Bachelor of Fine Arts
Various undergraduate curricula lead to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music or Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Education degree. The following undergraduate courses of study are available:
Music Performance
A curriculum in voice, keyboard, or another instrument that prepares the student for both professional performance and studio teaching
Music Education
A curriculum in music performance, history, theory and education, and certification by the State Department of Public Instruction that prepares the student to teach and supervise music in the public schools
Musicology/Ethnomusicology
A curriculum that focuses on the historical and critical study of music and prepares the student for specialization and graduate work in musicology, music librarianship and music criticism
Music Composition and Technology
A curriculum that prepares the student for specialization in creative musical writing and related analytical skills and concepts, in conjunction with specific courses of study in microcomputers, electronic music-based software applications, MIDI, sound synthesis, and pedagogy.
Jazz Studies
Students wishing to pursue a Jazz Studies major should declare their intention at the time of application to the Music Department, indicating Music Performance – Instrumental Jazz Studies. Students must pass an entrance audition, which will include both classical and jazz material, in order to be admitted to the program. Jazz Studies students are expected to take four semesters of classical studio lessons at the 300 level followed by two semesters of jazz lessons at the 300 level and two semesters at the 400 level.
Musical Theatre (Please consult the UWM Peck School of the Arts Inter-Arts site for more information)
The Musical Theatre track will provide the student with the opportunity to train and develop the necessary skills needed to succeed in an art form that encompasses all three areas of performance.
Bachelor of Arts
A general music degree designed specifically for students with talent and interest in music that allows them the flexibility to take a minor in another subject (such as Business) or a second major.
topCertificate Program in Rock and Roll Studies
Developed in response to strong interest from students and faculty and under the direction of renowned Rock and Roll historian Martin Jack Rosenblum, this unique program will prepare students to use the tools of ethnomusicology, musicology, literature studies and cultural studies to examine American vernacular music in a way previously reserved for what is called “classical music.” Beginning in Fall 2010, certificate students will gain a solid understanding of this musical genre while deepening their knowledge of the style from an array of courses across the arts and humanities.
topGraduate Programs
The various graduate curricula lead to the Master of Music or Master of Fine Arts degree with concentrations in Music Performance, Conducting, Music Theory & Composition, Music History and Literature, String Pedagogy and Music Education. (See the Graduate School Bulletin for details.)
The Leonard Sorkin International Institute of Chamber Music is a two-year program leading to a Certificate in Chamber Music Performance.
topMusic Degree Requirements
All music curricula for the B.F.A. require 125-130 credits, distributed as follows:
- Music courses as specified in each curriculum: 75-80 credits;
- core curriculum: 45 credits
- general electives: 0-5 credits
The B.A. in music requires 120 credits, distributed as follows:
- Music courses, 47 credits
- core curriculum, 45 credits
- general electives, 28 credits
Performance Organization Requirements
All music majors are required to participate in performing organizations during the course of their study. All Performance and Music Education majors must be registered in an approved major performing organization concurrent with each semester of private study. The director of bands, the director of choral activities, and the director of orchestras make ensemble assignments at the beginning of each semester. For the purpose of fulfilling the Performance Organization requirement, the Department of Music recognizes the following approved major performing organizations: Concert Chorale, Symphony Band, Symphony Orchestra, University Band, University Choir, and Wind Ensemble. (Other performance ensembles may be approved in certain degree programs: see individual degree programs for specific requirements in each area.)
Performance Organization Requirement for Transfer Students
Credits from an accredited college/university for performing organizations may be granted as follows:
- All transfer students to UWM, regardless of entry level, must take at least two semesters of an approved major performing organization. The performing organization must conform to the individual degree requirements: instrumentalists take band or orchestra, vocalists take choral ensembles.
- Entering sophomores with 30 or more earned credits may only transfer up to two completed semesters of an approved performing organization from another university.
- Entering juniors with 60 or more earned credits may only transfer up to four completed semesters of an approved performing organization from another university.
Recital and Convocation Requirements
All music majors, except transfer students and second degree candidates, must earn 80 recital attendance credits for graduation. This requirement may be met by attending campus recitals (one attendance credit per recital), the weekly departmental Convocation (five attendance credits per semester), and off-campus recitals (one attendance credit per recital to a maximum of three per semester).
All music majors, except transfer students and second degree candidates, must attend weekly Convocation meetings for a minimum of six semesters. A student receives five recital attendance credits for each satisfactorily completed semester of Convocation (at least 75% or more of the weekly meetings attended and recorded). Recital attendance records are kept by the Music Department.
Transfer students and second degree candidates must earn 10 recital credits (including weekly Convocation) for each semester on the UWM campus, to a total of 80, or until the completion of the degree.
Music Performance Cour Enrollment Requirements
The study of music performance in private lessons, master classes, and seminars is governed by four special conditions:
- Performance courses (lessons) cannot be dropped after the second week of each semester;
- No undergraduate music major may register for performance courses (lessons) unless the student is simultaneously registered for a minimum of four credits in Music Department courses other than performance;
- Instrumental and vocal majors enrolled in the Performance and Music Education degree programs must be registered in an approved major performing ensemble concurrent with each semester of performance study in their principal performance area;
- Enrollment in lab Master Class (0 cr.) is required of all voice students each semester of enrollment in lessons. Keyboardists and instrumentalists should consult their keyboard or instrumental instructors about the lab Master Class requirements.
Music Theory and Musicology/Ethnomusicology Requirements
All music majors are required to take a core of music theory and music history courses. The music theory core entails a three-semester sequence of Materials of Theory, accompanied by three semesters of Aural Theory. This is followed by a semester of Form Analysis. All music degree programs require additional theory courses, but these requirements vary from program to program.
The Music History core comprises the three-semester sequence of the General History of Western Music. Additional music history courses are required by most programs.
Materials and Music Grade Prerequisites
Students are expected to take theory courses in sequence and to successfully complete each particular level within the same semester, i.e., level-one theory courses (MUS123 and MUS127) are to be taken together.
To gain admittance to level-one theory courses, one must pass the theory placement exam or earn a grade of B- or higher in Music 1: Theory Fundamentals.
- To continue on to level-two theory courses, one must earn a grade of C- or higher in each level-one course including MUS123: Aural Theory I and MUS127: Materials of Music I. A student may not register for a second-level theory course until satisfactory grades are earned in each level-one course listed above.
- To continue on to level-three theory courses, one must earn a grade of C- or higher in each level- two course including MUS124: Aural Theory II and MUS128: Materials of Music II. A student may not register for a third-level theory course until satisfactory grades are earned in each level-two course.
- Admittance to MUS230: Form and Analysis requires students to earn a C- or higher in all level- three theory courses including MUS225: Materials of Music III and MUS226: Aural Theory III.
- Admittance to MUS321: Counterpoint requires students to earn a C- or higher in all level-three theory courses: MUS225, MUS226 and MUS227.
- In order to take MUS421: Materials of Contemporary Music, students must earn a grade of C- or higher in MUS230: Form and Analysis.
Music Performance Major Credit Overview
A prospective student must demonstrate advanced technical and artistic skills at the admission audition for a performance degree.
Music Course Requirements: 65-80 credits with variable electives. See individual area requirements.
Principal Instrument or Voice. 16 cr. Includes four semesters of Music Performance at 3xx level (2 credit/semester totaling 8 cr.) and four semesters at 4xx level (2 credit/semester totaling 8 cr.). In addition, multiple woodwind majors are required to complete six semesters of Music Performance on a secondary instrument at the 1xx level (1cr/sem) and four semesters of Music Performance on a tertiary instrument at the 1xx level (1cr/sem).
Lab Master Class. Up to eight semesters at 0 cr. per semester may be required or recommended as part of your individual lesson obligation. See individual area requirements.
Piano Requirement. 2-8 cr. Depending on audition results, a student may be required to enroll in MusPerf 001, Piano Fundamentals, for up to two semesters or until the student receives a final grade of B or better. See individual area requirements.
Major Ensemble. 6-8 cr. (1 cr per sem.) Students taking individual lessons must concurrently be enrolled in an approved Performance Ensemble. See Performance Organization requirements.
Chamber Ensemble. 3-8 cr. Applies to Instrumental Curriculum only.
Music Theory and History 32 cr. See individual area requirements or electives.
Conducting. 2-4 cr. See individual area requirements or electives.
Junior Recital. 0 cr. Supervised preparation towards full or one-half junior recital. See individual area requirements.
Senior Recital. 2 cr. Supervised preparation towards required full senior recital.
Convocation. 6 semesters. See Recital and Convocation Attendance.
Electives. 0-12 cr. See individual area requirements or electives.
Special Core Curriculum Requirements. Foreign language: 6-14 credits. See individual area requirements.
topCore Curriculum
General Education Requirements
UWM’s General Education Requirements (GER) apply to all student who earned degree credit at an accredited institution since September 1986. Students classified as “Special Students” prior to September 1986 will be subject to GER upon admission to a UWM degree program. Transfer students will not be subject to the GER if they earned transferable degree credit at an accredited institution prior to September 1986. Second degree candidates from an accredited institution are not subject to the GER.
The General Education Requirements are intended to give structure to each student’s education while giving the student the greatest possible freedom to design an individual academic program. These requirements include two major categories: the first designed to assure basic student competencies, and the second with a broad body of knowledge as a foundation for specialization.
Competency requirements include the general areas of English composition and mathematics. Students must complete these requirements as a prerequisite to attaining junior standing. Those Music Majors who are not subject to a Foreign Language Requirement (see below) are required to show competency in a foreign language. Distribution requirements are composed of areas of the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and the social sciences. Students must complete these requirements for graduation.
Follow this link to the current listing of UWM GERs
Competency Requirements
English Composition. Completion of the English Composition Requirement must be demonstrated by writing an essay examination at a level of achievement determined by the Academic Program and Curriculum Committee, by earning a grade of C or higher in English 102 or transferring an equivalent course with a grade of C or higher. You can qualify to write the essay by scoring a 637 or better on the English Placement Test (EPT).
Mathematical Skills. Completion of the Mathematics Requirement must be demonstrated by achieving a placement code of at least 30 on the mathematics placement test; or by earning at least 3 credits with a grade of C or higher in Mathematical Sciences 105, 106, 175 or equivalent courses.
Foreign Language. Performance programs in the Department of Music require at least 14 credits (4 semesters) of foreign language. Music History requires 20 credits. The Music Education programs do not specify foreign language. The GER Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement of 0–6 credits may be fulfilled with two years of a language in high school or six credits in college. (This is the minimum requirement for all incoming freshmen and transfers beginning Fall 1999.)
Distribution Requirements and Electives: 30 Credits
Thirty credits of distribution requirements and electives chosen from any school or college outside of the Peck School of the Arts.
- Arts & Humanities = 6
- Social Sciences = 6
- Natural Sciences = 6
- Cultural Diversity = 6
(May be met by any course so designated, and which had been approved for GER distribution in the arts, humanities or social sciences.).
- Arts = 3
(appropriate courses earned in the major may satisfy) Electives (depends on the major) 0-18
- Two courses, totaling 6 credits, must be taken in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
- At least one of the natural science courses must include a laboratory or field experience.
- Courses which satisfy this distribution requirement are listed in the Schedule of Classes.
- Special departmental curricula may specify certain courses to be included in the 30-credit requirement.
Consult curriculum requirements.
Peck School of the Arts Course Requirement: 12 Credits
Twelve credits are required in the Peck School of the Arts courses outside the student's discipline, i.e., art, dance, film, music or theatre. These credits are to be distributed as follows:
- 3 credits must be taken in each of three Arts disciplines. (Total of 9 credits)
- The remaining 3 credits may be taken in any one of the four disciplines outside the student's major.
Free Electives
Remaining credits (3) of the 45-credit total required may be elected from any area of the University, including the Peck School of the Arts courses outside the student's discipline.
topCourse and Curriculum Guide
The Recommended Curricular Order for each degree program is included in this Handbook. The guide is a semester by semester suggested course schedule. It is very important that you and your advisors create a master plan for your coursework at the beginning of your freshman year. Update and revise the plan, as needed, every semester. The curriculum guides that follow should be carefully considered when planning your four years here, as there are many courses that are offered only in the Fall or Spring semester.
If you do not follow the suggested guides you may not be able to graduate in four years.
All of the Department of Music degree programs are listed on this site. Once you open the link, you can click on the degree area (i.e. Music Performance, Music Education) for specific degree requirements and the recommended curriculum order. Undergraduate Bulletin
topUWM Schedule of Classes
This link will take you to all of the classes currently offered by every school or college at UWM. Each course entry will list class days, times, locations, credits, instructor, any prerequisites and a brief description of the curriculum. UWM Scedule
Music Courses (Academic): The following area courses include music theory, musicology/ethnomusicology, ensembles, vocal diction, accompanying. These courses are governed by special Music Department policies and are available only to Music Majors and Inter-Arts Majors (see NON-MUSIC MAJOR notation below regarding performance lessons). Undergraduate Bulletin
Music Education Courses: These courses are governed by special Music Department policies and are available only to Music Majors. Undergraduate Bulletin
Music Performance Courses: The following courses include instrument fundamentals, master classes, courses for MM Accompanying and ICM students, and music performance (lessons). These courses are governed by special Music Department policies and are available only to Music Majors and Inter-Arts Majors (see NON-MUSIC MAJOR notation below regarding performance lessons). Undergraduate Bulletin
topCourse Rotation
Students must plan ahead in the event that the course they wish to take is not offered. Some courses are offered only in the spring semester, while certain courses are offered every other year. The curriculum guides may be of some help in this regard. There are other course offerings which vary from year to year. Consult your advisor, major area, or the area in which the courses are given, to determine when the courses you desire will be offered. You should be sure to consult the Undergraduate Advisor, your Major Area Advisor, and the School of the Arts Advisors in the Academic Affairs Office every semester. In any case: Plan early and often!
| Musicology/Ethnomusicology | |
|---|---|
| Fall | Spring |
| Mus211 Gen. History of Western Music I | Mus212 Gen. History of Western Music II |
| Mus300 Literary Aspects of Rock & Roll | Mus300 Literary Aspects of Rock & Roll |
| Mus307 Gen. History of Western Music III | Mus309 American Folk & Popular Music |
| Mus310 Introduction to World Musics | Mus311 Music of the Baroque Era |
| Mus313 Music of the Romantic Era | Mus452 Collegium Musicum |
| Mus452 Collegium Musicum | |
| Music Theory | |
|---|---|
| Fall | Spring |
| Mus328 Digital Synthesis and Systems II | Mus326 Advanced Aural Theory IV |
| Mus421 Materials of Contemporary Music | Mus327 Analog and Digital Synthesis Mus680 Special Topics in Theory |
| Mus420 Advanced Computing in Music | |
| Voice | |
|---|---|
| Even numbered years | Odd numbered years |
| Mus244 Basic Diction | Mus245 Italian Diction |
| Mus247 French Diction | Mus246 German Diction |
| Mus277 Song Literature | Mus446 Vocal Pedagogy |
| Conducting | |
|---|---|
| Fall | spring |
| Conducting (Basic) (353) | Instrumental Conducting (354) |
| Choral Conducting (357) | |
| Instrumental Fundamentals Course Rotation for Music Education Students | |
|---|---|
| Fall | Spring |
| MusPerf 023 Clarinet | MusPerf 033 Trombone/Tuba/Baritone |
| MusPerf 032 Trumpet | MusPerf 021 Flutel |
| MusPerf 022/025 Oboe/Bassoon | MusPerf 024 Saxophone |
| MusPerf 041/042 Violin/Viola | MusPerf 031 French Horn |
| MusPerf 051 Percussion | MusPerf 043/044 Cello/Double Bass |
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