With strong vocal and piano programs and a growing emphasis on instrumental performance, the BHSU Music program provides the diversity a student wants but the individual attention a student needs. Music students will take such courses as music history, music theory, while taking private lessons. Music education majors take the extra course work to be able to teach in the K-12 environment.

Music majors can become professional musicians or work in music related fields, but many choose a teaching career or graduate school to further their talent.

The Music major at BHSU offers

• Highly talented and caring instructors
• A variety of music ensembles to choose from and join
• Opportunities to perform on campus and across the region
• State of the art music facilities in Meier Hall

Learn More about the BHSU Music Program...

Music Major Course Requirements

Required Core - 58 semester hours

• MUAP - Applied Music Instrument/Voice - (6 semester hours)
• MUS 110/L - Basic Music Theory I & Lab - (4)
• MUS 111/L - Basic Music Theory II & Lab - (4)
• MUS 210/L - Advanced Music Theory I & Lab) - (4)
• MUS 211/L - Advanced Music Theory II & Lab - (4)
• MUS 215 Introduction to Music Technology - (2)
• MUS 240 Music Cultures of the World - (3)
• MUS 330 - Music History I - (3)
• MUS 331 - Music History II - (3)
• MUS 360 - Conducting - (3)
• MUS 420 - Orchestration & Arranging - (3)
• MUAP 115 - Class Instruction-Keyboard (or 215) OR MUAP 311 - Applied Music-Keyboard - (2)

Take one course from the following: 1 semester hour

• MUAP 400 - Applied Music-Voice
• MUAP 410 - Applied Music-Keyboard
• MUAP 420 - Applied Music-Woodwinds
• MUAP 430 - Applied Music-Brass
• MUAP 440 - Applied Music-Percussion

Music Electives - 14 semester hours

Foreign Language - 8 hours
Take 2 semesters, does not have to be sequential.

Gen Ed Requirements - 30 semester hours

• MATH - Gen Ed - Mathematics - 3 semester hours
• SPCM - Gen Ed - Speech - 3 semester hours
• Gen Ed - Social Science - 6 semester hours
• Gen Ed - Arts & Humanities - 6 semester hours
• Gen Ed - Natural Science & Lab - 6-8 semester hours
• ENGL 101 - Composition I
ENGL 201 - Composition II

Required Core - 43 semester hours

• MUS 110/L Basic Music Theory I
• MUS 111/L Basic Music Theory II
• MUS 210/L Advanced Music Theory I
• MUS 211/L Advanced Music Theory II
• MUS 240 Music Cultures of the World
• MUS 330 Music History I
• MUS 331 Music History II
• MUS 351 Elementary School Music Methods
• MUS 352 Music in the Elementary School II
• MUS 360 Conducting
• MUS 420 Orchestration & Arranging
• MUS 467 Advanced Conducting
• MUS 185 Recital Attendance (Register every semester)
• MUAP 483 Public Recital

Select one area of emphasis

Instrumental Emphasis- 18 semester hours

• MUS 373 Woodwind Instrumental Methods
• MUS 374 Percussion Instrumental Methods
• MUS 375 Brass Instrumental Methods
• MUS 377 String Instrumental Methods
• MUS 372 Methods & Material of Teaching Piano OR
• MUS 456 Instrumental Materials & Techniques
• MUAP 300 level Applied Instrument
• MUAP 400 level Applied Instrument
• MUEN Concert Band or Chamber Orchestra
• (Students are required to participate in a large ensemble each semester)

Vocal Emphasis- 18 semester hours

• MUS 215 Introduction to Music Technology
• MUS 302 Vocal Diction Class I
• MUS 303 Vocal Diction Class II
• MUS 341 Vocal Pedagogy & Literature
• MUS 458 Choral Materials & Techniques
• MUAP 300 level Applied Voice
• MUAP 400 level Applied Voice
• MUEN 100/300 Concert Choir
• (Students are required to participate in a large ensemble each semester)

Pre-Professional Teaching Core - 18 hours

• EDFN 295 Practicum: Pre-Admission Teaching
• EDFN 338 Foundations of American Education
• EPSY 302 Educational Psychology
• EPSY 428 Child & Adolescent Development
• INED 411 South Dakota Indian Studies
• PSYC 101 General Psychology (gen ed)
• SPED 100 Intro to Persons with Exceptionalities

Professional K-12 Teaching Core- 17 hours

• EDFN 440 Classroom Management
• SEED 408 Plan, Manage & Assess the 7-12 Diverse Classroom
• SEED 495 Practicum: Pre-Student Teaching
• EDFN 475 Human Relations
• ED 444 K-12 Student Teaching