Music General Education Requirements

The General Education Requirements consist of a wide array of classes ranging from English and math to physics and philosophy. Depending on the type of degree one pursues, students will complete approximately 45 credits (1215 classes) from the General Eds. There are 12 main blocks (goals) that consist of several classes within each block, in most cases. Students generally choose one class from each to satisfy the goal. Most students will concentrate their first two semesters or more in fulfilling their General Education Requirements.

Admission / Student Profile

All prospective students, who desire to be recognized as music majors or minors at Idaho State University, must be accepted by the Music Department through a three-step auditioning process.
  1. Placement Examinations in Music Theory and Piano. Used to determine the initial level of theory study and class piano prior to completion of the Functional Piano Proficiency.
  2. Performance Audition. Ascertains the student's level of accomplishment on their major instrument or voice. The audition committee requires the following: Instrumental (1) Major and minor scales, tonic chord arpeggios, and chromatic scale over the full range of instrument; (2) Two musical selections a solo and an etude/exercise from standard instrumental literature; and (3) Sight reading. Vocal (1) Two vocal selections from standard literature (more than one language, if possible); and (2) Sight reading.
  3. Personal Interview. Conducted by the audition committee and used to determine whether a student has the necessary qualifications, talent, and interest to develop a career in music.

    Major Ensembles

Bachelor of Music

Basic Non-Music Requirements
English Composition 6 cr
Foreign Language
(French and/or German) 8 cr
(Voice majors are strongly encouraged to elect two years of a foreign language.) Social Sciences 12 cr
Natural Sciences 8 cr
(Including at least one laboratory course) Humanities (not counting foreign language or music) 4 cr (Speech 101 recommended)
Electives (other than music) 9 cr
Total: 47 cr

Basic Music Requirements
MUSC 100 Recital Attendance (seven semesters) 0 cr MUSC 103 Theory of Music I 4 cr
MUSC 104 Theory of Music II 4 cr
MUSC 105 Introduction to Music 3 cr
MUSC 203 Theory of Music III 4 cr
MUSC 204 Theory of Music IV 4 cr
MUSC 205 Music History I 3 cr
MUSC 206 Music History 11 3 cr
MUSC 305 Music History III 3 cr
MUSC 306 Music History IV 3 cr
MUSC 311 Form and Analysis 2 cr
MUSC 319 Choral Conducting
and Materials 2 cr
MUSC 320 Instrumental Conducting
and Materials 2 cr
MUSC 419 Major Performance
Literature 2 cr
MUSC 495 Senior Recital 2 cr
Applied Music (major) 16 cr
*Applied music (secondary) 4 cr
Large Ensemble (band,
orchestra, choir) 8 cr
Chamber Music 4 cr

Electives, 8 credits from the following: MUSC 167 Opera Workshop 1 cr
MUSC 211 Diction for Singers 2 cr
MUSC 212 Voice Pedagogy 2 cr
MUSC 255 Woodwind Methods 2 cr
MUSC 256 Brass Methods 2 cr
MUSC 258 Percussion Methods 2 cr
MUSC 259 String Methods 2 cr
MUSC 301 Accompanying 1 cr
MUSC 401 Orchestration 2 cr
MUSC 406 Opera Literature 2 cr
MUSC 407 Symphonic Music Literature 2 cr MUSC 408 Chamber Music Literature 2 cr
MUSC 415 Seminar in Band Music 2 cr
MUSC 416 Seminar in Choral Music 2 cr
MUSC 417 Advanced Conducting 2 cr
MUSC 420 Major Performance Pedagogy 2 cr MUSC 433-434 Composition 4 cr
MUSC 491 Independent Study 1-4 cr

*Piano proficiency is required for all degree candidates. Applied music secondary credits (MUSC 118-119, 218-219, or 120) may be used toward passing the piano proficiency. The student must register for piano each semester until able to pass the proficiency exam.