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2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog
Music Performance, B.M.
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This degree program is designed for those who wish to prepare for a career in music performance and/or applied music teaching, and those who plan to do graduate work in applied music. The program aims to instill a thorough understanding of music and its relationship to contemporary society. Private lessons, solo, chamber and large ensemble performance, and the study of literature and pedagogy of the major instrument are emphasized. Basic understanding of the standards and opportunities for professional performance leads the student to realistic expectations for a career as a performer or teacher.
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Program Requirements
The minimum number of credits required for the degree is 120. -
Minimum number of credits (exclusive of the University’s Core Curriculum) required for the Music Performance major: 91-95 depending on concentration. -
Minimum grade requirement for major courses listed below: C-. -
Minimum GPA requirement for major courses listed below: 2.0. Music CORE (30-34 credits)
Performance majors must complete satisfactorily a 30 minute recital in the junior year and a 50 minute recital in the senior year. The junior recital, 30 minutes of music, must include at least 25 minutes of solo performance. The senior recital, 50 minutes of music, must include at least 40 minutes of solo performance. All recitals must show a range of performance pieces demonstrating a variety of historical styles. Music Theory and Aural Skills (16 credits)
Music History (12 credits)
Functional Piano (4 credits, not required for piano and organ majors)
Applied Music (27 credits)
Guitar Performance (123-127 Credits)
Area Specific Music Courses
Elective Credits
- Music Credits: 7
- Non-Music Credits: 9
Jury Information - Guitar Performance
Performance majors will take a jury at the end of every semester. Students are expected to make satisfactory progress and meet their applied teacher’s expectations. Students will be required to demonstrate progress through comprehensive musical selections with both technical proficiency (scales, etudes, etc.) and musicianship (concerti, sonatas, concert etudes, excerpts, etc.). Level 1 earned at the conclusion of semester 2; Level 2 earned at the conclusion of semester 4; Level 3 earned at the conclusion of semester 6. Students must perform a check jury in the semester in which jury levels are not being completed. Jury Level 3 must be successfully completed prior to the presentation of their Senior Recital. A minimum of 2/3 of recital material (including any and all memorization requirements), must be presented with piano at the jury prior to the semester in which any degree recitals is to be performed. Degree recitals may not be scheduled until this jury level is met. A USM collaborative pianist is available for jury accompaniment. Recital Information - Guitar Performance
Guitar Performance majors must perform a 30-minute recital in the junior year and a 50-minute recital in the senior year. A pre-recital hearing two weeks prior to any degree recital must be passed before a student may present their recital. The Junior Recital: must consist of 30 minutes of music, must include at least 25 minutes of solo performance and must show a range of pieces demonstrating a variety of historical styles and genres, technical proficiency and musicianship. Program repertory to be selected under the guidance of the applied instructor. At least one work must be performed from memory. The Senior Recital: must consist of 50 minutes of music, must include at least 40 minutes of solo performance and show a range of pieces demonstrating a variety of historical styles and genres, technical proficiency and musicianship. Program repertory to be selected under the guidance of the applied instructor. At least one work must be performed from memory. Organ Performance (121-125 Credits)
Area Specific Music Course
Elective Credit
- Music Credits: 7
- Non-Music Credits: 9
Jury Information - Organ Performance
Organ Performance majors will take a progress check jury at the end of each fall semester and a level jury at the end of each spring semester. Jury level expectations are: Level 1 - earned at the conclusion of Semester 2; Level 2 - earned at the conclusion of Semester 4; Level 3 - earned at the conclusion of Semester 6. Students must perform a check jury in the semester in which jury levels are not being completed. Jury Level 3 must be successfully completed prior to the presentation of their Senior Recital. Recital Information - Organ Performance
Organ Performance majors must satisfactorily complete a 30 minute recital in the junior year and a 50 minute recital in the senior year. The junior recital, 30 minutes of music, must include at least 25 minutes of solo performance. The senior recital, 50 minutes of music, must include at least 40 minutes of solo performance. All recitals must show a range of performance pieces demonstrating a variety of historical styles. Piano Performance (121-125 Credits)
Area Specific Music Courses
Elective Credits
- Music Credits: 4
- Non-Music Credits: 6
Jury Information - Piano Performance
Piano Performance majors will take a progress check jury at the end of each fall semester and a level jury at the end of each spring semester. Jury level expectations are: Level 1 - earned at the conclusion of Semester 2; Level 2 - earned at the conclusion of Semester 4; Level 3 - earned at the conclusion of Semester 6. Students must perform a check jury in the semester in which jury levels are not being completed. Jury Level 3 must be successfully completed prior to the presentation of their Senior Recital. Recital Information - Piano Performance
Piano Performance majors must satisfactorily complete a 30 minute recital in the junior year and a 50 minute recital in the senior year. The junior recital, 30 minutes of music, must include at least 25 minutes of solo performance. The senior recital, 50 minutes of music, must include at least 40 minutes of solo performance. All recitals must show a range of performance pieces demonstrating a variety of historical styles. String Performance (121-125 Credits)
Area Specific Music Courses
Elective Credits
- Music Credits: 5
- Non-Music Credits: 9
Jury Information - String Performance
Performance majors will take a jury at the end of every semester. Students are expected to make satisfactory progress and meet their applied teacher’s expectations. Students will be required to demonstrate progress through comprehensive musical selections with both technical proficiency (scales, etudes, etc.) and musicianship (concerti, sonatas, concert etudes, excerpts, etc.). Level 1 earned at the conclusion of semester 2; Level 2 earned at the conclusion of semester 4; Lever 3 earned at the conclusion of semester 6. Students must perform a check jury in the semester in which jury levels are not being completed. Jury Level 3 must be successfully completed prior to the presentation of their Senior Recital. A minimum of 2/3 of recital material (including any and all memorization requirements), must be presented with piano at the jury prior to the semester in which any degree recitals is to be performed. Degree recitals may not be scheduled until this jury level is met. A USM collaborative pianist is available for jury accompaniment. Recital Information - String Performance
Performance majors must perform a 30-minute recital in the junior year and a 50-minute recital in the senior year. A pre-recital hearing two weeks prior to any degree recital must be passed before a student may present their recital. The Junior Recital: must consist of 30 minutes of music, must include at least 25 minutes of solo performance and must show a range of pieces demonstrating a variety of historical styles and genres, technical proficiency and musicianship. Program repertory to be selected under the guidance of the applied instructor. At least one work must be performed from memory. The Senior Recital: must consist of 50 minutes of music, must include at least 40 minutes of solo performance and show a range of pieces demonstrating a variety of historical styles and genres, technical proficiency and musicianship. Program repertory to be selected under the guidance of the applied instructor. At least one work must be performed from memory. Vocal Performance (125-129 Credits)
Area Specific Music Courses
Elective Credits
- Music Credits: 0
- Non-Music Credits: 0
Jury Information - Vocal Performance
Performance majors will take a progress check jury at the end of each fall semester and a level jury at the end of each spring semester. Jury level expectations are: Level 1 - earned at the conclusion of Semester 2; Level 2 - earned at the conclusion of Semester 4; Level 3 - earned at the conclusion of Semester 6. A level 2 jury must be earned prior to the presentation of the Junior Recital. A Level 3 jury must be earned prior to the presentation of the Senior Recital. A USM collaborative pianist is available for jury accompaniment. Recital Information - Vocal Performance
Performance majors must complete satisfactorily a 30 minute recital in the junior year and a 50 minute recital in the senior year. The junior recital, 30 minutes of music, must include at least 25 minutes of solo performance. The senior recital, 50 minutes of music, must include at least 40 minutes of solo performance. All recitals must show a range of performance pieces demonstrating a variety of historical styles. Wind / Percussion Performance (121-125 Credits)
Area Specific Music Courses
Elective Credits
- Music Credits: 5
- Non-Music Credits: 9
Jury Information - Wind / Percussion Performance
Performance majors will take a jury at the end of every semester. Students are expected to make satisfactory progress and meet their applied teacher’s expectations. Students will be required to demonstrate progress through comprehensive musical selections with both technical proficiency (scales, etudes, etc.) and musicianship (concerti, sonatas, concert etudes, excerpts, etc.). Jury level expectations are: Level 1 - earned at the conclusion of Semester 2; Level 2 - earned at the conclusion of Semester 4; Level 3 - earned at the conclusion of Semester 6. Jury Level 2 must be earned prior to the presentation of the Junior Recital. Jury Level 3 must be earned prior to the presentation of the Senior Recital. A USM collaborative pianist is available for jury accompaniment. Recital Information - Wind / Percussion Performance
Performance majors must perform a 30-minute recital in the junior year and a 50-minute recital in the senior year. A pre-recital hearing two weeks prior to any degree recital must be passed before a student may present their recital. The Junior Recital: must consist of 30 minutes of music, must include at least 25 minutes of solo performance and must show a range of pieces demonstrating a variety of historical styles and genres, technical proficiency and musicianship. Program repertory to be selected under the guidance and approval of the applied instructor. The Senior Recital: must consist of 50 minutes of music, must include at least 40 minutes of solo performance and show a range of pieces demonstrating a variety of historical styles and genres, technical proficiency and musicianship. Program repertory to be selected under the guidance and approval of the applied instructor. Admission Information
Admission to all degree programs in music is based on the following criteria: - Performance audition on the applicant’s major instrument.
- Tests of aural comprehension, rhythmic recitation, and sight singing administered individually by a member of the staff.
- A diagnostic written test of music fundamentals, including intervals, scales, chords, and key signatures.
Major Courses that Satisfy Core Requirements
Students are encouraged to explore Core courses that also count towards their major or minor. Courses listed below are part of this major and also satisfy University Core Curriculum requirements. Course lists that satisfy each requirement can be found on the Core Curriculum webpage. -
Writing, Reading, and Inquiry 3: MUS 480 -
Quantitative Reasoning: -
Creative Expression: MUS 101 , MUS 110 , MUT 212 -
Cultural Interpretation: MUH 105 , MUH 222 , MUS 100 , MUS 103 , MUS 204 -
Science Exploration: -
Socio-cultural Analysis: -
Ethical Inquiry, Social Responsibility, and Citizenship: MUH 329 -
Culture, Power, and Equity: MUH 105 , MUH 325 -
International: MUH 222 -
Engaged Learning: MUP 490 -
Capstone: MUP 490 USM Core Requirements
Students must complete all Core and degree requirements as part of the Graduation Requirements. For more information, see Academic Policies. The USM Core Curriculum provides a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal arts education that fulfills general education requirements. It is designed to help students become globally aware, purposeful, and lifelong learners. Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor. For additional information, access the USM Core webpage. |
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