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BM in Music with Emphasis in Performance

Degree Program Description

The Bachelor of Music (BM) degree with an emphasis in Performance focuses on studio instruction, pedagogy, and literature for instrumental or vocal performance. Students select brass, percussion, piano, strings, voice, or woodwinds as a primary instrument. It is designed for the student who intends to pursue a career as a performer, teacher, or work in a music-related field, as well as the student who plans to enter graduate school to pursue further study in one of these areas. Students must audition to be admitted into the emphasis area.

Major Program Requirements

The program requires 120–124 credit hours, including courses in music theory, music history, studio instruction, and ensembles. 

In addition to the list of required courses below for the emphasis in Performance for each track (piano, string performance, vocal performance, wind or percussion performance), students must complete the bachelor of music, college and university requirements, including Arts & Science Foundation Requirements.  

Piano Track
MUS_GENL 1091Recital Attendance for Undergraduate Music Majors (7 satisfactory semesters)0
MUS_APMS 2455Studio Instruction (total of 16 credit hours)1-5
MUS_APMS 4455Studio Instruction (total of 14 credit hours)1-5
MUS_APMS 3970Junior Recital1
MUS_APMS 4970Senior Recital1
MUS_ENS 1841Instrumental Ensemble (total of 2 credit hours)1
or MUS_ENS 1842 Choral Ensemble
MUS_ENS 1846Chamber Music (total of 4 credit hours)1
MUS_THRY 1210Introduction to Computer Technology and Music2
MUS_THRY 1220Tonal Music Theory I2
MUS_THRY 1221Tonal Music Theory II2
MUS_THRY 1230Aural Training and Sight Singing I2
MUS_THRY 1231Aural Training and Sight Singing II2
MUS_THRY 2220Tonal Music Theory III2
MUS_THRY 2221Tonal Music Theory IV2
MUS_THRY 2230Aural Training and Sight Singing III2
MUS_THRY 2231Aural Training and Sight Singing IV2
MUS_THRY 4220Post-Tonal Music Theory2
MUS_THRY 3xxx/4xxxMusic Theory Elective2
MUS_THRY 4224Counterpoint3
MUS_H_LI 1322Introduction to Music in the United States2
MUS_H_LI 2307History of Western Music I2
MUS_H_LI 2308History of Western Music II2
MUS_H_LI 43xxMusic History Elective3
MUS_I_VT 2631Basic Conducting and Score Reading2
MUS_I_VT 2661Keyboard Skills for Piano Majors I2
MUS_I_VT 4665Collaborative Piano Seminar2
MUS_I_VR 3753Piano Literature I2
MUS_I_VR 3754Piano Literature II2
MUS_I_VT 4661Piano Pedagogy Survey I2
MUS_I_VT 4662Piano Pedagogy Survey II2
String Performance Track
MUS_GENL 1091Recital Attendance for Undergraduate Music Majors (7 satisfactory semesters)0
MUS_APMS 2455Studio Instruction (total of 16 credit hours)1-5
MUS_APMS 4455Studio Instruction (total of 14 credit hours)1-5
MUS_APMS 3970Junior Recital1
MUS_APMS 4970Senior Recital1
MUS_ENS 1841Instrumental Ensemble (University Philharmonic, total of 8 credit hours)1
MUS_ENS 1846Chamber Music (total of 2 credit hours)1
MUS_THRY 1210Introduction to Computer Technology and Music2
MUS_THRY 1220Tonal Music Theory I2
MUS_THRY 1221Tonal Music Theory II2
MUS_THRY 1230Aural Training and Sight Singing I2
MUS_THRY 1231Aural Training and Sight Singing II2
MUS_THRY 2220Tonal Music Theory III2
MUS_THRY 2221Tonal Music Theory IV2
MUS_THRY 2230Aural Training and Sight Singing III2
MUS_THRY 2231Aural Training and Sight Singing IV2
MUS_THRY 4220Post-Tonal Music Theory2
MUS_THRY 4224Counterpoint3
MUS_THRY 3xxx/4xxxMusic Theory Elective2
MUS_H_LI 1322Introduction to Music in the United States2
MUS_H_LI 2307History of Western Music I2
MUS_H_LI 2308History of Western Music II2
MUS_H_LI 43xxMusic History Elective3
MUS_I_VT 1610Group Piano for Music Majors I1
MUS_I_VT 1611Group Piano for Music Majors II1
MUS_I_VT 2610Group Piano for Music Majors III1
MUS_I_VT 2611Group Piano for Music Majors IV1
MUS_I_VT 2631Basic Conducting and Score Reading2
Vocal Performance Track
MUS_GENL 1091Recital Attendance for Undergraduate Music Majors (7 satisfactory semesters)0
MUS_APMS 2455Studio Instruction (total of 12 credit hours)1-5
MUS_APMS 3970Junior Recital1
MUS_APMS 4455Studio Instruction (total of 10 credit hours)1-5
MUS_APMS 4970Senior Recital1
MUS_ENS 1842Choral Ensemble (total of 8 credit hours)1
MUS_ENS 1865Opera Workshop (total of 2 credit hours)1
MUS_THRY 1210Introduction to Computer Technology and Music2
MUS_THRY 1220Tonal Music Theory I2
MUS_THRY 1221Tonal Music Theory II2
MUS_THRY 1230Aural Training and Sight Singing I2
MUS_THRY 1231Aural Training and Sight Singing II2
MUS_THRY 2220Tonal Music Theory III2
MUS_THRY 2221Tonal Music Theory IV2
MUS_THRY 2230Aural Training and Sight Singing III2
MUS_THRY 2231Aural Training and Sight Singing IV2
MUS_THRY 4220Post-Tonal Music Theory2
MUS_THRY 4224Counterpoint3
MUS_THRY 3xxx/4xxxMusic Theory Elective2
MUS_H_LI 1322Introduction to Music in the United States2
MUS_H_LI 2307History of Western Music I2
MUS_H_LI 2308History of Western Music II2
MUS_H_LI 43xxMusic History Elective3
MUS_I_VT 1610Group Piano for Music Majors I1
MUS_I_VT 1611Group Piano for Music Majors II1
MUS_I_VT 2610Group Piano for Music Majors III1
MUS_I_VT 2611Group Piano for Music Majors IV1
MUS_I_VT 2631Basic Conducting and Score Reading2
MUS_I_VT 3670Diction in Singing: Italian1
MUS_I_VT 3671Diction in Singing: German1
MUS_I_VT 3672Diction in Singing: French1
MUS_I_VR 4767Vocal Literature I2
MUS_I_VR 4768Vocal Literature II2
Brass, Percussion, or Wind Performance Track
MUS_GENL 1091Recital Attendance for Undergraduate Music Majors (7 satisfactory semesters)0
MUS_APMS 2455Studio Instruction (total of 16 credit hours)1-5
MUS_APMS 3970Junior Recital1
MUS_APMS 4455Studio Instruction (total of 14 credit hours)1-5
MUS_APMS 4970Senior Recital1
MUS_ENS 1841Instrumental Ensemble (total of 8 credit hours)1
MUS_ENS 1846Chamber Music (1+1)1
MUS_THRY 1210Introduction to Computer Technology and Music2
MUS_THRY 1220Tonal Music Theory I2
MUS_THRY 1221Tonal Music Theory II2
MUS_THRY 1230Aural Training and Sight Singing I2
MUS_THRY 1231Aural Training and Sight Singing II2
MUS_THRY 2220Tonal Music Theory III2
MUS_THRY 2221Tonal Music Theory IV2
MUS_THRY 2230Aural Training and Sight Singing III2
MUS_THRY 2231Aural Training and Sight Singing IV2
MUS_THRY 4220Post-Tonal Music Theory2
MUS_THRY 4224Counterpoint3
MUS_THRY 3xxx/4xxxMusic Theory Elective2
MUS_H_LI 1322Introduction to Music in the United States2
MUS_H_LI 2307History of Western Music I2
MUS_H_LI 2308History of Western Music II2
MUS_H_LI 43xxMusic History Elective3
MUS_I_VT 1610Group Piano for Music Majors I1
MUS_I_VT 1611Group Piano for Music Majors II1
MUS_I_VT 2610Group Piano for Music Majors III1
MUS_I_VT 2611Group Piano for Music Majors IV1
MUS_I_VT 2631Basic Conducting and Score Reading2
MUS_I_VT 2634Rehearsal Clinic: Band Conducting I1

Semester Plan

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester, for each track.  A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available. NOTE: All degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits for graduation.

Piano Performance Track

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_APMS 24554MUS_APMS 24554
MUS_ENS 1841 or 18421MUS_ENS 1841 or 18421
MUS_THRY 12202MUS_THRY 12212
MUS_THRY 12302MUS_THRY 12312
MUS_THRY 12102MUS_H_LI 13222
MUS_GENL 1091 (Section 3)0MUS_GENL 10910
Non-Music Courses3-6Non-Music Courses3-6
 14-17 14-17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_APMS 24554MUS_APMS 24554
MUS_THRY 22202MUS_THRY 22212
MUS_THRY 22302MUS_THRY 22312
MUS_I_VT 26612MUS_I_VT 26622
MUS_H_LI 23072MUS_I_VT 26312
MUS_GENL 10910MUS_H_LI 23082
Non-Music Courses3-6MUS_GENL 10910
 Non-Music Courses3
 15-18 17
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_APMS 44554MUS_APMS 44553
MUS_ENS 18461MUS_ENS 18461
MUS_I_VR 37532MUS_I_VR 37542
MUS_THRY 4224W3MUS_THRY 42202
MUS_GENL 10910MUS_APMS 39701
Non-Music Courses3-6MUS_GENL 10910
 Non-Music Courses3-6
 13-16 12-15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_APMS 44554MUS_APMS 44553
MUS_ENS 18461MUS_ENS 18461
MUS_I_VT 46612MUS_I_VT 46622
Music Theory Elective2Music History Elective3
MUS_GENL 10910MUS_APMS 4970 (Capstone)1
Non-Music Courses6-9Non-Music Courses3-6
 15-18 13-16
Total Credits: 113-134

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String Performance Track

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_APMS 24554MUS_APMS 24554
MUS_ENS 18411MUS_ENS 18411
MUS_THRY 12202MUS_THRY 12212
MUS_THRY 12302MUS_THRY 12312
MUS_I_VT 16101MUS_I_VT 16111
MUS_THRY 12102MUS_H_LI 13222
MUS_GENL 1091 (Section 3)0MUS_GENL 10910
Non-Music Courses3Non-Music Courses3
 15 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_APMS 24554MUS_APMS 24554
MUS_ENS 18411MUS_ENS 18411
MUS_THRY 22202MUS_THRY 22212
MUS_THRY 22302MUS_THRY 22312
MUS_I_VT 26101MUS_I_VT 26111
MUS_H_LI 23072MUS_I_VT 26312
MUS_GENL 10910MUS_H_LI 23082
Non-Music Courses3MUS_GENL 10910
 Non-Music Courses3
 15 17
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_APMS 44554MUS_APMS 44553
MUS_ENS 18411MUS_ENS 18411
MUS_THRY 4224W3MUS_THRY 42202
MUS_GENL 10910MUS_APMS 39701
Non-Music Courses6-9MUS_GENL 10910
 Non-Music Courses6-9
 14-17 13-16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_APMS 44554MUS_APMS 44553
MUS_ENS 18411MUS_ENS 18411
MUS_ENS 18461MUS_ENS 18461
Music Theory Elective2Music History Elective3
MUS_GENL 10910MUS_APMS 4970 (Capstone)1
Non-Music Courses or Music Elective4-6Non-Music Courses or Music Elective3-6
 12-14 12-15
Total Credits: 113-124

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Vocal Performance Track

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_APMS 24553MUS_APMS 24553
MUS_ENS 18421MUS_ENS 18421
MUS_THRY 12202MUS_THRY 12212
MUS_THRY 12302MUS_THRY 12312
MUS_I_VT 16101MUS_I_VT 16111
MUS_THRY 12102MUS_H_LI 13222
MUS_GENL 1091 (Section 3)0MUS_GENL 10910
Non-Music Courses3-6Non-Music Courses3-6
 14-17 14-17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_APMS 24553MUS_APMS 24553
MUS_ENS 18421MUS_ENS 18421
MUS_THRY 22202MUS_THRY 22212
MUS_THRY 22302MUS_THRY 22312
MUS_I_VT 26101MUS_I_VT 26111
MUS_H_LI 23072MUS_I_VT 36711
MUS_I_VT 36701MUS_H_LI 23082
MUS_I_VT 36721MUS_GENL 10910
MUS_GENL 10910Non-Music Courses3-6
Non-Music Courses3-5 
 16-18 15-18
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_APMS 44553MUS_APMS 44552
MUS_ENS 18421MUS_ENS 18421
MUS_THRY 4224W3MUS_I_VT 26312
Music History Elective3MUS_I_VR 47672
MUS_GENL 10910MUS_APMS 39701
Non-Music Courses3-6MUS_GENL 10910
 Non-Music Courses6-9
 13-16 14-17
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_APMS 44553MUS_APMS 44552
MUS_ENS 18421MUS_ENS 18421
MUS_ENS 18651MUS_ENS 18651
Music Theory Elective2MUS_I_VR 47682
MUS_GENL 10910MUS_THRY 42202
Non-Music Courses6-9MUS_APMS 4970 (Capstone)1
 Non-Music Courses6-9
 13-16 15-18
Total Credits: 114-137

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Brass, Percussion, or Wind Performance Track

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_APMS 24554MUS_APMS 24554
MUS_ENS 18411MUS_ENS 18411
MUS_THRY 12202MUS_THRY 12212
MUS_THRY 12302MUS_THRY 12312
MUS_I_VT 16101MUS_I_VT 16111
MUS_THRY 12102MUS_H_LI 13222
MUS_GENL 1091 (Section 3)0MUS_GENL 10910
Non-Music Courses3Non-Music Courses3
 15 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_APMS 24554MUS_APMS 24554
MUS_ENS 18411MUS_ENS 18411
MUS_THRY 22202MUS_THRY 22212
MUS_THRY 22302MUS_THRY 22312
MUS_H_LI 23072MUS_I_VT 26111
MUS_I_VT 26101MUS_H_LI 23082
MUS_GENL 10910MUS_I_VT 26312
Non-Music Courses3MUS_GENL 10910
 Non-Music Courses3
 15 17
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_APMS 44554MUS_APMS 44553
MUS_ENS 18411MUS_ENS 18411
MUS_THRY 42243MUS_THRY 42202
MUS_I_VT 26341MUS_APMS 39701
MUS_GENL 10910MUS_GENL 10910
Non-Music Courses6-9Non-Music Courses6-9
 15-18 13-16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUS_APMS 44554MUS_APMS 44553
MUS_ENS 18411MUS_ENS 18411
MUS_ENS 18461MUS_ENS 18461
Music Theory Elective2Music History Elective3
MUS_GENL 10910MUS_APMS 4970 (Capstone)1
Non-Music Courses6-9Non-Music Courses3-6
 14-17 12-15
Total Credits: 116-128

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Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

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Major and Career Program

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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