Bachelor of Arts Music (BA)
Dr. Bianca Hall, Program Advisor for Music History and Music Theory
Requirements
Lower-Division General Education
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Written Communication | 6 | |
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Language and Culture | 0-6 | |
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| Human Creativity | 3 | |
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| Literature | 3 | |
| Philosophy and Ethics | 3 | |
| The Nature of Science | 8 | |
| Impact of Technology | 3 | |
Written Communication: Grade of C required in both courses and in ENGL 110C before declaring major
Language and Culture: Proficiency in French or German through the 202 level preferred; proficiency is not met by completion of an associate degree.
Human Creativity: Cannot be met by MUSC 126A or MUSC 264A
Impact of Technology requirement is satisfied in the major with MUSC 335T
Upper-Division General Education
- Option A. Approved Minor, 12-24 hours; also second degree or second major.
- Option B. Interdisciplinary Minor, 12 hours specified by the department, 3 of which may be in the major area of study.
- Option C. An approved certification program such as teaching licensure
- Option D. Two Upper-Division Courses from outside the College of Arts and Letters or from the Social Science Component within the College of Arts and Letters that are not required by the major (6 hours).
Requirements for Graduation
Requirements for graduation include the following:
- Minimum of 120 credit hours.
- Minimum of 30 credit hours overall and 12 credit hours of upper-level courses in the major program from Old Dominion University.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward the major.
- Minimum overall cumulative grade point average of C (2.00) in all courses taken toward a minor.
- Completion of ENGL 110C, ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C, and the writing intensive (W) course in the major with a grade of C or better. The W course must be taken at Old Dominion University.
- Completion of Senior Assessment.
Music Major
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Complete lower-division requirements | 38-44 | |
| Complete upper-division requirements (minimum of 6 credit hours) | 6 | |
| Complete foreign language coursework through the 202 level | 0-6 | |
| Departmental Requirements | ||
| MUSC 150 | Freshman Seminar for Music Students | 1 |
| MUSC 160 | Music and Ideas | 1 |
| MUSC 221 | Music Theory 1 * | 2 |
| MUSC 222 | Music Theory 2 * | 2 |
| MUSC 223 | Aural Skills 1 * | 1 |
| MUSC 224 | Aural Skills 2 * | 1 |
| MUSC 266 | Music in World Cultures | 1 |
| MUSC 309 | Principles of Conducting | 1 |
| MUSC 321 | Music Theory 3 * | 2 |
| MUSC 323 | Aural Skills 3 * | 1 |
| Music Theory Electives ** | ||
| Choose 3-4 credits from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Popular Songwriting Techniques | ||
| Advanced Music Theory and Post-Tonal Compositional Techniques | ||
| Advanced Aural Skills - Tonal and Beyond (If selected, choose a 2-credit Music Theory Elective to meet the requirements) | ||
| Jazz Improvisation I (Can be taken as a Music Theory elective if not used as an Upper-Level Music course. MUSC 337 can only be counted in one elective area.) | ||
| Arranging for the Contemporary Musician and Producer | ||
| Counterpoint | ||
| Form and Analysis | ||
| Orchestration | ||
| Vocal Arranging | ||
| Scoring for Film | ||
| MUSC 335T | Music Technology Survey (meets impact of technology requirement) | 3 |
| MUSC 361 | History of Western Art Music from Ancient through Baroque ** | 3 |
| MUSC 362W | History of Western Art Music from Classical through Modern * | 3 |
| Ensemble *** | 2 | |
| Applied Music (student must perform on an SPH in the final semester of applied) | 4 | |
| Recital Attendance Credit required + | ||
| Music Electives (upper-level) **** | 4-8 | |
| Music | ||
| Select one of the following: | 18 | |
Upper-Level Music Courses | ||
Music History Area | ||
Music Theory Area | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 97-114 | |
- *
Students must earn a grade of C or better in these courses to advance to the next level.
- **
Students must earn a grade of C- or better in these courses.
- ***
Students are required to earn credits through participating in ensembles appropriate to their specialties. Instrumental and voice and keyboard majors will be required to participate in two ensembles, large or small. Additional credits for participation in ensembles can be used as elective credit.
Large ensembles include: symphonic band, wind ensemble, symphony orchestra, concert choir, and guitar ensemble.
Small ensembles include: Madrigal Singers, Collegium Musicum, Opera and Musical Theater Production and Performance, brass choir, clarinet choir, flute choir, jazz choir, jazz orchestra, and brass, woodwind, percussion, guitar, string, or piano ensembles. Small ensemble offerings are updated on occasion; check the class schedule for the latest ensemble availability.
- ****
Students may choose an ensemble or applied music as an elective in their instrumental or vocal area.
- +
PLEASE NOTE: All Bachelor of Arts in Music majors are required to enroll in and pass MUSC 311+, the zero credit Recital Attendance class, for a total of six semesters in order to be eligible for graduation. Refer to the MUSC 311+ syllabus and the Music Student Handbook for complete information.
Elective Credit
Additional elective credit may be needed to meet the minimum requirement of 120 credit hours in the degree. Each student must have a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate. 300-level French or German courses are recommended to fulfill remaining credit hour requirements needed to reach 120 credits.
Upper-Level Music Courses
Students in the BA in music program may choose from the following upper-level (300-400) music courses (18 hours required) or may choose one of the following areas: Music History or Music Theory.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose from the Following Upper-Level Music Options | 18 | |
| Exploring Music | ||
| Music Business and Entrepreneurship | ||
| Jazz Improvisation I (Can be taken as an Upper-Level Music Option if not used as a Music Theory Elective. MUSC 337 can only be counted in one elective area.) | ||
| Jazz Improvisation II | ||
| Psychology of Music | ||
| Advanced Choral Conducting | ||
| Advanced Instrumental Conducting | ||
| Musicians' Health: Music and Medicine | ||
| Theory and Composition | ||
| Popular Songwriting Techniques | ||
| Advanced Music Theory and Post-Tonal Compositional Techniques | ||
| Electronic Music | ||
| Introduction to Film Music | ||
| Counterpoint | ||
| Form and Analysis | ||
| Orchestration | ||
| Vocal Arranging | ||
| Scoring for Film | ||
| Music History | ||
| History of Jazz | ||
| History of Recorded Music | ||
| Hip-Hop Music and Culture | ||
| Music of the 20th Century to the Present | ||
| Music History from the Ancient to Baroque Era | ||
| Music History from the Classical through Modern Era | ||
| Topics in Music | ||
| Topics in Music | ||
| Recital Attendance Credit required ** | ||
- **
PLEASE NOTE: All Bachelor of Arts in Music majors are required to enroll in and pass MUSC 311+, the zero credit Recital Attendance class, for a total of six semesters in order to be eligible for graduation. Refer to the MUSC 311+ syllabus and the Music Student Handbook for complete information.
Music History Area
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Choose from the following: | 15 | |
| History of Jazz | ||
| History of Recorded Music | ||
| Hip-Hop Music and Culture | ||
| Music of the 20th Century to the Present | ||
| Music History from the Ancient to Baroque Era | ||
| Music History from the Classical through Modern Era | ||
| Topics in Music | ||
| Topics in Music | ||
| Music Elective (upper level) * | 3 | |
| Recital Attendance Credit required ** | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
- *
Students may choose an ensemble or applied music as an elective in the emphasis areas.
- **
PLEASE NOTE: All Bachelor of Arts in Music majors are required to enroll in and pass MUSC 311+, the zero credit Recital Attendance class, for a total of six semesters in order to be eligible for graduation. Refer to the MUSC 311+ syllabus and the Music Student Handbook for complete information.
Music Theory Area
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 337 | Jazz Improvisation I | 2 |
| MUSC 466 | Music of the 20th Century to the Present | 3 |
| Choose from the following: | 9 | |
| Popular Songwriting Techniques | ||
| Advanced Music Theory and Post-Tonal Compositional Techniques | ||
| Advanced Aural Skills - Tonal and Beyond | ||
| Introduction to Film Music | ||
| Arranging for the Contemporary Musician and Producer | ||
| Counterpoint | ||
| Form and Analysis | ||
| Orchestration | ||
| Vocal Arranging | ||
| Scoring for Film | ||
| Music Elective (upper level) * | 4 | |
| Recital Attendance Credit required ** | 0 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
- *
Students may choose an ensemble or applied music as an elective in the emphasis areas.
- **
PLEASE NOTE: All Bachelor of Arts in Music majors are required to enroll in and pass MUSC 311+, the zero credit Recital Attendance class, for a total of six semesters in order to be eligible for graduation. Refer to the MUSC 311+ syllabus and the Music Student Handbook for complete information.
Additional Requirements and Information
Ensemble Options for Bachelor of Music and Music BA Majors
Each degree program has specific ensemble requirements, which are listed under the course requirements above.
For the purposes of fulfilling large Choral or Instrumental ensemble requirements, students may use only Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Guitar Ensemble, Concert Choir, or Symphonic Band (based on general wind/brass/percussion ensemble audition).
For the purposes of fulfilling small ensemble requirements, students may use a variety of ensembles including, but not limited to: Madrigal Singers, Opera and Musical Theater Production and Performance, New Music Ensemble, Diehn Chorale, Brass Choir, Contemporary Music Ensemble, Clarinet Choir, Flute Choir, Jazz Choir, Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Combo, Chamber Music groups of varied sizes and instrumentation (brass, woodwind, percussion, guitar, string, piano, mixed ensembles, etc.), Saxophone Quartet, Collegium Musicum, and more.
Students in the Jazz Studies major must select eight semesters of a jazz or jazz-related ensemble. This includes Jazz Choir, Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Combo or other jazz -related ensemble of varied sizes and instrumentation.
Ensemble offerings may vary each semester; check the class schedule for the latest ensemble availability. Ensemble participation should be made in consultation with the appropriate Area Director/s, Applied Instructors, and Program Advisors.
Other ensembles are offered for credit, such as and including Athletic Bands. Some ensembles are also open to non-music majors with enrollment based on an audition and instrumentation needs.
All of these ensembles are led by and/or coached by a DSoM faculty member.
Students should be aware of the necessity for ensemble diversity, and are encouraged to participate in as many different ensembles as their schedules and advisors will allow.
Applied Lesson Continuance Policy
If a student fails two semesters of applied lessons, he or she will be required to re-audition for applied lesson placement and may be advised to choose another degree program that does not require applied lessons. If a student has five or more unexcused absences in one semester, he or she will fail applied music for that semester. An audition is required to re-enter applied music after an absence of two consecutive semesters or more.
Jury Examinations
Applied music students taking hour lessons at the MUSA 141, MUSA 151, MUSA 161 level or higher must play a jury examination each semester. Failure to perform a required jury will result in a final applied grade of F. The jury grade counts as 50% of the final applied grade. The remaining 50% is based on progress in lessons and is determined by the student's teacher. Students auditing Applied Music take juries in the first semester in which they are enrolled for credit. Audit status is normally allowed for one semester only and is granted on the auditioning committee's recommendation that the student will likely be ready for credit study after one semester of audit study. A student with audit status will audition for credit study during the jury examination period at the close of the audit semester.
Accompanying
All keyboard students are expected to accompany at least once a semester on a General Student Recital, Performance Session, or Applied Music Jury Examination after they have attained the Applied Music numbering of 241 and above or 251 and above, and after they have studied keyboard at Old Dominion University for a minimum of one semester.
Degree Program Guide
The Degree Program Guide is a suggested curriculum to complete this degree program in four years. It is just one of several plans that will work and is presented only as broad guidance to students. Each student is strongly encouraged to develop a customized plan in consultation with their academic advisor. Additional information can also be found in Degree Works.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 110C | English Composition (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| FR 101F or GER 101F | 3 | |
| Applied Music | 1 | |
| MUSC 150 | Freshman Seminar for Music Students | 1 |
| MUSC 160 | Music and Ideas | 1 |
| MUSC 221 | Music Theory 1 (Grade of C or better required) | 2 |
| MUSC 223 | Aural Skills 1 (Grade of C or better required) | 1 |
| MUSC 311+ | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Literature | 3 | |
| Human Creativity (May not use MUSC 264A or MUSC 126A) | 3 | |
| FR 102F or GER 102F | 3 | |
| Applied Music | 1 | |
| MUSC 222 | Music Theory 2 (Grade of C or better required) | 2 |
| MUSC 224 | Aural Skills 2 (Grade of C or better required) | 1 |
| MUSC 266 | Music in World Cultures | 1 |
| MUSC 311+ | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENGL 211C or ENGL 231C |
Writing, Rhetoric, and Research (Grade of C or better required) or Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics |
3 |
| Nature of Science I | 4 | |
| Philosophy & Ethics | 3 | |
| FR 201 or GER 201 | 3 | |
| Applied Music | 1 | |
| MUSC 321 | Music Theory 3 (Grade of C or better required) | 2 |
| MUSC 323 | Aural Skills 3 (Grade of C or better required) | 1 |
| MUSC 311+ | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| Information Literacy and Research | 3 | |
| Nature of Science II | 4 | |
| Human Behavior | 3 | |
| FR 202 or GER 202 | 3 | |
| Applied Music | 1 | |
| Music Theory Elective(s) - Choose from the following (Grade of C- or better required): | 3-4 | |
| Popular Songwriting Techniques | ||
| Advanced Music Theory and Post-Tonal Compositional Techniques | ||
| Advanced Aural Skills - Tonal and Beyond | ||
| Jazz Improvisation I | ||
| Arranging for the Contemporary Musician and Producer | ||
| Counterpoint | ||
| Form and Analysis | ||
| Orchestration | ||
| Vocal Arranging | ||
| Scoring for Film | ||
| MUSC 311+ | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 17-18 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Interpreting the Past | 3 | |
| MUSC 361 | History of Western Art Music from Ancient through Baroque (Grade of C- or better required) | 3 |
| Emphasis Area course | 3 | |
| Emphasis Area course | 3 | |
| Upper-Division General Education course or Minor | 3 | |
| MUSC 311+ | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Oral Communication | 3 | |
| MUSC 309 | Principles of Conducting | 1 |
| MUSC 335T | Music Technology Survey (Satisfies Impact of Technology) | 3 |
| MUSC 362W | History of Western Art Music from Classical through Modern (Grade of C or better required) | 3 |
| Emphasis Area course | 3 | |
| Upper-Division General Education course or Minor | 3 | |
| MUSC 311+ | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Upper-Level Music Electives | 4 | |
| Emphasis Area course | 3 | |
| Emphasis Area course | 3 | |
| Ensemble | 1 | |
| Minor or Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| Emphasis Area course | 3 | |
| Ensemble | 1 | |
| Upper-Level Music Electives or General Electives | 4 | |
| Minor or General Electives (as needed) | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120-121 | |
BA or BS to MBA (Master of Business Administration) Linked Program
The linked BA/MBA or BS/MBA program is an early entry to the MBA program of study. The early-entry program is designed for well qualified non-business undergraduate ODU students to start their MBA program prior to completing their undergraduate degree. Well qualified non-business undergraduate students may take MBA-level courses as early as three semesters prior to graduation and count up to 12 graduate credits toward their undergraduate degree. Students participating in the early-entry program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree). Early-entry program students should carefully consider their undergraduate degree program requirements when planning their course of study. Students in the early-entry program work in close consultation with the MBA Program Office and should refer to information in the Strome College of Business section in the graduate catalog to develop an individualized plan of study based on the required coursework.
BA or BS to MPA (Master of Public Administration) Linked Program
The linked BA/MPA or BS/MPA program provides qualified Old Dominion University undergraduate students with the opportunity to earn a master's degree in public administration while taking credits in the MPA program as an undergraduate student. The program is designed for highly motivated students with the desire to immediately continue their education after the bachelor's degree. The program is especially relevant to individuals seeking to work (or currently working) in the public or non-profit sectors, but is suitable for students from any undergraduate major. Graduate courses may be taken during the fall and spring semester of the student's senior undergraduate year. Up to 12 graduate credits can count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree and can meet upper-level General Education requirements. After receiving the undergraduate degree, a student will continue with the MPA program, taking MPA courses until completing the required 39 credit hours. Students in the linked program must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 discrete credit hours for the undergraduate degree and 30 discrete credit hours for the graduate degree).
Requirements for admission to the graduate program can be found in the School of Public Service section of the Graduate Catalog. For additional information, please contact the School of Public Service in the Strome College of Business.