Jun 14, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

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. The University is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The Department offers the Bachelor of Music with concentrations in Performance and Music Education and the Bachelor of Arts with concentrations in Commercial Music, Composition, Music History, and Performance. The Department of Music is a vibrant community of students and faculty committed to the highest level of musical artistry and academic achievement.

Admission Requirements

Any student applying to major or minor in music at both the undergraduate and graduate levels must first meet the general university admission requirements. Once admitted to the university, the student must audition for admission to the music degree program. Auditions are held on announced dates during the academic year and may also be scheduled by appointment. Undergraduate auditions may be performed via recording if the student lives more than 150 miles from campus.

Students will be notified of their acceptance or denial to be a music major in the Department of Music within ten business days of the audition. If accepted, an academic advisor will assist the student in determining courses to be taken to begin the program of study. Students who are denied acceptance may still register for applied music lessons and for ensembles. Students who are denied acceptance may audition again, but no more than once per calendar year. A student who is denied acceptance three times is no longer eligible to audition.

Students who are accepted for admission to the music, jazz studies, or composition minor programs must declare that minor prior to reaching 60 credits of coursework to ensure that the program of study can be completed before graduation.

For complete information about auditions see the department web page: www.etsu.edu/cas/music

Progression Policy: Applied Music

Music majors must register for applied music courses (private instruction) in their major area of performance as part of their degree programs. Students may advance in applied music course levels (1, 2, 3) through the successful completion of the level advancement process assigned by faculty as part of the courses. Students must spend a minimum of two semesters of study at each level before attempting level advancement. Students may not exceed four semesters at level 1 and six semesters at level 2. Students who advance to level 3 may continue to enroll indefinitely. Additional course fees will apply for Applied Music 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

General Education	40-43 credits
Major Total Requirement	78 credits
Major Core	(29 credits)
Concentration	(49 credits)
Piano Proficiency
Sightreading Levels I & II
Independent Musicianship
Mediant Recital
Cumulative Recital
Program Notes
Recital Attendance
Free Electives	0-2 credits
TOTAL	120 credits

Minimum Grade Requirement: Students must pass all Bachelor of Music core classes with a C- or higher.

Compass Core Curriculum

These requirements include earning 41-42 credits in Strengthening Foundations, Understanding Natural and Social Worlds, Exploring Connections, Cultivate Artistic Awareness, and Growing as an Individual and Global Citizen categories.

Major Specific courses listed in Compass Core Curriculum Requirements:

MUSC 1030

MUSC 1035

Total Requirements for Music Major: 78 credits

Music Major Core Requirements: 29 credits

MUSC 1000 - Symposium (1 credit) (Take 4 times for a total of 4 credits)
MUSC 1101 - Music Major 101 (1 credit)
MUSC 1111 - Recital Attendance (0 credit) *
MUSC 1405 - Introduction to Aural Skills (3 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 2540 - Music History I (3 credits)
MUSC 3540 - Music History II (3 credits)
MUSC 3550 - Music History III (3 credits)

Performance: Instrumental Concentration: 49 credits

MUSC 1010 - Class Piano I (1 credit)
MUSC 1020 - Class Piano II (1 credit)
MUSC 1275 - Alexander Technique (2 credits)
MUSC 3205 - Lab Ensemble (0-1 credit)
MUSC 3630 - The Enterprising Musician (3 credits)
MUSC 4100 - Collaborative Coaching (1-2 credits) (Take 2 times for a total of 4 credits)

Major Ensemble (8 credits)

Choose 1 course. Take 8 times for 8 credits.

Chamber Ensemble (8 credits)

Choose 1 course. Take 8 times for 8 credits.

MUSC 1206 - Chamber Orchestra (1 credit)
MUSC 1211 - Brass Choir (1 credit)
MUSC 1212 - Woodwind Ensemble (1 credit)
MUSC 1213 - String Ensemble (1 credit)
MUSC 1214 - Percussion Ensemble (1 credit)
MUSC 1271 - Instrumental Chamber Groups (1 credit)

Literature and Pedagogy (3 credits)

Choose 1 course.

MUSC 4350 - Brass Literature and Pedagogy (3 credits)
MUSC 4450 - Woodwind Literature and Pedagogy (3 credits)
MUSC 4550 - Percussion Literature and Pedagogy (3 credits)
MUSC 4565 - String Literature and Pedagogy (3 credits)

Applied Music (16 credits)

Take 2 credits per semester for 8 semesters. At least 1 semester must be at Level III.

MUSC 1811 - Applied Winds Level I (1-2 credits)
MUSC 1821 - Applied Strings Level I (1-2 credits)
MUSC 1851 - Applied Percussion Level I (1-2 credits)
MUSC 2911 - Applied Winds Level II (1-2 credits)
MUSC 2921 - Applied Strings Level II (1-2 credits)
MUSC 2951 - Applied Percussion Level II (1-2 credits)
MUSC 3911 - Applied Winds Level III (1-2 credits)
MUSC 3921 - Applied Strings Level III (1-2 credits)
MUSC 3951 - Applied Percussion Level III (1-2 credits)

Music Elective: 3 credits

Choose any MUSC course except ensembles (3 credits)

No Minor Required

Free Electives: 0-2 credits

Non-Course Requirements

Piano Proficiency
Students in the B.M. Instrumental Performance concentration are required to meet a standard proficiency level on piano. This is assessed through a Piano Proficiency Examination that is a graduation requirement for the degree program. Students enrolled in MUSC 1020 - Class Piano II must attempt the required Piano Proficiency Exam at the end of the semester. Failure to pass the Piano Proficiency Exam requires enrollment in MUSC 1801 - Applied Piano Level I in all future semesters until the Piano Proficiency Exam is successfully passed.

Students who matriculate with prior piano training may request to take the Piano Proficiency Examination when they begin the degree program. If the student passes the exam, they will be exempt from the Class Piano courses in the curriculum and they have fulfilled the Piano Proficiency Examination graduation requirement. If the student does not pass the Piano Proficiency Examination, they must take the Class Piano courses as prescribed in the program of study.

Sight Reading
Students in the B.M. Instrumental Performance concentration must successfully pass a sight reading proficiency examination. The examination will be administered by the applied faculty as a part of the requirements for applied level advancement from applied level I to II. The examination may be administered at the time of the level advancement performance jury or scheduled separately.

Independent Musicianship
Students in the B.M. Instrumental Performance concentration must demonstrate the ability to prepare a new piece of music for performance without the assistance of a faculty member. This skill must be demonstrated at a jury after the student has advanced to Level III applied lessons. Selection of the piece should be made in consultation with applied faculty.

Recital Performances
Students in the B.M. Instrumental Performance concentration must perform a solo work in public each semester. “In public” includes studio recitals, department recital hour, half-hour or full-hour recitals, or other public events as approved by the applied instructor.

To complete the degree, students must perform and pass both of the following:

Mediant Recital (typically given during the junior year)
Cumulative Recital (typically given during the senior year)

Mediant and Cumulative recitals may only be presented after a student has been admitted to Level III applied lessons. A student must be enrolled in Level III applied lessons to present a recital. Repertoire requirements and assessment procedures for these recitals will be provided by applied faculty.

Program Notes
Students presenting their Cumulative Recital are required to write and submit program notes to the Department of Music faculty program committee. These notes must meet the requirements for B.M. program notes (provided by the applied faculty). If the submitted program notes are not of the quality necessary for publication, students are required to revise the program notes as requested by the faculty program committee until the program notes meet the required standard.

Recital Attendance
As a music major it is important to experience a variety of musical performances in different genres, styles, and forces. In order to ensure this occurs during the student’s program of study, the ETSU Department of Music requires all music majors to attend the following music recitals (concerts/performances). This is a standard requirement for universities accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. To track attendance at these events, music majors are required to enroll in MUSC 1111 - Recital Attendance every semester. This is a zero credit class graded as pass/fail.

Major Field Test

A major field test is required for graduating students. Please see advisor for more information.

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. CSCI 1100 has a required lab course, CSCI 1150 .

For students considering a minor, check with your advisor to make sure a minor will fit within your intended program of study.

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