The Bachelor of Music is the initial professional degree in music. Its primary emphasis is on development of the skills, concepts and sensitivities essential to the professional life of the musician. At the center of the instructional program for this degree is the music core curriculum, comprising 27 credits of instruction in aspects of musicianship fundamental to all music degree programs. Included are courses in music theory, aural skills, music history and conducting.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following.
Students will:
- Demonstrate professional performance skills
- Demonstrate comprehensive musicianship
- Acquire supporting competencies
- Develop artistic/intellectual mission
Degree requirements for Music, Bachelor of (B.M.) with a concentration in performance/piano
Course | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
General education | ||
Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
Major requirements | ||
• Major core requirements | ||
APPL 311 | Applied Lessons (principal performing medium) | 2 |
APPL 312 | Applied Lessons (principal performing medium) | 2 |
APPL 313 | Applied Lessons (principal performing medium) | 2 |
APPL 314 | Applied Lessons (principal performing medium) | 2 |
APPL 415 | Applied Lessons (principal performing medium) | 2 |
APPL 416 | Applied Lessons and Junior Recital | 2 |
APPM 199 | Recital/Convocation Attendance (four semesters) | 0 |
APPM 299 | Master Class (eight semesters) | 0 |
APPM 381 | Conducting | 2 |
MHIS 120 | Music in Culture | 2 |
MHIS 145 | Theory and Aural Skills I | 4 |
MHIS 146 | Theory and Aural Skills II | 4 |
MHIS 245 | Theory and Aural Skills III | 4 |
• Additional major requirements | ||
APPL 320 | Applied Lessons Secondary Instrument (three semesters) | 3 |
APPL 417 | Applied Lessons | 2 |
APPL 418 | Applied Lessons and Senior Recital (principal performing medium) | 2 |
APPM 362 | Accompanying: Piano (two semesters) | 2 |
APPM 367 | Piano Ensemble (complete four semesters) | 4 |
APPM 373 | Advanced Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
APPM 374 | Advanced Keyboard Skills II | 1 |
APPM 463 | Pedagogy (piano) | 2 |
APPM 492 | Senior Project: Portfolio Review | 1 |
MHIS 303 | Piano Literature Through 1828 | 2 |
MHIS 304 | Piano Literature Since 1828 | 2 |
MHIS 305 | Form and Analysis I | 2 |
MHIS 321 | Classical Music Survey I | 2 |
MHIS 322 | Classical Music Survey II | 2 |
Ensemble: Select two credits from the following. | 2 | |
Commonwealth Singers | ||
Choral Arts Society | ||
Vox Concordia | ||
• Music electives | 14 | |
Select from any AMPT, APPL, APPM, ARTS, MHIS or MUED courses not otherwise required for the degree. | ||
Ancillary requirements | ||
Open electives | ||
Select any course. | 18 | |
Total Hours | 120 |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
Freshman year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall semester | Hours | |
APPL 311 | Applied Lessons (piano) | 2 |
APPM 199 | Recital/Convocation Attendance | 0 |
APPM 299 | Master Class (piano) | 0 |
APPM 373 | Advanced Keyboard Skills I | 1 |
APPM 3XX ensemble requirement | 1 | |
MHIS 145 | Theory and Aural Skills I | 4 |
UNIV 111 Play course video for Focused Inquiry I | Focused Inquiry I (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
General education course | 3 | |
Term Hours: | 14 | |
Spring semester | ||
APPL 312 | Applied Lessons (piano) | 2 |
APPM 199 | Recital/Convocation Attendance | 0 |
APPM 299 | Master Class (piano) | 0 |
APPM 3XX ensemble requirement | 1 | |
MHIS 146 | Theory and Aural Skills II | 4 |
UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
General education course | 3 | |
General education course | 3 | |
Term Hours: | 16 | |
Sophomore year | ||
Fall semester | ||
APPL 313 | Applied Lessons (piano) | 2 |
APPM 199 | Recital/Convocation Attendance | 0 |
APPM 299 | Master Class (piano) | 0 |
MHIS 120 | Music in Culture | 2 |
MHIS 245 | Theory and Aural Skills III | 4 |
UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
General education course | 3 | |
Open elective | 3 | |
Term Hours: | 17 | |
Spring semester | ||
APPL 314 | Applied Lessons (piano) | 2 |
APPM 199 | Recital/Convocation Attendance | 0 |
APPM 299 | Master Class (piano) | 0 |
APPM 374 | Advanced Keyboard Skills II | 1 |
General education course | 3 | |
Music elective | 2 | |
Open elective | 6 | |
Term Hours: | 14 | |
Junior year | ||
Fall semester | ||
APPL 320 | Applied Lessons Secondary Instrument | 1 |
APPL 415 | Applied Lessons (piano) | 2 |
APPM 299 | Master Class (piano) | 0 |
APPM 362 | Accompanying: Piano | 1 |
APPM 367 | Piano Ensemble | 1 |
APPM 381 | Conducting | 2 |
MHIS 303 or APPM 463 | Piano Literature Through 1828 (piano) or Pedagogy | 2 |
MHIS 305 | Form and Analysis I | 2 |
MHIS 321 | Classical Music Survey I | 2 |
General education course | 3 | |
Term Hours: | 16 | |
Spring semester | ||
APPL 320 | Applied Lessons Secondary Instrument | 1 |
APPL 416 | Applied Lessons and Junior Recital (piano) | 2 |
APPM 299 | Master Class (piano) | 0 |
APPM 362 | Accompanying: Piano | 1 |
APPM 367 | Piano Ensemble | 1 |
MHIS 304 | Piano Literature Since 1828 | 2 |
MHIS 322 | Classical Music Survey II | 2 |
Music electives | 6 | |
Term Hours: | 15 | |
Senior year | ||
Fall semester | ||
APPL 320 | Applied Lessons Secondary Instrument | 1 |
APPL 417 | Applied Lessons (piano) | 2 |
APPM 299 | Master Class (piano) | 0 |
APPM 367 | Piano Ensemble | 1 |
MHIS 303 or APPM 463 | Piano Literature Through 1828 (piano) or Pedagogy | 2 |
General education course | 3 | |
Open electives | 6 | |
Term Hours: | 15 | |
Spring semester | ||
APPL 418 | Applied Lessons and Senior Recital (piano) | 2 |
APPM 299 | Master Class (piano) | 0 |
APPM 367 | Piano Ensemble | 1 |
APPM 492 | Senior Project: Portfolio Review | 1 |
Music electives | 6 | |
Open electives | 3 | |
Term Hours: | 13 | |
Total Hours: | 120 |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.