BMus in Music
The Bachelor of Music Performance major is a professional degree program for musicians wishing to pursue in-depth study and practice in one of six sub-plans:
- Classical guitar
- Harp
- Organ
- Piano
- Strings
- Woodwind, brass, percussion
- Voice
Students study one-on-one with studio faculty on a weekly basis developing both solo and group performance expertise on their individual instruments, which is further provided in chamber coaching and group ensemble work. Performance majors supplement their applied study with courses that develop their comprehensive musicianship through theory and ear training, musicology, conducting, and upper-division writing, alongside other School of Music students.
Tracks
Classical Guitar
In this track, students study the theory and practice of classical guitar, a field inclusive of endeavors in improvisation, collaboration, and composition. As members of the School of Music Guitar Studio, students adopt a rich musical background, take one-on-one applied guitar lessons with studio faculty, and pursue study in introductory keyboard, additional electives, and a variety of ensembles, including Guitar Ensemble. View degree requirements for Classical Guitar and learn more about the Guitar Studio at the University of Minnesota.
Harp
Students pursuing a BMus in harp performance will receive a strong interdisciplinary musical education. In addition to the one-on-one applied study with the harp studio faculty, harpists will also focus on chamber and orchestral ensemble work while taking courses in music theory, musicology, introductory keyboard, and electives of interest. View degree requirements for Harp and learn more about the strings program at the University of Minnesota.
Organ
Organ performance majors will achieve a world-class musical education alongside other talented organists while studying one-on-one with organ studio faculty and collectively in organ studio class. Students will explore the study of the keyboard in-depth, choosing from courses in piano, jazz improvisation, harpsichord, and organ literature, taking courses specific to organ majors, and performing with other School of Music students in one of our choral ensembles. View the degree requirements for Organ and learn more about the keyboard program at the University of Minnesota.
Piano
As a part of the competitive piano performance program, experienced pianists will pursue intensive study with the piano studio faculty in both one-on-one applied lessons and weekly studio hour class and chamber ensembles, while developing their comprehensive musicianship through coursework in advanced keyboard skills, piano pedagogy, harpsichord, piano literature, and electives of interest. View degree requirements for Piano and learn more about the keyboard program at the University of Minnesota.
String, Woodwind, Brass, Percussion
Study the technique, performance, and theory of a string, woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument through one-on-one lessons with studio faculty, as well as group ensemble work in either band or orchestra and chamber ensembles. Students in this program will gain a strong musical background through coursework in keyboard, music major classes, and practice performing in an ensemble. View degree requirements for String, Woodwind, Brass, Percussion.
- Trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba majors, learn more about the brass program at the University of Minnesota.
- Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and saxophone majors, learn more about the woodwinds program at the University of Minnesota.
- Violin, viola, cello, and bass majors, learn more about the strings program at the University of Minnesota.
- Percussion majors, learn more about the percussion program at the University of Minnesota.
Voice
Students pursuing a BMus in voice will receive an in-depth and well-rounded training in the vocal arts, developing their solo skills in classical art song through one-on-one lessons with voice faculty, and group performance through the choral and opera ensembles, and comprehensive vocal artistry through vocal pedagogy courses; diction and vocal literature; and French, German, and Italian. View degree requirements for Voice and learn more about Vocal Arts at Minnesota.
College Resources for Graduate Students
Visit CLA’s website for graduate students to learn about collegiate funding opportunities, student support, career services, and more.