School of Fine Arts

Department of Music

Stephen Kalm, Chair

The Department of Music offers students who have demonstrated talent in music the opportunity to continue further study either for a profession or an avocation and to acquire at the same time a broad general education. Complete sequences of courses are given to prepare a student for a career as a teacher or supervisor of music in the elementary/secondary schools; for a career directed toward composition, the music technology industry, private teaching, or concert work; or, for a thorough training in music within the structure of a broad liberal arts curriculum.

Degree programs at the undergraduate level include the Bachelor of Music Education; Bachelor of Music with majors in performance or composition and music technology; and Bachelor of Arts with a major in fine arts and an option in music. Graduate degree programs are Master of Music with a major in music and options in music education, performance, or composition/technology; and musical theater.

The University of Montana-Missoula is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

In general, admission as a major in the Music Department is by certificate from the high school from which the student graduates. The faculty of the Music Department is more concerned with evidence of talent, conspicuous achievement in music, promise of development, and scholarship in general than it is in the precise content of the program which the prospective music student has followed prior to admission to the University.

The Music Department welcomes the opportunity for prospective students and parents to consult with faculty and administration by paper and electronic correspondence and/or by appointment interviews on the campus. Every student wishing to become a music major or minor must take the Music Theory Assessment Examination and a Piano Proficiency Assessment during orientation and also must audition and be accepted officially into the applied studio of a music faculty member prior to confirmation as a fully-admitted major or minor in music.

Special Degree Requirements

Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog. See index.

1. For the Bachelor of Music Education degree, course requirements in Curriculum A must be completed.
2. For the Bachelor of Music degree, course requirements in Curriculum B must be completed.
3. For the Bachelor of Arts degree, course requirements in Curriculum C must be completed.
4. All students majoring in music are required to attend and/or participate in a minimum of 154 approved recitals/concerts prior to graduation.
5. All majors seeking an undergraduate degree in music and who are registered for 5 or more credits must participate in an ensemble specified by their degree curriculum each semester of residence of the regular school year. (See specific curricula for maximum ensemble credits applicable toward minimum degree requirements.)
6. Majors whose principal performance area is wind/percussion must register for:

   -Music 110A/310A, section 1, Symphonic Wind Ensemble (or Music 110A/310A, section 2, University Concert Band, or Music 108A/308A, section 1, University Orchestra, if designated) every semester.

   String majors must register for:

   - Music 108A/308A, section 1, University Orchestra, every semester.

   B.M., Vocal Performance, and B.A., voice, majors must register for:

   - a minimum of 4 credits in Music 107A, section 1 (University Choir).

   Upon completion of the upper-division recital performance, B.M.,Vocal Performance, and B.A., voice, majors may enroll in:

   -Music 307A, section 1 (University Choir),

   -Music 307A, section 2 (Chamber Chorale),

   -Music 307A, section 3 (Men’s Chorus),

   -Music 307A, section 4 (Women’s Chorus),

   -Music 313A (Opera Theater), or

   -Music 350A, section 11 (Jubes)

   B.M.E. voice majors must take a minimum of:

   - 6 credits in 107A/307A, section 1 (University Choir) and

   -1 cr. of 104A (Marching Band).

   Ensemble requirements for piano and organ are listed separately for each curriculum.
7. . Seniors pursuing the B.M.E. or B.A. degrees and deemed outstanding in performance ability by their applied music teacher may perform a one half recital only. Students in the B.M. program must present a full recital, a requirement which may be satisfied at the discretion of the area faculty by giving two half recitals.
8. Candidates for all undergraduate degrees in music enrolled in performance study above the Music 100A level shall take divisional juries as scheduled by area faculties. Students may be excused from divisional juries if graduating in that semester, or if they have performed a half or full recital that term, or have successfully completed an upper division recital performance during that semester.
9. All majors seeking upper division standing in applied music will appear in an upper division recital performance. In order to qualify for this performance the student must be recommended by the divisional jury on the basis of performance ability, repertoire studied and sight reading on his/her performing instrument. The recital must be approved by a 2/3 majority of the music faculty in attendance. Failure in the upper division recital performance bars students from admission to music courses numbered 300 or above with the exception of 324H 325H (History of Music I, II).
10. Successful completion of all lower-division music core requirements is necessary for admission to upper-division academic study in music and for students pursuing the B.M.E. degree, student teaching in music. Transfer students shall be admitted to 300 or above courses with the stipulation that lower-division requirements be completed within their first two semesters of residence.

    The required lower-division core includes:

    -Music 135L (Introduction to Music Literature) 3 crs.

    -Music 111-112 (Theory I, II), 4 crs.

    -Music 211-212 (Theory III, IV), 4 crs.

    -Music 137-138 (Aural Perception I, II), 4 crs.

    -Music 237-238 (Aural Perception III, IV), 4 crs.

    -Music 115A-116A (Piano in Class I, II), 2 crs.

    -Music 215-216 (Intermediate Piano in Class I, II), 2 crs. (B.M.E. and B.M. only)

    -successful completion of the upper-division recital performance

    -and for those pursuing the B.M.E. and B.M. degrees, successful completion of all sections of the Piano Functional Examination.
11. All candidates for undergraduate music degrees must complete 39 music and/or non music credits numbered 300 or above to meet graduation requirements for the first baccalaureate degree. Upper-division credits transferred from other four-year institutions will count toward the 39-credit requirement. Upper division large and chamber ensembles and non-required applied study may not count as upper division music electives within the minimum degree requirements except as designated for a particular degree program.
12. Upon successful completion of the Upper-Division Writing Proficiency Assessment, students will complete the Upper-Division Writing Expectation. Candidates for Curriculum A may satisfy this requirement with one course from the MUS 420-425 series or an upper-division writing course which will also satisfy teacher certification requirements. Candidates for Curriculum B and Curriculum C will satisfy this requirement with one course from the Music 420-425 series.
13. All lower-division music courses, as well as MUS 324L-325L, counted toward the major must be passed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Requests for exceptions to any published music degree requirements require written approval by the music faculty executive committee and in the case of general university requirements, the Graduation Appeals Subcommittee.

Curriculum A- Bachelor of Music Education Degree

For students who feel the challenge and vital service opportunity in the teaching profession and whose high school background includes experience in musical organizations, the University offers the Bachelor of Music Education degree. Included in this curriculum are state requirements for certification for public school teaching (see School of Education for special certification requirements) and training and background for instructing instrumental and choral groups and teaching general music (K-12).

Music course requirements total 68 credits:

Students taking keyboard as principal performance area must complete Music 346 (Advanced Functional Piano) 1 cr. and 430 (Piano Methods and Materials I) 2 crs. in addition to upper‑division music electives.

At least 39 credits, music or non-music, numbered 300 or above is required.

Degrees are possible in both Curriculum A and B if all requirements in both curricula are completed. A double degree program requires a minimum of 150 credits.

Curriculum B-Bachelor of Music Degree

The serious instrumentalist or vocalist may enroll for training leading to the Bachelor of Music degree with a major in performance while students with a strong interest in composition and music technology may select the B.M. track designed to challenge and prepare them for a career in this field. Prior to full acceptance, all candidates for the Bachelor of Music in performance degree must successfully pass a special entrance audition in an applied area. Composition and music technology majors also must obtain approval of the appropriate faculty. This degree does not qualify a student for public school teaching in Montana.

Major in Performance with option in Piano or Organ (B 1)

Music course requirements for an option in piano or organ total 82 credits:

-upper-division music electives 11 crs., toward which piano majors must complete 432 (Keyboard Literature), 2 crs., 302 or 303 (Instrumental Conducting or Choral Conducting), 2 crs., and toward which organ majors must complete 303 (Choral Conducting), 2 crs., and 2 crs. of independent study in organ construction, design and pedagogy.

Students interested in piano pedagogy may select as an elective Music 333 (Practicum in Piano Pedagogy).

A minimum of 24 non-music credits is required for piano majors, and 28 for organ majors to include 8-10 credits in French or German. At least 39 credits, music or non-music, numbered 300 or above is required.

Degrees are possible in both Curriculum A and B if all requirements in both curricula are completed. A double-degree program requires a minimum of 150 credits.

Major in Performance with option in Voice (B 2)

Music course requirements for an option in voice total 81 credits:

A minimum of 31 non-music credits is required to include Drama 111A (Acting for Non-Majors I), 3 crs., and 8-10 credits of foreign language chosen from French or German. At least 39 credits, music or non-music, numbered 300 or above is required.

Major in Performance with option in Orchestral Instruments (B 3)

Music course requirements for an option in an orchestral instrument (strings, winds, percussion) total 85 credits:

A minimum of 24 non-music credits is required. At least 39 credits, music or non-music, numbered 300 or above is required.

Major in Composition and Music Technology (B-4)

Music course requirements for a major in composition and music technology total 82 credits:

Maximum credits applicable toward music requirements for this degree: Large and Chamber Ensembles, 8 crs.; Music 151, 2 crs.; 251, 2 crs.; 351, 2 crs. (1 cr. as upper-division music elective); 451, 2 crs. (as upper-division electives).

A minimum of 24 non-music credits is required. At least 39 credits, music or non-music, numbered 300 or above, is required.

Students taking voice or an instrument in the Music 151-451 series must take 100A, Piano, until a jury examination demonstrates adequate proficiency.

Composition/Technology students must pass a faculty jury examination of representative work in composition at the end of their sophomore year. Seniors present a full recital or two half recitals of original music for solo voice and/or instruments (Music 499, Professional Projects). This recital must include MIDI and/or other technology and a composition for small vocal or instrumental ensemble, and may include a composition for large ensemble. This recital may include works studied in the applied area, provided the student is concurrently enrolled in Music 451.

Degrees are possible in both Curriculum A and B if all requirements in both curricula are completed. A double degree program requires a minimum of 150 credits.

Curriculum C-Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in Fine Arts and option in Music

Students with a pre-college background in performance may elect curriculum C, a course of study designed to develop musicianship, to gain scholarly insight into the art of music, and to develop substantial background in the arts. This degree does not qualify a student for public school teaching in Montana but does provide groundwork for graduate study in musical performance and scholarship and in preparation for teaching careers in colleges or in private schools.

The elective portion of the program provides opportunities for further study in music, and/or a concentration of courses in a particular field outside music, either in the College of Arts and Sciences or in one of the Professional Schools. At least 39 music and/or non‑mus­ic credits must be numbered 300 or above.

Minimum credit requirements for this degree are 48 credits in music and 51 credits of non‑music courses. At least 36 of the non-music credits must be in the College of Arts and Sciences, to include foreign language, 18-20 crs. (with a minimum of two semesters in one language) and Liberal Studies 151L-152L, 8 crs.

Maximum music credits applicable toward this degree: Performance, 16 crs.; Large Ensemble Music, 8 crs. (maximum upper-division Large Ensemble Music credits: 4 crs.); Chamber Ensemble Music, 4 crs.

Students with keyboard as their principal instrument must take a minimum of 2 Large Ensemble Music credits and may take Music 150A/350A (Piano Ensembles) and/or Music 196/496 (Independent Studies/Piano Accompanying) to a maximum of 12 credits Large and Chamber Ensemble Music.

Those with voice as their principal must take a minimum of 4 credits in 107A, section 1 (University Choir) and, upon completion of the upper-division recital performance, 107A/307A, section 1 (University Choir), 107A/307A, section 2 (Chamber Chorale), 307A, section 3 (Men’s Chorus), 307A, section 4 (Women’s Chorus), 113A/313A (Opera Theater), or 150A/350A, section 11 (Jubes) for an additional 4 credits.

Other music course requirements for Curriculum C include:

Suggested Course of Study

Bachelor of Music Education (A)

*Keyboard principals do not enroll in Music 115A-116A or 215-216 but must take 346 and 430 as upper-division music electives. Voice principals do not take Music 117A.

**May be scheduled autumn semester with appropriate adjustments in remaining schedule.

Bachelor of Music, Major in Performance, Option in Piano or Organ (B 1)

*Piano majors must include Music 432-433 (Keyboard Literature I, II), 4 crs., and 302 or 303 (Instrumental Conducting or Choral Conducting), 2 crs. Organ majors must include Music 303 (Choral Conducting) 2 crs. and 2 crs. of independent study in organ construction, design and pedagogy.

Bachelor of Music, Major in Performance, Option in Voice (B 2)