Program Description
Offers students concentrated training in music theory and practical application in preparation for acceptance and transfer into 4-year music degree programs, to obtain an Associate of Arts degree, or to pursue individual goals within music and the arts.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Perform as a soloist in a manner that is both musically expressive and technically proficient.
- Interpret a variety of styles, periods and genres according to recognized standards of performance practice.
- Perform in collaboration with other musicians, using appropriate performance and stage presence techniques.
- Demonstrate keyboard proficiency, including mastery of scales, triads, chord progressions, and figured bass.
- Sing tonal melodies that contain chromatic writing, modulations, and differentiated rhythmic values.
- Transcribe from an aural source material of intermediate melodic, harmonic and rhythmic complexity.
- Compose or arrange music with current music software programs.
Program Requirements
- Students must complete their credit English and Mathematics within the first 24 credits.
- One course must meet the cultural competence graduation requirement.
- CORE: The General Education CORE is that foundation of the higher education curriculum providing a coherent intellectual experience for all students. Students should check with an advisor or the transfer institution (ARTSYS) before selecting General Education CORE requirements. http://artsys.usmd.edu/
- In some General Education categories (Mathematics, Biological & Physical Sciences), a 4-credit course selected from the GenEd course list will satisfy the requirement in place of a 3-credit course. Students should check with an advisor before selecting these courses.
- For the Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition requirement, a 3-credit PHED, HLTH, or NUTR course may satisfy the requirement in place of a 1-credit course. Students should check with an advisor before selecting this course.
- Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in ENGL 101 English Composition.
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Students must complete a minimum of nine credits at the 200-level.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English | ||
| ENGL 101 | English Composition | 3 |
| Mathematics | ||
| Mathematics Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) - select two courses from different disciplines | 6 | |
| Arts & Humanities | ||
| Arts Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Music History and Appreciation (recommended) | ||
| Fundamentals of Music (recommended - do not take MUSC 103 if you have already taken MUSC 106 or MUSC 111) | ||
| Songwriting I (recommended) | ||
| American Popular Music (recommended) | ||
| Humanities Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Communication Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | ||
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) (Lab course) | 4 | |
| General Education Elective | ||
| General Education Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Music Cultures of the World (recommended) | ||
| Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition Requirement | ||
| Select one PHED, HLTH, or NUTR course | 1 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
Theory Requirements | ||
| Take all courses from the following list: | 16 | |
| Music Theory I | ||
| Music Theory II (Spring) | ||
| Music Theory III (Fall) | ||
| Music Theory IV (Spring) | ||
| Ear Training and Musicianship I | ||
| Ear Training and Musicianship II (Spring) | ||
| Ear Training and Musicianship III (Fall) | ||
| Ear Training and Musicianship IV (Spring) | ||
Ensemble Requirements | ||
| Select two 100-level and two 200-level courses from the following list: | 4 | |
| Choral Ensemble I | ||
| Jazz Ensemble I | ||
| Orchestral Ensemble I | ||
| Wind Ensemble I | ||
| Chamber Ensemble I (Fall) | ||
| Choral Ensemble II | ||
| Jazz Ensemble II | ||
| Orchestral Ensemble II | ||
| Wind Ensemble II | ||
| Chamber Ensemble II (Fall) | ||
Applied Music Requirements | ||
| Select two 100-level and two 200-level courses from the following list: | 4 | |
| First Year Piano | ||
| First Year Voice | ||
| First Year Brass | ||
| First Year Woodwinds | ||
| First Year Strings | ||
| First Year Guitar | ||
| First Year Percussion | ||
| First Year Music Composition | ||
| Second Year Piano | ||
| Second Year Voice | ||
| Second Year Brass | ||
| Second Year Woodwinds | ||
| Second Year Strings | ||
| Second Year Guitar | ||
| Second Year Percussion | ||
Class Piano Requirements | ||
| Take all courses from the following list: 1 | 4 | |
| Class Piano I | ||
| Class Piano II | ||
| Class Piano III | ||
| Class Piano IV | ||
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Students who enroll in MUSC 172 First Year Piano or MUSC 272 Second Year Piano as their Applied Music major instrument should consult with the Music Program Manager for a substitute elective.
Transfer Note
For more information on careers and transfer, contact the Career and Academic Planning Services office at 301.846.2471 or visit Transfer Services.
Guided Pathway to Success (GPS)
Suggested schedules map your path to degree completion.
Students should meet with an advisor each semester to carefully select and sequence courses based on their specific academic goals and interests. Visit Jefferson Hall or call 301.846.2471 for advising.
| Recommended First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 111 | Music Theory I (Milestone) | 3 |
| MUSC 106 | Ear Training and Musicianship I | 1 |
| ENGL 101 | English Composition 1 | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Choral Ensemble I | ||
| Jazz Ensemble I | ||
| Orchestral Ensemble I | ||
| Wind Ensemble I | ||
| Chamber Ensemble I (Fall) | ||
| Applied Lessons (consult Program Manager for course) | 1 | |
| MUSC 151 | Class Piano I | 1 |
| Mathematics Elective (Gen Ed course list) 1 | 3-4 | |
| Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition Requirement | 1,3 | |
| Credits | 14-17 | |
| Recommended Second Semester | ||
| MUSC 112 | Music Theory II (Spring) (Milestone) | 3 |
| MUSC 107 | Ear Training and Musicianship II (Spring) | 1 |
| Arts Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Music History and Appreciation (recommended) | ||
| Songwriting I (recommended) | ||
| American Popular Music (recommended) | ||
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) (Lab course) | 4 | |
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Choral Ensemble I | ||
| Jazz Ensemble I | ||
| Orchestral Ensemble I | ||
| Wind Ensemble I | ||
| Chamber Ensemble I (Fall) | ||
| Applied Lessons (consult Program Manager for course) | 1 | |
| MUSC 152 | Class Piano II | 1 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Recommended Third Semester | ||
| MUSC 211 | Music Theory III (Fall) (Milestone) | 3 |
| MUSC 206 | Ear Training and Musicianship III (Fall) | 1 |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3-4 | |
| Communication Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Choral Ensemble II | ||
| Jazz Ensemble II | ||
| Orchestral Ensemble II | ||
| Wind Ensemble II | ||
| Chamber Ensemble II (Fall) | ||
| Applied Lessons (consult Program Manager for course) | 1 | |
| MUSC 251 | Class Piano III | 1 |
| Credits | 16-17 | |
| Recommended Fourth Semester | ||
| MUSC 212 | Music Theory IV (Spring) | 3 |
| MUSC 207 | Ear Training and Musicianship IV (Spring) | 1 |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) (in a different discipline from first) | 3 | |
| Humanities Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| General Education Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Music Cultures of the World (recommended) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 1 | |
| Choral Ensemble II | ||
| Jazz Ensemble II | ||
| Orchestral Ensemble II | ||
| Wind Ensemble II | ||
| Chamber Ensemble II (Fall) | ||
| Applied Lessons (consult Program Manager for course) | 1 | |
| MUSC 252 | Class Piano IV | 1 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 60-64 | |
- 1
Take this course within the first 24 credits.
Part-time Students
Part-time students should complete courses in the order listed on the pathway. Please contact program manager for questions about part-time status.
Students who take fewer than 15 credits each semester or who require developmental English or Math coursework will need additional semesters to complete their degrees. Summer term and January session classes may help students to make faster progress.
Pathway Legend
Milestone - courses with the Milestone notation should be taken within the recommend credit range to stay on track for program completion.
Fall, Spring, Summer - courses with a Fall, Spring, or Summer notation indicate the course is offered in the specified semester only.