Administered by the Department of Music and Theatre
Undergraduate Study
The Department of Music and Theatre offers a strong undergraduate music program, where students study with full-time faculty professionals in a supportive environment that encourages students to become their best.
The music curriculum provides:
- A comprehensive program of professional studies for students who wish to prepare for careers in music, including teaching, performance, and composition, and for students who plan to pursue graduate studies in music.
- Courses in music literature, theory and areas of performance for all students, regardless of major.
The department embodies the land-grant philosophy of service to the people of the state with a faculty of active scholars, teachers, and artists committed to excellence in teaching, creative/scholarly work, and arts outreach. The department is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
The Theatre Program is administered by the Department of Music and Theatre (see Index, Theatre and Performing Arts.)
Curricula Available to Music Majors
Students interested in pursuing an emphasis in music theater should see Index, Theater and Performing Arts.
Bachelor of Music
This curriculum leads to the degree bachelor of music. This degree is more specialized and contains fewer general education requirements than the bachelor of arts degree with a major in music. Students in this curriculum choose between options in education, performance, and composition. To obtain a bachelor of music degree, a student must earn a minimum of 122 credits, including a minimum of 32 credits in residence at Iowa State University and a minimum of 45 advanced credits in courses numbered 300 or above and must meet all of the requirements specified below.
Courses taken on a pass/not pass basis may be counted toward the required total credits, and may be used to meet the advanced credit requirement, if appropriate, but may not be used to satisfy any other graduation requirement.
Degree Requirements
| GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (Students choosing the music education option should consult their advisers.) 32 cr. | ||
| Social Science | 6 | |
| Humanities | 6 | |
| MUSIC 383 | History of Music I | 3 |
| MUSIC 384 | History of Music II | 3 |
| Natural Sciences | 3 | |
| Mathematics, Natural Sciences | 6 | |
| Electives (not Music) | 5 | |
| OTHER REQUIREMENTS 15 Cr. | ||
| ENGL 150 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 250 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition * | 3 |
| LIB 160 | Information Literacy | 1 |
| World Languages and Cultures | 8 | |
| MUSIC CORE 41 CR. | ||
| MUSIC 120 | Introduction to Music Literature and Styles | 3 |
| MUSIC 224 | Music Theory I | 4 |
| MUSIC 225 | Aural Theory I | 1 |
| MUSIC 234 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUSIC 235 | Aural Theory II | 1 |
| MUSIC 334 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUSIC 335 | Aural Theory III | 1 |
| MUSIC 344 | Music Theory IV | 3 |
| MUSIC 345 | Aural Theory IV | 1 |
| MUSIC 361 | Conducting I | 2 |
| All of the following are required, 12 cr. minimum total: | 12 | |
| Applied Music for Majors | ||
| Applied Music: Majors | ||
| Applied Music: Majors | ||
| Applied Music: Majors | ||
| Ensembles: see Ensemble Requirement and Options below for details | 7 | |
| MUSIC 420 | Junior/Senior Recital | R |
| OPTION: select from the list below | 34-54.5 | |
| Total Credits | 122-142.5 | |
Select one of the following options:
54.5 Vocal Education K-12 (Also see Index, Teacher Education.) MUSIC CLASSES TAKEN BY OTHER BACHELOR OF MUSIC STUDENTS REQUIRE MINIMUM GRADE C-, AND SUPPLEMENTAL MUSIC OPTION COURSES REQUIRE MINIMUM GRADE C.
| MUSIC 248 | Technology in Music Instruction | 2 |
| MUSIC 266 | Introduction to Music Education | 2 |
| MUSIC 327B | Functional Piano: Voice Majors | 2 |
| MUSIC 358A | Lab Ensemble: Choral | R |
| MUSIC 360 | Voice Pedagogy | 2 |
| MUSIC 362A | Conducting II: Choral Conducting Techniques | 2 |
| MUSIC 366 | Methods of Music Education | 2 |
| MUSIC 367 | Choral Literature | 2 |
| MUSIC 374 | Instrumental Methods for Vocalists | 1 |
| 8 credits of each of the following: | 16 | |
| Student Teaching: Music-Elementary | ||
| Student Teaching: Music-Secondary | ||
| MUSIC 465 | Choral Materials and Methods | 2 |
| MUSIC 466 | Program Development and Evaluation in Music Education | 2 |
| Credit in the following: | 4.5 | |
| Pre-Student Teaching Experience I: Music | ||
| Pre-Student Teaching Experience II: Music (repeatable) | ||
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Opera Studio | ||
| Musical Theatre History and Performance | ||
| Musical Theatre Auditions and Performance | ||
| EDUC 204 | Social Foundations of Education in the United States: Secondary | 3 |
| EDUC 406 | Social Justice Education and Teaching: Secondary | 3 |
| EDUC 426 | Principles of Secondary Education | 3 |
| SP ED 401 | Teaching Secondary Students with Exceptionalities in General Education | 3 |
| Total Credits | 54.5 | |
53.5 - 54.5 Instrumental Education K-12 (Also see Index, Teacher Education.) MUSIC CLASSES TAKEN BY OTHER BACHELOR OF MUSIC STUDENTS REQUIRE MINIMUM GRADE C-, AND SUPPLEMENTAL MUSIC OPTION COURSES REQUIRE MINIMUM GRADE C.
| MUSIC 248 | Technology in Music Instruction | 2 |
| MUSIC 266 | Introduction to Music Education | 2 |
| MUSIC 350 | Instrumental Techniques: Strings | 1 |
| MUSIC 351 | Instrumental Techniques: Clarinet, Flute, Saxophone | 2 |
| MUSIC 352 | Instrumental Techniques: Oboe, Bassoon | 1 |
| MUSIC 353 | Instrumental Techniques: Trumpet, Horn | 1 |
| MUSIC 354 | Instrumental Techniques: Trombone, Baritone, Tuba | 1 |
| MUSIC 355 | Instrumental Techniques: Percussion | 1 |
| MUSIC 358B | Lab Ensemble: Instrumental | R |
| MUSIC 358C | Lab Ensemble: Orchestral (Lab Ensemble: Orchestral) | R |
| MUSIC 362B | Conducting II: Instrumental Conducting Techniques | 2 |
| MUSIC 366 | Methods of Music Education | 2 |
| MUSIC 375 | Choral Methods for Instrumentalists | 1 |
| One of the following: | 1-2 | |
| Marching Band and Jazz Ensemble Techniques (2 cr.) | ||
| String Pedagogy (1 cr) | ||
| MUSIC 464 | Instrumental Administration, Materials, and Methods | 2 |
| MUSIC 466 | Program Development and Evaluation in Music Education | 2 |
| 8 credits of each of the following: | 16 | |
| Student Teaching: Music-Elementary | ||
| Student Teaching: Music-Secondary | ||
| Credit in the following: | 4.5 | |
| Pre-Student Teaching Experience I: Music | ||
| Pre-Student Teaching Experience II: Music (repeatable) | ||
| EDUC 204 | Social Foundations of Education in the United States: Secondary | 3 |
| EDUC 406 | Social Justice Education and Teaching: Secondary | 3 |
| EDUC 426 | Principles of Secondary Education | 3 |
| SP ED 401 | Teaching Secondary Students with Exceptionalities in General Education | 3 |
| Total Credits | 53.5-54.5 | |
34 Voice
| MUSIC 327B | Functional Piano: Voice Majors | 2 |
| Additional credits in these courses: | 8 | |
| Applied Music: Majors: Voice | ||
| Applied Music: Voice | ||
| MUSIC 324 | English and Italian Diction for Singing | 2 |
| MUSIC 325 | French and German Diction for Singing | 2 |
| MUSIC 360 | Voice Pedagogy | 2 |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Seminar in Music Theory | ||
| Sound Synthesis Design for Electronic Music | ||
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| History of American Music | ||
| Topics in Advanced Music History | ||
| MUSIC 415A | Literature and Pedagogy in Applied Music: Voice (Lit.) | 2 |
| Second world language | 8 | |
| Electives | 2 | |
| Total Credits | 34 | |
34 Piano
| Additional credits in these courses: | 12 | |
| Applied Music for Majors: Piano | ||
| Applied Music: Majors: Piano | ||
| Applied Music: Majors: Piano | ||
| Applied Music: Piano | ||
| 5 credits from: | 5 | |
| Advanced Ensemble (5 credits of 321 topics) | ||
| MUSIC 327A | Functional Piano: Keyboard majors. | 2 |
| 5 credits from: | 5 | |
| Literature and Pedagogy in Applied Music: Piano (Lit. & Ped.) | ||
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Seminar in Music Theory | ||
| Sound Synthesis Design for Electronic Music | ||
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| History of American Music | ||
| Topics in Advanced Music History | ||
| Electives | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 34 | |
34 Organ
| Credits from these courses: | 4 | |
| Applied Music for Majors: Piano | ||
| Applied Music: Majors: Piano | ||
| Additional credits in these courses: | 8 | |
| Applied Music: Majors: Organ | ||
| Applied Music: Organ | ||
| MUSIC 300 level or above | 3 | |
| 5 credits from: | 5 | |
| Literature and Pedagogy in Applied Music: Organ (Lit. & Ped.) | ||
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| History of American Music | ||
| Topics in Advanced Music History | ||
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Seminar in Music Theory | ||
| Sound Synthesis Design for Electronic Music | ||
| Second world language | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 34 | |
34 String instruments
| Additional credits in these courses: | 12 | |
| Applied Music for Majors: Strings | ||
| Applied Music: Majors: Strings | ||
| Applied Music: Majors: Strings | ||
| Applied Music: Strings | ||
| Additional credits in these courses: | 6 | |
| Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Advanced Ensemble | ||
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Seminar in Music Theory | ||
| Sound Synthesis Design for Electronic Music | ||
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| History of American Music | ||
| Topics in Advanced Music History | ||
| MUSIC 415D | Literature and Pedagogy in Applied Music: Strings (Lit. & Ped.) | 4 |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 34 | |
34 Wind or percussion instrument
| Additional credits in theses courses: | 12 | |
| Applied Music for Majors | ||
| Applied Music: Majors | ||
| Applied Music: Majors | ||
| Applied Music: Majors | ||
| 3 credits from: | 3 | |
| Advanced Ensemble | ||
| MUSIC 300 level or above | 3 | |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Seminar in Music Theory | ||
| Sound Synthesis Design for Electronic Music | ||
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| History of American Music | ||
| Topics in Advanced Music History | ||
| MUSIC 415 | Literature and Pedagogy in Applied Music | 4 |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 34 | |
34 Composition
| 4 credits from: | 4 | |
| Special Problems: Composition | ||
| 12 credits from: | 12 | |
| Independent Study: Composition | ||
| MUSIC 246 | Introduction to Creative Digital Music | 2 |
| MUSIC 362A | Conducting II: Choral Conducting Techniques | 2 |
| MUSIC 362B | Conducting II: Instrumental Conducting Techniques | 2 |
| 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Computer Music Programming Design | ||
| Seminar in Music Theory | ||
| Sound Synthesis Design for Electronic Music | ||
| Independent Study: Theory | ||
| Independent Study: Electronic Music | ||
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| History of American Music | ||
| Topics in Advanced Music History | ||
| Electives | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 34 | |
Bachelor of Arts—Music Major
A more general degree than the bachelor of music, the bachelor of arts degree requires no formal specialization. It includes more general education requirements and provides a broader course of academic study.
For the undergraduate curriculum in Liberal Arts and Sciences, major in music, leading to the degree bachelor of arts, see Liberal Arts and Sciences, Curriculum.
Candidates for the degree bachelor of arts with a music major will normally complete 48 credits of music including the following required courses:
| 4 credits: | 4 | |
| Applied Music for Majors | ||
| MUSIC 120 | Introduction to Music Literature and Styles | 3 |
| 4 credits: | 4 | |
| Applied Music: Majors | ||
| MUSIC 224 | Music Theory I | 4 |
| MUSIC 225 | Aural Theory I | 1 |
| MUSIC 234 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUSIC 235 | Aural Theory II | 1 |
| MUSIC 319 | Applied Music: Majors | 2 |
| MUSIC 334 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUSIC 335 | Aural Theory III | 1 |
| MUSIC 344 | Music Theory IV | 3 |
| MUSIC 345 | Aural Theory IV | 1 |
| MUSIC 383 | History of Music I | 3 |
| MUSIC 384 | History of Music II | 3 |
| 4 credits from: | 4 | |
| Wind Ensemble | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Symphonic Band | ||
| Lyrica Women's Choir | ||
| Oratorio Chorus | ||
| Iowa State Singers | ||
| Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Advanced Ensemble | ||
| Opera Studio | ||
| Music Electives | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
Bachelor of arts students whose chief professional interest lies in research are encouraged to minor in world languages and cultures, history, literature, or philosophy.
General Requirements
Entrance Audition.
In order to be accepted as a music major, a prospective student must pass an entrance audition for the applied faculty in his/her performance area (piano, organ, woodwinds, strings, percussion, brass, or voice). Passing the audition is dependent on the demonstration of performance skills appropriate for college level instruction and the potential to perform at a professional level. In addition, the number of students accepted must balance with the space available in the corresponding applied studios. Once accepted, a student must complete a placement examination in keyboard skills. This examination is normally given by members of the departmental faculty the week preceding the opening of classes for fall semester.
Seminars and Recitals.
All music majors enrolled for applied music courses will attend a weekly 1-hour seminar in their areas, departmental recitals, and 12 recitals of their choosing each semester.
Ensemble Requirement.
See the options above for additional ensemble requirements.
All Bachelor of Music students:
Enrollment in an ensemble course, chosen from the lists below, each semester of full-time enrollment (except during student teaching) is required.
Students in a music education options:
At least six semesters of large ensemble and one semester of chamber music ensemble, chosen from the lists below, are required. One semester of 114A may count as a large ensemble.
Bachelor of Music students in options other than education:
At least 2 semesters of large ensemble and one semester of chamber music ensemble, chosen from the lists below, are required.
Large Ensembles:
| MUSIC 111 | Wind Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSIC 115 | Symphonic Band | 1 |
| MUSIC 141 | Lyrica Women's Choir | 1 |
| MUSIC 151 | Oratorio Chorus | 1 |
| MUSIC 161 | Iowa State Singers | 1 |
| MUSIC 181 | Symphony Orchestra | 1 |
Chamber music ensembles:
| MUSIC 113 | Jazz Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSIC 161 | Iowa State Singers | 1 |
| MUSIC 301 | Opera Studio | 1-3 |
| MUSIC 321 | Advanced Ensemble | 1 |
Continuation Examination
To be approved for continuation as a music major on the junior level, and enroll in Music 319, a student must pass a continuation examination taken normally at the end of the fourth semester as a music major. Before taking this examination, the student must complete the requisite forms as well as write an essay including:
- his/her personal goals
- a self-assessment of his/her progress thus far
- an assessment of what he/she expects to accomplish before graduation
The student taking the Continuation Examination performs for a Continuation Examination Committee. Requirements include the performance of three works representing different periods or styles selected by, and studied with, the applied teacher, a self-prepared piece, and sight reading. The student must display acceptable solo ability and performance techniques in at least one of the applied areas. A written evaluation will be given each student following his/her performance. This evaluation will include a candid assessment of the student’s potential to achieve his/her goals. In addition, the student may arrange to meet with members of the Continuation Examination Committee at a later date to discuss the results of his/her Continuation Examination. See Piano Proficiency below. For details and forms go to: http://www.music.iastate.edu
Piano Proficiency Requirement
All music majors must demonstrate proficiency in functional skills at the piano. Keyboard music majors (students whose primary instrument is piano or organ) accomplish this through courses in their curricula. All other students accomplish this by satisfactorily completing Music 228. All entering non-keyboard music majors with previous piano experience meet with the class piano instructor, usually the week before classes start in the fall semester, to determine the appropriate piano class (127, 128, 227, 228) for their initial piano enrollment. Some students are deemed to have met the piano proficiency at this time. Non-keyboard music majors with no previous piano experience should enroll in Music 127, Class Piano I. Continuous enrollment in piano classes is REQUIRED until successful completion of the piano proficiency requirement. Important: The piano proficiency must be met, either through completion of Music 228 or demonstration of proficiency, to pass the continuation examination. Failure to do so could delay a student's graduation. All students must fulfill the piano proficiency requirement in order to pass the continuation examination and enroll in Music 319.
Graduation Proficiency
To be recommended for graduation, a music student should demonstrate to the music faculty mature acquaintance with performance styles, technique, and repertoire. All music majors will participate in departmental recitals to the satisfaction of the department. Candidates for the bachelor of music degree will present a graduation recital.
* According to the university-wide Communication Proficiency Grade Requirement, students must demonstrate their communication proficiency by earning a grade of C or better in ENGL 250 (or ENGL 250H). In addition the Communication Proficiency must be certified through one of the following options:
1. Certification of writing skills, by the instructor, after completion of one of the following:
| MUSIC 120 | Introduction to Music Literature and Styles | 3 |
| MUSIC 383 | History of Music I | 3 |
| MUSIC 384 | History of Music II | 3 |
| MUSIC 472 | History of American Music | 3 |
| MUSIC 473 | Topics in Advanced Music History | 3 |
| MUSIC 475 | Music of the Romantic Era | 3 |
| MUSIC 476 | Music of the Twentieth Century | 3 |
(Passing one of these courses does not automatically satisfy the requirements for Communication Proficiency.)
2. Satisfactory completion of an advanced writing course:
| ENGL 302 | Business Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 305 | Creative Writing: Nonfiction | 3 |
| ENGL 314 | Technical Communication | 3 |
Learning Outcomes and Assessment
Music graduates will understand and demonstrate:
- Knowledge of music cultural heritage and history
- Appreciation for musical creativity, reasoning, and the aesthetic value of music
- Knowledge of organization and structures of music
- Analytical skills necessary for listening, performing, and teaching
- Skills necessary to perform music from a variety of periods, styles, and genres
- Necessary abilities to communicate ideas musically, verbally, and in writing
- Awareness of the diversity of musical ideas throughout the world’s cultures
- For Music Education students: success in meeting the ISU Teaching Standards as outlined by the University Teacher Education Program
Assessment measures include the continuation examination, graduating senior surveys and exit interviews, public performances, senior projects, course grades, teacher certification (for music education students), and the National Association of Schools of Music accreditation review.