electives | X | 6 | |||
Arts and Humanities | X | 3B | 3 | ||
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study. | X | ||||
Total Credits | 13 | ||||
Program Total Credits: | 120 |