Requirements
Maintaining Music Major Status
To maintain music major (pre-music major) status, a student must:
Earn a grade of B or higher in Individual Instruction Courses (primary instrument)
- Any semester grade in Individual Instruction lower than B may result in an extra semester of individual instruction being required.
- If a second semester grade in Individual Instruction is lower than a B, this will result in expulsion from the major.
Complete all music major core and emphasis classes with a grade of C or higher (excluding Individual Instruction Courses, see above)
- Any music major core or emphasis class in which a grade lower than C is earned will not count towards graduation requirements.
- Core courses may be repeated ONCE only in an attempt to earn a grade of C or better.
- If a grade lower than C is earned in the second attempt, the student will be expelled from the major.
Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA in all music classes that meet graduation requirements, and maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA in all USU classes
- A student will be placed on departmental academic probation at the end of the first semester in which the minimum GPA requirement is not met.
- Any subsequent semester in which the student fails to meet these GPA minimums will result in expulsion from the music program, and the student will no longer be allowed to register for pre-music/music major courses.
Piano Proficiency
Every music major must pass the USU Department of Music piano proficiency requirements. This is done by completing MUSC 1170 and MUSC 1180 with a letter grade of C- or higher or by passing a proficiency exam. Transfer students who have met the piano proficiency requirements at other schools are not excused from the USU piano proficiency requirements. These students should contact the program coordinator for further advising. All proficiency requirements are selected from Alfred's Group Piano for Adults by E.L. Lancaster and Kenon Renfrow. Program Coordinator: Dr. Mayumi Matzen.
Recitals
Performance majors are required to present both a junior recital and a senior recital. Students should register for one credit of MUSC 3920 Junior recital for their junior performance recital, and for two credits of MUSC 4920 Senior Recital for their senior performance recital.
Music Education majors are required to present a one-credit senior recital. Register for one credit of MUSC 4920 Senior Recital. The senior recital must be completed before the student does student teaching.
Music BA majors who wish to complete the recital track rather than the capstone project track are required to complete a two-credit senior recital. BA students must receive approval from the faculty in their area to take the recital track, and must continue individual instruction on their primary instrument until the recital is completed.
Please consult your MUSC 3920 or MUSC 4920 syllabus for additional requirements and details.
Students who do not complete their recital in the semester in which they have registered for the credits will receive an IF grade. Once the recital has been completed the grade will be changed.
Scheduling Rooms for Performance
Contact the Music Department to schedule classrooms in the Fine Arts Center for student recitals, senior recitals, or concerts.
To schedule recitals or concerts more than six weeks in advance in the following locations, please visit reservations.usu.edu.
- Russell/Wanless Performance Hall
- Caine Room (Family Life Building)
- Eccles Conference Center Auditorium
- Morgan Theatre
- Daines Concert Hall
- Caine Lyric Theatre
- Taggart Student Center Auditorium
- Impact Commons
If you have not scheduled your recital or concert more than 6 weeks in advance, you will need to contact Sara Grove (sara.grove@usu.edu, 435-797-3040) in the Production Services Office.
Student Recital Publicity
Please publicize your recital by submitting your recital information, using the Recital Publicity Form. You will also have the option to upload your recital poster as a .jpeg file.
Concert & Recital Attendance
All Music Majors are required to attend a minimum of ten concerts or recitals each semester while in attendance at USU for a total of 80 over four years. To validate attendance students must have a faculty approval on all programs submitted. Programs are to be turned in to FA 102. (Programs will be discarded once recorded unless you request to have them returned to you.) Transfer Students: you will be credited 10 concerts for each semester you were a music major at your previous school.
If you need help identifying nearby concerts to attend (and perhaps take a date to), in addition to visiting the events calendar, check these resources and venues.
Students may volunteer to usher at a Music Department event, that event will count towards your 80 concert/recital attendance requirement! If you are involved in a student organization you can raise money for that organization and get concert/recital attendance credit by volunteering to usher at Music Department events. To sign up please add your name/organization/A# to the signup spreadsheet.
Please arrive 60 minutes prior to the event start time, wear concert style dress (white top, black bottom/socks/shoes), and read the Usher Expectations document.
Additional Venues and Resources to find Concerts
Individual Instruction
Every music education, performance, and piano pedagogy major is expected to take individual instruction on her or his major instrument or voice each semester she or he is in residence at USU. Music majors are also required to take a jury examination each semester. Juries are held to measure progress in individual performance, and they serve as the final examination for individual instruction courses. Members of the music faculty are assigned to various instrumental/vocal areas to evaluate students’ jury examinations.
Music BA students must take individual instruction on their primary instrument for 4 semesters, and if they choose,and are approved for the senior recital track (instead of the capstone project track) they must take 8 semesters of individual instruction on their primary instrument.
Music Therapy majors are required to fulfill performance competency levels in piano, voice, and guitar. Therapy majors will select one instrument as their primary individual performance instrument. Music Therapy majors have a minimum requirement of 4 semesters of study on their primary instrument, although they may be required to take additional semesters depending upon their performance level.
Please consult your individual instruction syllabusfor more detailed information about technique, repertoire, jury, and other requirements.
Individual Instruction Course Numbers (primary instrument)
Music Majors' Individual Instruction requirement has been split into a sequence of three different course numbers. This has been done primarily to help us track student progress in your individual instruction on your primary instrument/voice, but also to better facilitate transfer credits.
Freshmen
You will register for the 1000-level Pre-music instruction course your first two semesters. At the end of each semester you will have a jury. At the end of your first year (2nd semester), students who have passed both freshmen-level juries with a B- or higher will be moved from the pre-music course into the Pre-barrier course. Passing your 2 first-year juries with a B- or higher also moves you from pre-program status into declared status. Education and Performance majors can see when this has occurred in Degree Works, when the last letters of your major code change from PPRU to BM or BA. After passing your first-year juries, you will register for the 2000-level Pre-barrier course during your 3rd semester of lessons. Once you have passed your Barrier Jury, you will register for the 3/4000 level individual Instruction for majors for all remaining semesters of study. Note: Music Therapy majors’ code won’t change, but you do need to meet the criteria described here for sequencing through pre-music, pre-barrier and major instruction on your major instrument.
Current Music Majors
Juniors and Seniors should already have passed their barrier jury and register for the 3/4000 level Instruction course. If you don’t know whether you have passed your barrier jury, consult with your music faculty mentor/individual instruction teacher. If you have, register for the 3/4000 level instruction course. If you haven’t, register for the 2000 level pre-barrier course. Sophomores should confirm with your faculty mentor you have passed your first-year juries and have moved into Pre-barrier status. If you have, register for the 2000 level Pre-barrier instruction course. If you haven’t, meet with your music faculty mentor to decide a course of action. Remember, all juries must be passed with a grade of B- or better.
Transfer Students
Your performance level will need to be evaluated by your music faculty mentor or Area Head to determine which level of instruction you should register for. You also need to have the application of your individual instruction credits approved by your music faculty mentor. Your instruction transfer credits will sit in the electives column until they are applied to your degree requirements, so make sure your music faculty mentor notifies the Music Student Services Office of their approval for your transfer credits to be applied. They can either email Nathan Scott directly, or you can forward their approval email to him.
If you are uncertain about what level of instruction you should be taking, ask your music faculty mentor. If you need help changing your registration, Nathan Scott can assist you.
Individual Instruction Fees
Students are assessed a individual instruction fee at registration. The student must consult with the relevant faculty member listed below to be assigned an instructor in that area of study. In addition, music therapy students registering for MT Practicum courses (FE I, II, III and IV) are charged an individual instruction fee. Note: MT majors should plan to take their major instrument instruction during the first four semesters of study in order to avoid overlapping with the practicum fee.
If registration is not completed (including payment of fees) by the end of the first week of classes, the student will forfeit any lesson time each week until the registration process is complete (i.e., name appears on the class list).
For example, if the student does not register and pay the fees until the end of the second week, the student will receive only 12 lessons instead of the 13 normally given each semester. Each week that the student is not registered means the loss of one additional lesson.
Because of problems with non-payment in the past, private instruction teachers are not to begin lessons with any student until the student shows verification of enrollment.
Individual Instruction Area Facutly
Individual Instruction Courses: Primary Instrument
| Instrument | Course Name | Course Number |
|---|---|---|
| Bassoon | Individual Pre-Music Bassoon Instruction | MUSC 1735 |
| Bassoon | Individual Pre-Barrier Bassoon Instruction | MUSC 2785 |
| Bassoon | Individual Bassoon Instruction | MUSC 3740 |
| Cello | Individual Pre-Major Cello Instruction | MUSC 1515 |
| Cello | Individual Pre-Barrier Cello Instruction | MUSC 2525 |
| Cello | Individual Cello Instruction - Majors | MUSC 4530 |
| Clarinet | Individual Pre-Music Clarinet Instruction | MUSC 1725 |
| Clarinet | Individual Pre-Barrier Clarinet Instruction | MUSC 2775 |
| Clarinet | Individual Clarinet Instruction - Majors | MUSC 3730 |
| Flute | Individual Pre-Music Flute Instruction | MUSC 1705 |
| Flute | Individual Pre-Barrier Flute Instruction | MUSC 2755 |
| Flute | Individual Flute Instruction - Majors | MUSC 3710 |
| French Horn | Individual Pre-Music French Horn Instruction | MUSC 1835 |
| French Horn | Individual Pre-Barrier French Horn Instruction | MUSC 2875 |
| French Horn | Individual French Horn Instruction - Majors | MUSC 3830 |
| Guitar | Individual Pre-Music Guitar Instruction | MUSC 1585 |
| Guitar | Individual Pre-Barrier Guitar Instruction | MUSC 2595 |
| Guitar | Individual Guitar Instruction - Majors | MUSC 3830 |
| Harp | Individual Pre-Music Harp Instruction | MUSC 1225 |
| Harp | Individual Pre-Barrier Harp Instruction | MUSC 2225 |
| Harp | Individual Harp Instruction - Majors | MUSC 3210 |
| Oboe | Individual Pre-Music Oboe Instruction | MUSC 1715 |
| Oboe | Individual Pre-Barrier Oboe Instruction | MUSC 2765 |
| Oboe | Individual Oboe Instruction - Majors | MUSC 3720 |
| Organ | Individual Pre-Music Organ Instruction | MUSC 1495 |
| Organ | Individual Pre-Barrier Organ Instruction | MUSC 2415 |
| Organ | Individual Organ Instruction - Majors | MUSC 3480 |
| Percussion | Individual Pre-Music Percussion Instruction | MUSC 1855 |
| Percussion | Individual Pre-Barrier Percussion Instruction | MUSC 2895 |
| Percussion | Individual Percussion Instruction - Majors | MUSC 3860 |
| Piano | Individual Pre-Music Piano Instruction for MT Majors | MUSC 1484 |
| Piano | Individual Pre-Music Piano Instruction | MUSC 1485 |
| Piano | Individual Pre-Barrier Piano Instruction for MT Majors | MUSC 2494 |
| Piano | Individual Pre-Barrier Piano Instruction | MUSC 2495 |
| Piano | Individual Piano Instruction for MT Majors | MUSC 3445 |
| Piano | Individual Piano Instruction - Majors | MUSC 3450 |
| Saxophone | Individual Pre-Music Saxophone Instruction | MUSC 1745 |
| Saxophone | Individual Pre-Barrier Saxophone Instruction | MUSC 2795 |
| Saxophone | Individual Saxophone Instruction - Majors | MUSC 3750 |
| String Bass | Individual Pre-Music String Bass Instruction | MUSC 1545 |
| String Bass | Individual Pre-Barrier String Bass Instruction | MUSC 2505 |
| String Bass | Individual String Bass Instruction - Majors | MUSC 4540 |
| Trombone | Individual Pre-Music Trombone Instruction | MUSC 1825 |
| Trombone | Individual Pre-Barrier Trombone Instruction | MUSC 2865 |
| Trombone | Individual Trombone Instruction - Majors | MUSC 3820 |
| Trumpet | Individual Pre-Music Trumpet Instruction | MUSC 1815 |
| Trumpet | Individual Pre-Barrier Trumpet Instruction | MUSC 2855 |
| Trumpet | Individual Trumpet Instruction - Majors | MUSC 3810 |
| Tuba/Euphonium | Individual Pre-Music Tuba/Euphonium Instruction | MUSC 1845 |
| Tuba/Euphonium | Individual Pre-Music Tuba/Euphonium Instruction | MUSC 2885 |
| Tuba/Euphonium | Individual Tuba/Euphonium Instruction - Majors | MUSC 3840 |
| Viola | Individual Pre-Music Viola Instruction | MUSC 1525 |
| Viola | Individual Pre-Barrier Viola Instruction | MUSC 2535 |
| Viola | Individual Viola Instruction - Majors | MUSC 4520 |
| Violin | Individual Pre-Music Violin Instruction | MUSC 1535 |
| Violin | Individual Pre-Barrier Violin Instruction | MUSC 2545 |
| Violin | Individual Violin Instruction - Majors | MUSC 4510 |
| Vocal | Individual Pre-Music Vocal Instruction | MUSC 1635 |
| Vocal | Individual Pre-Barrier Vocal Instruction | MUSC 2645 |
| Vocal | Individual Vocal Instruction - Majors | MUSC 3670 |
Individual Instruction Courses: Secondary Instrument
| Instrument | Course Name | Course Number |
|---|---|---|
| Bassoon | Individual Bassoon Instruction - 2nd instrument | MUSC 2780 |
| Cello | Individual Cello Instruction - 2nd Instrument | MUSC 2520 |
| Clarinet | Individual Clarinet Instruction - 2nd instrument | MUSC 2770 |
| Flute | Individual Flute Instruction - 2nd Instrument | MUSC 2750 |
| French Horn | Individual French Horn Instruction - 2nd Instrument | MUSC 2870 |
| Guitar | Individual Guitar Instruction - 2nd Instrument | MUSC 2590 |
| Harp | Individual Harp Instruction - 2nd Instrument | MUSC 2220 |
| Oboe | Individual Oboe Instruction - 2nd Instrument | MUSC 2760 |
| Organ | Individual Organ Instruction - 2nd Instrument | MUSC 2410 |
| Percussion | Individual Percussion Instruction - 2nd instrument | MUSC 2890 |
| Piano | Individual Piano Instruction - 2nd Instrument | MUSC 2490 |
| Saxophone | Individual Saxophone Instruction - 2nd Instrument | MUSC 2790 |
| String Bass | Individual String Bass Instruction - 2nd Instrument | MUSC 2500 |
| Trombone | Individual Trombone Instruction - 2nd Instrument | MUSC 2860 |
| Trumpet | Individual Trumpet Instruction - 2nd Instrument | MUSC 2850 |
| Tuba/Euphonium | Individual Tuba/Euphonium Instruction - 2nd Instrument | MUSC 2880 |
| Viola | Individual Viola Instruction - 2nd Instrument | MUSC 2530 |
| Violin | Individual Violin Instruction - 2nd instrument | MUSC 2540 |
| Vocal | Individual Vocal Instruction - 2nd Instrument | MUSC 2640 |