Music: Instrumental Music Education, B.M.

Music Division

Professor Stuart Benkert, Interim Chair

The Music Division seeks to cultivate a passion for musical excellence by providing the highest quality education. The department serves the entire University community by offering General Education music courses, opportunities for group musical performance, individual lessons, and beginning classes in piano, voice and guitar, as well as minors in Music. The Bachelor of Music degree is designed to prepare students for the professional life of a musician. Graduates of the program will be able to: 1) effectively read musical scores and detect errors in performance; 2) analyze and identify key elements in musical scores and performances; 3) present a stylistically appropriate performance from standard musical literature.

The requirements for entrance to and graduation from the Music Division are in accordance with the published regulations of the National Association of Schools of Music and the Tennessee regulations for certification of teachers.

The Music Division offers the following two degree programs at the undergraduate level: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a major in Music, the Bachelor of Music (B.M.), with a major in Music. The B.M. degree provides five concentrations: instrumental performance; vocal performance; composition; instrumental music education; vocal music education.

The B.A. degree is offered for students who desire a strong liberal arts background with a major in music. Approximately one third of the four-year B.A. program is in music, and numerous elective hours outside the department permit study in other academic areas.

The B.M. degree is a more concentrated course of study in the major area. Approximately two thirds of the four-year program is in music. The B.M. degree in music education is appropriate for students who plan to teach music in elementary, middle, or high schools. It combines general education with music content and teaching methodology in a highly structured course of study. Students who successfully complete the program are awarded teaching certification upon graduation. All music degree programs represent appropriate preparation for graduate study.

General Education

(see Certified General Education Courses for list of approved courses)

Rhetoric and Writing: (6 hours)

Two approved courses in rhetoric and writing

Fine Arts and Humanities: (12 hours)

Complete one approved course in each subcategory

Historical Understanding (3 hours)

Literature (3 hours)

Thought, Values and Beliefs (3 hours)

Visual and Performing Arts (3 hours)

Natural Sciences: (7-8 hours)

Two approved natural science courses, at least one including a laboratory component

Behavioral and Social Sciences: (6 hours)

PSY 1010 - Introduction to Psychology *
One approved behavioral or social science course other than Psychology

Mathematics: (3 hours)

One approved mathematics course

Statistics: (3 hours)

One approved statistics course

Non-Western Culture: (3 hours)

MUS 3110 - Musics of the World *

Program Requirements (40 hours)

MUS 1710 - Musicianship I
MUS 1720 - Musicianship II
MUS 1730 - Musicianship Lab I
MUS 1740 - Musicianship Lab II
MUS 1750 - Aural Skills I
MUS 1760 - Aural Skills II
MUS 2710 - Musicianship III
MUS 2720 - Musicianship IV
MUS 2730 - Musicianship Lab III
MUS 2740 - Musicianship Lab IV
MUS 2750 - Aural Skills III
MUS 2760 - Aural Skills IV
MUS 3030 - Basic Conducting
MUS 3110 - Musics of the World #
MUS 3150 - History of Music I
MUS 3160 - History of Music II
MUS 3230 - Classroom Music Methods
MUS 4920 - Senior Recital
PSY 1010 - Introduction to Psychology #
PSY 2210 - The Psychology of Child Development or
EDUC 2420 - Adolescent Development
Note: All Music Education majors must pass a Piano Proficiency Examination as described in The Music Department Handbook.

21 hours from the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies including:

Instrumental Music Concentration (27 hours)

Select 6 hours from: MUS 2210 - String Methods ; MUS 2230 - Woodwind Methods ; MUS 2240 - Brass Methods ; MUS 2250 - Percussion Methods
MUS 3250 - Band and Orchestra Organization, Management and Arranging
MUS 3280 - Instrumental Conducting
MUS 3360 - Choral Methods
Ensemble participation is required each semester of residence, with the exception of the student teaching semester (minimum 7 hours; minimum 5 semesters of large ensemble).
Two semesters of small ensemble participation are required.
4 semesters (4 hours) of 2000-level primary applied study.
3 semesters (3 hours) of 3000-level primary applied study.
One choral ensemble (0 hours; co-requisite to MUS 3360 )

Additional requirements for all Music Education Majors:

Successful completion of Continuation Standards is prerequisite to enrollment in upper-division music courses.

Seminar is required each semester of residence. A minimum of 7 semesters with a grade of Satisfactory required.

Music Education majors are required to present a half-recital or full recital in the senior year (MUS 4920 ). The student must be registered for the appropriate applied course the semester of the recital.

For graduation: 2.0 GPA in all required major and related courses (including specified General Education courses).

For licensure: 2.75 average cumulative, 2.75 average at UTC, 2.75 average in education courses with no grade less than C, 2.75 average in content area course work with no grade lower than C.

Minimum of 39 hours of 3000 and 4000 level courses

Electives to complete 122 hours.

See Degree and Graduation Requirements for additional requirements.

See College of Health, Education and Professional Studies section for teacher education, licensure and student teaching requirements.

*Also satisfies requirement in the major.

#Also satisfies general education requirement.

ClearPath for Advising

The ClearPath for Advising guides provide students with an opportunity to see program requirements defined in a semester-by-semester format. The ClearPath for Advising guides also provide students with important tips, pointers, and suggestions for staying on track with progress toward the degree. Your ClearPath is available through the Center for Advisement website at https://www.utc.edu/advisement/advising-resources/clear-paths-for-advising/