Music Major/Minor | Program Details

Serving students who seek a professional degree in music with an emphasis in music composition, the Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Composition provides a thorough music foundation with specialized coursework in composition, analysis, orchestration, counterpoint, and computer music. Students receive individualized instruction in composition lessons and prepare live performances of their music in concerts and recitals. Students successfully completing the B.M. in Composition will have gained the necessary skills in composition and supporting curriculum to prepare them for continued academic study or to pursue professional work in composition, often with teaching or performing as a secondary area.

Interested students will submit a portfolio of compositions for acceptance as a Composition Major after the Mus 240, Mus 241, Mus 242 sequence. 

Transfer students may be admitted on the basis of their portfolio of compositions and their transcript. Portfolio review begins in the Spring for the following academic year. 

Core Courses | Bachelor of Music

One of the following (4 credits)

Mus 114 – Mus 116: concurrent enrollment with Mus 111, 112, 113 required

Mus 214 - Mus 216: concurrent enrollment with Mus 211, 212, 213 required

Music majors must enroll in Applied Music and the related Large Ensemble each term. Students must earn 6 credits at each level of Applied Music. With School approval, the distribution of Applied Music credits may be altered; however, a minimum of 12 of the 24 credits must be completed at the upper-division level. A minimum of 3 of the 9 Ensemble credits must be completed at the upper-division level.

Music majors must enroll in the related Chamber Music Ensemble.

Composition Specific Courses

Serving students who seek a professional degree in music with an emphasis in music education, the B.M. in Music: Education provides a thorough music foundation with specialized coursework in instrumental and vocal methods, conducting, rehearsal techniques, orchestration, and literature. Students train to become music teachers in the K-12 setting and choose between our choral and instrumental music education tracks. Students successfully completing the B.M. in Music Education will have gained the necessary skills to pursue graduate teacher certification and placement as a music teacher in the public school system. Additionally, students choose a teaching sub-speciality and complete the courses in the appropriate track: Band, Choral, Elementary, or String.

Core Courses | Bachelor of Music

One of the following (4 credits)

Music Ed Specific Courses

Teaching Sub-Specialty Tracks

Band Track

Choral Track

Elementary Track

String Track

The Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies is a professional degree in music with an emphasis in jazz that provides you a thorough music foundation with specialized coursework in jazz performance, improvisation, jazz history, and arranging. You will pursue immersive jazz performance experiences in large ensembles and jazz combos and solo performances in your recitals. Upon successful completion of the B.M. in Jazz Studies you will have gained the necessary skills and confidence to pursue professional work as a jazz musician.

Core Courses | Bachelor of Music

One of the following (4 credits)

Jazz Specific Courses

Two of the following (6 or 8 credits):

The Bachelor of Music in Performance is a professional degree in music with an emphasis in performance that provides a thorough music foundation with specialized coursework in classical and contemporary instrumental performance, keyboard skills, music theory, and pedagogy. You will pursue immersive performance experiences in large ensembles and chamber ensembles and solo performance in recitals.

Upon successful completion of the B.M. in Performance, you will have gained the necessary skills in performance and supporting curriculum to prepare you for continued academic study or to pursue professional work as a performer, often with teaching as a secondary area.

Core Courses | Bachelor of Music

One of the following (4 credits)

Mus 114 – Mus 116: concurrent enrollment with Mus 111, 112, 113 required

Mus 214 - Mus 216: concurrent enrollment with Mus 211, 212, 213 required

Music majors must enroll in Applied Music and the related Large Ensemble each term. Students must earn 6 credits at each level of Applied Music. With School approval, the distribution of Applied Music credits may be altered; however, a minimum of 12 of the 24 credits must be completed at the upper-division level. A minimum of 3 of the 9 Ensemble credits must be completed at the upper-division level.

Music majors must enroll in the related Chamber Music Ensemble.

Performance (B.M.) Specific Courses

The B.M. in Performance with an Emphasis in Voice provides a thorough music foundation with specialized coursework in classical vocal performance, diction and language study, and pedagogy. Students pursue ensemble performance experiences in choir, and solo performance experiences in operas, area recitals, masterclasses, and degree recitals. Students successfully completing the B.M. in Voice Performance will have gained the necessary skills in performance and supporting curriculum to prepare them for continued academic study or to pursue professional work as a vocalist.

In addition to meeting the general university degree requirements, music majors seeking the B.M. in Performance with an Emphasis in Voice must complete the courses listed below.

Core Courses | Bachelor of Music

One of the following (4 credits)

Voice Specific Courses

One of the following (2 credits)

One of the following (3 credits)

Two of the following (8 credits)

Serving students who seek a broad liberal arts degree with a major in music, the B.A./B.S. in Music History provides a foundation in academic or journalistic research of various music histories’ genres. Students take advanced coursework in music history canon, world music, and popular music and receive direct mentorship from faculty as they complete a final research project. Successfully completing the B.A. or B.S. in Music History will give you the necessary skills in historical, qualitative, or journalistic research to prepare for continued academic study in the discipline and a variety of music-related fields and occupations.

In the Spring term of their sophomore year, interested students will submit a letter of interest, writing sample (2500 words), and current DARS report with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0

In addition to meeting the general PSU degree requirements, Music History majors must complete the requirements listed below.

Final Project

Music History majors must also complete a final project approved by the Music History Program Coordinator. The project may be one of the following:

• Research Paper (15-20 pages)
• Paper Presentation with Performance
• Video Critique of a current musical event

Core Courses

Music History Specific Courses

Both following (6 credits, one will be taken twice with a different topic)

Two of the following (8 credits)

The B.A./B.S. in Performance is a broad liberal arts degree with a major in music that provides a music foundation with an emphasis in classical and contemporary performance within a broad liberal arts framework. You will receive individualized instruction in applied lessons, participate in large ensembles, and perform a culminating recital. Upon successful completion of the B.A. or B.S. in Performance you will have gained the necessary skills in music performance and supportive curriculum to prepare them for continued academic study in the discipline, along with the breadth of knowledge, critical thinking and expressive skills that can be translated to a wide variety of music-related fields and occupations.

In addition to meeting the general university degree requirements, music majors seeking the B.A. or B.S. in Performance must complete the courses listed below and a final project consisting of one of the following: 

1. Half recital (30 minutes)
2. Performance project
3. Regular performances on area recitals

Core Courses

Mus 114 - Mus 116: (concurrent enrollment with Mus 111, Mus 112, Mus 113 required)

Mus 214 - Mus 216: (concurrent enrollment with Mus 211, Mus 212, Mus 213 required)

Music majors must enroll in Applied Music and the appropriate Large Ensemble each term until requirements are met.

Performance (B.A./B.S.) Specific Courses

One of the following (4 credits):

Serving students who seek a broad liberal arts degree with a major in music, the B.A./B.S. in Music: Theory provides a music foundation with an emphasis in theory within a broad liberal arts framework. Students take advanced coursework in music theory and receive direct mentorship from faculty as they complete a final analytical or creative project. Students successfully completing the B.A. or B.S. in Music: Theory will have gained the necessary skills in music theory and supportive curriculum to prepare them for continued academic study in the discipline, along with the breadth of knowledge, critical thinking and expressive skills that can be translated to a wide variety of music-related fields and occupations.

Requirements

In addition to meeting the general PSU degree requirements, music majors seeking the Bachelor of Arts/Science in Music Theory must complete the courses listed below.

Approval for Upper Division Study

Interested students will submit a sample of their analytical work for admittance to the major after completing Music Theory II or upon transferring to PSU. Students must meet the GPA requirement of 3.0 and maintain minimum grades of B in all theory and sight singing/ear training classes.

Final Project

All candidates for this degree must complete a final project approved by the Theory Program Coordinator. The project may be one of the following: 

1) Extensive analysis of a composition 
2) Performance of a composition transcribed from one medium to another.

Core Courses

Mus 114 - Mus 116: (concurrent enrollment with Mus 111, Mus 112, Mus 113 required)

Mus 214 - Mus 216: (concurrent enrollment with Mus 211, Mus 212, Mus 213 required)

Music majors must enroll in Applied Music and the appropriate Large Ensemble each term until requirements are met.

Theory Specific Courses

Choose 4 credits from the following:

Upper-level theory electives

Select 12 credits from the following:

To earn a Minor in Music, a student must complete 30 advisor-approved credits (17 credits must be in residence at Portland State University), to include the following:

Courses

Total Credit Hours: 30

To earn a Minor in Music History, a student must complete 30 advisor-approved credits (17 credits must be in residence at Portland State University), to include the following:

Courses

Total Credit Hours: 30