The Music Department offers two degrees: the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music and the Bachelor of Music (BMus) in Performance, as well as the Minor in Music.
The Bachelor of Arts in Music is designed for students who are planning careers in a wide range of musical and other fields; many students complete it in music as part of a double major. Three tracks allow students to specialize in Performance, Composition, or Musicology. It is a Liberal Arts-oriented degree and suitable as preparation for graduate study in music and related disciplines.
The BA requires 52 credits in music, including an academic core of music theory, musicology and ethnomusicology, studio lessons, and ensemble performance. Students who cannot yet read music or have little performing experience may need remedial coursework to prepare for the core curriculum in music.
The Bachelor of Music in Performance is an intensive program designed primarily for students planning to pursue careers in classical music performance. It requires 86 credits in music, including studio lessons, performance courses, and an academic core of music theory, musicology, and ethnomusicology. BMus students will also perform a junior half-length recital and a senior full-length recital.
Admission to the BMus program requires an audition, which can take place either before matriculation at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ or within the first three semesters of study. Current students considering a BMus audition should speak to their studio teacher about preparation. Auditions for current applicants to ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ are normally held in February. Note that a successful BMus audition does not guarantee admission to the University.
General Policies
Rubrics
Course offerings in the Music Department are designated under one of two rubrics: MUS for courses in music history and literature, theory, orchestration, conducting, and introductory performance courses (not by audition); and MUSP for performance courses requiring an audition, including ensembles, studio instruction, chamber music, and other courses.
Auditions for MUSP Courses
Music performance courses are open, by audition, to all students regardless of major. Auditions are held the first week of classes each semester. If accepted, the student adds the course at a special registration held in the Music Department during the second week of classes.
Ensembles
For the purposes of major and minor requirements, ensembles are designated as large or small, as follows:
Large Ensembles
- University Orchestra
- Wind Symphony
- Jazz Ensemble
- Studio Jazz Band
- Harpur Chorale
- Treble Chorus
- Chamber Singers
- Piano Ensemble
- Opera Workshop (counts as a Large Ensemble for BMus majors only)
- Tri-Cities Opera Production (counts as a Large Ensemble for BMus majors only)
Small Ensembles
- Chamber music
- Chamber Singers
- Nukporfe
- Single-instrument ensembles
- Opera Workshop (all vocal students)
- Tri-Cities Opera Production (all vocal students)
Grading
The department views the grade of D as passing but unsatisfactory. Therefore, a course in which a grade of D was received may not be used to fulfill the requirements for the major or minor in music. No course taken Pass/Fail counts toward the minimum requirements for the major or minor.
Harpur College Requirements
Harpur College students must complete the following requirements in addition to those listed for the major:
- 126 credits
- 94 liberal arts and sciences credits
- Minimum of 46 upper-level credits
- Completion of the Harpur College writing requirement (four to five courses as described in the All-College Writing section of the Harpur College Undergraduate Information section of the Bulletin. Maximum of one C/J course and two W courses may be transferred).
- Minimum of 44 credits in residence in Harpur College
- 2.0 or higher GPA
Harpur College requirements are described in detail in the Requirements for Graduation section of the Harpur College Undergraduate Information section of the Bulletin.
Music Major — BA Degree
Students who wish to become music majors in the BA program should make an appointment with the Undergraduate Director for advising and formal declaration after completing MUS 215 and 216. The department urges all prospective BA majors to begin the major core as early as possible during their college residence to permit sufficient time for the sequence of courses.
The BA degree in music requires the following courses as the basis for a liberal-arts program in music:
Theory and Musicianship (to be taken in sequence)
- MUS 215 Theory I and MUS 216 Musicianship I
- MUS 217 Theory II and MUS 218 Musicianship II
- MUS 315 Theory III and MUS 316 Musicianship III
- MUS 317 Theory IV and MUS 318 Musicianship IV
Musicology and Ethnomusicology
- MUS 301 History of Western Music I (prerequisite: MUS 215)
- MUS 302 History of Western Music II (prerequisite: MUS 217)
- One upper-level course in Non-Western music or ethnomusicology (BA students in the Musicology track must take MUS 304)
- One additional upper-level course in music history or ethnomusicology
Performance
- Two semesters of large ensemble or piano accompanying, taken for one credit each semester.
- Two semesters of studio lessons in a single instrument or voice, taken for at least one credit per semester. Placement in ensembles and studio lessons is by auditions, held at the beginning of each semester. Returning students re-audition in the fall semester only.
Additional Requirements for the Tracks
Performance Track
Students should audition to enter the Performance Track no later than by the end of the third semester of Studio Lessons at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ. End-of-semester juries for Studio Lessons courses can serve as the audition.
Specialized Requirements for the Performance Track
- One additional 300- or 400-level MUS course, which may include MUS 400 Senior Honors Project
- Four additional credits of Studio Lessons (1 or 2 credits each semester) beyond the Core Requirement
- Two additional semesters of Large Ensemble beyond the Core Requirement
- Two additional credits of Music Performance (MUSP) courses that are not Studio Lessons or Large Ensembles. This may include Small Ensembles, Honors Recitals, Independent Studies in Performance, Secondary Piano, Lyric Diction, Composition, etc.
Composition Track
Students must apply to enter the Composition Track by submitting a portfolio of at least two pieces for contrasting media or performing forces. Portfolio applications should be submitted upon completing MUS 331 or earlier.
Specialized Requirements for the Composition Track
- MUS 331 Introduction to Composition
- Four credits of Composition Lessons (MUSP 458B, 458C, and/or 458D) (1 or 2 credits each semester)
- Four credits of upper-level composition electives. This may include: Orchestration, New Music New Voices, Form and Analysis of 20th-21st Century Music, etc.
Musicology Track
No specialized application or audition is required for this track. All students in good standing in Harpur College can pursue this degree path.
Specialized Requirements for the Musicology Track
- Students must fill their core ethnomusicology requirement with MUS 304 Introduction to Ethnomusicology.
- 3 upper-level MUS courses (4 credits each) in music history, ethnomusicology, and/or music theory. For Musicology Track students with double majors this requirement is reduced to two. With special approval, students without a second major may count one non-music course on a closely related topic towards this track (i.e, relevant courses in English, History, Anthropology, Africana Studies, etc.).
Residency
Music majors in the BA program are required to complete at least 14 credits toward the major in residence at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ, comprising two semesters of studio lessons and ensemble participation and all 12 credits in their chosen track. Students considering transferring to Binghamton from another university are advised to begin taking courses in music theory prior to transferring.
Music Major — BMus Degree
Students who wish to become music majors in the BMus program should first consult the Undergraduate Director as early as possible to ensure that the appropriate courses are taken during the first year of study. Admission to the BMus program is open only to students who demonstrate excellence in music performance; acceptance to the program is based on an audition normally taken either before enrollment at Binghamton or within the first three semesters of study.
For music majors pursuing the BMus degree, the department prescribes a core of 86-credit hours in music:
Theory and Musicianship (to be taken in sequence)
- MUS 215 Theory I and MUS 216 Musicianship I
- MUS 217 Theory II and MUS 218 Musicianship II
- MUS 315 Theory III and MUS 316 Musicianship III
- MUS 317 Theory IV and MUS 318 Musicianship IV
Musicology and Ethnomusicology
- MUS 301 History of Western Music I (prerequisite: MUS 215)
- MUS 302 History of Western Music II (prerequisite: MUS 217)
- One upper-level course in Non-Western music or Ethnomusicology
- One additional course in Western Music History or Ethnomusicology
Academic Music Electives
- One additional 300- or 400-level MUS (academic) course
Performance Courses
- Eight semesters of studio lessons in the primary concentration (26 credits total). One semester must be taken at the 400-level and include a junior recital. One semester must be taken at the 400-level and include senior recital, unless the student is pursuing departmental honors, in which case during the semester of their Honors Recital, the student will register for Studio Lessons at the 300-level and take a separate, 4-credit course for the Honors Recital. Students who have been accepted to the MusB program should register for four credits of studio lessons every semester. Students who are considering auditioning for the program should register for at least two credits of studio lessons each semester during the first year, with instructor approval.
- Four semesters of secondary piano (one credit per semester; MUSP 258A-D). For pianists, with department approval: Two or more semesters of studio lessons in a related secondary concentration (one or two credits per semester)
- Eight semesters of large ensemble performance (eight credits total; BMus students in vocal programs must fill 4 of their large ensemble requirements with Binghamton University choirs)
- Four semesters of small ensemble performance (four credits total)
- Four additional credits of MUSP (performance) courses, as approved by the studio teacher.
Residency
Music majors in the BMus program are required to take at least 38 credits toward the major in residence at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ, including at least four semesters (16 credits) of MUS courses at the 300- or 400-level, four semesters (16 credits) of studio lessons, four semesters (four credits) of large ensembles, two semesters (two credits) of small ensembles, the junior half-recital, and the senior full-recital. Students considering transferring to Binghamton and auditioning for the BMus program are advised to begin taking studio lessons and courses in music theory and musicianship early in their college careers and to contact the Music Department as early as possible to discuss audition requirements.
Music Minor
Students who wish to minor in music should make an appointment with the Undergraduate Director for advising and formal declaration of the minor after completing MUS 215 and MUS 216. Studio instruction is encouraged but may not substitute for any of the required courses:
Theory and Musicianship (to be taken in sequence)
- MUS 215 Theory I and MUS 216 Musicianship I
- MUS 217 Theory II and MUS 218 Musicianship II
- MUS 315 Theory III and MUS 316 Musicianship III
Musicology and Ethnomusicology
- MUS 301 History of Western Music I (prerequisite: MUS 215) or MUS 302 History of Western Music II (prerequisite: MUS 217)
- One course in Non-Western music or Ethnomusicology*
- One additional course in Musicology or Ethnomusicology*
*At least one of (2) or (3) must be taken at the 300- or 400-level
Performance
- Two semesters of large ensemble performance or piano accompanying (1 credit per semester).
Honors Projects
To register for a senior honors project (MUS 499, maximum total of four credits) a student must have declared a music major or music minor, have a 3.5 grade-point average in music courses and be recommended by the person who agrees to serve as the faculty advisor (studio teacher, history/theory teacher or composition teacher). The recommendation must include evidence of appropriate accomplishment in the field of the proposed project. With the supporting documentation, a petition to register for honors, including the specific proposal, must be submitted to the undergraduate director prior to the add/drop deadline in the semester of the proposed project and is subject to approval by the undergraduate committee.
When the written project is completed, a committee consisting of the advisor and two other full-time faculty members decide if the project meets expected standards. If so, a grade of A is assigned with honors, high honors or highest honors designated; if not, the course registration reverts to independent study and the course grade is given by the advisor. Faculty committee members are selected by the student.
Honors Recitals
The Senior Honors Recital (MUSP 498, one to four credits) is used for senior recitals that achieve a superior level of accomplishment. They must be substantially longer than typical (at least 55 minutes of music), and be outstanding both in programming (difficulty, stylistic variety, historical range, collaboration or innovation) and in performance (technical achievement, expression and professionalism). To apply for a senior honors recital, a student must have declared a music major (BA or MusB) or music minor (note that recitals will be held to the same standard regardless of major), have a 3.5 grade-point average in music courses, and be recommended by the studio teacher. The recommendation must include evidence of appropriate accomplishment through documented previous work (concert programs or recordings). With the supporting documentation, a petition to register for honors, including the complete proposed recital program, with timings for each piece, must be submitted to the director of undergraduate studies at least four weeks before the recital, and must then be approved by the undergraduate committee. When the performance is completed, a committee consisting of the advisor and two other full-time faculty members decides if the project meets expected standards. If so, a grade of A is assigned with honors, high honors or highest honors designated; if not, the course registration reverts to a Senior Recital (MUSP 494) and is graded by the advisor. Faculty committee members are selected by the student.