Music, MusB

Location(s): Main Campus

The Bachelor of Music in Performance is an intensive program designed primarily for students planning to pursue careers in classical music performance. It requires 86 credits in music, including studio lessons, performance courses, and an academic core of music theory, musicology, and ethnomusicology. MusB students will also perform a junior half-length recital and a senior full-length recital. Admission to the MusB program is open only to students who demonstrate excellence in music performance.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the BMus program requires an audition, which can take place either before matriculation at Binghamton University or within the first three semesters of study. Auditions for current applicants to Binghamton University are normally held in February. Note that a successful BMus audition does not guarantee admission to the University.

Current students considering a BMus audition should speak to their studio teacher about preparation. Students who wish to become music majors in the BMus program should first consult the Undergraduate Director as early as possible to ensure that the appropriate courses are taken during the first year of study. Students who are considering auditioning for the program should register for at least two credits of studio lessons each semester during the first year, with instructor approval.

Program Requirements

University General Education Requirements

All Binghamton University undergraduate students are required to fulfill this set of university-wide requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of a SUNY university undergraduate education. Please refer to the General Education page for more information.

Harpur College Requirements

All students in Harpur College must fulfill additional requirements designated by Harpur College to complement and extend the general education requirements. Please refer to the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences page for more information.

Restrictions on Double Majors

MusB majors may not double major with the Music BA due to considerable overlap in the programs.

Major Requirements

Course Requirements

For music majors pursuing the BMus degree, the department prescribes a core of 86-credit hours in music:

A. Theory and Musicianship (to be taken in sequence)

B. Musicology and Ethnomusicology

MUS 301 - History of Western Music I (prerequisite: MUS 215 )
MUS 302 - History of Western Music II (prerequisite: MUS 217 )
One upper-level course in Non-Western music or Ethnomusicology
One additional course in Western Music History or Ethnomusicology

C. Academic Music Electives

One additional 300- or 400-level MUS (academic) course

D. Performance Courses

Eight semesters of studio lessons in the primary concentration* (26 credits total)
Four semesters of secondary piano (one credit per semester; MUSP 258A-D).
For pianists, with department approval: Two or more semesters of studio lessons in a related secondary concentration (one or two credits per semester)
Eight semesters of large ensemble performance (eight credits total; BMus students in vocal programs must fill 4 of their large ensemble requirements with Binghamton University choirs)
Four semesters of small ensemble performance (four credits total)
Four additional credits of MUSP (performance) courses, as approved by the studio teacher.

Notes:

*One semester must be taken at the 400-level and include a junior recital. One semester must be taken at the 400-level and include senior recital, unless the student is pursuing departmental honors, in which case during the semester of their Honors Recital, the student will register for Studio Lessons at the 300-level and take a separate, 4-credit course for the Honors Recital. Students who have been accepted to the MusB program should register for four credits of studio lessons every semester.

Additional Information About the Program

Residency Requirements: Music majors in the BMus program are required to take at least 38 credits toward the major in residence at Binghamton University, including at least four semesters (16 credits) of MUS courses at the 300- or 400-level, four semesters (16 credits) of studio lessons, four semesters (four credits) of large ensembles, two semesters (two credits) of small ensembles, the junior half-recital, and the senior full-recital. Students considering transferring to Binghamton and auditioning for the BMus program are advised to begin taking studio lessons and courses in music theory and musicianship early in their college careers and to contact the Music Department as early as possible to discuss audition requirements.

For more information on the Music BMus program, please refer to the Music website. To apply to the Music BMus program, please visit the University Admissions website.