Major in Music (B.A.) < Colorado State University

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music allows students to study music within a larger context of a liberal 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 in a field outside of music. In lieu of a larger number of credits in music as required for the B.M, the B.A. student completes a 21-credit option in an area outside of music. In addition, completion of a major paper or capstone recital (half recital) is required during the senior year.

A successful audition is required prior to entrance into the B.A. in Music.

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 2020

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
Arts and Humanities		3B	3
Non-Music Electives⁴			6
	Total Credits		30
Junior

MU 334	Music History I	4A,4B	3
MU 335	Music History II	4A,4B	3
MU XXX⁵			3
Upper-Division Music Theory (see list below)			2-3
Biological and Physical Sciences		3A	3
Historical Perspectives		3D	3
Non-Music Electives⁴			6
Electives			7-8
	Total Credits		31
Senior

Select one from the following:			1
MU 471	Recital	4C
MU 499	Thesis	4C
MU XXX			6
Biological and Physical Sciences		3A	4
Diversity and Global Awareness		3E	3
Social and Behavioral Sciences		3C	3
Non-Music Electives⁴			9
Elective⁵			3
	Total Credits		29
	Program Total Credits:		120

Applied Music Instruction - Lower-Division

Course List
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

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 407	Accompanying	1
MU 408	Chamber Music	1

Upper-Division Music Theory

Course List
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

Students with previous keyboard experience can test out of MU 150 and/or MU 151B and use the extra credit(s) toward electives.

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).

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
Mathematics			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
Arts and Humanities				3B	3
Non-Music Elective					3
	Total Credits				15
*Junior*
Semester 5		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 334	Music History I	X		4A,4B	3
Biological and Physical Sciences				3A	3
Upper-Division Music Theory (See List on Program Requirements Tab)					3
Non-Music Elective					3
Elective					3
	Total Credits				15
Semester 6		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 335	Music History II	X		4A,4B	3
Historical Perspectives				3D	3
MU XXX					3
Non-Music Elective					3
Electives					4
MU 335 must be completed by the end of Semester 6.		X
	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
MU 471	Recital	X		4C
MU 499	Thesis	X		4C
MU XXX		X			3
Non-Music Electives		X			6
Diversity and Global Awareness		X		3E	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