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Pursue your passion for music with our Bachelor of Arts in Music or Bachelor of Music programs.

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Studying Music at the University of Mississippi

Undergraduate students may choose to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts in Music or a Bachelor of Music in Music degree. Students choosing the Bachelor of Music degree may specialize in one of the areas of emphasis: Music Education or Music Performance. Students choosing the Bachelor of Arts in Music complement their major study of music with a minor in another field of study.

What Does it Mean to Major in Music?

The Bachelor of Arts in Music (BA) allows greater compatibility with other areas of study through a required minor field of study or double major. This well-rounded major is designed to provide the student with a broad liberal arts education as well as more specialized work in the applied area through a focus in either instrumental, keyboard, or voice.

The Bachelor of Music in Music (BM) prepares students to become professional musicians and educators. BM students must choose an emphasis in music performance or music education, each with a concentration in instrumental, keyboard, or voice.

Either way, it means working with your major professor one on one from the very start. Explore a universal language that knows no barriers while learning specific strategies for advancing your musical craft.

Degree Emphases

A music professor laughs with a student during class
A music instructor teaches a class

Music Education

Students prepare to teach at all levels of K-12 grade, with concentrations in keyboard, voice, or instrument. The program exceeds the minimum Mississippi Teacher Certification standards in vocal and instrumental music.

A student plays her instrument
Student plays his instrument

Music Performance

Students prepare to become professionals performing as woodwind, brass, string, or percussion instrumentalists, pianists, or vocalists and/or for graduate or professional school attendance.

Degree Requirements

See the information below on the music major for the BA degree, BM degree, and the requirements for the music minor. For a full description, visit the online catalog.

Students in the BA in Music degree complete 56 credit hours. They study their major instrument and are members of ensembles every semester in the four-year program. They also participate in student recital for six semesters. In addition, they take 11 required courses and complete music electives to bring the major to 56 hours.  

  • Mus 100: Student Recital
  • 6 semesters of Major instrument 
  • 8 semesters of ensembles (4 of major ensembles, 4 of any ensemble)
  • 9 credit hours of music electives (at least 8 hours at 300-level or higher)
  • Mus 498: Musical Synthesis and Assessment

Music History and Literature

  • Mus 101: Introduction to Music Literature
  • Mus 204: World Music Cultures
  • Mus 301: History of Music I
  • Mus 302: History of Music II

Music Theory

  • Mus 105: Music Theory and Analysis I
  • Mus 106: Music Theory and Analysis II
  • Mus 205: Music Theory and Analysis III
  • Mus 206: Music Theory and Analysis IV
  • Mus 305: Form & Analysis I
  • Mus 347: Introduction to Music Technology

Students in the BM in Music with an emphasis in Music Education, Instrumental concentration can earn certification in the following principal instruments: woodwind, brass, string, or percussion.

Music Performance:

  • Principal Instrument including a 322 course (12 hrs)
  • Mus 113, 114: Keyboard Musicianship I & II (4 hrs)
  • Mus 100: Student Recital (6 semesters, 0 credit hours)
  • Mus 398: Solo Recital (0 credit hours)

Ensembles:

Major Ensemble. Band for woodwind or percussion principals, orchestra for string principals (6 hours)

Music Theory:

  • Mus 105: Music Theory and Analysis I (3 hours)
  • Mus 106: Music Theory and Analysis II (3 hours)
  • Mus 205: Music Theory and Analysis III (3 hours)
  • Mus 206: Music Theory and Analysis IV (3 hours)
  • Mus 305: Form and Analysis I (2 hours)
  • Mus 347: Intro to Music Technology (1 hour)
  • Mus 405: Instrumental Arranging (2 hours)

Music History and Literature:

  • Mus 101. Intro to Music Literature (3 hours)
  • Mus 204. World Music Cultures (3 hours)
  • Mus 301. History of Music I (3 hours)
  • Mus 302. History of Music II (3 hours)

Music Education:

  • Mus 198. Vocal Methods for Instrumental Majors (1 hr)
  • Mus 311. Intro to Music Education (3 hours)
  • Mus 315. Fundamentals of Conducting (2 hours)
  • Mus 316. Instrumental Conducting (2 hours)
  • Mus 371. Elementary School Music (3 hours)
  • Mus 375. Instrumental Music Methods (3 hours)

Professional Education:

  • Edci 352. Education, Society, & K-12 Learner (2-3 hrs)
  • Mus 422. Teaching Assessment&Classroom Mgmt (3 hrs)
  • Edle 473. Student Teaching: Music Education (12 hours)
  • Edsp 308. Introduction to Special Education (3 hours)

Other:

  • Mus 498. Music Synthesis and Assessment (0 hours)

 

Woodwind, brass, and percussion principals (9 hours)

  • Mus 161. String Class (1 hour)
  • Mus 172. Flute (1 hour)
  • Mus 173. Single Reeds (1 hour)
  • Mus 174. Double Reeds (1 hour)
  • Mus 187. High Brass (1 hour)
  • Mus 189. Low Brass (1 hour)
  • Mus 190. Percussion (1 hour)
  • Mus 325. Techniques of Marching Band (2 hours)

String principals (8 hours)
  • Mus 376. Teaching Music in Elementary School (1 hour)
  • Select four secondary instrumental methods courses:
    • Mus 172. Flute (1 hour)
    • Mus 173. Single Reeds (1 hour)
    • Mus 174. Double Reeds (1 hour)
    • Mus 187. High Brass (1 hour)
    • Mus 189. Low Brass (1 hour)
    • Mus 190. Percussion (1 hour)
  • Select three preparatory courses:
    • Viln 100. Preparatory Violin (1 hour)
    • Vila 100. Preparatory Viola (1 hour)
    • Vcel 100. Preparatory Violoncello (1 hour)
    • Stbs 100. Preparatory String Bass (1 hour)

Students in the BM in Music with an emphasis in Music Education, Keyboard concentration complete the following courses. 

Music Performance:

  • Principal Instrument (10 hrs)
  • Voice (8 hrs)
  • Mus 214. Intermed. Keyboard II
  • Mus 100: Student Recital (6 semesters, 0 credit hours)
  • Pian 322 or Orgn 322
  • Mus 398: Solo Recital (0 credit hours)

Ensembles:

  • Major Ensemble - band, chorus, or orchestra (4 hours)
  • Any ensemble or Mus 308 (3 hours)

Music Theory:

  • Mus 105: Music Theory and Analysis I (3 hours)
  • Mus 106: Music Theory and Analysis II (3 hours)
  • Mus 205: Music Theory and Analysis III (3 hours)
  • Mus 206: Music Theory and Analysis IV (3 hours)
  • Mus 305: Form and Analysis I (2 hours)
  • Mus 347: Intro to Music Technology (1 hour)

Music History and Literature:
  • Mus 101. Intro to Music Literature (3 hours)
  • Mus 204. World Music Cultures (3 hours)
  • Mus 301. History of Music I (3 hours)
  • Mus 302. History of Music II (3 hours)

Music Education:

  • Mus 311. Intro to Music Education (3 hours)
  • Mus 315. Fundamentals of Conducting (2 hours)
  • Mus 371. Elementary School Music (3 hours)
  • Mus 381. Choral Conducting I
  • Mus 383. Choral Methods and Admin
  • Mus 384. Choral Literature and Arranging

Professional Education:

  • Edci 352. Education, Society, & K-12 Learner (2-3 hrs)
  • Mus 422. Teaching Assessment&Classroom Mgmt (3 hrs)
  • Edle 473. Student Teaching: Music Education (12 hours)
  • Edsp 308. Introduction to Special Education (3 hours)

Other:

  • Mus 498. Music Synthesis and Assessment (0 hours)
Students in the BM in Music with an emphasis in Music Education, Vocal concentration complete the following courses. 

Music Performance:

  • Voice, must include Voic 322 (12 hours)
  • Mus 113. Fundamental Keyboard I
  • Mus 114. Fundamental Keyboard II
  • Mus 213. Intermed. Keyboard I
  • Mus 214. Intermed. Keyboard II
  • Mus 100: Student Recital (6 semesters, 0 credit hours)
  • Mus 207 (2 hours)
  • Mus 398: Solo Recital (0 credit hours)

Ensembles:

  • Major Ensemble - chorus (7 hours)

Music Theory:

  • Mus 105: Music Theory and Analysis I (3 hours)
  • Mus 106: Music Theory and Analysis II (3 hours)
  • Mus 205: Music Theory and Analysis III (3 hours)
  • Mus 206: Music Theory and Analysis IV (3 hours)
  • Mus 305: Form and Analysis I (2 hours)
  • Mus 347: Intro to Music Technology (1 hour)

Music History and Literature:
  • Mus 101. Intro to Music Literature (3 hours)
  • Mus 204. World Music Cultures (3 hours)
  • Mus 301. History of Music I (3 hours)
  • Mus 302. History of Music II (3 hours)

Music Education:

  • Mus 311. Intro to Music Education (3 hours)
  • Mus 315. Fundamentals of Conducting (2 hours)
  • Mus 371. Elementary School Music (3 hours)
  • Mus 381. Choral Conducting I
  • Mus 383. Choral Methods and Admin
  • Mus 384. Choral Literature and Arranging

Professional Education:

  • Edci 352. Education, Society, & K-12 Learner (2-3 hrs)
  • Mus 422. Teaching Assessment&Classroom Mgmt (3 hrs)
  • Edle 473. Student Teaching: Music Education (12 hours)
  • Edsp 308. Introduction to Special Education (3 hours)

Other:

  • Mus 498. Music Synthesis and Assessment (0 hours)

Students in the BM in Music with an emphasis in Music Performance, Instrumental concentration can earn certification in the following principal instruments: woodwind, brass, string, or percussion.

Music Performance:

  • Mus 100: Student Recital (6 semesters, 0 hours)

Ensemble:

  • 4 semesters of any ensemble
  • 4 semesters of major ensemble
  • 4 hours of instrument chamber ensemble

Music Theory:

  • Mus 105. Music Theory and Analysis I (3 hours)
  • Mus 106. Music Theory and Analysis II (3 hours)
  • Mus 205. Music Theory and Analysis III (3 hours)
  • Mus 206. Music Theory and Analysis IV (3 hours)
  • Mus 305. Form and Analysis I (2 hours)
  • Mus 347. Intro to Music Technology (1 hour)

One advanced Music Theory from:

  • Mus 505. Analysis I (3 hours)
  • Mus 506. Analysis II (3 hours)
  • Mus 507. Analysis III (3 hours)
  • Mus 508. Advanced Ear Training (3 hours)
  • Mus 512. 16th Century Counterpoint (3 hours)
  • Mus 514. 18th Century Counterpoint (3 hours)

Music History and Literature:

  • Mus 101. Intro to Music Literature (3 hours)
  • Mus 204. World Music Cultures (3 hours)
  • Mus 301. History of Music I (3 hours)
  • Mus 302. History of Music II (3 hours)

Instrumental Concentration:

  • Major instrument, including 342 and 442 (18 hours)
  • Mus 113: Fundamental Keyboard Musicianship I
  • Mus 114: Fundamental Keyboard Musicianship II
  • Mus 213: Intermediate Keyboard Musicianship III
  • Mus 214: Intermediate Keyboard Musicianship IV
  • Mus 315: Fundamentals of Conducting
  • Mus 385: Instrumental Music Pedagogy
  • Mus 405: Instrumental Arranging
  • 6 hours of music history or music literature electives
  • 6 hours of music electives

Students in the BM in Music with an emphasis in Music Performance, Keyboard concentration complete the following courses.

Music Performance:

  • Mus 100: Student Recital (6 semesters, 0 hours)

Ensemble:

  • 4 semesters of band, chorus, orchestra
  • 2 semesters of instrumental chamber ensemble
  • 4 hours of any ensemble

Music Theory:

  • Mus 105. Music Theory and Analysis I (3 hours)
  • Mus 106. Music Theory and Analysis II (3 hours)
  • Mus 205. Music Theory and Analysis III (3 hours)
  • Mus 206. Music Theory and Analysis IV (3 hours)
  • Mus 305. Form and Analysis I (2 hours)
  • Mus 347. Intro to Music Technology (1 hour)

One advanced Music Theory from:

  • Mus 505. Analysis I (3 hours)
  • Mus 506. Analysis II (3 hours)
  • Mus 507. Analysis III (3 hours)
  • Mus 508. Advanced Ear Training (3 hours)
  • Mus 512. 16th Century Counterpoint (3 hours)
  • Mus 514. 18th Century Counterpoint (3 hours)

Music History and Literature:

  • Mus 101. Intro to Music Literature (3 hours)
  • Mus 204. World Music Cultures (3 hours)
  • Mus 301. History of Music I (3 hours)
  • Mus 302. History of Music II (3 hours)
  • Mus 312. Keyboard Literature (3 hours)
  • 6 hours of upper-division music history/lit electives

Other:

  • Mus 498

Keyboard Concentration:

  • Major instrument, including 342 and 442 (18 hours)
  • Mus 308 (2 semesters)
  • Mus 315. Fundamentals of Conducting
  • Mus 414. Piano Pedagogy (2 hours)
  • Music performance electives (4 hours)

Students in the BM in Music with an emphasis in Music Performance, Vocal concentration complete the following courses.

Music Performance:

  • Mus 100: Student Recital (6 semesters, 0 hours)

Ensemble:

  • 3 semesters of band, chorus, orchestra
  • 2 semesters of instrumental chamber ensemble
  • 4 hours of any ensemble
  • Mus 308 (2 semesters)

Music Theory:

  • Mus 105. Music Theory and Analysis I (3 hours)
  • Mus 106. Music Theory and Analysis II (3 hours)
  • Mus 205. Music Theory and Analysis III (3 hours)
  • Mus 206. Music Theory and Analysis IV (3 hours)
  • Mus 305. Form and Analysis I (2 hours)
  • Mus 347. Intro to Music Technology (1 hour)

One advanced Music Theory from:

  • Mus 505. Analysis I (3 hours)
  • Mus 506. Analysis II (3 hours)
  • Mus 507. Analysis III (3 hours)
  • Mus 508. Advanced Ear Training (3 hours)
  • Mus 512. 16th Century Counterpoint (3 hours)
  • Mus 514. 18th Century Counterpoint (3 hours)

Music History and Literature:

  • Mus 101. Intro to Music Literature (3 hours)
  • Mus 204. World Music Cultures (3 hours)
  • Mus 301. History of Music I (3 hours)
  • Mus 302. History of Music II (3 hours)

Other:

  • Mus 498

Vocal Concentration:

  • Voic 342 and 442 (18 hours)
  • Mus 113. Fundamentals of Keyboard Musicianship I (2 hours)
  • Mus 114. Fundamentals of Keyboard Musicianship II (2 hours)
  • Mus 213. Intermediate Keyboard I (2 hours)
  • Mus 214. Intermediate Keyboard II (2 hours)
  • Mus 207. Singers’ Diction I (2 hours)
  • Mus 208. Singers’ Diction II (2 hours)
  • Mus 303. Vocal Literature I (2 hours)
  • Mus 304. Vocal Literature II (2 hours)
  • Mus 315. Fundamentals of Conducting (2 hours)
  • Mus 381. Choral Conducting I (2 hours)
  • Mus 529. Vocal Pedagogy (2 hour)

Students in the minor in music complete 20-21 credit hours. It is offered to students who wish to make music part of their liberal arts education.

  • Mus 100: Student Recital
  • Mus 101: Introduction to Music Literature
  • Mus 105: Music Theory and Analysis I
  • Mus 204: World Music Cultures
  • 2 ensemble courses
  • 2 studio courses
  • 2 music electives from: 
    • Mus 301: History of Music I
    • Mus 302: History of Music II
    • Mus 303: Vocal Literature I
    • Mus 304: Vocal Literature II
    • Mus 312: Keyboard Literature
    • Mus 313: American Musical Theatre
    • Mus 371: Elementary School Music
    • Mus 405: Instrumental Arranging
    • Mus 517: Afri-American Musical Traditions
    • Mus 518: History of Jazz

Minor Information

A Minor in Music allows a student to include a study of music as a part of their liberal arts education, combined with other fields of study. The minor requires 20-21 hours which includes credit for performing in ensembles, attending music performances, studio lessons, and electives.

Continuing a study of music history and theory deepens understanding and enjoyment of music no matter what genre of music you like. If you plan to earn a degree in an other subject area but want to keep music in your life, a minor in music could be a good fit. Talk with your advisor about adding a minor in music to your degree program.

Like all other degrees from UM Music, a student must audition to demonstrate college preparedness on your instrument to minor in music.

Auditions/Apply

Learn More About a Degree in Music

UG

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Develop your musical potential through performance and individual attention.

  • Oxford

UG

Bachelor of Music in Music

Prepare for a career in music education or music performance.

  • Oxford

GRAD

Master of Music in Music

Perform, teach, and participate in research and outreach as a UM Music graduate student.

  • Oxford

GRAD

Ph.D. in Music

Perform, teach, and participate in research and outreach as a UM Music graduate student.

  • Oxford

Transfer Credits

The University of Mississippi accepts freshman music theory transfer credits from community colleges. Sophomore music theory credits, however, are not automatically transferred.

Undergraduate Diagnostic Exams

In order for students from community colleges to receive sophomore music theory credit at the University of Mississippi, two requirements must be met:

  • Students must have received a grade of C or higher for sophomore theory at their community college.
  • Students must pass a diagnostic exam for Music Theory III (Mus 205) and Music Theory IV (Mus 206) given by the theory area at the University of Mississippi.

Download the Undergradute Music Theory Study Guide

Download an Undergraduate Practice Theory Exam (Written and Sight Singing)