Music Major

Director of Undergraduate Studies: Gretchen Horlacher, ghorlach@umd.edu
Undergraduate Academic Advisor: Gideon D'Addio, gdaddio@umd.edu

Admission to the Major

Admission to all undergraduate music degree programs (B.M., B.A., B.M.E. and Performance Minor) is based on a required School of Music application and performance audition and/or interview before a faculty committee. An application to the School of Music is also required for admission to the Music and Culture Minor. In some instruments/areas, a prescreen recording is also required. The application, audition dates and requirements are available at http://music.umd.edu/admissions/undergraduate/.

Placement in Courses

Required music courses and private lessons are open to music majors who have completed the specified prerequisites or their equivalents. Lessons may be available for qualified non-music majors, if resources (teacher, time, funding, facilities) are available. All large performing ensembles in the School of Music are open by audition to any student at the university.

Program Objectives

Objectives of the School of Music are:

  1. to provide a professional musical education based on a foundation in the liberal arts;
  2. to help students understand music as an artistic and cultural product; 
  3. to prepare the student for professional and graduate work in the field; and
  4. to prepare the student to teach music in the public schools.

Program Learning Outcomes

Bachelor of Music

  1. Students will understand, analyze, and demonstrate knowledge of fundamental concepts of aural skills.
    2.
  2. Students will be able to perform a variety of repertoire appropriate for their selected instrument or voice part as a soloist and member of an ensemble.
    3.
  3. Composition track students will compose original works in a variety of media.
    4.
  4. Jazz Studies track students will demonstrate in-depth knowledge and skills in improvisation in a variety of styles.
    5.
  5. Music teacher candidates will have in-depth knowledge of music as described by professional, state, and institutional standards. Teacher candidates can effectively plan classroom-based instruction and activities for their roles as teachers. Teacher candidates' knowledge, skills, and dispositions are applied effectively in practice.

Bachelor of Arts

  1. Students will understand, analyze, and demonstrate knowledge of fundamental concepts of aural skills.
    2.
  2. Students will be able to perform a variety of repertoire appropriate for their selected instrument as a soloist and member of an ensemble.
    3.
  3. Composition track students will compose original works in a variety of media.
    4.
  4. Jazz Studies track students will demonstrate in-depth knowledge and skills in improvisation in a variety of styles.
    5.
  5. Music teacher candidates will have in-depth knowledge of music as described by professional, state, and institutional standards. Teacher candidates can effectively plan classroom-based instruction and activities for their roles as teachers. Teacher candidates' knowledge, skills, and dispositions are applied effectively in practice.

Bachelor of Music Education

  1. Students will understand, analyze, and demonstrate knowledge of fundamental concepts of aural skills.
    2.
  2. Students will be able to perform a variety of repertoire appropriate for their selected instrument as a soloist and member of an ensemble.
    3.
  3. Composition track students will compose original works in a variety of media.
    4.
  4. Jazz Studies track students will demonstrate in-depth knowledge and skills in improvisation in a variety of styles.
    5.
  5. Music teacher candidates will have in-depth knowledge of music as described by professional, state, and institutional standards. Teacher candidates can effectively plan classroom-based instruction and activities for their roles as teachers. Teacher candidates' knowledge, skills, and dispositions are applied effectively in practice.

The Bachelor of Music Degree (BM)

Designed for qualified students with extensive pre-college training and potential for successful careers in professional music. B.M. degree programs are offered in the following: Piano, Voice, Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Euphonium, Percussion, Harp, Composition, Jazz Studies and Theory.

The College of Arts and Humanities requirements of 45 3xx or 4xx-level credits and the Global Engagement Requirement are waived for students majoring in B.M. Degree programs.

Bachelor of Music (BM) Requirements

In addition to General Education courses, BM students generally complete the following:

  • 8 semesters of private lessons (Senior Recital in final semester)
  • 8 semesters of large ensemble participation
  • 6-8 semesters of small ensemble participation
  • 4 semesters of music theory
  • 2 semesters of music history
  • 1 semester of global music
  • 1 semester of 400 level music history elective
  • 2 semesters of class piano (Except Piano Majors)
  • 1 semester of form and analysis
  • 1 semester of conducting
  • 1 semester of music literature
  • 1 semester of music pedagogy
  • 3-5 credits of music electives

The BM programs vary according to instrument or emphasis. Please visit www.music.umd.edu for specific requirements.

No course grade below the grade of "C-" may count toward the major. An overall GPA of 2.0 in the major is required for graduation.

The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music (BA)

Designed for qualified students whose interests include a broader liberal arts experience. The College of Arts and Humanities requirement of 45 3xx or 4xx-level credits and the Global Engagement Requirement apply to all B.A. students. B.A. degree programs are offered in the following: Piano, Voice, Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Euphonium, Percussion, Harp and Jazz Studies.

Bachelor of Arts in Music (BA) Requirements

In addition to General Education courses, BA Music students generally complete the following:

  • 5 semesters of private lessons (Senior Recital in final semester)
  • 5 semesters of ensemble participation
  • 4 semesters of music theory
  • 2 semesters of music history
  • 1 semester of global music
  • 2 semesters of class piano (Except Piano Majors)
  • 1 semester of form and analysis
  • 6 credits of music electives 

The BA programs vary according to instrument or emphasis. Please visit www.music.umd.edu for specific requirements.

No course grade below the grade of "C-" may count toward the major. An overall GPA of 2.0 in the major is required for graduation.

The Bachelor of Music Education Degree (BME)

Designed for qualified students preparing for careers in PreK-12 teaching of music, the Bachelor of Music Education (BME) offered by the College of Arts and Humanities carries with it a teaching certification from the College of Education. BME degrees are offered with concentrations in either Instrumental Music Education or Choral-General Music Education.

The requirements for a BME are similar to the BM program plus approximately 48 credits in music education. Please visit www.music.umd.edu for specific requirements.

Bachelor of Music Education (BME) Requirements

In addition to General Education requirements, Music Education students generally complete the following (for a total of 134-140 credits):

Bachelor of Music Education-Instrumental Track

  • 7 semesters of private lessons (Senior Recital in final semester)
  • 7 semesters of large ensemble participation
  • 4 semesters of music theory
  • 2 semesters of music history
  • 1 semester of 400 level music history elective
  • 2 semesters of class piano (Except Piano Majors)
  • 1 semester of conducting
  • 1 semester of global music
  • 27 credits MUED      class instruments and field experience
  • 6 credits EDHD        Human Development
  • 3 credits TLPL          Education Policy Studies
  • 2 credits MUED474   Pre-Student Teaching
  • 6 credits MUED484   Student Teaching in Elementary School: Music
  • 6 credits MUED494   Student Teaching in Secondary School: Music 

Please visit www.music.umd.edu for specific requirements.

No course grade below the grade of "C-" may count toward the major. An overall GPA of 2.75 in the major is required for graduation.

Bachelor of Music Education-Choral/General Track

  • 7 semesters of private lessons (Senior Recital in final semester)
  • 7 semesters of large ensemble participation
  • 4 semesters of music theory
  • 4 semesters of class piano (Except Piano Majors who take voice and upper level piano)
  • 2 semesters of music history
  • 1 semester of 400 level music history elective
  • 1 semester of conducting
  • 1 semester of global music
  • 4 credits MUSC         class instrument and vocal diction
  • 19 credits MUED       class instruments and field experience
  • 6 credits EDHD          Human Development
  • 3 credits TLPL            Education Policy Studies
  • 2 credits MUED474    Pre-Student Teaching
  • 6 credits MUED484    Student Teaching in Elementary School: Music
  • 6 credits MUED494    Student Teaching in Secondary School: Music

Please visit www.music.umd.edu for specific requirements.

No course grade below the grade of "C-" may count toward the major. An overall GPA of 2.75 in the major is required for graduation.

Click here for roadmaps for four-year plans in the College of Arts and Humanities.

Additional information on developing a four-year academic plan can be found on the following pages: