Requirements for B.Mus. Degrees

Note: This page is designed to assist students, faculty, and advisors by providing degree requirements and recommendations in an easy-to-use format. The course catalogue remains the official source of degree requirements -- please report any discrepancies with this page to the department chair.  

Students may earn a B.Mus degree in one of two majors:

• Music Education 
• Performance
  

Students in either major must complete a minimum of nine courses in music, including:

• Music Theory I-V (110, 210, 310, 343, 346) 
• History of Western Music I-III 
  • Medieval and Renaissance (321) 
  • Baroque and Classical (322)
  • Romantic and Twentieth Century (323)
• An elective in music history or theory
  

Additionally, students must:

• Pass five semesters of Music Performance Seminar (FAA 701)
• Pass all parts of the Piano Proficiency Requirement
• Participate in at least one music ensemble each semester for eight semesters
• Complete a senior project
  • Recital (FAA 798 or 799) OR
  • Paper/Project (485)
• Complete the specific requirements for the Performance or Music Education majors

See the official Cornell course catalogue for more complete information regarding requirements for all music degrees, including music lessons, Piano Proficiency Requirement, ensemble participation, and Music Performance Seminar.

Additional Requirements for Performance Majors

Students who intend to major in performance must audition for admission to the performance major by the second semester of their sophomore year, and complete the following:

• Four course credits in a primary performance medium, either voice or a keyboard, string, percussion, or wind instrument
• One course credit in a secondary performance medium
• Song Literature (MUS 302) OR Literature of the Major Instrument (304)
• Conducting I (306)
• For voice majors:
  • Vocal Diction (107)
  • Vocal Pedagogy (308)
• For organ majors:
  • Service Playing and Arranging (303)
• For piano majors:
  • Piano Pedagogy (307)
• Half Recital, junior year (FAA 798)
• Full Recital, senior year (FAA 799)
• Intermediate French, German, Greek, Japanese, Latin, Russian, Spanish or equivalent (205-level)

Additional Requirements for Music Education Majors

• Three course credits in a primary performance medium, either voice or a keyboard, string, percussion, or wind instrument

• One-and-one-half course credits in secondary performance media, including:
  • Brass, percussion, strings, and woodwinds (FAA 703-706)
  • Guitar (FAA 708 - vocal music education only)
  • Guitar performance (FAA 774)
• The following courses, according to emphasis within the major:
  • General Music or Vocal Music Education: 
    • Vocal Diction (107)
    • Vocal Pedagogy (308)
  • Instrumental Music Education:
    • At least one semester of Choir (FAA 712)
• Conducting I (306)
• Music Education Seminar (331)
• Methods and Materials for Music Education (431)
• In addition to the foregoing requirements, prospective teachers must also apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program by February 1 of the sophomore year and complete a second major in either elementary or secondary education.

Recommended Course Sequence

Please refer to the recommended course sequence in the Major & Minor Requirements for Bachelor of Arts section, which includes information for students interested in a Bachelor of Music degree.