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BHSU MUSIC PROGRAM

Begin your musical journey at BHSU

Black Hills State University is proud to be fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Students benefit from the expertise of faculty performers, composers, and conductors in state-of-the-art facilities, learning through coursework, private instruction, and ensembles. The Music Department at BHSU places nearly one hundred percent of its graduates in music education positions or graduate programs in music.

The BHSU music program provides the diversity a student wants and the individual attention a student needs. Our department offers majors in music composite and music education, as well as a minor in music and certificates in piano pedagogy and guitar. Our ensemble offerings include the Dakota Chamber Orchestra, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Northern Hills Chamber Chorale, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Honeycomb Brass, Pep Band, the Beeline Drumline, Opera Workshop, and other chamber ensembles. Students will have ample opportunities to perform on campus, locally, and in the greater Midwest region.

The Music Department is housed in Clare and Josef Meier Hall. Music facilities include a beautiful recital hall, private faculty and student studios, practice rooms with pianos, an electronic keyboard lab, large rehearsal rooms, and music classrooms.

Scholarship Opportunities

We offer scholarship money specific to the Music Department. Prospective students may apply through our online form.

Ensembles at BHSU

Black Hills State University offers numerous performing groups within the music program. Student ensembles give concerts every semester, and a musical is performed in cooperation with the Theater Department each year. Here is a list of the different ensembles at BHSU:

  • Concert Choir
  • Northern Hills Chamber Chorale
  • Chamber Singers
  • Opera Workshop
  • Dakota Chamber Orchestra
  • Honeycomb Brass
  • Jazz Ensemble
  • Wind Ensemble
  • Concert Band
  • Pep Band
  • Beeline Drumline
  • Chamber ensembles

Broadcast Performances

BHSU livestreams most of its ensemble performances on YouTube, with links posted to the BHSU Music page on Facebook. Audio is recorded and archived for all concerts and recitals, and students can request a livestream for recitals at no charge.

Student Handbook

The BHSU music student handbook, which details all the relevant policies for advancing through your degree coursework, helpful tips for thriving while studying music at the college level, and more can be found here: BHSU Music Student Handbook 2024-25

Composite Music

Do you love to make music? Get a degree in music and develop your musical abilities in the context of a broad liberal arts education.

Required core - 58 semester hours

  • MUAP - Applied Music Instrument/Voice - (6 semester hours)
  • MUS 110/L - Music Theory I & Lab - (4)
  • MUS 111/L - Music Theory II & Lab - (4)
  • MUS 185 - Recital Attendance - (0)
  • MUS 210/L - Music Theory III & Lab - (4)
  • MUS 211/L - Music Theory IV & Lab - (4)
  • MUS 215 Introduction to Music Technology - (2)
  • MUS 240 Music Cultures of the World - (3)
  • MUS 313 - Form and Analysis - (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 116, 215)
OR 
  • MUAP 110 - Applied Music-Keyboard (or 111)
  • MUAP 483 - Public Recital

Choose one of 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 - 15 semester hours

Choose any MUS, MUEN, MUAP course not used for another requirement

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

General education requirements - 30 semester hours

  • MATH - Gen Ed - Mathematics - 3 semester hours
  • CMST - 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

Music is a shared human experience. The ability to express yourself through music is one of the greatest gifts humans can share. If you have prior music experience in band and/or private instrumental lessons and are interested in public school music teaching in the K-12 environment, this may be the degree for you.

Required core - 49 semester hours

  • 2 MUAP 100 level Applied Music Instrument/Voice
  • 2 MUAP 200 level Applied Music Instrument/Voice
  • 2 MUAP 300 level Applied Music Instrument/Voice
  • 1 MUAP 400 level Applied Music Instrument/Voice
  • 4 MUS 110/L Music Theory I
  • 4 MUS 111/L Music Theory II
  • 4 MUS 210/L Music Theory III
  • 4 MUS 211/L Music Theory IV
  • 3 MUS 240 Music Cultures of the World
  • 3 MUS 313 Form and Analysis
  • 3 MUS 330 Music History I
  • 3 MUS 331 Music History II
  • 3 MUS 351 Elementary School Music Methods
  • 2 MUS 352 Music in the Elementary School II
  • 3 MUS 360 Conducting
  • 3 MUS 420 Orchestration & Arranging
  • 2 MUS 467 Advanced Conducting
  • 0 MUS 185 Recital Attendance (Register every semester)
  • 0-2 MUAP 483 Public Recital

Select one area of emphasis

Instrumental emphasis - 15 semester hours

  • 2 MUS 373 Woodwind Instrumental Methods
  • 2 MUS 374 Percussion Instrumental Methods
  • 2 MUS 375 Brass Instrumental Methods
  • 2 MUS 377 String Instrumental Methods
  • 3 MUS 382 Methods & Material of Teaching Piano 

OR

  • 3 MUS 456 Instrumental Materials & Techniques
  • 4 MUEN Concert Band or Chamber Orchestra (Students are required to participate in a large ensemble each semester)

Vocal emphasis - 15 semester hours

  • 2 MUS 215 Introduction to Music Technology
  • 2 MUS 302 Vocal Diction Class I
  • 2 MUS 303 Vocal Diction Class II
  • 2 MUS 345 Vocal Pedagogy & Literature
  • 3 MUS 458 Choral Materials & Techniques
  • 4 MUEN 100/300 Concert Choir (Students are required to participate in a large ensemble each semester)

Pre-professional teaching core - 18 hours

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

Professional K-12 teaching core - 17 semester hours

  • 1 EDFN 440 Classroom Management
  • 3 SEED 408 Plan, Manage & Assess the 5-12 Diverse Classroom
  • 1 SEED 495 Practicum: Pre-Student Teaching
  • 3 EDFN 475 Human Relations
  • 6-12 ED 488 K-12 Student Teaching

General education requirements - 30 semester hours

  • ENGL 101
  • ENGL 201
  • CMST - Gen Ed - Speech (1 class) - 3 semester hours
  • MATH - Gen Ed - Mathematics (1 class) - 3 semester hours
  • Gen Ed - Social Science (2 classes from different subjects) - 6 semester hours
  • Gen Ed - Arts & Humanities (2 classes from different subjects or a foreign language sequence) - 6 semester hours
  • Gen Ed - Natural Sciences & Lab (2 classes/corresponding labs) - 6-8 semester hours

Minor in Music

20 semester hours

  • 7 Music electives with prefixes MUS or MUEN
  • 4 MUS 110/L Music Theory I
  • 4 MUS 111/L Music Theory II
  • 3 MUS 360 Conducting

Choose 2 credits from the following:

  • 1-2 MUAP 115 Class Instruction - Keyboard
  • 1-2 MUAP 116 Class Instruction - Keyboard
  • 1-2 MUAP 215 Class Instruction - Keyboard
  • 1-2 MUAP 110 Applied Music - Keyboard
  • 1-2 MUAP 210 Applied Music - Keyboard
  • 1-2 MUAP 310 Applied Music - Keyboard
  • 1-2 MUAP 410 Applied Music - Keyboard

 

 

Minor in Music, Vocal - Teaching Elementary Music Emphasis

24 semester hours
  • 3 MUAP Private Voice
  • 2 MUAP 115, 116, or 215 Class Instruction - Keyboard
  • 3 MUEN 300 Concert Choir
  • 4 MUS 110/L Music Theory I
  • 4 MUS 111/L Music Theory II
  • 3 MUS 351 Elementary School Music Methods
  • 2 MUS 352 Music in the Elementary School II
  • 3 MUS 360 Conducting

 

Minor in Music, Vocal - Secondary School Emphasis

24 semester hours

  • 2 MUAP 115, 116, or 215 Class Instruction - Keyboard
  • OR
  • 2 MUAP 110, 210, 310, or 410 Applied Music - Keyboard
  • 3 MUAP 100, 101, 200, 201, 300, 301, 400, or 401 Applied Music - Voice
  • 3 MUS electives
  • 2 MUEN 300 Concert Choir
  • 4 MUS 110/L Music Theory I
  • 4 MUS 111/L Music Theory II
  • 3 MUS 360 Conducting
  • 3 MUS 458 Choral Materials & Techniques

 

Minor in Music, Instrumental - Teaching

29 semester hours

  • 4 MUS 110/L Music Theory I
  • 4 MUS 111/L Music Theory II
  • 3 MUS 360 Conducting
  • 2 MUS 373 Woodwind Instrumental Methods
  • 2 MUS 374 Percussion Instrumental Methods
  • 2 MUS 375 Brass Instrumental Methods
  • 2 MUS 377 String Instrumental Methods

Take 4 credits from the following:

  • MUEN 380 Jazz Ensemble
  • MUEN 130 Chamber Music Ensemble
  • MUEN 322 Concert Band

Take 2 credits from the following:

  • MUAP 120 Applied Music - Woodwinds
  • MUAP 130 Applied Music - Brass
  • MUAP 140 Applied Music - Percussion
  • MUAP 150 Applied Music - Strings

Take 2 credits from the following:

  • MUAP 115, 116, or 215 Class Instruction - Keyboard
  • MUAP 110, 210, 310, or 410 Applied Music - Keyboard

Guitar Performance

Certificate Requirements
  • MUS 200 or 300 level Applied Guitar Lessons - 2 semester hours
  • MUS - Electives - 3 semester hours
  • MUS 110 - Music Theory I & 110L Lab - 4 semester hours

and

  • MUS 100 - Music Appreciation - 3 semester hours 

or

  • MUS 200 - American Music - 3 semester hours

Piano Pedagogy

Certificate Requirements
  • MUAP - 200/300 level Keyboard Lesson - 2 semester hours
  • MUS 110 - Music Theory I & 110L Lab - 4 semester hours
  • MUS 382 - Methods & Materials of Teaching Piano - 3 semester hours

Take one course from the following:

  • MUS 100 - Music Appreciation - 3 semester hours
  • MUS 331 - Music History II - 3 semester hours
  • MUS 353 - K-8 Music Methods - 3 semester hours

*Current students, please refer to the DegreeWorks Dashboard in MyBHSU to confirm your major requirements.

DEGREES OFFERED

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Get your start at BHSU for employment opportunities in a variety of sectors:

» Performer
» Conductor
» Studio Teacher
» Music Educator
» Composer/Arranger
» Music Copyist/Engraver
» Music Accompanist
» Audio Engineer
» And more

Beeline Drumline Members march down a street while playing their drums.

BEELINE DRUMLINE

The Beeline Drumline is a group of percussionists that perform at many athletic events and other events throughout the year. Learn new techniques and broaden your musical experience by joining the Beeline.

SUCCESS STORIES

JOSHUA ZABATTA, CLASS OF '07

Joshua Zabatta is a professional operatic tenor based in Denver, Colorado, with recent credits including Boulder Opera, Central City Opera, and guest artist with the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra.

JESSE DUNAWAY, CLASS OF '16

Alumnus Jesse Dunaway is an award-winning composer and former public school educator. He is currently pursuing a doctorate at North Dakota State University.

DREW LERDAL, CLASS OF '08

Former student Drew Lerdal is a guitarist and composer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota who scores music for film, television, and commercials, with credits including Sonic the Hedgehog (2022), Deadliest Catch (2020), and others.

ALUMNI QUOTES

HANNAH REHMEIER, CLASS OF '20

“I am forever grateful for my time at BHSU. I never expected that in addition to learning more than I ever imagined, I would also find a family in the Music Department. Because of my time there, I stepped into my first teaching job with all of the necessary skills and experience, as well as with an incredible support system.” Hannah Rehmeier, Choir Director, Custer School District

RYLANN OLSON, CLASS OF '21

“The BHSU Music Department provides a tight-knit community to music majors, non-majors, and alumni alike. Once graduated, the faculty continues to provide mentorship that will support you in your career!” Rylann Olson, Choir Director, Spearfish Middle School

Contact Info

Jonathan Nero
Jonathan.Nero@BHSU.edu
Meier Hall 126 Map
Phone: 605.642.6628

School of Humanities, Music
Black Hills State University
1200 University St. Unit 9003
Spearfish, SD, USA 57799-9003