2014-2015

Music Performance, Bachelor of Music

School of Music

College of Arts and Letters

This degree provides interactive performance training in either voice or instrument. These emphases are backed by a rich variety of coursework in theory, ear training, music history, and musical genres. The emphasis in Voice requires a demonstration of proficiency in French, German, or Italian.

This program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

  • Available Emphasis Areas:
  • Instrumental - Emphasis
  • Vocal - Emphasis

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • At least 85 units of major requirements including 39 units of core requirements and 46 to 55 units of emphasis requirements depending on your choice of emphasis

  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

  • For this major the liberal studies prefixes are MUS and MUP
  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 - 129 units

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 120 - 129
Highest Mathematics Required MAT 114
Additional Admission Requirements Required
University Honors Program Optional
Progression Plan Link Not Available

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

    • In order to declare a Music Major, you must apply to and be accepted to the Kitt School of Music. Please visit the Kitt School of Music website.
Major Requirements
    • Instrumental Emphasis (46 units)
        • Instrumental ensembles: students enroll in large conducted ensembles for a total of 8 terms. (8 units) To satisfy this requirement, choose from Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band and Marching Band. Guitar majors take Guitar Ensemble and Piano majors take Piano Ensemble. 
        • Chamber Music: students enroll for a total of 4 terms (4 units)
      • MUS 423, MUS 422 (2 units)
      • Additional non-duplicating MUS or MUP elective courses with the consent of your advisor. Note that you may count up to 3 units of MUP ensemble credit toward this requirement. (11 units)
    • Vocal Emphasis (55 units)
      • MUP 111, MUP 211, MUP 311, MUP 411 (3 units each) Private lessons: students enroll in private lesson instruction for a minimum of 7 semesters, 2 terms each of 111, 211, 311 and 1 term of 411. (21 units)
      • MUP 160, MUP 260, MUP 360, MUP 460 (1 unit each) Choral/Vocal Ensembles: students enroll in large conducted ensembles for a total of 10 terms. To satisfy this requirement, complete 2 terms of Opera Theatre, and choose the remaining 8 terms from Shrine of the Ages Choir, Men's Chorale, and Women's Chorale. (10 units)
      • MUP 384 (1 units)
      • MUS 161, MUS 162, MUS 421, MUS 420 (7 units)
      • Foreign Language Requirement (16 units): You must demonstrate a two-term proficiency in one of the following languages: French, German, or Italian. In addition, you must take one term of each of the remaining two languages to meet the 16-unit requirements. (Up to 9 units of language may be used to meet liberal studies requirements.) This is different from the University’s foreign language requirement in that a 200 level proficiency in the same language is not required.
General Electives

  • Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.