Program Overview
Music Program at Montana State University
The Music program at Montana State University offers students the opportunity to study performance, conducting, and composition in an environment of strong academics and abundant performance opportunities. Students can chart their own path to success as they pursue core music studies along with a broad range of specialized courses and outside subjects.
Music B.A. in Music, Minor
In the Music program at Montana State, students pursue core music studies in performance, theory, and history, along with a broad range of specialized music ensembles. Dynamic faculty work one-on-one in the studio, performers participate in a wide range of ensembles, and specialists lead academic courses that range from entertainment business to music composition. In addition to focusing on the subject as a major, Music can be taken as a minor.
Performance Opportunities
With eighteen ensembles that range from chorus to chamber music to a traditional Balinese gamelan percussion orchestra, there are performance opportunities for every musician.
Unique Opportunities
At Montana State, undergraduates are offered hands-on experiences in labs, studios, teaching farms, and in the surrounding wilderness.
Spirit Of The West
The Spirit of the West Marching Band at Montana State can be seen and heard at all home Bobcat football games, as well as dozens of other events around campus and in the community.
Career Resources
Within their first year of graduation, more than 96% of Montana State graduates are employed, continuing their education, or not seeking employment. Career guidance consistently ranks MSU as the #1 school in the state where alumni are most likely to land jobs.
Career Coaching & Professional Skills Studio
Professional career coaches help students with their career exploration, employer networking opportunities, and job or internship searches. They also critique resumes and help students practice job interviews. Additionally, the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success offers free workshops for students to develop the professional communication and collaboration skills that are highly sought after by employers.
Careers
Music students at Montana State University go into careers such as:
- Musician
- Education
- Music Librarian
- Conductor
- Musicologist
Sample Course Plan
The following is a sample course plan for the Music program at Montana State University:
Year One
- MUSI 140 - Aural Perception I (1 credit)
- MUSI 141 - Aural Perception II (1 credit)
- MUSI 105 - Music Theory I (3 credits)
- MUSI 106 - Music Theory II (3 credits)
- MUSI 135 - Keyboard Skills I (1 credit)
- MUSI 136 - Keyboard Skills II (1 credit)
- MUSI 195 - Applied Music I (1 credit)
- MUSI 195 - Applied Music I (1 credit)
- Ensemble (2 credits)
- University Core and Electives (non-music) (16 credits) Year Total: 30 credits
Year Two
- MUSI 240 - Aural Perception III (1 credit)
- MUSI 241 - Aural Perception IV (1 credit)
- MUSI 205 - Music Theory III (3 credits)
- MUSI 206 - Music Theory IV (3 credits)
- Choose two of the following:
- MUSI 230 - Interm Keyboard: Repertoire
- MUSI 231 - Interm Keyboard: Accompanying
- MUSI 232 - Interm Keyboard: Opn Scre Rdng
- MUSI 233 - Interm Keyboard Skill: Jazz
- MUSI 295 - Applied Music II (1 credit)
- MUSI 295 - Applied Music II (1 credit)
- MUSI 307IA - World Music (3 credits)
- Ensemble (2 credits)
- University Core and Electives (non-music) (13 credits) Year Total: 30 credits
Year Three
- Choose two of the following:
- MUSI 301 - Music History I
- MUSI 302 - Music History II
- MUSI 303 - Music History of 20th and 21st Centuries
- MUSI 395 - Applied Music III (1 credit)
- MUSI 395 - Applied Music III (1 credit)
- Ensemble (2 credits)
- Music Electives (max. of 2 credits overflow ensembles for all 8 music electives, NO Applied Lessons) (3 credits)
- University Core and Electives (non-music) (17 credits) Year Total: 30 credits
Year Four
- MUSI 499R - Senior Capstone Project (3 credits)
- MUSI 395 - Applied Music III (1 credit)
- MUSI 495 - Applied Music IV (1 credit)
- Ensemble (2 credits)
- Music Electives (5 credits)
- University Core and Electives (non-music) (18 credits) Year Total: 30 credits Total Program Credits: 120 credits