Major in Music (B.M.), Performance Concentration, Piano Option

Please refer to the main Bachelor of Music, Music Performance Concentration page for the performance concentration overview.

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.M., Performance Concentration. 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 275I¹	Applied Instruction: Piano		6
MU *** Ensemble (see list below)²			2
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion		1C	3
Quantitative Reasoning		1B	3
Elective			2
	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
MU 275I	Applied Instruction: Piano		6
PSY 100	General Psychology (GT-SS3)	3C	3
L* * Foreign language³			10
MU *** Ensemble (see list below)²			2
Advanced Writing		2	3
	Total Credits		32
Junior

MU 254	Beginning Conducting		2
MU 471	Recital		1
MU 475I	Applied Instruction: Piano		6
Select 4-6 credits from the following:			4-6
MU 318	Arranging and Orchestration
MU 325	Jazz Composition/Arranging
MU 417	Counterpoint
MU 418	Advanced Orchestration
MU 517	Tonal Analytic Techniques
MU 518	Post-Tonal Analytic Techniques
Upper-Division Music History 4A/4B (see list below)		4A,4B	6
MU *** Music Elective			3
MU *** Ensemble (see list below)²			2
Arts and Humanities		3B	3
Electives			1-3
	Total Credits		30
Senior

MU 407	Accompanying		2
MU 465	Keyboard Literature		2
MU 471	Recital	4C	1
MU 475I	Applied Instruction: Piano		6
MU *** Music Electives			6
Biological and Physical Sciences		3A	7
Historical Perspectives		3D	3
Electives⁵			1
	Total Credits		28
	Program Total Credits:		120

Ensemble Courses

Course List
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 406	New Music Ensemble	1
MU 407	Accompanying	1
MU 408	Chamber Music	1

Upper-Division Music History 4A/4B Courses

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: Take two semesters each in the freshman and sophomore years.
²: Students must participate in an ensemble during each semester in which they are enrolled in MU 275I or MU 475I. At least once during the program of study, this must be achieved by taking MU 408 or through another small ensemble experience.
³: Take two semesters of a foreign language in the sophomore year.
⁴: Take two semesters each in the junior and senior years.
⁵: Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to 120, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:
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)			1A	3
MU 117	Music Theory I	X			3
MU 127	Aural Skills I	X			1
MU 275I	Applied Instruction: Piano	X			3
MU*** Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)		X			1
Quantitative Reasoning				1B	3
	Total Credits				14
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 275I	Applied Instruction: Piano	X			3
MU*** Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)					1
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion		X		1C	3
Elective					2
AUCC 1B (Quantitative Reasoning) and CO 150 must be completed by the end of Semester 2.		X
	Total Credits				16
*Sophomore*
Semester 3		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 217	Music Theory III	X			3
MU 227	Aural Skills III	X			1
MU 275I	Applied Instruction: Piano				3
L* * Foreign Language					5
MU*** Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)		X			1
Advanced Writing				2	3
	Total Credits				16
Semester 4		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 218	Music Theory IV	X			3
MU 228	Aural Skills IV	X			1
MU 275I	Applied Instruction: Piano				3
PSY 100	General Psychology (GT-SS3)	X		3C	3
L* * Foreign Language					5
MU*** Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)		X			1
	Total Credits				16
*Junior*
Semester 5		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 254	Beginning Conducting	X			2
MU 475I	Applied Instruction: Piano	X			3
Select one course from the following:		X			2-3
MU 318	Arranging and Orchestration
MU 325	Jazz Composition/Arranging
MU 417	Counterpoint
MU 418	Advanced Orchestration
MU 517	Tonal Analytic Techniques
MU 518	Post-Tonal Analytic Techniques
Upper-Division Music History 4A/4B (see list on Concentration Requirements tab)			X	4A,4B	3
MU*** Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)		X			1
Arts and Humanities				3B	3
Electives					1-3
	Total Credits				16
Semester 6		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 471	Recital	X			1
MU 475I	Applied Instruction: Piano	X			3
Choose one from the following:		X			2-3
MU 318	Arranging and Orchestration
MU 325	Jazz Composition/Arranging
MU 417	Counterpoint
MU 418	Advanced Orchestration
MU 517	Tonal Analytic Techniques
MU 518	Post-Tonal Analytic Techniques
Upper-Division Music History 4A/4B (see list on Concentration Requirements Tab)			X	4A,4B	3
MU*** Ensemble (See List on Concentration Requirements Tab)		X			1
MU *** Music Electives					3
	Total Credits				14
*Senior*
Semester 7		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 407	Accompanying	X			1
MU 465	Keyboard Literature	X			2
MU 475I	Applied Instruction: Piano	X			3
MU*** Music Elective			X		3
Biological and Physical Sciences		X		3A	3
Historical Perspectives		X		3D	3
	Total Credits				15
Semester 8		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 407	Accompanying	X			1
MU 471	Recital	X		4C	1
MU 475I	Applied Instruction: Piano	X			3
MU *** Music Elective		X			3
Biological and Physical Sciences		X		3A	4
Electives		X			1
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