Music, Instrumental Performance Concentration, B.M.

The Instrumental Performance Concentration in the Bachelor of Music degree is offered by the College of Liberal Arts at MTSU. There are four specializations available in this program:

• Brass, Harp, Orchestral Strings, Woodwinds and Percussion
• Guitar
• Jazz Studies
• Piano

Admission Criteria

To be admitted into the Bachelor of Music degree program, all entering students must pass an audition before the faculty on their major instrument or voice. Students who do not pass the audition may be allowed, at the discretion of the faculty, to enroll in private music lessons or class instruction for one semester only. At the end of the semester, the student must reaudition for admission into the program.

Requirements

In addition to the audition, all prospective new or transfer undergraduate majors and minors are required to take the Music Theory and Aural Skills Diagnostic Exam to determine appropriate placement in the music theory program.

Jury Examinations

All music majors and minors are required to participate in jury examinations in their primary performing areas. Non-music majors registered for private lessons may be required to perform a jury examination at the discretion of the instructor. Jury examinations are held to measure the student's progress at the conclusion of each semester. Those students who have presented and passed their senior recitals during the semester may be excused from jury examinations.

Class Piano/Theory and Aural Skills

All undergraduate music majors (except keyboard principals) must take class piano every semester as indicated on the advising check sheets until the required piano proficiency exam is successfully completed. Concurrent enrollment in Class Piano I and Theory and Aural Skills I is required, with the following exceptions:

• The student successfully passed either Class Piano I or Theory and Aural Skills I, but not both,
• The student successfully passed one or more levels of Class Piano by examination. Students should see their advisors for details.

Academic Map

Following is a printable, suggested four-year schedule of courses for each concentration.

Degree Requirements

True Blue Core (41 hours)

True Blue Core (TBC) requirements include courses in the Foundational Skills areas of Written Communication (WC), Information Literacy (Info Lit), Non-Written Communication (NWC), and Quantitative Literacy (Quant Lit). Knowledge Domains include Human Society and Social Relationships (HSSR), Scientific Literacy (Sci Lit), Creativity and Cultural Expression (CCE), and History and Civic Learning (HCL), which include Discovery and Explorations categories. Students must choose at least one course from each Discovery category.

Major Requirements

Music Core

All music majors must take class piano or private piano instruction until they pass the piano proficiency examination prescribed by their degree programs. Students should see their advisors for details.

• MUS 1010 - Recital Attendance (6 semesters)
• MUS 3140 - Basic Conducting
• MUHL 1610 - The World of Music (CCE)
• MUHL 3010 - History of Western Art Music I
• MUHL 3020 - History of Western Art Music II
• MUTH 1110 - Theory and Aural Skills I
• MUTH 1120 - Theory and Aural Skills II
• MUTH 2110 - Theory and Aural Skills III
• MUTH 2120 - Theory and Aural Skills IV
• MUTH 4130 - Orchestration and Arranging

Instrumental Performance Concentration

Each concentration has specific requirements:

• Brass, Harp, Orchestral Strings, Woodwinds and Percussion: 52 hours
  • MUS 1530 - Class Piano I
  • MUS 1540 - Class Piano II
  • MUS 2530 - Class Piano III
  • MUS 2540 - Class Piano IV (1 credit hour required)
  • MUS 3150 - Advanced Instrumental Conducting
  • MUAP 3800 - Junior Recital
  • Music elective (3 credit hours)
  • MUTH 4110 - Form and Analysis
  • MUPD 41-- - Advanced Pedagogy (2 credit hours)
  • MUEN 3-- - Ensembles (14 credit hours)
  • MUAP 2-- - Private Instruction (8 credit hours)
  • MUAP 4-- - Private Instruction (12 credit hours)
  • MUHL 47-- - Instrumental Literature (2 credit hours) or MUHL 4870 (2 credit hours for harp)
  • MUAP 4900 - Senior Recital
• Guitar: 49 hours
  • MUS 1530 - Class Piano I
  • MUS 1540 - Class Piano II
  • MUS 2530 - Class Piano III
  • MUS 2540 - Class Piano IV (1 credit hour required)
  • MUS 3170 - Guitar Skills I
  • MUTH 3110 - Counterpoint
  • MUAP 3800 - Junior Recital
  • MUHL 4060 - Survey of Guitar Literature
  • MUTH 4110 - Form and Analysis
  • MUPD 4350 - Guitar Pedagogy
  • MUEN 3-- - Ensembles (8 credit hours)
  • MUAP 2412 - Private Instruction-Guitar (8 credit hours required)
  • MUAP 4413 - Private Instruction-Guitar (12 credit hours required)
  • MUAP 4900 - Senior Recital
  • Music upper-division elective (2 credit hours)
• Jazz Studies: 54 hours
  • MUAP 2-- - Private Instruction (4 credit hours)
  • MUAP 2-- - Private Instruction (Jazz) (4 credit hours)
  • MUAP 4-- - Private Instruction (Jazz) (8 credit hours)
  • MUAP 4343 - Jazz Arranging, Applied Study (2 semesters)
  • MUEN 3431 - Jazz Improvisation Lab (2 semesters)
  • MUEN 3-- - Ensembles (9 credit hours)
  • MUHL 4530 - History of Jazz
  • MUPD 3050 - Jazz Pedagogy
  • MUTH 3160 - Jazz Theory
  • MUTH 4180 - Improvisation
  • MUAP 3800 - Junior Recital
  • MUAP 4900 - Senior Recital
  • MUS 1530 - Class Piano I
  • MUS 1540 - Class Piano II
  • MUAP 2611 - Private Instruction - Jazz Piano (2 semesters)
  • MUHL 3910 - Styles and Analysis of Jazz
  • Music Electives (2 hours)
• Piano: 52 hours
  • MUS 2550 - Keyboard Skills for Pianists I
  • MUS 2560 - Keyboard Skills for Pianists II
  • MUTH 3110 - Counterpoint
  • MUAP 3800 - Junior Recital
  • MUTH 4110 - Form and Analysis
  • MUPD 4360 - Piano Pedagogy I
  • MUPD 4370 - Piano Pedagogy II
  • MUPD 4380 - Group Piano Pedagogy
  • MUEN 3-- - Ensembles (8 credit hours)
  • MUAP 2352 - Private Instruction-Piano (8 credit hours required)
  • MUAP 4353 - Private Instruction-Piano (12 credit hours required)
  • Music electives (3 credit hours)
  • MUHL 4850 - Piano Literature I
  • MUHL 4860 - Piano Literature II
  • MUAP 4900 - Senior Recital

Careers

Possible career options include:

• Arts manager
• Band director/leader
• Church musician/worship leader
• Composer/arranger/orchestrator
• Conductor
• Instrument salesperson/repair technician
• Instrumental performer
• Marketer
• Music critic/journalist
• Music editor and publisher
• Music educator
• Music librarian
• Musicologist
• Songwriter
• Studio/private teacher
• Talent agent
• University professor

Employers of MTSU Alumni

Employers of MTSU alumni include:

• Nashville Symphony Orchestra
• Regional orchestras in a number of states and metropolitan areas
• University of Southern Mississippi
• University of Northern Colorado
• Middle Tennessee State University
• The Kennedy Center
• Major Command Army Band at Fort Bragg, N.C.
• K-12 schools and colleges throughout the nation

Faculty

The faculty includes:

• Don J. Aliquo, Professor
• Dr. Michael Arndt, Professor
• Dr. Adam Clark, Professor
• Dr. Chris Combest, Associate Professor
• Lalo Davila, Professor
• Dr. Andrea Dawson, Professor
• Angela DeBoer, Professor
• Dr. Deanna Hahn, Professor
• Dr. Eunbyol Ko, Master Instructor
• Dr. David Loucky, Professor
• Brian Mueller, Instructor
• Dr. Arunesh Nadgir, Professor
• Dr. Carol Nies, Associate Professor
• Jamey Simmons, Professor
• Dr. Keith Sorrels, Lecturer
• Dr. Staci A. Spring, Lecturer
• Dr. Todd Waldecker, Professor
• Dr. William Yelverton, Professor

Information

Instrumental Performance music majors at MTSU come from around the world and receive top-shelf teaching from high-performing faculty. Students focus on guitar; piano; jazz studies; or brass, orchestral strings, woodwinds, and percussion. Programs are strong in all areas. Numerous student ensembles provide performances in styles from concert and marching band, orchestra and chamber music, to jazz, salsa, and steel drum. Groups have recently performed concert tours of China, Korea, Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico, and Italy. Instrumentalists also are close to Music City's recording studios, Nashville Symphony, and a thriving live music market. Students regularly have master classes with world-renowned artists and can even study on period instruments.

Outline:

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Program Content:

• Focus on guitar; piano; jazz studies; or brass, orchestral strings, woodwinds, and percussion.

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Program Structure:

• Four-year program
• Includes general education, music core, and instrumental performance concentration courses

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Course Schedule:

• Suggested four-year schedule available

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Individual Modules with Descriptions:

• Music Core (27 hours)
• Class piano or private piano instruction
• Music theory sequence (MUTH 1110, 1120, 2110, 2120)
• Music history sequence (MUHL 1610, 3010, 3020)
• Recital Attendance (MUS 1010)
• Basic Conducting (MUS 3140)
• Orchestration and Arranging (MUTH 4130)
• Instrumental Performance Concentration (52 hours)
• Class Piano (MUS 1530, 1540, 2530, 2540)
• Advanced Instrumental Conducting (MUS 3150)
• Junior Recital (MUAP 3800)
• Music elective (3 credit hours)
• Form and Analysis (MUTH 4110)
• Advanced Pedagogy (MUPD 41--) (2 credit hours)
• Ensembles (MUEN 3--) (14 credit hours)
• Private Instruction (MUAP 2--, 4--) (20 credit hours)
• Instrumental Literature (MUHL 47--, 4870) (2 credit hours)
• Senior Recital (MUAP 4900)

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Teaching:

• Top-shelf teaching from high-performing faculty
• Master classes with world-renowned artists
• Opportunities to study on period instruments

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Careers:

• Possible career options include:
• Arts manager
• Band director/leader
• Church musician/worship leader
• Composer/arranger/orchestrator
• Conductor
• Instrument salesperson/repair technician
• Instrumental performer
• Marketer
• Music critic/journalist
• Music editor and publisher
• Music educator
• Music librarian
• Musicologist
• Songwriter
• Studio/private teacher
• Talent agent
• University professor
• Employers of MTSU alumni include:
• Nashville Symphony Orchestra
• Regional orchestras
• Universities
• The Kennedy Center
• Major Command Army Band
• K-12 schools and colleges

Middle Tennessee State University

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Overview:

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is a large university with a small-town feel, located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It is known for its affordability, strong academic programs, and vibrant campus life. MTSU is a public university with a diverse student body, including a significant number of first-generation students.

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Services Offered:

MTSU offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Financial Aid:

83% of students receive financial aid, with over $230 million in assistance available.

Campus Improvements:

The university has invested $1.5 billion in recent campus improvements and renovations.

Academic Support:

MTSU provides academic advising, tutoring, and other support services to help students succeed.

Student Life:

The university offers a variety of student organizations, clubs, and activities to enhance the campus experience.

Career Services:

MTSU provides career counseling, job placement assistance, and internship opportunities.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

MTSU boasts a vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community. Students can enjoy:

Large Campus with Small-Town Feel:

MTSU's 515-acre campus offers a scenic, park-like setting while maintaining a close-knit atmosphere.

Active Student Organizations:

Students can join over 200 student organizations and clubs, catering to diverse interests.

Athletics:

MTSU has 17 Division I sports teams, providing opportunities for both participation and spectator enjoyment.

Campus Events:

The university hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, lectures, and sporting events.

Student Union:

The Student Union serves as a central hub for students, offering dining, a bookstore, a game room, a theater, and more.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Affordability:

MTSU offers the lowest tuition among Tennessee's three largest universities, making it a highly affordable option.

Strong Academic Programs:

MTSU offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate majors and concentrations, including highly ranked programs in areas like Industrial and Organizational Psychology and Audio Engineering.

Diverse Student Body:

MTSU is home to a diverse student population, including a significant number of first-generation students.

Vibrant Campus Life:

The university offers a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities, fostering a strong sense of community.

Career Opportunities:

MTSU provides career counseling, job placement assistance, and internship opportunities to help students prepare for their future careers.

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Academic Programs:

MTSU offers a wide range of academic programs across eight colleges, including:

Arts and Sciences:

Offers majors in fields like biology, chemistry, English, history, and mathematics.

Business:

Offers majors in accounting, finance, marketing, and management.

Education:

Offers majors in elementary education, secondary education, and special education.

Engineering and Technology:

Offers majors in computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

Fine Arts:

Offers majors in music, theater, and art.

Health and Human Sciences:

Offers majors in nursing, health sciences, and human development.

Liberal Arts:

Offers majors in communication, journalism, and political science.

University College:

Offers a variety of general studies programs and interdisciplinary majors.

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Other:

• MTSU is the number 1 producer of college graduates in the greater Nashville area.
• MTSU is home to the first public Honors College in Tennessee.
• MTSU has more than two dozen Fulbright scholars.
• MTSU students, alumni, faculty, and staff have won 47 Grammy Awards since 2001.
• MTSU is known for its flexible programs that emphasize real-world projects and soft skills development.