Program Overview

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Bachelor of Music (BMus) Degree with a Major in Tuba Performance

The Bachelor of Music (BMus) degree with a major in Tuba Performance is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in music, focusing on the development of technical and musical competence in solo performance, orchestral conducting, composition, or music-historical research.

Program Learning Outcomes for the BMus Degree

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

• 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.
• Possess intermediate analytical skills in music theory and an understanding of how those skills inform music performance.
• Acquire a fundamental understanding of the relationship between music history and music performance.
• 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 Tuba Performance

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

• A minimum of 18 courses (79 credit hours) to satisfy major requirements.
• A minimum of 120 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements.
• A minimum of 13 courses (66 credit hours) taken at the 300-level or above.

All students pursuing the BMus degree in any major must participate in core music, applied music, and other required music courses as well as in chamber music and large ensembles, plus electives. These students are entitled to one hour of private lessons each week of each semester they are enrolled as a music major; private or group lessons beyond this may result in additional fees.

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)
• Select 1 course from the following:
  • MUSI 315: Multi-Media Composition
  • MUSI 378 / ASIA 378: Classical, Contemporary, and Cross-Cultural Asian Music
  • MUSI 403: Basic Electronic Music
  • MUSI 404: Electronic Music Composition
  • MUSI 405: Music Business and Law
  • MUSI 416: Orchestration
  • MUSI 417: Music for Media
  • MUSI 512: Analytical Systems
  • MUSI 513: Modal Counterpoint
  • MUSI 514: Score Reading and Theory at the Keyboard
  • MUSI 517: Early Modern Masters
  • MUSI 613: Tonal Counterpoint
  • MUSI 617: Music since 1950

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)

Individual and Ensemble Study

• MUSI 467: Tuba for Majors (minimum of 8 semesters) (3 credit hours)
• MUSI 337: Undergraduate Orchestra (minimum of 8 semesters) (2 credit hours)
• MUSI 338: Undergraduate Chamber Music (minimum of 4 semesters) (1 credit hour)

Recitals

• MUSI 341: Junior Recital (0 credit hours)
• MUSI 441: Senior Recital (0 credit hours)

Piano Proficiency Exam

Students must complete and pass the Piano Proficiency Exam.

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.

Grading Policy

• A music major who receives a grade of C+ (2.33 grade points) or lower in a course in their major applied area will be placed on music probation.
• If a student receives a second semester of C+ (2.33 grade points) or lower in a course in their major applied area, whether for consecutive semesters or not, the student will be discontinued as a BMus degree-seeking student.

Leaves of Absence and Voluntary Withdrawal

Music majors must obtain permission in writing from the dean of the Shepherd School before requesting a leave of absence from the university.

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.