Program Overview

Bachelor of Music (BMus) Degree with a Major in Music Theory

The Bachelor of Music (BMus) degree with a major in Music Theory is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in music theory and its application to performance, composition, and music history.

Program Learning Outcomes for the BMus Degree

Upon completing the BMus degree, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate technical and musical competence in solo performance, orchestral conducting, composition, or music-historical research appropriate to the standards of a four-year undergraduate program.
2. Possess intermediate analytical skills in music theory and an understanding of how those skills inform music performance.
3. Acquire a fundamental understanding of the relationship between music history and music performance.
4. Develop superior technical collaborative skills in the student's major area through a combination of practice, coaching, and rehearsal in large and small ensembles.

Requirements for the BMus Degree with a Major in Music Theory

For general university requirements, see Graduation Requirements. Students pursuing the BMus degree with a major in Music Theory must complete:

• A minimum of 19 courses (63-68 credit hours, depending on course selection) to satisfy major requirements.
• A minimum of 120 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
• A minimum of 14 courses (50 credit hours) taken at the 300-level or above.

Course Requirements

The following courses satisfy the requirements for this major:

• Music Theory:
  • MUSI 211: THEORY I (3 credit hours)
  • MUSI 212: THEORY II (3 credit hours)
  • MUSI 311: THEORETICAL STUDIES III (3 credit hours)
  • MUSI 312: THEORETICAL STUDIES IV (3 credit hours)
  • MUSI 512: ANALYTICAL SYSTEMS (3 credit hours)
  • MUSI 513: MODAL COUNTERPOINT (3 credit hours)
  • MUSI 613: TONAL COUNTERPOINT (3 credit hours)
• Aural Skills and Performance Techniques:
  • MUSI 231: AURAL SKILLS AND PERFORMANCE TECHNIQUE I (2 credit hours)
  • MUSI 232: AURAL SKILLS AND PERFORMANCE TECHNIQUE II (2 credit hours)
  • MUSI 331: AURAL SKILLS AND PERFORMANCE TECHNIQUES III (2 credit hours)
  • MUSI 332: AURAL SKILLS AND PERFORMANCE TECHNIQUES IV (2 credit hours)
• Music History:
  • MUSI 222 / MDEM 222: MEDIEVAL AND RENAISSANCE ERAS (3 credit hours)
  • MUSI 321: BAROQUE AND EARLY CLASSICAL ERAS (3 credit hours)
  • MUSI 322: CLASSICAL AND ROMANTIC ERAS (3 credit hours)
  • MUSI 421: THE MODERN ERA (3 credit hours)
• Music Academic Elective:
  • Select 1 music academic elective course (see below for course list) (3 credit hours)
• Ensemble:
  • Select a minimum of 5 semesters from the following:
    • MUSI 335: UNDERGRADUATE CHORUS
    • MUSI 337: UNDERGRADUATE ORCHESTRA
• Piano Study:
  • MUSI 381: CONCENTRATION PIANO (minimum of 4 semesters) (2 credit hours)
• Senior Project:
  • MUSI 449: UNDERGRADUATE INDEPENDENT STUDY (2 semesters required, 1st semester) (3 credit hours)
  • MUSI 449: UNDERGRADUATE INDEPENDENT STUDY (2 semesters required, 2nd semester) (3 credit hours)
• Piano Proficiency Exam:
  • Students must complete and pass the Piano Proficiency Exam

Music Academic Elective Course List

• MUSI 516: ADVANCED ORCHESTRATION
• MUSI 517: EARLY MODERN MASTERS
• MUSI 524: AMERICAN MUSIC
• MUSI 525: PERFORMANCE PRACTICES SEMINAR
• MUSI 527: TOPICS IN EARLY MUSIC
• MUSI 528: TOPICS IN THE 17TH AND 18TH CENTURIES
• MUSI 529: TOPICS IN 19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES
• MUSI 530: MUSIC, MAGIC, AND SCIENCE IN THE MODERN WORLD
• MUSI 534: PROGRAM MUSIC IN THE 19TH CENTURY
• MUSI 543: MUSIC AND MODERNISM IN FRANCE
• MUSI 605: ADVANCED ELECTRONIC AND COMPUTER MUSIC SYSTEMS
• MUSI 606: ADVANCED COMPUTER SOUND SYNTHESIS
• MUSI 610: MUSIC THEORIES OF THE WORLD: CROSS-CULTURAL APPROACHES TO PITCH, MELODY, AND RHYTHM
• MUSI 611: CLASSROOM PEDAGOGY
• MUSI 614: SPECIAL TOPICS IN MUSIC THEORY AND MUSIC THEORY COMPOSITION
• MUSI 615: MUSIC OF RAVEL: MUSIC THEORY AND COMPOSITION
• MUSI 617: MUSIC SINCE 1950
• MUSI 621: SELECTED STUDIES IN MUSIC HISTORY
• MUSI 623: J.S. BACH: CAREER, WORKS, AND CRITICAL RECEPTION
• MUSI 624: SEMINAR ON A SELECTED COMPOSER
• MUSI 625: MOZART OPERAS
• MUSI 626: THE CLASSICAL STYLE
• MUSI 627: ROMANTIC SONGS AND PIANO PIECES
• MUSI 716: MUSIC OF THE MIDDLE AGES
• MUSI 717: RENAISSANCE MUSIC
• MUSI 723: AESTHETICS OF MUSIC

Policies for the BMus Degree

Admission

An audition, in person, is required for Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, and Orchestral Conducting undergraduate applicants. A recorded audition may be considered in lieu of a live audition in extreme circumstances. Composition applicants must submit portfolios, and Music History applicants must provide samples of their written work.

Academic Standards

A minimum grade of B- (2.67 grade points) per course is expected of all music students in their major applied area. A grade of C+ (2.33 grade points) or lower in a course in the student's major applied area is considered unsatisfactory and will be evaluated accordingly.

Examinations

At the end of each semester, a jury examination in applied music may be given over the material studied during the semester. All BMus degree candidates must demonstrate keyboard proficiency by examination.

Performance

Students are expected to perform frequently during their residence at Rice. Performance majors must present at least two full recitals; composition majors must present at least one full recital.

Transfer Credit

For Rice University's policy regarding transfer credit, see Transfer Credit. Some departments and programs have additional restrictions on transfer credit.

Opportunities for the BMus Degree

Academic Honors

The university recognizes academic excellence achieved over an undergraduate's academic history at Rice. For information on university honors, please see Latin Honors (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude) and Distinction in Research and Creative Work.

BMus/MMus Honors Program

Shepherd School students who demonstrate truly exceptional musical and academic accomplishment may apply for the BMus/MMus five-year coordinated program. This program allows for the completion and awarding of both the BMus and MMus degrees concurrently.

Other Musical Opportunities

A visiting lecturer series, a professional concert series, and numerous distinguished visiting musicians contribute to the Shepherd School environment. The Houston Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Chorus, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, Houston Masterworks Chorus, Da Camera, Context, and Chamber Music Houston, as well as the activities of other institutions of higher learning in the area, also provide exceptional opportunities for students to enjoy a wide spectrum of music.