Applied Music

Applied Music, listed in the university catalog as MUS122 and MUS222, consists of private study of an instrument or voice with a member of the Music Department faculty. With the exception of Music Education majors, all undergraduate music students enrolled in the Music Department are required to take Applied Music each semester until graduation; usually, this comprises eight semesters of Applied Music. Music Education majors, on the other hand, typically take nine semesters of Applied Music.

Students receive academic credit for Applied Music and the student's major determines the number of credits of Applied Music taken each semester. Students taking MUS 122 have lower division performance status. Some undergraduate degrees require the student to progress to upper division performance status. Admission to upper division performance status is achieved by passing a promotional jury, typically taken at the end of the sophomore year. The specific requirements for each major are listed below.

Performance Majors register for three credits of Applied Music each semester and must take at least four semesters of MUS222.
Music Theory Majors register for two credits of Applied Music each semester and must take at least one semester of MUS222.
Bachelor of Arts Majors register for two credits of Applied Music each semester; MUS222 is not required, but is an option.
Music Education Majors register for two credits of Applied Music each semester and must have at least one semester of MUS222.

As with all lessons, the main emphasis is on performing. Lessons will address technical and musical skills in order to improve the student's performance ability and understanding. Musical analysis, history, and other musical skills learned in the course of the student's academic career may be applied during Applied Music, thereby elevating the student's musical awareness.

For information concerning the graduate program, please consult the Handbook for Graduate Music Students.