Music Performance Major
The Music Performance major provides students with both a skills-based curriculum and also ample performance opportunities for a 21st-century, real-world music education that prepares students well for a number of different possible vocations. Core classes lay a solid foundation, giving students the music theory, music history, orchestration, and other skills needed to succeed. From there, Music Performance students are encouraged to add a specialized minor to increase their training in a particular area of music performance.
Important Notes
- 40% of major requirements must be completed at Judson.
- 40% of major requirements must be upper division.
- No more than 9 hours of MUS topics courses, and no more than 24 hours total of applied music (private lessons, class lessons, senior projects and performing ensembles) can apply toward graduation requirements.
- Piano proficiency is required for all music majors and students must enroll in private lessons for credit until examination (given during piano juries at the end of each semester) is passed. If it is failed, the student must repeat it until successfully passed; the examination should be passed by the end of the junior year. Specific requirements are available from any of the music faculty.
- Students must choose a concentration in Voice or an Instrument to accompany this major.
Gen Eds Required by Major
- DCW301 Reflecting on the Conversation (1 c.h.) (fulfills Gen Ed GEN301 Requirement)
- MUS181 Music Appreciation (3 c.h.) may not be taken by students in this major
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Music Courses | ||
| DCW101 | Introduction to the Community of Worship Performers | 0.5 |
| DCW301 | Reflecting on the Conversation | 1 |
| MUS151 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUS152 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUS153 | Ear Training/Sight Singing I | 1 |
| MUS154 | Ear Training/Sight Singing II | 1 |
| MUS251 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUS253 | Ear Training/Sight Singing III | 1 |
| MUS351 | History/Literature of Music I | 3 |
| MUS352 | History/Literature of Music II | 3 |
| MUS458 | Orchestration | 3 |
| MUS481 | Senior Recital | 0 |
| Ensemble Participation | ||
| Select 4 hours from the following: 1 | 4 | |
| Chamber Music Ensemble | ||
| Orchestra | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Chamber Singers | ||
| University Choir | ||
| Applied Music Courses | ||
| MUS101-418 Private Instruction, Concentration Instrument 2 | 8 | |
| Piano Proficiency | ||
| MUS276 | Commercial Class Piano IV | 1 |
| MUS102 | Private Piano Instruction, Credit | 2 |
| MUS202 | Private Piano Instruction, Credit | 2 |
| Total Hours | 39.5 | |
- 1
Participation in at least one of the following ensembles is required each semester the student is enrolled.
- 2
Students must enroll for a private lesson in their concentration instrument (MUS101 to MUS418) every semester that they attend Judson - at least 4 of these hours must be upper division. If the concentration instrument is piano, 4 hours of lower-level private lessons in a secondary instrument is required in this section in lieu of piano.
Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance (Four-Year Plan)
Academic planning is the student's responsibility. This Graduation Plan is designed to be a guide to assist students as they plan their course selections. This is only a suggested schedule, and is not a substitute for a student's Advising Worksheet, nor the Program Requirements in the Judson University Catalog. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and approval of an academic advisor. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time at which they entered the institution. Course requirements and sequencing may vary with AP courses, transfer courses, English/math placement, or other conditions.
A full-time course load for undergraduate students is 12-18 credits per semester. Illinois residents receiving state aid should register for 15 hours per semester.
In addition to the courses below, chapel is required for all traditional full-time students (i.e., those taking 12 or more credit hours), both residents and commuters. This course counts as 1 credit towards a student's full-time status within the term, but does not earn credits towards graduation.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| ENG101 | Expository Writing (or ACT/SAT placement) | 3 |
| GEN101 or ESS101 |
Questions of Life: Entering the Judson Conversation 1 or Wellness |
1 |
| Physical Activity course | 1 | |
| DCW101 | Introduction to the Community of Worship Performers | 0.5 |
| MUS102 | Private Piano Instruction, Credit | 1 |
| MUS151 | Music Theory I | 3 |
| MUS153 | Ear Training/Sight Singing I | 1 |
| MUS101-118 Private Lessons in Conc Instrument | 1 | |
| MUS142-150 Performance Ensemble | 0.5 | |
| Any Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENG102 | Critical Thinking and Writing (or ACT/SAT placement) | 3 |
| SPC120 | Foundations of Speech | 3 |
| MUS102 | Private Piano Instruction, Credit | 1 |
| MUS152 | Music Theory II | 3 |
| MUS154 | Ear Training/Sight Singing II | 1 |
| MUS101-118 Private Lessons in Conc Instrument | 1 | |
| MUS142-150 Performance Ensemble | 0.5 | |
| Any Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15.5 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| BST110 | Intro to the Christian Bible | 3 |
| MUS202 | Private Piano Instruction, Credit | 1 |
| MUS251 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| MUS253 | Ear Training/Sight Singing III | 1 |
| MUS201-218 Private Lessons in Conc Instrument | 1 | |
| MUS142-150 Performance Ensemble | 0.5 | |
| Any Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15.5 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| THS110 | Christian Faith: Understanding and Application | 3 |
| MUS202 | Private Piano Instruction, Credit | 1 |
| MUS458 | Orchestration | 3 |
| MUS201-218 Private Lessons in Conc Instrument | 1 | |
| MUS142-150 Performance Ensemble | 0.5 | |
| Any Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 14.5 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| Math based on ACT/SAT placement | 3 | |
| MUS276 | Commercial Class Piano IV | 1 |
| MUS351 | History/Literature of Music I | 3 |
| MUS301-318 Private Lessons in Conc Instrument | 1 | |
| MUS142-150 Performance Ensemble | 0.5 | |
| Any Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 14.5 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Gen Ed Science w/Lab | 4 | |
| PSY111 or SOC151 |
Introduction to Psychology or Introduction to Sociology |
3 |
| DCW301 | Reflecting on the Conversation 2 | 1 |
| MUS352 | History/Literature of Music II | 3 |
| MUS301-318 Private Lessons in Conc Instrument | 1 | |
| MUS142-150 Performance Ensemble | 0.5 | |
| Any Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15.5 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| HIS261 | History of Civilization I | 3 |
| ENG380 | Literature, Community, and Human Flourishing | 3 |
| MUS401-418 Private Lessons in Conc Instrument | 1 | |
| MUS142-150 Performance Ensemble | 0.5 | |
| Any Elective | 9 | |
| Hours | 16.5 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GEN401 | The Good Life: Continuing the Conversation | 3 |
| HIS262 | History of Civilization II | 3 |
| MUS481 | Senior Recital | 0 |
| MUS401-418 Private Lessons in Conc Instrument | 1 | |
| MUS142-150 Performance Ensemble | 0.5 | |
| Any Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 13.5 | |
| Total Hours | 120.5 | |
- 1
First-time students (those entering college directly from high school) should take GEN101; transfer students should take ESS101
- 2
GEN301 equivalent