Bachelor of Music (B.M.)

Our primary goal is to prepare students to become highly skilled music educators, music therapists, performers, and composers. Program goals encourage and develop high standards of teaching, scholarship, performance, and research in music. We are pleased to offer small academic classes, applied study with highly qualified faculty, and careful attention to advising.

A successful audition is audition is required for all Bachelor of Music (B.M.) programs.

Program-level Learning Objectives

• Ability to perform music from a variety of historical/ style periods, and exhibit the appropriate skills for musical self-expression in juried performances. These skills include: technique, musicianship, tone, diction/articulation, style, interpretation, sight-reading, rhythm, and artistry.
• Keyboard skills.
• The capacity to create original or derivative music.
• Understanding of the common elements and organizational patterns of music, including musical forms, processes, and structures.
• Knowledge of music history and repertory, including representative composers and works according to the area of specialization, as well as study and experiences with music in addition to that of the primary culture encompassing the area of specialization.
• Students are also expected to learn music literature from all periods through aural and score analysis. Performance skills are tested at the end of the sophomore year and in a graduation recital if required by the degree option. Some programs require satisfactory completion of supervised student teaching, an internship, or a senior project.

Potential Occupations

The professional undergraduate music curricula at CSU can lead to personally fulfilling careers as music educators, music therapists, performers, composers, private teachers, and entrepreneurs. Music graduates from CSU have successfully gained employment in public and private schools, hospitals and institutions, and as professional performers and composers.

B.M., Music Education Concentration

The professional degree program prepares students for teaching choral, instrumental, and general music in elementary and secondary schools. This degree prepares students to apply for music teaching licensure (grades K-12) in the state of Colorado. CSU’s outstanding music education faculty members are in demand as clinicians, guest lecturers, conductors, and researchers. A feature unique to the accredited music education curriculum is the extensive field experience that students receive throughout their coursework, culminating in a semester of student teaching at the end of the program. Students must select one of two options: instrumental or choral. music.colostate.edu/bm-music-education

B.M., Music Therapy Concentration

The concentration is designed to prepare students to take the examination of the Certification Board for Music Therapists (MT-BC). Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship. As a MT-BC, graduates may work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, assisted living centers, and in special education. Some music therapists maintain private practices or serve as consultants. The Music Therapy program at CSU is internationally recognized for its leadership in clinical training and research. The area includes the Undergraduate Music Therapy Research Academy and the interdisciplinary Brainwaves Research Laboratory, where students have opportunities for hands-on involvement in music and music therapy research.

Music Therapy Tracks

• Applied Studio Track: This track includes lessons on your primary instrument/voice. In addition to the music therapy audition, this track requires a separate playing audition before entrance.
• No Applied Studio Track: This track does NOT include lessons on your instrument/voice. Students do not need to complete a primary instrument audition but must still complete the music therapy audition before entrance.

music.colostate.edu/music-therapy

B.M., Performance Concentration

The degree prepares students for potential professional careers in the music and creative industries as performers, entrepreneurs, and private music teachers as well as for continued study at the graduate level. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in music history, music theory, and performance, with many opportunities for performance, including large and small ensemble participation as well as solo recitals.

In order to complete the Performance Concentration, students must select one of the following options: jazz studies, orchestral instrument, organ, piano, and voice (the piano pedagogy, and string pedagogy programs are in the process of discontinuation and no longer accepting students).

• B.M., Performance Concentration, Jazz Studies Option: The professional degree program offers instrumental students a balanced course of study in both performance and academic classes to help them develop their skills as jazz artists and educators. Students in the degree have the opportunity to study jazz history, theory, improvisation, pedagogy, and composition and arranging, in addition to taking private lessons with both traditional applied faculty and jazz specialists. music.colostate.edu/jazz-studies
• To find information about instrumental and vocal areas, go to "Areas."

B.M., Composition Concentration

The B.M., Composition Concentration is a professional undergraduate degree program designed to prepare the student to compose original music for a variety of genres, including symphonic works, chamber music, electronic music, and music for media. Coursework emphasizes comprehensive musicianship throughout the curriculum with particular emphasis on individualized study in music composition. music.colostate.edu/composition

Bachelor of Arts in Music (B.A.)

The Bachelor of Arts in Music (B.A.) allows students to study music within the larger context of a liberal arts education. In comparison to the curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Music (B.M.), less emphasis is placed on studies specifically in music, with greater flexibility for studies in a field outside of the required music core curriculum. Instead of more music credits as required for the B.M., the B.A. student can choose at least 21 credits in one or more areas outside the music core. In addition, the completion of a capstone experience is required during the senior year.

• The B.A. in Music provides flexibility for students wishing to double-major in music and another discipline (not all degree combinations are possible, so please consult completion maps and department guidelines).

B.A. in Music Tracks

• Applied Studio Track: This track includes lessons on your instrument/voice and requires a successful playing audition before entrance.
• No Applied Studio Track: This track does NOT include lessons on your instrument/voice. Students do not need to complete a playing audition; however, an interview with music faculty is required before entrance.

Please prepare audition and interview requirements.

Program-level Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate knowledge of diverse musical cultures, including historical eras, genres, and literature.​
• Identify and work conceptually with elements of music such as rhythm, melody, harmony, structure, timbre, and texture.
• Analyze, research, compose, improvise, and/or perform in multiple musical styles.​
• ​Develop critical thinking skills and demonstrate a synthesis of knowledge and/or skills in one or more areas of music.

Music Minor

A minor in music presents students with a liberal arts education that includes opportunities to engage in music theory, music history, and the culture of music, along with a variety of performance opportunities through ensemble play and applied lessons.

Program-Level Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate a sense of informed musicianship.
• Interpret music based on their knowledge of music theory and music history.
• Develop a foundation for a lifelong appreciation of music.
• Minor in Music Requirements

Track Options:

• Applied Studio Track: This track includes lessons on your instrument/voice and requires a successful playing audition before entrance. See audition requirements.
• No Applied Studio Track: This track does NOT include lessons on your instrument/voice. Students do not need to complete a playing audition before entrance, but music fill out this form.

Contacts:

• Drew.Leslie@colostate.edu in Fall and Spring semesters
• Murray.Oliver@colostate.edu during the summer months

Music Program Fee

A music program fee is assessed with undergraduate and graduate music majors and minors, per semester. The fee does not apply to the following students: online degree students, summer-only master's degree students, music therapy students in an internship off-campus, music education students who are student teaching off-campus, and music minors who are not actively enrolled in any lessons or ensembles. Please visit the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President website for special course fee information.

Courses in music appreciation, music theory fundamentals, and ensembles are open to all students regardless of major.