2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Major in Music (BA/BS)

Students pursuing a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science in music will experience a broad and challenging curriculum that improves their general musicianship and performance skills, develops creative skills, or broadens general music knowledge while increasing the understanding of music in its wider cultural context. By having a more general musical emphasis, BA/BS students have access to all courses offered by the School of Music to freely explore diverse areas of interest. Students can specialize in applied music, composition, or music industry or pursue a more generalized path under the Music Exploration concentration.

56.5-64 credits

Required Music Courses for all concentrations, 15.5 - 17.5 credits

Students who place into MUST 111 will receive credit by authorization for MUST 105, the remedial course in our theory sequence.

Music Industry students must take MUSP 497 for 3 credits.

Students completing concentrations in Music Exploration, Applied Music and Music Creation and Composition must take a minimum of 1 credit in MUSP 498.

MUST 105Foundations of Music Theory for Music Majors

2

MUST 101Sight Singing and Ear Training

1

MUST 102Sight Singing and Ear Training

1

MUST 111Music Theory

2

MUST 112Music Theory

2

MUHI 200Gateway to Music History

3

MUSC 499Recital

.5-1

MUSP 498Senior Recital/ Project

1-2

or

MUSP 497Entrepreneurship for Musicians: Capstone

3

CFA 111Introduction to the College of Fine Arts

1

CFA 222Creating Your Career: Essential Skills and the Arts

1

CFA 333Transition to the Profession: Careers In, Around, and Beyond the Arts

1

Additional core performance requirements for all concentrations, 5 credits

All BA/BS students will have 5 credit hours of core performance requirements, consisting of 2 credits of group/secondary piano and 3 credits from MUSP 201/202 (applied lessons), large ensembles, or a combination.

Applied music or ensembles, 3 credits from:

MUSP 201Principal Study

1 TO 4

MUSP 202Secondary Study

1 TO 4

MUSC 342Wind Ensemble

.5-3

MUSC 343Wind Symphony

.5-3

MUSC 344Symphony Band

.5-3

MUSC 345Campus Band

.5-3

MUSC 347The Pride of Mid-America Marching Band

.5-3

MUSC 348The Pride of Mid-America Color Guard and Drum Line

.5-3

MUSC 349Basketball Band

.5-3

MUSC 352Concert Choir

.5-3

MUSC 353Vox Anima

.5-3

MUSC 354Cardinal Chorus

.5-3

MUSC 355University Choral Union

.5-3

MUSC 356Ball State Opera Theatre Chorus

.5-3

MUSC 357Ball State Opera Theatre Role

.5-3

MUSC 360Jazz Ensemble 1

.5-3

MUSC 361Jazz Ensemble 2

.5-3

MUSC 362Jazz Ensemble 3

.5-3

MUSC 366New Music Ensemble

.5-3

MUSC 367Studio Band

.5-3

MUSC 369University Singers Instrumental Ensemble

.5-3

MUSC 370University Singers

.5-3

MUSC 373Campus Orchestra

.5-3

MUSC 374Ball State Symphony Orchestra (BSSO)

.5-3

MUSC 375Chamber Choir

.5-3

Piano, 2 credits from

Students taking MUSP 325 must take 2 credits total.

MUSP 140Group Piano 1

1

and

MUSP 141Group Piano 2

1

or

MUSP 325Secondary Study (Piano)

1

Applied Music concentration, 36 credits

The "Applied Music" Concentration offers a thorough grounding in applied music study while still offering opportunities in academic music, ensembles, and creating new music.

8 Credits in Applied Music (in addition to core requirements):

MUSP 201Principal Study

1 TO 4

6 Credits in Ensembles (in addition to core requirements)

Ensemble participation must be in compliance with the School of Music Undergraduate Handbook's Designated Ensemble Policy.

MUSC 342Wind Ensemble

.5-3

MUSC 343Wind Symphony

.5-3

MUSC 344Symphony Band

.5-3

MUSC 345Campus Band

.5-3

MUSC 347The Pride of Mid-America Marching Band

.5-3

MUSC 348The Pride of Mid-America Color Guard and Drum Line

.5-3

MUSC 349Basketball Band

.5-3

MUSC 352Concert Choir

.5-3

MUSC 353Vox Anima

.5-3

MUSC 354Cardinal Chorus

.5-3

MUSC 355University Choral Union

.5-3

MUSC 356Ball State Opera Theatre Chorus

.5-3

MUSC 357Ball State Opera Theatre Role

.5-3

MUSC 360Jazz Ensemble 1

.5-3

MUSC 361Jazz Ensemble 2

.5-3

MUSC 362Jazz Ensemble 3

.5-3

MUSC 366New Music Ensemble

.5-3

MUSC 367Studio Band

.5-3

MUSC 369University Singers Instrumental Ensemble

.5-3

MUSC 370University Singers

.5-3

MUSC 373Campus Orchestra

.5-3

MUSC 374Ball State Symphony Orchestra (BSSO)

.5-3

MUSC 375Chamber Choir

.5-3

Required Courses in Music Theory and Music History (16 credits)
MUST 201Sight Singing and Ear Training

1

MUST 202Sight Singing and Ear Training

1

MUST 211Music Theory

2

MUST 212Music Theory

2

MUST 310Form and Analysis of Popular Music

2

MUST 311Music Theory: Form and Analysis

2

MUHI 330Music History to 1800

3

MUHI 331Music History from 1800

3

6 additional credits in music

Students choose from 100-400 level courses with MMP, MUHI, MUSC, MUSE, MUST, or MUSP prefixes.

Music Creation and Composition concentration, 43.5 credits

The Music Creation and Composition Concentration offers a thorough grounding in the creation of new music while still offering opportunities in academic music, ensembles, and applied music.

19 credits in Music Creation and Composition

Students take MUST 432 for 4 credits over 2 semesters.

Students choose between MUST 312 and MUST 420.

MUST 121Introduction to Music Technologies

3

MUST 221Introductory Composition Lessons and Seminar 1

2

MUST 222Music Composition 2

2

MUST 417Theory of Twentieth-Century Music and Twenty-First-Century Music

3

MUST 432Applied Composition Lessons and Seminar

2

MUST 441Creative Music Technologies 1

3

 

MUST 312Music Theory: Eighteenth-Century Counterpoint

2

or

MUST 420Sixteenth-Century Counterpoint

3

Required courses in Music Theory and Music History (14 credits)

Students choose between MUST 310 and MUST 311.

MUST 201Sight Singing and Ear Training

1

MUST 202Sight Singing and Ear Training

1

MUST 211Music Theory

2

MUST 212Music Theory

2

MUHI 330Music History to 1800

3

MUHI 331Music History from 1800

3

 

MUST 310Form and Analysis of Popular Music

2

or

MUST 311Music Theory: Form and Analysis

2

10.5 additional credits in music

Students choose from 100-400 level courses with MMP, MUHI, MUSC, MUSE, MUST, or MUSP prefixes.

Music Exploration concentration, 36-37 credits

The "Music Exploration" concentration offers a thorough grounding in the academic areas of music study while still offering opportunities in applied music or creating new music.

Music History, 9 credits:

MUHI 305Popular Music and Society Since 1940

3

MUHI 330Music History to 1800

3

MUHI 331Music History from 1800

3

Additional 2 credits in Music History from:

MUHI 386Introduction to World Music

3

MUHI 401Piano Literature

2

MUHI 435Music in the Baroque Era

2

MUHI 436Music in the Classical Era

2

MUHI 437Music in the Romantic Era

2

MUHI 438Opera History from 1780 to 1980

2

MUHI 441Jazz History

2

MUHI 492Special Topics in Musicology

1-3

Required Theory Courses, 10 credits:
MUST 201Sight Singing and Ear Training

1

MUST 202Sight Singing and Ear Training

1

MUST 211Music Theory

2

MUST 212Music Theory

2

MUST 310Form and Analysis of Popular Music

2

MUST 311Music Theory: Form and Analysis

2

Choose from additional 6-7 credits in Music Theory

One course must be 400 level. A minimum grade of D- in MUST 310 will serve as a substitute for the pre-requisite for MUST 311 where appropriate.

MUST 121Introduction to Music Technologies

3

MUST 221Introductory Composition Lessons and Seminar 1

2

MUST 250Jazz Theory

2

MUST 312Music Theory: Eighteenth-Century Counterpoint

2

MUST 412Compositional Practices of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries

2 TO 3

MUST 416Theory of Nineteenth-Century Music

3

MUST 417Theory of Twentieth-Century Music and Twenty-First-Century Music

3

MUST 420Sixteenth-Century Counterpoint

3

MUST 421Analytical Technique

3

9 additional elective credits in Music

Students choose from 100-400 level courses with MMP, MUHI, MUSC, MUSE, MUST, or MUSP prefixes.

Music Industry concentration, 43 credits

***Students completing this concentration must complete the Minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

MMP Technology Core - 15 credit hours

MMP 125Acoustics

3

MMP 135Introduction to Recording Technology

3

MMP 235Recording Technology 1

3

MMP 236Recording Technology 2

3

MMP 330Live Sound and Recording

3

Music Industry Courses (23 credits)

Music Industry Students choose the MUSP 497 capstone in the required courses above.

MMP 299 is taken for 3 credits.


MMP 100Survey of the Music Industry

3

MMP 384Music and Publishing Law

3

MMP 299Cardinal Music Group

3-6

MKG 370Introduction to Digital Marketing Strategy

3

MKG 375Social Media and Digital Engagement

3

MUSP 495Entrepreneurship for Musicians: Seminar

2

MUSP 496Entrepreneurship for Musicians: Practicum

3

MUHI 305Popular Music and Society Since 1940

3

Additional credits in Performance (beyond core requirements) (5 Credits) chosen from:
MUSP 201Principal Study

1 TO 4

MUSP 202Secondary Study

1 TO 4

MUSC 340Large Instrumental Ensemble

.5 TO 3

MUSC 342Wind Ensemble

.5-3

MUSC 343Wind Symphony

.5-3

MUSC 344Symphony Band

.5-3

MUSC 345Campus Band

.5-3

MUSC 347The Pride of Mid-America Marching Band

.5-3

MUSC 348The Pride of Mid-America Color Guard and Drum Line

.5-3

MUSC 349Basketball Band

.5-3

MUSC 350Large Vocal Ensemble

1 TO 3

MUSC 352Concert Choir

.5-3

MUSC 353Vox Anima

.5-3

MUSC 354Cardinal Chorus

.5-3

MUSC 355University Choral Union

.5-3

MUSC 356Ball State Opera Theatre Chorus

.5-3

MUSC 357Ball State Opera Theatre Role

.5-3

MUSC 360Jazz Ensemble 1

.5-3

MUSC 361Jazz Ensemble 2

.5-3

MUSC 362Jazz Ensemble 3

.5-3

MUSC 366New Music Ensemble

.5-3

MUSC 367Studio Band

.5-3

MUSC 369University Singers Instrumental Ensemble

.5-3

MUSC 370University Singers

.5-3

MUSC 372Musical Theatre Workshop

2 TO 10

MUSC 373Campus Orchestra

.5-3

MUSC 374Ball State Symphony Orchestra (BSSO)

.5-3

MUSC 375Chamber Choir

.5-3

Total Credit Hours: 56.5-64