B.M. in Performance

The bachelor of music with a major in music performance is designed for students who wish to pursue a career and/or graduate-level study in music performance.

This program consists of the Elmhurst University Integrated Curriculum, the music core curriculum, a rigorous program of applied music study and coursework in further areas necessary for success: performance, literature, pedagogy and music business.

Junior and senior recitals are required as capstone projects. Candidates for this program must pass an audition for admittance into the department as part of the college application process, and they must pass a continuance jury at the end of the sophomore year (during the first semester of enrollment for transfer students). Students must maintain a 2.5 grade-point average.

Required Courses

Music Core Courses

MUS 100 Concert Attendance (every term, with or without credit)
Music Theory and Musicianship: MUS 135, 136, 235, 236
Music History: MUS 343, 344
MUS 369 Conducting I
MUS 221, 222 Piano Proficiency (piano majors substitute AMP)
MUS 330 Principles and Procedures in Music Business

Applied Music Courses

Applied Lessons: Eight terms on major instrument or voice. Last four terms must be for full (1.0) credit.
Band, Choir or Orchestra on major instrument or voice (each term, for credit; Classical Guitar Ensemble for guitar majors)
Chamber Music (four terms)
MUS 492 Junior Year Half Recital (.50 credit)
MUS 492 Senior Capstone Lecture-Recital (full recital, 1.0 credit)

Additional Courses for Specific Performance Areas

Voice

AMU 202, 302 Performance Seminar (every term; four terms for credit)
ENG 200 Introduction to Literature
MUS 253 Vocal Techniques and Pedagogy
MUS 353 Diction for Singers and Music Education Majors
MUS 354 Vocal Arts Literature
MUS 267, 467 Opera Scenes (two terms)
MUS 226, 326 Light Opera/Musical Theater (two terms)
THE 226 Acting Technique I
One course from the following: THE 302 Ballet, THE 303 Jazz Dance
Any two of the following: GRM 101 Elementary German I, ITL 101 Elementary Italian I, FRN 101 Elementary French I

Guitar

AME 351 Performance Techniques and Pedagogy II
AMU 202, 302 Performance Seminar (every term starting sophomore year)
AMY 202, 302 Classical Guitar Ensemble (every term; satisfies major ensemble requirement for guitar majors)
MUS 250 Guitar Techniques and Pedagogy I
MUS 306, 307 Fingerboard Harmony I and II
MUS 320, 321 Performance History and Literature I and II

Brass

AME 351–399 Performance Techniques and Pedagogy II
AMU 202, 302 Performance Seminar (every term, with four terms for credit)
MUS 254 Brass Techniques and Pedagogy
MUS 320, 321 Performance History and Literature I and II

Woodwind

AME 351–399 Performance Techniques and Pedagogy II
AMU 202, 302 Performance Seminar (every term, with four terms for credit)
AMY 202, 302 Chamber Music
MUS 251 Woodwind Techniques and Pedagogy
MUS 320, 321 Performance History and Literature I and II

In AMW 202, 302 applied lessons on their major instrument, woodwind majors will acquire skill in playing other members of their instrument’s family (at a time determined by the applied teacher):

Flute majors will also study piccolo
Clarinet majors will also study E-flat and bass clarinets
Oboe majors will also study English horn
Bassoon majors may also study contrabassoon
Saxophone majors will also study soprano, alto, tenor and baritone sax

Additional courses required for individual woodwind instruments:

Flute Major

AMW 202 Clarinet
AMW 202 Saxophone

Clarinet Major

AMW 202 Flute
AMW 202 Saxophone

Oboe Major

AMW 202 Bassoon
AMW 202 Clarinet

Bassoon Major

AMW 202 Saxophone
AMW 202 Clarinet

Saxophone Major

AMW 202 Flute
AMW 202 Clarinet

Percussion

AME 351–399 Performance Techniques and Pedagogy II
AMY 202, 302 Chamber Music
MUS 252 Percussion Techniques and Pedagogy
MUS 301, 302 Jazz and Ethnic Percussion I and II
MUS 320, 321 Performance History and Literature I and II

Piano

AME 301, 302 Piano Pedagogy I and II
AME 401, 402 Supervised Teaching I and II
AMM 301, 302 Accompanying I and II
AMU 202, 302 Performance Seminar (every term, with four terms for credit)
MUS 320, 321 Performance History and Literature I and II
Major ensemble requirement: With permission, accompanying choral ensembles can count toward the large ensemble requirement for piano majors after their first year.

Strings

AMY 202, 302 Chamber Music
MUS 255 String Techniques and Pedagogy
MUS 320, 321 Performance History and Literature I and II
MUS 336 String Improvisation for Educators