This website uses cookies. Learn more via our web privacy policy. For questions, please email dataprivacy@columbusstate.edu.
Bachelor of Music - Columbus State University

{{ rssData.title }}

{{ rssData.description }}

Academics

Bachelor of Music

Program Description

The Bachelor of Music in Performance degree is for students who aspire to become professional performers. Students study privately under the direction of our artist-faculty and are held to the highest performance expectations, and classroom instruction with low student-to-teacher ratios in the core areas of music theory, ear training, and music history provide the fundamental background necessary for success as a well-rounded musician.

Students perform in our large ensembles (symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, choir, jazz band) as well as have the opportunity to grow through the chamber music experience each semester. These ensembles are coached by faculty and include multiple performance opportunities in our world-class facilities and throughout Columbus and the surrounding region. Celebrated guest artists from around the world come to the Schwob School of Music to teach and perform with and for our students. Students can also elect to take courses in areas that supplement their performing skills such as music business, audio technology, and body mapping, creating well-equipped performers for the 21st century marketplace.

Career Opportunities

The Bachelor of Music in Performance degree is for students who aspire to become professional performers.

  • music performance
  • production
  • studio instruction and related areas

Admission Requirements

Prospective music majors must demonstrate basic aptitude in a performance medium through a placement audition and interview. Transfer students should call the Schwob School for additional audition requirements.

Piano
Any Prelude and Fugue by J.S. Bach from WTC, Allegro (I movement) from sonata by J. Hadyn, W.A. Mozart, or L. van Beethoven, one virtuoso étude by F. Chopin, F. Liszt, or S. Rachmaninoff. Any work from the romantic era by F. Chopin, R. Schumann, J. Brahms, or F. Liszt.

Organ
One Hymn written in four-part chorale style, presented with an introduction, one stanza employing standard part-playing techniques, and an (optional) second stanza, which employs a re-harmonization or descant or other appropriate treatment. One work by J. S. Bach, which was originally conceived for the organ. One work contrasting in style to the J. S. Bach work presented, from the 19th or 20th Centuries, originally conceived for the organ. Sight-reading and manual and pedal scales will be examined.

Harp
Two works or movements of works in contrasting styles, preferably from memory. Cadenza from the Tchaikovsky Waltz of the Flowers. One Pozzoli Etude, free choice.

Violin
Technique Three octaves minor and major scales (candidate's choice), including double stops, thirds and octaves.One etude or caprice by Rode, Dont, Dancla, Gavinies, Wieniawski, or Paganini.
Bach: Two contrasting movements from a sonata or partita for unaccompanied violin.
Concerto: One movement from a standard 19th or 20th century concerto (if 1st movement, include cadenza).
Short piece
: One short work of the candidate's choice.

Viola, Cello, Contrabass
Scales in 3 octaves.
Two contrasting selections or movements representing two of the following style periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic or Contemporary. A selection from the standard concerto repertoire and a movement of Bach is highly recommended (from 6 Sonatas & Partitas for Violin/Viola solo or from 6 Suites for solo cello/viola/bass).

Etudes: Viola: 2 etudes from Kreutzer, Fiorillo or Rode. Cello: 2 etudes from Popper, Dotzauer, Feulliard or Greutzmacher. Bass: 2 etudes from Bille, Rabbath or Simandl.

Guitar
Three pieces in contrasting style, one arpeggio study (Carulli, Carcassi, Giuliani, etc.) and two-octave scales in four major and harmonic and melodic minor keys.

Brass
One or two solos or concerto movements (or characteristic etudes) that demonstrate both lyrical and technical skills. Chromatic scale, 12 major scales with arpeggios, and sight-reading.

Woodwinds
One or two solos or concerto movements (or characteristic etudes) that demonstrate both lyrical and technical skills. Sight-reading, all major scales and arpeggios, and a full-range chromatic scale.

Percussion

Snare drum: ONE etude from Anthony Cirone's Portraits in Rhythm, or Delécluse 12 Etudes, or Mitchell Peters Intermediate Snare Drum Studies Timpani: ONE etude from Mitchell Peters Fundamental Method for Timpani (from #44, 45, 47, 49), or 3-4 drum etude from Goodman Modern Method for Timpani Keyboards: Choose ONE mallet piece from the following:

  1. Any xylophone ragtime solo by G.H. Green
  2. One movement from a Bach Cello Suite or Violin Partita
  3. One page etude from Goldenberg Modern School

OPTIONAL BUT STRONGLY RECOMMENDED:
ONE short four mallet solo or etude from Burritt, Smadbeck, Bobo, Sammut, Stout, Peters, Tyson, Gomez, Musser,

Sight reading will be required for snare drum and mallets.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate proficiency in instrumental performance through the reparation for and performance of a senior recital that exhibits effective artistic expression.

  • Demonstrate competency in the application of knowledge of music theory through analysis and composition.
  • Demonstrate competency in fundamental musical knowledge and skills through analytical listening, sight-singing conducting, and functional piano skills.

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the history of western music and the ability to place music in historical/cultural/stylistic contexts through the purposeful use of evidence, insightful reasoning, and supporting details.

Additional Program Requirements

In order to be accepted as a music major, each student must demonstrate aptitude in his/her major instrument or voice through a placement audition and interview with a member of the music faculty. All newly admitted music majors also must take placement examinations in music theory and piano. Music majors who take time off before completing degree requirements will be required to re-audition if they have missed a full academic year (fall and spring, or spring and fall).

Transfer students: Please note that placement in music courses is based on audition and testing results and not necessarily on previous college credit.

General Requirements

All music majors are required to attend all master classes in their major instrument and must perform at least once each semester in a recital or master class. All students enrolled in applied music must be concurrently enrolled in the major music ensemble activity that corresponds to their major instrument (Strings-Orchestra, Winds/Percussion – Wind Ensemble, Voice-Choral Ensemble).

Additional Requirements

Students must consult the Schwob School of Music Student Handbook for additional information on requirements for graduation.  The handbook may be found at https://music.columbusstate.edu/students/student_handbook_2015-16.pdf

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
Select one of the following courses:

MATH 1001
MATH 1101
MATH 1111
MATH 1113
MATH 1125
MATH 1131


Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4-5

COMM 1110
Select two of the following courses:

ITDS 1125
ITDS 1779
ITDS 2726
ITDS 2727
ITDS 2735
ITDS 2746
ITDS 2748
ITDS 2749
ITDS 2755

OR
Select one of the following courses:

EURO 2105
INTS 2105
LEAD 1705
LIBR 1105
POLS 2401
HIST 1111
HIST 1112

Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: Students must complete Area B and Area D with a combined total of 15 credit hours within the following ranges: Area B, 4-5 hours; Area D1, 7-8 hours; Area D2, 3-4 hours. Any additional hours may be applied to Area F or beyond, depending on the program of study. Students should consult their advisors.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

ENGL 2111
ENGL 2112
ITDS 1145*
ITDS 1155
ITDS 2125
PHIL 2010

Select one of the following fine arts courses:

ARTH 1100
ITDS 1145*
MUSC 1100
THEA 1100
ARTH 2125
ARTH 2126

*ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.


Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 10-11
D1: Select two science courses from the list below, one of which must include a lab.

ANTH 1145 (no lab)
ASTR 1105/1305 (lab optional)
ASTR 1106/1305
ATSC 1112/1112L
BIOL 1215K (lab included)
BIOL 1125 (no lab)
BIOL 1225K (lab included)
CHEM 1151/1151L
CHEM 1152/1152L
CHEM 1211/1211L
CHEM 1212/1212L
ENVS 1105/1105L (lab optional)
ENVS 1205K
GEOL 1110 (no lab)
GEOL 1121/1121L
GEOL 1122/1322
GEOL 2225 (lab included)
PHYS 1111/1311
PHYS 1112/1312
PHYS 1125/1325 (lab optional)
PHYS 2211/2311
PHYS 2212/2312

D2: Select one of the following courses or a science course from above:

CPSC 1105
CPSC 1301K
GEOG 2215
MATH 1113
MATH 1125
MATH 1131
MATH 1132
MATH 1165
MATH 2125
PHIL 2500
STAT 1401

Note: Students must complete Area B and Area D with a combined total of 15 credit hours within the following ranges: Area B, 4-5 hours; Area D1, 7-8 hours; Area D2, 3-4 hours. Any additional hours may be applied to Area F or beyond, depending on the program of study. Students should consult their advisors.


Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 6

Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3
PHED 1205
Select any one MUSC 1206 Body Mapping

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 24
A minimum grade of "C" is required in each of the following courses:

Take the appropriate course 4 times:
MUSA 2231 or 2331 Applied Music - Major Instrument

MUSP 1070 Orchestral Ensemble Activities
MUSP 1080 Wind Ensemble Activities
MUSP 1321 Guitar Ensemble


Area G Required Hours: 37

A minimum grade of "C" is required in each of the following courses:

MUSP 3070 Orchestral Ensemble Activities
MUSP 3080 Wind Ensemble Activities
MUSP 3321 Guitar Ensemble

Area H Required Hours: 23

Wind, Brass, and Percussion students:
Select twenty-three hours of MUSA 1215 Jazz Guitar
MUSC 5223 Guitar Literature 1
MUSC 5224 Guitar Literature 2
MUSE 3217 Guitar Pedagogy
MUSC 3307 Fretboard Harmony
Select fourteen hours from MUSC 5236 String Literature
MUSP 3359 Small Ensemble (take this course seven times)

Choose one group of pedagogy courses from the following:

MUSE 3261 Cello Pedagogy 1 AND MUSE 3262 Cello Pedagogy 2 OR
MUSE 3281 Violin Pedagogy 1 AND MUSE 3282 Violin Pedagogy 2 OR
MUSE 3283 Viola Pedagogy 1 AND MUSE 3284 Viola Pedagogy 2 OR
MUSE 3216 String Bass Pedagogy 1 AND MUSE 5205U String Instrument Repair
Select ten hours of MUSA , MUSC , MUSE , MUSP courses .

Total Hours Required: 123

Ask Cody

Ask Cody