Please refer to the main Major in Music (B.M.), Music Performance Concentration page for the performance concentration overview and learning objectives.
Voice Option
The Bachelor of Music, Performance Concentration, Voice Option is a professional degree program that provides students with excellent opportunities for vocal, artistic and personal growth. Each member of the voice faculty provides a nurturing, yet challenging studio environment. The emphasis of process over product allows students to develop a solid platform of vocal technique for realizing their personal artistry.
All voice students study with a highly qualified and experienced faculty of professors of voice. In addition to a seminar for freshman voice majors that supports their transition to collegiate study, voice majors spend the fall semester of their first year by participating in individual lesson rotations with each of the voice faculty. In their second semester of study, voice majors are placed with a single teacher for the rest of their degree program to promote personalized and engaged care for the student throughout their study at CSU.
Voice students have the opportunity to perform in a variety of styles and formats, as soloists and ensemble members of choirs, opera and musical theater productions, and chamber music collaborations. Voice students perform a jury each semester and sing on voice area and departmental recitals throughout the year.
Music Auditions
Prospective CSU Students: 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. concentrations. Please visit the music website for Music Audition Information.
Current CSU Students: To change your major to music, you may call the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at (970) 491-5891 or email smtd@colostate.edu. Current CSU students need to complete the audition process and be accepted to the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance before contacting the College of Liberal Arts Academic Advising Center. Please visit the music website for Music Audition Information.
Join an Ensemble: Bands, Orchestras, and Choirs are open to all CSU students. Ensemble audition excerpts and instructions are available at Ensemble Audition Information (some ensembles do not require an audition).
Music Program Fee
A music program fee is assessed with Undergraduate and graduate music and musical theatre majors and music minors, per semester. Does not apply to the following students: online degree students and summers-only master's degree students. Please visit the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for special course fees.
Effective Fall 2022
A minimum grade of C (2.000) is required in all music courses used to satisfy the requirements of the BM in Music, Performance Concentration, Voice Option.
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 | |
MU 173 | Freshman Voice Studio | 1 | |
MU 272Q | Applied Music Instruction: Voice | 2 | |
MU 275Q | Applied Instruction: Voice | 3 | |
MU *** Ensemble2 | 2 | ||
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | 1C | 3 | |
Quantitative Reasoning | 1B | 3 | |
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 265A | Singers Diction: German/English | 1 | |
MU 265B | Singers Diction: French/Italian | 1 | |
MU 275Q3 | Applied Instruction: Voice | 6 | |
MU *** Ensemble2 | 2 | ||
Arts and Humanities | 3B | 3 | |
Biological and Physical Sciences | 3A | 3 | |
Historical Perspectives | 3D | 3 | |
Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3C | 3 | |
Total Credits | 30 | ||
Junior | |||
LGER 100 | First-Year German I | 5 | |
LITA 100 | First-Year Italian I | 5 | |
MU 254 | Beginning Conducting | 2 | |
MU 471 | Recital | 1 | |
MU 475Q3 | Applied Instruction: Voice | 6 | |
MU *** Ensemble2 | 2 | ||
Upper Division Music History 4A/4B (see list below) | 4A,4B | 6 | |
Biological and Physical Sciences | 3A | 4 | |
Total Credits | 31 | ||
Senior | |||
LFRE 100 | First-Year French I | 5 | |
MU 338 | Opera History and Literature | 2 | |
MU 466 | Song Literature | 2 | |
MU 4674 | Vocal Pedagogy | 2 | |
MU 471 | Recital | 4C | 1 |
MU 475Q3 | Applied Instruction: Voice | 6 | |
MU *** Ensemble2 | 2 | ||
Upper-Division Music Theory Elective (select one course from the following): | 2-3 | ||
Arranging and Orchestration | |||
Counterpoint | |||
Tonal Analytic Techniques | |||
Post-Tonal Analytic Techniques | |||
Advanced Writing | 2 | 3 | |
Electives5 | 3-4 | ||
Total Credits | 29 | ||
Program Total Credits: | 120 |
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 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
Students with previous keyboard experience may test out of MU 150 and/or MU 151B and use the credit(s) for an elective.
- 2
Students must participate in an ensemble during each semester in which they are enrolled in MU 173, MU 275Q and MU 475Q. At least once during the program of study, this must be achieved by taking MU 408 or through another small ensemble experience.
- 3
Take in two semesters for a total of 6 credits.
- 4
Taken in either the Junior or Senior year based upon course rotation.
- 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).
Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:
A minimum grade of C (2.000) is required in all music courses used to satisfy the requirements of the major programs (B.A. and B.M.) in music. Failure to pass a class or UDQE will likely delay graduation.
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 | ||
MU 173 | Freshman Voice Studio | X | 1 | ||
MU 272Q | Applied Music Instruction: Voice | X | 2 | ||
MU *** Ensemble | X | 1 | |||
Quantitative Reasoning | X | 1B | 3 | ||
Total Credits | 15 | ||||
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 | ||
MU 275Q | Applied Instruction: Voice | X | 3 | ||
MU *** Ensemble | X | 1 | |||
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | X | 1C | 3 | ||
Total Credits | 15 | ||||
Sophomore | |||||
Semester 3 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 217 | Music Theory III | X | 3 | ||
MU 227 | Aural Skills III | X | 1 | ||
MU 265A | Singers Diction: German/English | X | 1 | ||
MU 275Q | Applied Instruction: Voice | X | 3 | ||
MU *** Ensemble | X | 1 | |||
Arts and Humanities | X | 3B | 3 | ||
Biological and Physical Sciences | X | 3A | 3 | ||
Total Credits | 15 | ||||
Semester 4 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 218 | Music Theory IV | X | 3 | ||
MU 228 | Aural Skills IV | X | 1 | ||
MU 275Q | Applied Instruction: Voice | X | 3 | ||
MU 265B | Singers Diction: French/Italian | X | 1 | ||
MU *** Ensemble | X | 1 | |||
Historical Perspectives | X | 3D | 3 | ||
Social and Behavioral Sciences | X | 3C | 3 | ||
Total Credits | 15 | ||||
Junior | |||||
Semester 5 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
LITA 100 | First-Year Italian I | X | 5 | ||
MU 254 | Beginning Conducting | X | 2 | ||
MU 471 | Recital | X | 1 | ||
MU 475Q | Applied Instruction: Voice | X | 3 | ||
Upper Division Music History (see list on Concentration Requirements Tab) | X | 4A,4B | 3 | ||
MU *** Ensemble | X | 1 | |||
Total Credits | 15 | ||||
Semester 6 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
LGER 100 | First-Year German I | X | 5 | ||
MU 475Q | Applied Instruction: Voice | X | 3 | ||
Upper Division Music History (see list on Concentration Requirements Tab) | X | 4A,4B | 3 | ||
MU *** Ensemble | X | 1 | |||
Biological and Physical Sciences | X | 3A | 4 | ||
Total Credits | 16 | ||||
Senior | |||||
Semester 7 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
LFRE 100 | First-Year French I | X | 5 | ||
MU 467 | Vocal Pedagogy | X | 2 | ||
MU 471 | Recital | X | 1 | ||
MU 475Q | Applied Instruction: Voice | X | 3 | ||
MU *** Ensemble | X | 1 | |||
Advanced Writing | X | 2 | 3 | ||
Total Credits | 15 | ||||
Semester 8 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 338 | Opera History and Literature | X | 2 | ||
MU 466 | Song Literature | X | 2 | ||
MU 475Q | Applied Instruction: Voice | X | 3 | ||
MU *** Ensemble | X | 1 | |||
Upper-Division Music Theory Elective (see list on Concentration Requirements Tab) | X | 2-3 | |||
Electives | X | 3-4 | |||
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study. | X | ||||
Total Credits | 14 | ||||
Program Total Credits: | 120 |