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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Music Performance B.M., with Acoustic & Electronic Composition Concentration
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 Return to: Programs by Degree
TOTAL DEGREE HOURS: 120
Plans of Study
The Music Performance degree is a degree for students who wish to pursue a career in music. Students interested in a B.M. degree may choose between concentrations in: Performance, Contemporary Commercial Music, Jazz Studies, or Acoustic & Electronic Composition. This degree program requires 120 credit hours of study that include private study on the student’s principal instrument and participation in ensembles. Additionally, students complete music theory, history and literature sequences, and take additional coursework in their chosen concentration. Graduates from BM programs at USF find themselves in very competitive positions for graduate study and musical careers. Admission into the BM in music degree requires an audition on your major instrument.
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University Admissions - College of Design, Art, and Performance
Admission to the University is based on the University’s Undergraduate Admission Requirements that may be found by clicking on the following links:
Music Performance Required Courses: (128 credit hours)
State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites - Music Performance B.M. (68 credit hours)
Following Florida BOG Regulation 8.010, state mandated common course prerequisites are lower-division courses that are required for progression into the upper division of a particular baccalaureate degree program. Students wishing to transfer to USF should complete an A.A. degree at a Florida College System institution. Some courses required for the major may also meet General Education requirements thereby transferring maximum hours to the university.
Transfer students should complete the State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites at the lower level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at a Florida College System institution, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Successful completion of the common prerequisites alone does not guarantee a student admission into the degree program.
Unless stated otherwise, a grade of C is the minimum acceptable grade in prerequisite courses.
Music Theory Requirement (12-13 credits)
- MUT X111 Music Theory 1 OR MUT X121 Music Theory I-Integrated - 3 credit hours
- MUT X112 Music Theory II OR MUT X122 Music Theory II-Integrated - 3 credit hours
- MUT X116 Music Theory III OR MUT X126 Music Theory III-Integrated - 3-4 credit hours
- MUT X127 Music Theory IV-Integrated OR MUT X117 Music Theory IV - 3 credit hours
Piano Proficiency Requirement (28 credits) - Repeat the course work for 4 semesters.
- MVK X111* Keyboard Skills - 1 - 2 credit hours
- MVK X112* Class Instruction - Freshman - Keyboard - 1 credit hour
- MVK X121* Keyboard Skills III - 2 credit hours
- MVK X122* Keyboard Skills IV - 2 credit hours
* USF accepts competency test credits (Secondary Piano Proficiency by examination).
Student Focus Requirement (4 credits) - This is defined as courses under one of the specified prefixes that constantly maintain the digit 1 or 2 (depending upon which course) while allowing 0-9 to replace each “X.” The prefix varies depending upon the student’s focus (i.e., Brass, Strings, Woodwinds, etc.) Two examples of possible courses for MVB X011 are MVB 1011 or MVB 1311. Two examples for MVW XX2X are MVW 2223 and MVW 2222.
Repeat the course work for 2 semesters:
- MVJ XX1X Applied Music: Jazz - 2 credit hours
- MVK XX1X Applied Music: Keyboard - 2 credit hours
- MVO XX1X Applied Music: Other - 2 credit hours
- MVP XX1X Applied Music: Percussion - 2 credit hours
- MVS XX1X Applied Music: Strings - 2 credit hours
- MVV XX1X Applied Music: Voice - 2 credit hours
- MVW XX1X Applied Music: Woodwinds - 2 credit hours
- MVH XX1X Historical Instruments - 2 credit hours
- MVB XX1X Applied Music: Brasses - 2 credit hours
National Accreditation Requirement (16 credits) - Music program national accreditation requires minimum semesters of exposure in specified coursework.
Repeat the course work for 4 semesters.
- MUN X000-X999 Music Ensembles - 4 credit hours
Additional Requirement (4-6 credits)
- MUT X272 ET, SS & KBD Harmony I - 1 credit hour
- MUT X276 ET, SS & KBD Harmony II - 1 credit hour
- MUT X277 ET, SS & KBD Harmony IV - 3 credit hour
- MUT X271 ET, SS & KBD Harmony I - 1 credit hour
OR
- MUT X221 1st YR Sight Singing I - 1 credit hour
- MUT X222 1st YR Sight Singing II - 1 credit hour
- MUT X226 1st YR Sight Singing I - 1 credit hour
- MUT X227 1st YR Sight Singing IV - 1 credit hour
OR
- MUT X241 Aural Theory I - 1 credit hour
- MUT X242 Aural Theory II - 1 credit hour
- MUT X246 Aural Theory III - 1 credit hour
- MUT X247 Aural Theory IV - 1 credit hour
State Mathematics Pathway – Music Performance B.M. (6 Credit Hours)
The Music Performance B.M. uses the Mathematical Thinking in Context Mathematics Pathway with the following requirements:
Music Performance Supporting Required Courses: 1 course; 0 credits
The following course is a supporting course for this major. It is required for the major. The degree will not be awarded if this course has not been taken by the end of the student’s final semester.
All B.M. degree students must register and pass MUS 2010 for six semesters. A passing grade requires a minimum of seven recorded attendances at School of Music concert/recital events each semester.
Music Performance Major Core: 5 courses; 14 credit hours
Music History/Ethnomusicology: 2 courses; 6 credit hours
Any two Music History/Ethnomusicology courses. Additional Music: 3 courses; 8 credit hours
Music Performance Major (Restricted) Electives
Students complete the Music Performance program of study and one of the following four concentrations:
Acoustic & Electronic Composition Concentration: 14 courses; 32 credit hours
Foundation: 2 courses; 4 credit hours
Acoustic Music: 8 courses; 16 credit hours
Electronic Music: 4 courses; 12 credit hours
Other Concentration Requirements
Senior Recital Requirement
The second semester of the senior year is the only semester in the composition sequence that does not require the student to be in a composition class. Instead, students are required to register for Senior Recital (2 credits), which will have a scheduled meeting time (1 hour a week) and syllabus. This meeting time will be student-directed, but one or more composition faculty will be available to help answer questions at the students’ request. The Senior Recital Requirement consists of the following: - Portfolio Presentation (30 percent of final grade)
- Recital (30 percent of final grade)
- Participation in the Senior Project Concert (15 percent of final grade)
- Senior Presentation in Composition Seminar (12 percent of final grade)
- Composers Orchestra composition (13 percent of final grade)
- Continued participation in Composition Seminar and Notation Emporium
Portfolio
Portfolios must be presented in final form by Monday, 5:00 PM, the last week of classes. Students will consult with faculty throughout the semester on assembling and fine-tuning the material. Faculty will review the portfolio by the time of final jury (final exam week). The portfolio will consist of the following:
- A digital archive of all of the student’s acoustic and electronic projects created over the 8-semester MUC sequence (this can be presented on the web or in physical copy, e.g. DVD, flash drive, etc.)
- A database of performances, performers, etc. (hard copy)
- 3 to 5 scores individually bound and professionally presented (at least one of these scores needs to be for both acoustic instruments and electronic media)
- A curriculum vitae (hard copy)
- A 300-word artist’s statement (hard copy)
Recital
Seniors are responsible for scheduling, preparing for and presenting a 60-minute concert of their music during their final semester. This recital must take place during the semester that the student is registered for Senior Recital, and it is recommended to be before week 15 to allow time for preparing the video for the portfolio. It is expected to be professionally produced in one of the USF SOM halls, most likely in the Barness Recital Hall. The programming must include works for acoustic instruments, electronic media and work that combines the two. The recital will be assessed on quality of preparation, presentation and professional effectiveness (publicity, draw, archiving, etc.). Senior Project Concert
Senior composition majors who are registered for Senior Recital will collaborate on and present a concert during the same semester. It will feature music and performances by the seniors primarily, but can involve other performers as well. Unlike the solo senior recital concert, it is required that this concert be off campus. Students have a scheduled meeting time that they can use each week for this purpose. This concert will be assessed on quality of preparation, presentation and professional effectiveness (publicity, draw, archiving, etc.). Senior Presentation in Composition Seminar
Each senior will give 30-50 minute presentation on their music and issues surrounding it. This can be as a preview to their senior recital. Presentations must be scheduled by week 4, and no presentation will be scheduled after week 14. The presentation will be assessed on content as well as professionalism of presentation. Composers’ Orchestra Composition
Each senior will be required to compose and program a piece written especially for the Composers’ Orchestra, an ad-hoc group of performing composition majors assembled for this purpose. The performance may take place in the Senior Recital or Senior Project concert, but it needs to be performed by week 15 at the latest. This final score and recording will be provided with the portfolio in addition to the 3-5 scores of other work. Composition Seminar and Notation Emporium
Seniors in their final semester are expected to participate in the weekly seminar and emporium. Attendance is required and excessive absences or late arrivals can affect the Senior Recital final grade. (See attendance policy) The Recital Approval form (available on music advisor’s door) must be completed and returned to the advisor. Additional Information - Music Performance B.M.
Other Requirements
JUNIOR RECITAL FOR BM DEGREES: A public recital (must be shared with another junior recital) will be given during the student’s junior year. The student should have achieved junior classification as defined by the university and should be enrolled at the 3000 level in applied music, which would normally occur during a student’s third year of study. Credit may be granted to transfer students for junior recitals completed at other institutions. This recital should have been completed during the student’s junior year at that institution and a request for recognition of that recital should be made in writing to the applied division coordinator. No studio teacher is under any obligation to accept these transfer recitals.
SENIOR RECITAL FOR BM DEGREE: A public recital will be given during a student’s senior year. The student should have achieved senior classification as defined by the university and should be enrolled at the 4000 level in applied music, which would normally occur during a student’s fourth year of study. A senior recital performed at another institution will not satisfy graduation requirements for USF. The recital must be performed on the USF campus and the student must be enrolled in the studio of a USF faculty member during the term of said recital unless written permission to deviate from this policy is obtained from the School of Music Director.
GPA Requirements
Major GPA (All USF courses which are applied to major requirements): 2.0
General Education GPA (All USF courses which are applied to General Education requirements): 2.0
USF GPA: 2.0
Overall GPA: 2.0
Grading Requirement
All music majors must earn at least a C- in every music course required for their degree program. Sequel courses may not be taken until prerequisites are satisfied with appropriate grades or waivers.
Research Opportunities
Undergraduate students in any degree program are able to participate in undergraduate research. Several options exist to show mentored undergraduate research activity on a student’s official transcript. Those who wish to enroll in an undergraduate research course should consult with their academic advisor to understand how the credit will apply towards the degree requirements. If no credit is needed, students may be eligible to enroll in the 0-credit IDS 4914 course. This course will not impact degree credits or GPA but will show on an official transcript and document the experience. The Office of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research (HIPUR) is able to assist with further inquiries.
Advising Information
USF students schedule advising appointments online through USF Archivum Platform. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor each semester to discuss course planning, degree progression, and career preparation.
For questions, MusicAdvise@usf.edu
Plans of Study - Music Performance B.M., with Acoustic & Electronic Composition Concentration
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