The Bachelor of Music: Performance degree offers students the opportunity to focus deeply on music at UW–Madison and pursue a conservatory-style college education. Students have the opportunity to work side-by-side with students in master‘s and doctoral-level programs. Working collegially in class and studio, making music together on stage and off, and building professional relationships across program boundaries all enable the sharing of expertise, experience, and perspectives and add immeasurably to every student‘s development. Students in this program have professional interests in solo performance, chamber music performance, orchestra or wind ensemble performance, studio teaching (private or in a college or university), church music, conducting, music technology or production, opera or musical theater, or many combinations of these. Some students may consider this program as preparation for graduate study in music, arts administration, and other areas.
The Music faculty have designed the curricula to include extensive coursework (90 credits) in performance study, chamber and larger ensembles, music theory, music history, repertoire, and pedagogy. Each option has been specifically created to meet the unique needs of your instrument.
A Bachelor of Music: Performance program can be demanding and requires care in taking courses in the proper sequence. Students are encouraged to meet with their music advisor regularly to stay on track. Please refer to the Requirements and Four-Year Plan sections for more details.
How to Get in
Admission to the Bachelor of Music: Performance Program
To be admitted to the Mead Witter School of Music a student needs to apply to and be admitted by both UW-Madison and the Mead Witter School of Music:
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Prospective (new or transfer) and re-entry students should apply to UW-Madison through the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
All students must also complete an application and pass an audition. See the Mead Witter School of Music website for more information. Questions about the Music application and audition process should be directed to the Music Undergraduate Audition and Admissions Coordinator.
Note: Students declared in the Bachelor of Music: Performance are not eligible to declare Music: Education, or the Music major. Students who are interested in pursuing a second major or certificate outside of music should meet with the Undergraduate Music Advisor to discuss their interests and ways of meeting their educational goals.
Declaring the Bachelor of Music: Performance Program
Students admitted to UW-Madison and the Mead Witter School of Music will be declared in their music major or music degree program. All students must make satisfactory progress, as described below, to continue in their major or degree program. Students not meeting these requirements should meet with the Undergraduate Music Advisor to discuss their options for continuing in the Mead Witter School of Music.
Bachelor of Music: Performance Program Continuation Requirements
Students must meet all of the requirements below to continue in the program. Students not meeting any one of these requirements may be removed from the program and must choose a new major. Contact the Undergraduate Music Advisor for consideration of extenuating circumstances or if the student is considering a leave of absence (such as family emergency, personal wellness, study abroad, or approved accommodations)
(1) Enrollment Requirements
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Enroll every fall and spring semester in a course that meets the Performance Study Requirements, until that requirement is completed.
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Enroll in MUSIC 121 & MUSIC 171 to begin the music theory/history sequence in the first possible fall semester after declaration.
(2) Performance Study Jury and Progress Report
At least once a year, students must pass a performance jury with their major instrument. The purpose of this jury will be to evaluate performance study progress and to set goals for the coming year. Students who do not pass will receive guidance about making improvements and a warning letter and will have a semester to work with their professor to make improvements needed to remain in the program.
(3) Progression to Four Credit Performance Study
At the end of the second semester of enrollment in Performance Study, students will be evaluated for permission to advance to four credit performance study. Students who do not meet progression requirements to advance to four credit performance study may be given an additional semester to meet those requirements.
(4) Progression to 400-Level Performance Study
At the end of the fourth semester of enrollment in Performance Study, students will be evaluated for permission to advance to 400-level performance study. Students who do not meet progression requirements to advance to 400-level performance study may be given an additional semester to meet those requirements.
(5) Meet GPA Requirements in three areas:
As part of the evaluation for progression to 400-level performance study, the School of Music requires students to be meeting the following GPA requirements:
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.
| General Education |
* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements. |
College of Letters & Science Breadth and Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Music
The Mead Witter School of Music (MWSoM) is a professional school within the College of Letters & Science (L&S). The College confers the Bachelor of Music degree for two distinct programs within the MWSoM: BM-Performance and BM-Education.
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in the College of Letters & Science must complete all of the requirements below. The BM is a special degree program; it is not considered a major. The BM degree is not available to students who intend to earn a degree outside the College of Letters & Science.
Bachelor of Music - Degree Requirements
| Language | Complete the second unit of a language other than English (some Named Options required additional or specific languages). |
| Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Coursework | Complete at least 60 credits at the Intermediate or Advanced level. |
| Major | Gain admission to and complete one option within the degree program. |
| Total Credits | Complete at least 120 credits. |
| UW-Madison Experience | Complete both: • 30 credits in residence, overall; and • 30 credits in residence after the 86th credit. |
| Quality of Work | • 2.000 in all coursework at UW–Madison • 2.000 in Intermediate/Advanced level coursework at UW–Madison |
Requirements for the Program
The Bachelor of Music: Performance curriculum includes core requirements common to all options within the program, as well as specific requirements unique to each option. Requirements common to all options are detailed below. Refer to the Named Options section below for links to the specific requirements of a particular option within the program.
Requirements for All Music Performance Program Options
All students in the Bachelor of Music: Performance program must complete the following requirements:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Music History | ||
| Survey (complete both): | 6 | |
| Survey of the History of Western Music | ||
| Survey of the History of Western Music | ||
| Music History Electives (complete 6 credits): | 6 | |
MUSIC 402 | ||
| Seminar: Cultural Study of Music | ||
| Survey of Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Survey of Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Survey of Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Survey of Music in the Classic Era | ||
| Survey of Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Survey of Music in the Twentieth Century | ||
| Jazz Histories | ||
| Music in the United States | ||
| Historical Performance Practices | ||
| Survey of Opera | ||
| Core Music Theory (complete all): | 12 | |
| Musica Practica 1 and Musica Practica: Aural Skills 1 | ||
| Musica Practica 2 and Musica Practica: Aural Skills 2 | ||
| Musica Practica 3 and Musica Practica: Aural Skills 3 | ||
| Conducting/Pedagogy | ||
| MUSIC 252 | Introduction to Conducting and Pedagogy | 2 |
| Global Music Cultures (complete 3 credits): | 3 | |
| Introduction to Music Cultures of the World | ||
| Delta Blues | ||
| American Ethnicities and Popular Song | ||
| Global Hand Drumming Ensemble: Survey of Selected Global Hand Drumming Traditions | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Resistance Music Ensemble | ||
| Ensemble-Percussion | ||
| Cultural Cross Currents: West African Dance/Music in the Americas | ||
| Topics in Music and Ethnicity in the United States | ||
| Jazz Improvisation | ||
| Jazz Improvisation | ||
MUSIC 402 | ||
| Seminar: Cultural Study of Music | ||
| Total Credits | 29 | |
Electives for All Music Performance Program Options
The following courses have been approved as electives for all options within the Bachelor of Music: Performance program. The minimum number of Elective credits varies between options, but all options accept the list of courses below toward the minimum credits of Electives required within the option.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSIC and MUS PERF Electives | ||
| MUSIC 40 | Wind Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSIC 41 | Concert Band | 1 |
| MUSIC 42 | Varsity Band | 1 |
| MUSIC 50 | Concert Choir | 1 |
| MUSIC 52 | Treble Choir | 1 |
| MUSIC 56 | Chorale | 1 |
| MUSIC 58 | Madrigal Singers | 1 |
| MUSIC 61 | 1 | |
| MUSIC 62 | University Symphony Orchestra | 1 |
| MUSIC 102 | Jazz in 20th-Century America | 3 |
| MUSIC/FOLKLORE 103 | Introduction to Music Cultures of the World | 3 |
| MUSIC 107 | Music & Film | 3 |
| MUSIC 201 | Music and Society | 2 |
| MUSIC 202 | Delta Blues | 3 |
| MUSIC 211 | Survey of the History of Western Music | 3 |
| MUSIC 212 | Survey of the History of Western Music | 3 |
| MUSIC 222 | Musica Practica 4 | 3 |
| MUSIC 229 | Jazz Theory & Composition | 3 |
| MUSIC 253 | Conducting | 2 |
| MUSIC 254 | Conducting | 2 |
| MUSIC 256 | University Opera | 1-2 |
| MUSIC 257 | Opera Workshop | 2 |
| MUSIC 260 | Global Hand Drumming Ensemble: Survey of Selected Global Hand Drumming Traditions | 1 |
| MUSIC 262 | Jazz Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSIC 265 | Ensemble-Woodwind | 1 |
| MUSIC 266 | Resistance Music Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSIC 267 | Ensemble-Brass | 1 |
| MUSIC 268 | Ensemble-Percussion | 1 |
| MUSIC 269 | Ensemble-String | 1 |
| MUSIC 270 | Ensemble-Guitar | 1 |
| MUSIC 272 | Musica Practica: Aural Skills 4 | 1 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 300 | Principles of Music Education | 2 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 304 | Composition, Arrangement, and Orchestration for the Music Teacher | 2 |
| MUSIC 317 | Musical Women in Europe and America: Creativity, Performance, and Identity | 3 |
| MUSIC/AFROAMER/DANCE 318 | Cultural Cross Currents: West African Dance/Music in the Americas | 3 |
| MUSIC 319 | Topics in Music and Ethnicity in the United States | 3 |
| MUSIC 331 | Jazz Improvisation | 3 |
| MUSIC 332 | Jazz Improvisation | 3 |
| MUSIC 340 | Pedagogy | 1-2 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 344 | Teaching Vocal Styles in the Music Classroom | 1 |
| MUSIC 345 | 2 | |
| MUSIC 346 | Repertoire | 1-2 |
| MUSIC 402 | 3 | |
| MUSIC 405 | Seminar: Cultural Study of Music | 3 |
| MUSIC 411 | Survey of Music in the Middle Ages | 3 |
| MUSIC 412 | Survey of Music in the Renaissance | 3 |
| MUSIC 413 | Survey of Music in the Baroque Era | 3 |
| MUSIC 414 | Survey of Music in the Classic Era | 3 |
| MUSIC 415 | Survey of Music in the Romantic Era | 3 |
| MUSIC 416 | Survey of Music in the Twentieth Century | 3 |
| MUSIC 417 | Jazz Histories | 3 |
| MUSIC 419 | Music in the United States | 3 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 420 | Teaching Popular Instrumental Music 1 | 1 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 421 | Teaching Popular Instrumental Music 2 | 1 |
| MUSIC 461 | Collegium Musicum | 1 |
| MUSIC 463 | Acting for Singers | 1 |
| MUSIC 465 | Marching Band Techniques | 1 |
| MUSIC 466 | Diction for Singers | 2 |
| MUSIC 467 | Language Diction for Singing I | 2 |
| MUSIC 468 | Language Diction for Singing II | 2 |
| MUSIC 497 | Special Topics in Music | 1-3 |
| MUSIC 499 | Directed Study | 1-3 |
| MUSIC 502 | Figured Bass and Basso Continuo | 3 |
| MUSIC 511 | Historical Performance Practices | 3 |
| MUSIC 513 | Survey of Opera | 3 |
| MUSIC/FOLKLORE 515 | Proseminar in Ethnomusicology | 3 |
| MUSIC 523 | Orchestration I | 3 |
| MUSIC 540 | Advanced Pedagogy | 2 |
| MUSIC 541 | Seminar in Choral Literature | 2 |
| MUSIC 546 | String Literature | 2 |
| MUSIC 548 | 3 | |
| MUSIC 573 | Contemporary Chamber Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSIC 591 | Organ Literature and Design | 2 |
| MUSIC 621 | Renaissance Polyphony | 3 |
| MUSIC 622 | Baroque Counterpoint | 3 |
| MUSIC 623 | Form and Analysis | 2-3 |
| MUSIC 624 | Form and Analysis II | 2-3 |
| MUSIC 629 | Jazz Theory and Analysis | 3 |
| MUSIC 681 | Senior Honors Thesis | 3 |
| MUSIC 682 | Senior Honors Thesis | 3 |
| MUS PERF 21 | Brass Fundamentals | 1 |
| MUS PERF 22 | Strings Fundamentals | 1 |
| MUS PERF 23 | Woodwind Fundamentals | 1 |
| MUS PERF 27 | Fundamentals-Percussion | 1 |
| MUS PERF 101 | Beginning Class Piano | 2 |
| MUS PERF 102 | Beginning Class Piano | 2 |
| MUS PERF 103 | Elementary Class Piano | 2 |
| MUS PERF 104 | Intermediate Class Piano | 2 |
| MUS PERF 108 | Jazz Class Piano | 2 |
| MUS PERF 143 | Introduction to Performance: Voice | 1 |
| MUS PERF 144 | Vocal Instruction for Non-Voice Majors | 1-2 |
| MUS PERF 146 | Music Lessons for Non-Majors | 1-2 |
| MUS PERF 148 | First Year Composition | 3 |
| MUS PERF 200 | Elementary/Intermediate Piano for Non-Piano Majors | 2 |
| MUS PERF 201 | Elementary/Intermediate Piano | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 202 | 2-4 | |
| MUS PERF 203 | Elementary/Intermediate Organ | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 205 | Elementary/Intermediate Voice | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 207 | Elementary/Intermediate Flute | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 209 | Elementary/Intermediate Oboe | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 211 | Elementary/Intermediate Clarinet | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 213 | Elementary/Intermediate Saxophone | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 215 | Elementary/Intermediate Bassoon | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 217 | Elementary/Intermediate Horn | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 219 | Elementary/Intermediate Trumpet | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 221 | Elementary/Intermediate Trombone | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 223 | Elementary/Intermediate Euphonium | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 225 | Elementary/Intermediate Tuba | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 227 | Elementary/Intermediate Percussion | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 231 | Elementary/Intermediate Violin | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 233 | Elementary/Intermediate Viola | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 235 | Elementary/Intermediate Cello | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 237 | Elementary/Intermediate Double Bass | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 239 | Elementary/Intermediate Harp | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 240 | Elementary/Intermediate Guitar | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 241 | Elementary/Intermediate Jazz Studio Instruction | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 242 | Accompanying | 2 |
| MUS PERF 248 | Second Year Composition | 3 |
| MUS PERF 251 | Keyboard Skills | 2 |
| MUS PERF 311 | Advanced Techniques: Clarinet | 1-2 |
| MUS PERF 327 | 1-2 | |
| MUS PERF 331 | 1-2 | |
| MUS PERF 333 | Advanced Techniques: Viola | 1-2 |
| MUS PERF 339 | Advanced Techniques: Harp | 1-2 |
| MUS PERF 342 | Piano Accompanying Lab | 1 |
| MUS PERF 347 | Third Year Composition | 3 |
| MUS PERF 348 | Third Year Composition | 3 |
| MUS PERF 401 | Advanced Piano | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 402 | Advanced Harpsichord | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 403 | Advanced Organ | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 405 | Advanced Voice | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 407 | Advanced Flute | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 409 | Advanced Oboe | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 411 | Advanced Clarinet | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 413 | Advanced Saxophone | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 415 | Advanced Bassoon | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 417 | Advanced Horn | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 419 | Advanced Trumpet | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 421 | Advanced Trombone | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 423 | Advanced Euphonium | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 425 | Advanced Tuba | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 427 | Advanced Percussion | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 431 | Advanced Violin | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 433 | Advanced Viola | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 435 | Advanced Cello | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 437 | Advanced Double Bass | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 439 | Advanced Harp | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 440 | Advanced Guitar | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 441 | Advanced Jazz Studio Instruction | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 447 | Fourth Year Composition | 3 |
| MUS PERF 448 | Fourth Year Composition | 3 |
| MUS PERF 457 | Jazz Composition and Arranging | 3 |
| MUS PERF 458 | Jazz Composition and Arranging | 3 |
| MUS PERF 499 | Senior Recital | 2 |
Named Options
Students must select one of the following named options:
Degree Progress
Upon admission as a Music major, all students begin applied study at the 200-level on the major instrument or voice. In the second or third year each student's progress is assessed by the faculty of the relevant performance area. If that assessment indicates that the student is ready, the faculty recommends the student for advanced-level (400-level) study. With a recommendation from the faculty at the end of the second year, and provided the student meets all GPA requirements and completes the first- and second-year courses in music theory and music history, the student may formally declare for the Bachelor of Music: Performance degree.
The minimum GPA requirements that must be met before declaring are as follows:
- Minimum 2.500 GPA in Musica Practica and in music history courses
- Minimum 3.000 GPA in all MUSIC courses
- Minimum 2.750 University GPA (all UW-Madison coursework)
Residence & Quality of Work
- Minimum 2.000 GPA in all MUSIC, MUS PERF, and program courses
- Minimum 2.000 GPA on at least 15 credits of upper-level work in the program, in residence
- 15 credits in MUSIC and/or MUSIC PERF, taken on the UW–Madison campus
Upper-Level Courses
The following courses are approved for upper-level credit in all options of the Bachelor of Music: Performance program:
Music
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSIC 40 | Wind Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSIC 41 | Concert Band | 1 |
| MUSIC 50 | Concert Choir | 1 |
| MUSIC 52 | Treble Choir | 1 |
| MUSIC 53 | Choral Union | 1 |
| MUSIC 55 | Masters' Singers | 1 |
| MUSIC 56 | Chorale | 1 |
| MUSIC 58 | Madrigal Singers | 1 |
| MUSIC 61 | ||
| MUSIC 62 | University Symphony Orchestra | 1 |
| MUSIC 211 | Survey of the History of Western Music | 3 |
| MUSIC 212 | Survey of the History of Western Music | 3 |
| MUSIC 221 | Musica Practica 3 | 3 |
| MUSIC 222 | Musica Practica 4 | 3 |
| MUSIC 229 | Jazz Theory & Composition | 3 |
| MUSIC 252 | Introduction to Conducting and Pedagogy | 2 |
| MUSIC 253 | Conducting | 2 |
| MUSIC 254 | Conducting | 2 |
| MUSIC 256 | University Opera | 1-2 |
| MUSIC 257 | Opera Workshop | 2 |
| MUSIC 262 | Jazz Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSIC 265 | Ensemble-Woodwind | 1 |
| MUSIC 266 | Resistance Music Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSIC 267 | Ensemble-Brass | 1 |
| MUSIC 268 | Ensemble-Percussion | 1 |
| MUSIC 269 | Ensemble-String | 1 |
| MUSIC 270 | Ensemble-Guitar | 1 |
| MUSIC 271 | Musica Practica: Aural Skills 3 | 1 |
| MUSIC 272 | Musica Practica: Aural Skills 4 | 1 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 301 | Music Learning and Teaching 1 | 2 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 304 | Composition, Arrangement, and Orchestration for the Music Teacher | 2 |
| MUSIC 317 | Musical Women in Europe and America: Creativity, Performance, and Identity | 3 |
| MUSIC/AFROAMER/DANCE 318 | Cultural Cross Currents: West African Dance/Music in the Americas | 3 |
| MUSIC 319 | Topics in Music and Ethnicity in the United States | 3 |
| MUSIC 331 | Jazz Improvisation | 3 |
| MUSIC 332 | Jazz Improvisation | 3 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 337 | Practicum in Teaching Music | 1 |
| MUSIC 340 | Pedagogy | 1-2 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 344 | Teaching Vocal Styles in the Music Classroom | 1 |
| MUSIC 345 | ||
| MUSIC 346 | Repertoire | 1-2 |
| MUSIC 402 | ||
| MUSIC 405 | Seminar: Cultural Study of Music | 3 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 409 | Student Teaching in General and Vocal Music | 6-12 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 410 | Student Teaching in General and Instrumental Music | 6-12 |
| MUSIC 411 | Survey of Music in the Middle Ages | 3 |
| MUSIC 412 | Survey of Music in the Renaissance | 3 |
| MUSIC 413 | Survey of Music in the Baroque Era | 3 |
| MUSIC 414 | Survey of Music in the Classic Era | 3 |
| MUSIC 415 | Survey of Music in the Romantic Era | 3 |
| MUSIC 416 | Survey of Music in the Twentieth Century | 3 |
| MUSIC 417 | Jazz Histories | 3 |
| MUSIC 419 | Music in the United States | 3 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 420 | Teaching Popular Instrumental Music 1 | 1 |
| MUSIC/CURRIC 421 | Teaching Popular Instrumental Music 2 | 1 |
| MUSIC 461 | Collegium Musicum | 1 |
| MUSIC 463 | Acting for Singers | 1 |
| MUSIC 465 | Marching Band Techniques | 1 |
| MUSIC 466 | Diction for Singers | 2 |
| MUSIC 467 | Language Diction for Singing I | 2 |
| MUSIC 468 | Language Diction for Singing II | 2 |
| MUSIC 497 | Special Topics in Music | 1-3 |
| MUSIC 499 | Directed Study | 1-3 |
| MUSIC 502 | Figured Bass and Basso Continuo | 3 |
| MUSIC 511 | Historical Performance Practices | 3 |
| MUSIC 513 | Survey of Opera | 3 |
| MUSIC/FOLKLORE 515 | Proseminar in Ethnomusicology | 3 |
| MUSIC 523 | Orchestration I | 3 |
| MUSIC 540 | Advanced Pedagogy | 2 |
| MUSIC 541 | Seminar in Choral Literature | 2 |
| MUSIC 546 | String Literature | 2 |
| MUSIC 548 | 3 | |
| MUSIC 591 | Organ Literature and Design | 2 |
| MUSIC 621 | Renaissance Polyphony | 3 |
| MUSIC 622 | Baroque Counterpoint | 3 |
| MUSIC 623 | Form and Analysis | 2-3 |
| MUSIC 624 | Form and Analysis II | 2-3 |
| MUSIC 629 | Jazz Theory and Analysis | 3 |
| MUSIC 681 | Senior Honors Thesis | 3 |
| MUSIC 682 | Senior Honors Thesis | 3 |
Music Performance
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS PERF 311 | Advanced Techniques: Clarinet | 1-2 |
| MUS PERF 327 | 1-2 | |
| MUS PERF 331 | 1-2 | |
| MUS PERF 333 | Advanced Techniques: Viola | 1-2 |
| MUS PERF 339 | Advanced Techniques: Harp | 1-2 |
| MUS PERF 342 | Piano Accompanying Lab | 1 |
| MUS PERF 347 | Third Year Composition | 3 |
| MUS PERF 348 | Third Year Composition | 3 |
| MUS PERF 401 | Advanced Piano | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 402 | Advanced Harpsichord | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 403 | Advanced Organ | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 405 | Advanced Voice | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 407 | Advanced Flute | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 409 | Advanced Oboe | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 411 | Advanced Clarinet | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 413 | Advanced Saxophone | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 415 | Advanced Bassoon | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 417 | Advanced Horn | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 419 | Advanced Trumpet | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 421 | Advanced Trombone | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 423 | Advanced Euphonium | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 425 | Advanced Tuba | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 427 | Advanced Percussion | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 431 | Advanced Violin | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 433 | Advanced Viola | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 435 | Advanced Cello | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 437 | Advanced Double Bass | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 439 | Advanced Harp | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 440 | Advanced Guitar | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 441 | Advanced Jazz Studio Instruction | 2-4 |
| MUS PERF 447 | Fourth Year Composition | 3 |
| MUS PERF 448 | Fourth Year Composition | 3 |
| MUS PERF 457 | Jazz Composition and Arranging | 3 |
| MUS PERF 458 | Jazz Composition and Arranging | 3 |
| MUS PERF 499 | Senior Recital | 2 |
Honors in the Major
To earn Honors in any music major, students must satisfy the requirements below as well as all other requirements for their music degree and major:
- 6 credits of MUSIC 681 Senior Honors Thesis–MUSIC 682 Senior Honors Thesis
- 12 credits of honors coursework in music: 6 of the 12 credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above and only 6 credits can be taken in any one of the three music areas of theory, history, and performance.
To participate in the Honors in the Major program, students must:
- Notify the School of Music undergraduate advisor of their intention to become a candidate for Honors in the Major. This will usually occur in the sophomore year.
- Present a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.300 in all courses taken at UW–Madison and maintain this average throughout the degree.
- Present a minimum 3.500 GPA in all music coursework and maintain a minimum 3.500 GPA in all music honors coursework.
- Engage a faculty member who will collaborate in planning the 12 credits of honors curriculum coursework; submit this plan to the undergraduate advisor. The course plan may change as students progress through their work.
- Prior to beginning work on the MUSIC 681–MUSIC 682 Senior Honors Thesis sequence, confirm a faculty advisor for this sequence (who may be the same person as for the 12 credits above) and submit a prospectus outlining in detail the planned work including (a) the topic, (b) plans for research, and (c) a clear substantive written component, although it may also include oral and/or performance components. The faculty advisor must sign the prospectus indicating approval.
University Degree Requirements
| Total Degree | To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements. |
| Residency | Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs. |
| Quality of Work | Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation. |
Learning Outcomes
- Develop advanced levels of proficiency in solo, chamber and ensemble performance sufficient to enter music professions or graduate programs.
- Understand, synthesize and apply foundational concepts of musical study in theory, history and pedagogy.
- Demonstrate the ability to learn independently and to integrate knowledge across domains of research and applied studies.
- Communicate verbally, in writing and through public performance, musical ideas and concepts.
- Demonstrate ability to work collaboratively and professionally in multiple settings.
Advising and Careers
Advising Resources
All current UW-Madison undergraduate students majoring or interested in majoring in Music are welcome to schedule an advising appointment with the music advisor. Advising appointments can be scheduled using Starfish.
Questions from current and prospective Music students, or students interested in music classes or ensembles may also be email to the School of Music Undergraduate Advisor at ugradadvisor@music.wisc.edu
The Mead Witter School of Music recommends that Music students meet with their music advisor regularly to discuss their academic plans. School of Music Programs can be highly sequential and include required courses that are offered only one a year or once every other year. Students considering studying abroad are also recommended to meet with their music advisor early to determine the best way of fitting their experience abroad into their graduation plans.
Are you a prospective Music student?
The Mead Witter School of Music offers the opportunity to audition several times a year. Check out the School of Music website for more information about audition information. Prospective music majors are welcome to reach out to the Undergraduate Admissions Coordinator with an questions at: admissions@music.wisc.edu
Career Resources
A Music major or degree can offer students many opportunities for careers in music industry and music education, as well as provide valuable skills that can be applied to any career path.
Check out “What can I do with my Music Major?”
The Mills Music Library has resources to help musicians with their career search.
There are many campus resources to help students explore, plan for, and start their careers. Students who are undecided about their major plans and career can visit the Career Exploration Center. SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science offers Music students a wealth of resources to explore career options, build experience, prepare for the job market, and to find a job, internship, or graduate school opportunities. Music majors should be sure to explore the Communications, Media, & the Arts career cluster including signing up for their newsletter.
Music Education Career Resources
Music Education majors are also encouraged to work with the Mary T. Kellner Teacher Education Center for their licensure process and with the Career Center at the School of Education to assist with their job search.
SuccessWorks
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps you turn the academic skills learned in your classes into a fulfilling life, guiding you every step of the way to securing jobs, internships, or admission to graduate school.
Through one-on-one career advising, events, and resources, you can explore career options, build valuable internship and research experience, and connect with supportive alumni and employers who open doors of opportunity.
- What you can do with your major (Major Skills & Outcomes Sheets)
- Make a career advising appointment
- Learn about internships and internship funding
- Try “Jobs, Internships, & How to Get Them,” an interactive guide in Canvas for enrolled UW–Madison students
Accreditation
National Association of Schools of Music
Accreditation status: Accredited. Next accreditation review: 2022–2023.