Music (BA)
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Outcomes & Careers
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$62k
Composer
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a composer is $62,590.
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$82k
Producer
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a producer is $82,510.
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$39/hr
Musician
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a musician is $39.14 per hour.
The music curriculum includes core coursework to prepare you for a career in music. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.
Required Courses:
- MH181 The World of Music (3)
- MH251 History & Literature of Music to 1800 (3)
- MH252 History & Literature of Music from 1800 (3)
- MM001 Aural Skills Entry Level Proficiency (0)
- MM002 Aural Skills Exit Level Proficiency (0)
- MM100 Music Fundamentals (3)
- MM102 Intermediate Harmony & Form (3)
- MM105 Aural Skills I (1)
- MM106 Aural Skills II (1)
- MM203 Advanced Harmony, Melody, & Form (3)
- MM204 Music Theory through Composition, Arranging, & Orchestration (3)
- MM207 Aural Skills III (1)
- MM208 Aural Skills IV (1)
- MP001 Recital (0)
- MP1xx Applied Music: Instrumental (1-2)*
- MP2xx Applied Music: Instrumental (1-2)*
- MP3xx Applied Music: Instrumental (1-2)*
- MP4xx Applied Music: Instrumental (1-2)*
- MU001 Piano Proficiency (0)
- MU002 Sophomore Review (0)
- MU003 Major Field Assessment Test (0)
- MU110 Recitals & Concerts (six semesters) (0)
- MU151 Functional Piano I (1)**
- MU152 Functional Piano II (1)**
- MU253 Functional Piano III (1)**
- MU254 Functional Piano IV (1)**
- MU3xx Intrumental or Vocal Ensemble (5)
- MU330 Music Business: Career Development (2)
A grade of ‘C’ or better is required for all courses within the major.
Choose 10 Hours from:
- MH310 Popular Music in America and Beyond (3)
- MH320 A History of Music in Films and Video Games (3)
- MH327 Jazz History (3)
- MH340 Gender and Music (3)
- MH350 Special Topics in Music History and Literature (2-3)
- MH392 The Age of Romanticism (3)
- MH393 The Age of Modernism (3)
- MH402 Music in World Cultures (3)
- MM312 Approaches to Musical Analysis (3)
- MM324 Jazz Theory and Analysis (3)
- MM325 Songwriting (2)
- MU123 Singer's Diction I (required for vocal track) (1)
- MU124 Singer's Diction II (required for vocal track) (1)
MU251 Jazz Improv I (3) MU3xx Ensemble (1) (3 hours maximum) MU310 Mu sic Engraving (2) MU320 Jazz Improv II (3) MU341 Basic Conducting (2) MU424 Vocal Pedagogy (2) MU430 Pedagogy: Applied Area (string, piano only) (2) MU432 Literature: Applied Area (vocal, string, piano only) (2) TH286 Audio Production I (3) TH491 Music Theatre History I (3)
*A total of 8 hours of applied lessons must be earned.
**Students may elect to take the keyboard proficiency exam at any point within the first four semesters.
“Critical Courses” are italicized and bolded. Data shows that students who have completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most likely to complete this program of study.
Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
- Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
- Written Communication – 6 hours
- Oral Communication – 3 hours
- Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
- Mathematics – 3 hours
- Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
- Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
- Civics examination
Freshman Year
Fall Semester (18-19 Hours)
- UI100 (1)
- EN100 (3)
- MH181 (3)
- MM001 (0)
- MM100 (3)
- MM105 (1)
- MP1xx (1-2)
- MU110 (0)
- MU123* (1)
- MU151 (or proficiency) (1)
- MUxxx (major ensemble) (1)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (16-18 Hours)
- MM102 (3)
- MM106 (1)
- MP1xx (1-2)
- MU110 (0)
- MU124* (1)
- MU152 (or proficiency) (1)
- MUxxx (major ensemble) (1)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
*Only required for vocal track students
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester (14-17 Hours)
- MH251 (3)
- MM203 (3)
- MM207 (1)
- MP2xx (1-2)
- MU110 (0)
- MU253 (or proficiency) (1)
- MUxxx (major ensemble) (1)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (1-3)
Spring Semester (15-17 Hours)
- MH252 (3)
- MM002 (0)
- MM204 (3)
- MM208 (1)
- MP2xx (1-2)
- MU001 (0)
- MU002 (0)
- MU110 (0)
- MU254 (or proficiency) (1)
- MUxxx (major ensemble) (1)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
Summer courses are encouraged to avoid 18-hour semesters.
Junior Year
Fall Semester (14-17 Hours)
- Music elective (3)
- Music elective (1-3)
- MP3xx (1-2)
- MU110 (0)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (17-18 Hours)
- Music elective (3)
- MP001 (0)
- MP3xx (1-2)
- MU110 (0)
- MUxxx (major ensemble) (1)
- Required elective course (3)
- Minor (3)
- Minor (3)
- General Education (3)
Milestone: 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
Senior Year
Fall Semester (13-14 Hours)
- MP001 (0)
- MP4xx (1-2)
- MU330 (3)
- Minor (3)
- Minor (3)
- Minor (3)
Spring Semester (16-17 Hours)
- Music elective (3)
- MP4xx (1-2)
- MU003 (0)
- Minor (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Milestone: 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.
“Critical Courses” are italicized and bolded. Data shows that students who have completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most likely to complete this program of study.
What will it cost?
Opportunities in Music at SEMO
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Music Scholarships
We know that paying for an education isn’t easy, but it is worth it. That is why The Department of Music has scholarships available just for its’ students. See all of the scholarships available to Department of Music students.
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Performance Venues
You know at a school with an entire campus dedicated to the arts, you will get to perform in some beautiful space. Explore our performance venues now.
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Auditions
Ready to find your next performance group or take your next step towards a degree? Learn more about the audition process at SEMO. -
Ensembles
No matter what instrument you play. We have a performance group for you to gain the experience necessary to make your passion, your career.
Explore our Bachelor of Arts in Music
Become a Redhawk.
Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.
Accreditations
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701