The Music Industry Performer emphasis provides a well-balanced experience for musicians who wish to hone their vocal or instrumental abilities while gaining valuable skills in music business, technology, and production. This major emphasis prepares graduates for a wide range of careers in sought-after fields such as performance, studio recording, live sound reinforcement, electronic composition, artist management, the nonprofit sector, business development, and audio production for media.
Program Learning Goals:
Upon graduation in the Music Industry Performer Emphasis, students will be able to demonstrate:
● Proficient performing on an instrument and/or singing as assessed in private lessons, ensemble participation, semester juries in front of music faculty, and/or solo recital performances.
● Knowledge of Music Theory as it applies to traditional and contemporary music creatives as assessed during the music theory sequence of required courses.
● Aural Skills as they apply to traditional and contemporary music creatives as assessed during the ear training sequence of required courses.
● Knowledge and implementation of Music Technology & Production as assessed during required music technology coursework.
● Knowledge and practice in music industry pursuits and behaviors as assessed during required music industry coursework and, optionally, internships.
The Music Industry Performer emphasis requires a minimum of 78 credits including the Musicianship Core (21 credits), Performance Curriculum (20 credits), Music Technology Curriculum (10 credits), Music Industry curriculum (12 credits), and the interdisciplinary curriculum (15 credits).
A minimum grade of “C-” is required in all Music courses counted toward the major. The zero-credit MUS 000 Concert and Convocation Attendance must be taken each semester of residence with a “satisfactory” grade for a minimum of six semesters. To qualify for graduation, all music majors must pass the Piano Proficiency test and the Senior Recital/Senior Project with a grade of “satisfactory”.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Musicianship Core | ||
| Consists of the four-course music theory and aural skills sequence, Introduction to Music, and the Senior Recital/Project which serves as the capstone. | ||
| MUS 128 | Theory of Music Laboratory I | 1 |
| MUS 129 | Theory of Music I | 3 |
| MUS 130 | Theory of Music Laboratory II | 1 |
| MUS 131 | Theory of Music II | 3 |
| MUS 140 | Introduction to Music (GT-AH1) | 3 |
| MUS 212 | Introduction to Music Technology | 1 |
| MUS 253 | Theory of Music Laboratory III | 1 |
| MUS 254 | Theory of Music III | 3 |
| MUS 340 | Theory of Music Lab IV | 1 |
| MUS 341 | Theory of Music IV | 3 |
| MUS 352 | History of Music I: Ancient to Baroque | 3 |
| MUS 353 | History of Music II: Classical to Modern | 3 |
| MUS 400 | Student Recital or Project | 2 |
| Total Credits | 28 | |
Performance Curriculum
Consists of large ensembles, small ensembles, and lessons (usually taken every semester) as determined by instrument or voice. Courses may be repeated as needed.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Performance Organizations | ||
| 8 credits of the following as determined by instrument or voice. Courses may be repeated as needed. | 8 | |
| Orchestra | ||
| Symphonic Band | ||
| Concert Choir | ||
| Orchestra | ||
| Symphonic Band | ||
| Concert Choir | ||
| Small Ensembles | ||
| 4 credits of the following as determined by instrument or voice. Courses may be repeated as needed. | 4 | |
| Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | ||
| Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | ||
| Private Lessons | ||
| 8 credits of the following as determined by instrument or voice. Courses may be repeated as needed. | 8 | |
| Private Lessons (30 min) | ||
| Private Lessons (60 min) | ||
| Private Lessons (30 min) | ||
| Private Lessons (60 min) | ||
| Total Credits | 20 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Music Technology Curriculum | ||
| Consists of four courses in music technology and production | ||
| MUS 212 | Introduction to Music Technology | 1 |
| MUS 313 | Music Production | 3 |
| MUS 412 | Music Technology II | 3 |
| MUS 413 | Music Production II | 3 |
| Total Credits | 10 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Music Industry Curriculum | ||
| Consists of four courses in music industry | ||
| MUS 314 | Survey of the Music Industry | 3 |
| MUS 315 | Professions in the Music Industry | 3 |
| MUS 316 | Connections in the Music Industry | 3 |
| MUS 317 | Internships and Career Paths in the Music Industry | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Interdisciplinary Curriculum | ||
| Consists of 5 courses in other areas relevant to the music industry | ||
| COM 151 | Introduction to Mass Media (GT-AH2) | 3 |
| COM 323 | Media/ Arts Management | 3 |
| FILM 261 | Introduction To Audio Communication | 3 |
| FILM 362 | Advanced Audio Production | 3 |
| PHYS 115 | Physics of Music | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Concert and Convocation Attendance
All Music majors must take MUS 000 Concert and Convocation Attendance each semester in residence. Six semesters of MUS 000 Concert and Convocation Attendance with a grade of "satisfactory" are required of all Music majors prior to graduation.
Piano Proficiency
All students with a Music Major or Minor, except for the Music Technology Minor, must pass the piano proficiency examination by the end of the required theory sequence. The two-semester sequence of MUS 173 Piano class and MUS 174 Piano Class may be taken for elective credits to prepare for the exam. The specific courses are not required courses and student assessed to have sufficient piano background may prepare for the exam independently. Please contact the Department of Music for exact requirements.
Senior Recital/Senior Project
All Music majors must pass MUS 400 Student Recital or Project with a grade of "satisfactory" prior to graduating. The nature of the recital or project will be determined by the music faculty.
School of the Arts Immersive Experience
To encourage enriching interdisciplinary pursuits, the 1-credit course “Immersive Experience in the Arts” may be substituted for two large ensemble credits.
Western Watershed General Education Requirements
Students must complete all Western Watershed General Education requirements to graduate.
Graduation Requirements
Undergraduate programs require a minimum of 120 semester credits for graduation. Of those 120 credits, 40 credits must be in upper-division courses (those marked 300 and above). Fifteen of these 40 upper-division credits must be earned in courses that are part of the standard or comprehensive major program being pursued.
Students are expected to review all graduation requirements, which can be found in the Western Undergraduate Catalog: Graduation Requirements.
Sample Plan
Degree Plans are for planning purposes. They reflect a suggested plan to complete the degree in a projected timeframe per program of study.
“Western Watershed Course(s)” refers to a course from the Tributaries area of the Western Watershed program. These courses should be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ENG 102 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) (Wesstern Watershed Fundamental Skills - Writing I) | 3 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 100 | Fundamentals of Music (GT-AH1) (if needed) | 3 |
| MUS 101 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 121 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5 |
| MUS 140 | Introduction to Music (GT-AH1) | 3 |
| MUS 173 | Piano class | 1 |
| MUS 180 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| WWGE 101/102/103/104 | Headwaters (select one) | 2 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed MATH Fundamental Skills | 3 |
| Credits | 17.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 103 | Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) (Western Watershed Fundamental Skills - Writing II) | 3 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 101 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 121 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5 |
| MUS 128 | Theory of Music Laboratory I | 1 |
| MUS 129 | Theory of Music I | 3 |
| MUS 174 | Piano Class | 1 |
| MUS 180 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed course - PHYS 115 suggested | 3 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed course | 3 |
| Credits | 16.5 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| COM 151 | Introduction to Mass Media (GT-AH2) | 3 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 101 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 121 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5 |
| MUS 130 | Theory of Music Laboratory II | 1 |
| MUS 131 | Theory of Music II | 3 |
| MUS 180 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| MUS 212 | Introduction to Music Technology | 1 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed course | 3 |
| Credits | 13.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| FILM 261 | Introduction To Audio Communication | 3 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 101 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 121 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5 |
| MUS 180 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| MUS 253 | Theory of Music Laboratory III | 1 |
| MUS 254 | Theory of Music III | 3 |
| MUS 412 | Music Technology II | 3 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed course | 3 |
| Credits | 15.5 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Elective | Elective course | 3 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 301 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 313 | Music Production | 3 |
| MUS 314 | Survey of the Music Industry | 3 |
| MUS 321 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5 |
| MUS 340 | Theory of Music Lab IV | 1 |
| MUS 341 | Theory of Music IV | 3 |
| MUS 380 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| Credits | 15.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| COM 323 | Media/ Arts Management | 3 |
| MUS 000 | Concert and Convocation Attendance | 0 |
| MUS 301 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 315 | Professions in the Music Industry | 3 |
| MUS 321 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5 |
| MUS 380 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| MUS 413 | Music Production II | 3 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed course | 3 |
| WWGE 301/302/303/304 | Delta course (select one) | 1 |
| Credits | 15.5 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| Elective | COM 362 or upper-division elective | 3 |
| MUS 301 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 316 | Connections in the Music Industry | 3 |
| MUS 321 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5 |
| MUS 380 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed course | 3 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed course - PHYS 115 suggested | 3 |
| Credits | 14.5 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS 301 |
Orchestra or Symphonic Band or Concert Choir |
1 |
| MUS 317 | Internships and Career Paths in the Music Industry | 3 |
| MUS 321 | Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Music | 0.5 |
| MUS 380 | Private Lessons (30 min) | 1 |
| MUS 400 or MUS 499 |
Student Recital or Project or Internship in Music |
2 |
| MUS 499 | Internship in Music (or upper-division elective) | 2 |
| Western Watershed | Western Watershed course | 3 |
| Credits | 12.5 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |
Western is committed to doing our part to provide each student a clear path to graduation. This four‐year degree plan is a sample map for fulfilling requirements in the major and General Education. The pathway that you take to your degree may differ somewhat from this illustration, depending on where you start and the detours and side trips you may take along the way. You are responsible for ensuring your overall, upper division, and major‐specific credits as well as GPA requirements are fulfilled for graduation.