Music Major, B.M. (Performance: Instrumental Concentration)

Department Information

Department of Music
PO Box 70661
Phone (423) 439-4270
Web Address: www.etsu.edu/cas/music

The Department of Music at East Tennessee State University was established in 1946 and is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The Department of Music also offers training in the Suzuki method for flute. Courses in this program meet certification guidelines of the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA).

Undergraduate instruction in the department leads to the Bachelor of Music (BM) degree with a concentration in Jazz Studies, Music Education, or Performance. This specialized training in music prepares students for professional work or advanced study, for teaching music in the elementary and secondary schools, and for general cultural attainment.

Admission Requirements
Any student seeking a major or minor in music at ETSU must first meet the general university admission requirements. Once that admission is granted, the student must audition for admission to the music degree program. Auditions are held on selected dates during the spring for dates, and by appointment (see the department web page, www.etsu.edu/cas/music).

The audition may be performed live or via videotape (if the student lives more than 250 miles from campus.) The audition, which is judged by faculty in the Department of Music, should demonstrate the student’s technique and musicianship.

If a student meets the audition requirements and is admitted to the program, an academic advisor will assist the student in determining courses to be taken. Students who do not meet the audition requirements may register for applied music and for ensembles and may audition again at a later date. It should be noted that the student’s academic progress will be seriously delayed if the music major is not declared by the sophomore year. Students electing the music minor must declare that minor prior to reaching 60 credits of coursework to ensure that the program can be completed in a timely manner.

It is recommended that students not successfully completing the theory entrance exam take music fundamentals prior to starting theory courses.

Transfer Students
Students transferring to East Tennessee State University from another college or university are required to take an audition. Student transcripts will be reviewed prior to acceptance into the Department of Music.

Advising
Students wishing more information regarding the Department of Music or wanting to be advised, can contact us at:
(423) 439-4270
or email us at music@etsu.edu
or visit www.etsu.edu/music

Degree Requirements: 120 credits

Suggested Four-Year Program of Study: MUSC-BM (PEIN)  

General Education Requirements  

These requirements include earning 41-42 credits in Communication, Humanities and Fine Arts, Social and Behavior Sciences, History, Natural Sciences and Mathematics categories.

Major Specific courses listed in General Education Requirements:

• MUSC 1030  

Total Requirements for Music Major: 79 credits

Music Major Core Requirements: 30 credits

• MUSC 1410 - Theory and Analysis I (3 credits)
• MUSC 1411 - Aural Skills I (1 credit)
• MUSC 1420 - Theory and Analysis II (3 credits)
• MUSC 1421 - Aural Skills II (1 credit)
• MUSC 2410 - Theory and Analysis III (3 credits)
• MUSC 2411 - Aural Skills III (1 credit)
• MUSC 2420 - Theory and Analysis IV (3 credits)
• MUSC 2421 - Aural Skills IV (1 credit)
• MUSC 2540 - Music Research Methods (3 credits)
• MUSC 3540 - Music History I (3 credits)
• MUSC 3550 - Music History II (3 credits)
• MUSC 3570 - Introduction to Conducting (2 credits)
• MUSC 4600 - Orchestration and Arranging (3 credits)

• Note: Must enroll in Group Piano or Applied Piano until piano proficiency examination is passed.

Performance: Instrumental Concentration: 49 credits

• MUSC 2010 - Class Piano III (1 credit)
• MUSC 2020 - Class Piano IV (1 credit)
• MUSC 3420 - Counterpoint (3 credits)
• MUSC 3590 - Instrumental Conducting (2 credits)
• Applied Music - Eight (8) semesters of two credits per semester (16 credits)

Choose from: MUSC 1811 , MUSC 1821 , MUSC 1851 , MUSC 2911 , MUSC 2921 , MUSC 2951 , MUSC 3911 , MUSC 3921 , or MUSC 3951  

• Major Ensemble - Eight (8) semesters of at least one credit per semester (8 credits)

Choose from: MUSC 1202 , MUSC 1203 , MUSC 1204 , MUSC 1206 , MUSC 3202 , MUSC 3203 , MUSC 3204 , or MUSC 3206   

• Chamber Ensemble (4 credits)

Choose from: MUSC 1211 , MUSC 1212 , MUSC 1213 , MUSC 1214 , MUSC 1261 , MUSC 1262 , MUSC 1271 , MUSC 3211 , MUSC 3212 , MUSC 3213 , MUSC 3214 , MUSC 3261 , MUSC 3262 , or MUSC 3271  

• Free Electives (8 credits)

No Minor Required

Half Recital

Full Recital

Piano Proficiency

Recital Attendance

Additional Information

Click here to view Degree and Graduation Requirements  for all ETSU students.

CSCI 1100  or Proficiency exam: Must be completed to meet Bachelor’s Degree Requirements. 

Most minors range from 18-24 credits. Those few minors with more than 24 credits may affect the number of free electives allowed.

See the Music Department  page for detailed information on half recital, full recital, piano proficiency, recital attendance, and other program requirements.