Performance (Music), Emphasis

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree with an emphasis in Performance prepares students for careers in their chosen performance medium. Students with this degree have careers as a soloists, chamber musicians, ensemble musicians, and studio teachers.

Course Requirements

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.

Core Curriculum
Core 1: Critical Thinking
FYS 100First Yr Sem Critical Thinking3
MTH 121 Bison image Concepts and Applications (CT)3
Critical Thinking3
Core 2
ENG 101 Bison image  Cap graduation image Beginning Composition3
ENG 201 Bison image Advanced Composition3
CMM 103 Bison image  Cap graduation image Fund Speech-Communication3
MTH 121 Bison image Concepts and Applications (CT)3
Core II Phys./Natural Science4
Core II Humanities3
Core II Social Science3
Core II Fine Arts3
Additional University Requirements
Writing Intensive3
Writing Intensive3
Multicultural/International3
MUS 497 Bison image Capstone Project in Music1
Major Requirements
Applied 1002
Applied 1002
Applied 1002
Applied 1002
Applied 3002
Applied 3002
Applied 3002
Applied 3002
MUSA 276Sophomore Hearing0
MUSA 376Recital0
MUSA 476Senior Recital0
Principal Ensemble8
MUS 100Applied Music Laboratory (8 semesters)0
MUSP 110The Professional Musician1
MUSP 111Elementary Music Theory I2
MUSP 112Elementary Music Theory II2
MUSP 113Elem Aural Skills I2
MUSP 114Elem Aural Skills II2
MUS 211Advanced Music Theory I2
MUS 212 Cap graduation image Advanced Music Theory II2
MUS 213Adv Aural Skills I2
MUS 214Adv Aural Skills II2
MUS 218Intro to Music Technology3
MUS 290 Cap graduation image Music History to 17503
MUS 301 Cap graduation image Analysis3
MUSP 325Music Entrepreneurship3
MUS 315Basic Conducting2
MUS 360 Cap graduation image Music History 1730 - 19003
MUS 361Music History Since 19003
Improvisation Class1
Music Literature2
MUS 497 Bison image Capstone Project in Music1
MUSP 121Class Piano I1
MUSP 122Class Piano II1
MUSP 123Class Piano III1
MUSP 124Class Piano IV1
Music Elective3
Music Elective3
Music Elective3
Music Elective1
Non-Music Elective4
Non-Music Elective3
Non-Music Elective3
Non-Music Elective3

Major Information

  • All students desiring entry into the B.F.A. degree, the music education program, or the music minor must be formally admitted to the music program. This admittance is based upon an audition in the student’s major performance area (instrument or voice) and an interview with the area faculty. Students desiring to enter the theory and composition area of emphasis should be prepared to show evidence of music theory study and/ or compositions. Students should contact the music office to arrange for an audition and interview.
  • All coursework in the music and music education majors must be completed with a grade of C or above. A course with a grade of D or F must be repeated with at least a grade of C to count for graduation or be used as a prerequisite for another required course.
  • All music and music education majors are required to pass a piano proficiency examination prior to the capstone semester. Successful completion of MUSP 124 Class Piano IV satisfies this requirement.
  • In addition to university and degree program requirements listed under the Bachelor of Fine Arts, candidates for the B.F.A. in music must complete 73 credit hours of study in music, divided into the core curriculum of 18 credit hours and 55 credit hours devoted to one of four areas of emphasis.
  • Thirty-nine (39) credit hours must be earned in courses numbered 300-499.
  • No course in the major requirements for graduation may be taken Credit/Non-Credit unless the course is so specified.
  • Upon completion of the fourth semester of 100-level applied music study on the principal instrument, students must pass a sophomore hearing (MUSA 276 Sophomore Hearingfor promotion to upper-division (300-level) applied music study on the principal instrument.

Semester Plan

 Bison image - General Education Course

 Cap graduation image - Milestone course: a key success marker for your major. See your advisor to discuss the importance of this course in your plan of study.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterCredit Hours
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUSP 111 Elementary Music Theory I 2
MUSP 113 Elem Aural Skills I 2
MUSP 121 Class Piano I 1
Music Elective 1
FYS 100 First Yr Sem Critical Thinking 3
MTH 121 Bison image Concepts and Applications (CT) 3
Principal Ensemble 1
Applied 100 2
UNI 100 Freshman First Class 1
 Credit Hours16
Second Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUSP 110 The Professional Musician 1
MUS 112 Elementary Music Theory II 2
MUSP 112 Elementary Music Theory II 2
MUSP 114 Elem Aural Skills II 2
MUSP 122 Class Piano II 1
CMM 103 Bison image  Cap graduation image Fund Speech-Communication 3
ENG 101 Bison image  Cap graduation image Beginning Composition 3
Principal Ensemble 1
Applied 100 2
 Credit Hours17
Second Year
First Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUSP 123 Class Piano III 1
MUS 211 Advanced Music Theory I 2
MUS 213 Adv Aural Skills I 2
Non-Music Elective 3
ENG 201 Bison image Advanced Composition 3
CT Designated Course (MC/I) 3
Principal Ensemble 1
Applied 100 2
 Credit Hours17
Second Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUSP 124 Class Piano IV 1
MUS 212 Cap graduation image Advanced Music Theory II 2
MUS 214 Adv Aural Skills II 2
MUSA 276 Sophomore Hearing 0
MUS 290 Cap graduation image Music History to 1750 3
Non-Music Elective 3
Principal Ensemble 1
Applied 100 2
 Credit Hours14
Third Year
First Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 218 Intro to Music Technology 3
MUS 360 Cap graduation image Music History 1730 - 1900 3
MUS 301 Cap graduation image Analysis 3
MUS 315 Basic Conducting 2
Music Elective 3
Principal Ensemble 1
Applied 300 2
 Credit Hours17
Second Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 361 Music History Since 1900 3
MUSP 325 Music Entrepreneurship 3
MUSA 376 Recital 0
Core II Humanities (WI) 3
Core II Fine Arts 3
Music Improvisation Class 1
Principal Ensemble 1
Applied 300 2
 Credit Hours16
Fourth Year
First Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
Music Literature 2
Core II Social Science (WI) 3
Core II Physical/Natural Science 4
Principal Ensemble 1
Applied 300 2
 Credit Hours12
Second Semester
MUS 100 Applied Music Laboratory 0
MUS 497 Bison image Capstone Project in Music 1
Music Elective 3
Music Elective 3
Principal Ensemble 1
Applied 300 2
MUSA 476 Senior Recital 0
Non-Music Elective 4
 Credit Hours14
 Total Credit Hours123