Hit all the right notes on a campus dedicated to the arts: You’ll do that here.

An instrumental performance degree will prepare you to perform professionally or create new music in the classical, electronic or avant-garde traditions. And, with a variety of ensembles to hone your craft, you’ll sound good when you do. 

What You’ll Do  

As an instrumental performance major at Southeast, you’ll work in applied music study, music theory and analysis, music history, literature and pedagogy for your chosen instrument, and gain experience through performance ensembles.

  • Interact with nationally recognized performing artists and educators. 
  • Attend classes on Southeast’s River Campus, a campus solely dedicated to the arts. 
  • Gain performance experience through ensembles. 
  • Study in a program that is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music 

What Can You Do with an Instrumental Performance Degree?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time. 

Graduate School Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Illinois State University
  • Indiana University
  • Longy School of Music
  • Middle Tennessee State University
  • University of Florida
  • University of Kansas
  • University of Louisville
  • University of Nebraska Lincoln
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • University of South Florida
  • University ofSouthern Illinois Carbondale
  • University of Tennessee
  • Washington University
  • Western Illinois University

Internship Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Fort Collins Opera
  • Harrow International School, Beijing, China
  • Paducah (KY) Symphony
  • St. Louis Symphony
  • Youth Excellence on StageMiddle East

Orchestra Position Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Kansas City Symphony
  • Paducah (KY) Symphony
  • St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Memphis Symphony

Teaching Position Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Belt Valley Public Schools (MT)
  • Cape Girardeau (MO) Public Schools
  • Columbia (MO) Public Schools
  • Ft. Zumwalt School District (MO)
  • O’Fallon (MO) Public Schools
  • Perryville (MO) Public Schools
  • Prescott Unified School District (AZ)
  • Santa Fe (NM) Public Schools
  • Sikeston (MO) Public Schools
  • St. Louis (MO) Public Schools

 

Music - Instrumental Performance Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.

Outcomes & Careers

  • $62k

    Composer

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a composer is $62,590. 

  • $54k

    Sound Technician

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a sound technician is $54,160. 

  • $62k

    Music Director

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a music director is $62,590. 

What You'll Study

Degree Map

The instrumental performance 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 Evolution of Musical Style Since 1800 (3)
  • MM001 Aural Skills Entry Level Proficiency (0)
  • MM002 Aural Skills Exit Level Proficiency (0)
  • MM100 Music Fundamentals (3)
  • MM102 Intermediate Harmony & Melody (3)
  • MM105 Aural Skills I (1)
  • MM106 Aural Skills II (1)
  • MM203 Advanced Harmony, Melody, and Form (3)
  • MM204 Music Theory through Composition, Arranging, and Orchestration (3)
  • MM207 Aural Skills III (1)
  • MM208 Aural Skills IV (1)
  • MM 312 Approaches to Musical Analysis (3)
  • MP1xx Applied Music: Instrumental (2+2)
  • MP2xx Applied Music: Instrumental (2+2)
  • MP3xx Applied Music: Instrumental (2+2)
  • MP4xx Applied Music: Instrumental (2 + 2)
  • MU001 Piano Proficiency (0)
  • MU002 Sophomore Review (0)
  • MU003 Major Field Assessment Test (0)
  • MU110 Recitals & Concerts (8 semesters) (0)
  • MU151 Functional Piano I (1)
  • MU152 Functional Piano II (1)
  • MU253 Functional Piano III (1)
  • MU254 Functional Piano IV (1)
  • MU300 Junior Recital (0)
  • MU330 Music Business: Career Development (2)
  • MU341 Basic Conducting (2)
  • MU400 Senior Recital (0)
  • MU3xx Major Ensemble (8 semesters) (1)
  • MU378 Chamber Music (1+1)

Choose 15 hours: (3 credits must be MH, 3 must be MM)

  • 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 Age of Modernism (3)
  • MH402 Music in World Cultures (3)
  • MM324 Jazz Theory and Analysis (3)
  • MM325 Songwriting (2)
  • MU251 Jazz Improv I (3)
  • MU3xx Ensemble (3 credits maximum) (1)
  • MU310 Music Engraving (2)
  • MU320 Jazz Improvisation II (3)
  • 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)
Additional requirement:
  • xx xxx 6 Hours any Foreign Language
*Refer to Student Handbook for ensemble options

“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 (17-18 Hours) 
  • UI100 (1) 
  • EN100 (3) 
  • MH181 (3)
  • MM001 (0)  
  • MM100 (3) 
  • MM105 (1) 
  • MP1xx (1) 
  • MU110 (0) 
  • MU151 (or proficiency) (1) 
  • MU3xx (major ensemble) (1) 
  • General Education (3)  
Spring Semester (16-17 Hours) 
  • MM102 (3) 
  • MM106 (1) 
  • MP1xx (1) 
  • MU110 (0) 
  • MU152 (or proficiency) (1) 
  • MU3xx (major ensemble) (1) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

Milestone: Maintain cumulative 2.75 GPA, Complete MEP

Sophomore Year 

Fall Semester (16-17 Hours) 
  • MH251 (3) 
  • MM203 (3) 
  • MM207 (1) 
  • MP2xx (2) 
  • MU110 (0) 
  • MU253 (or proficiency) (0-1) 
  • MU3xx (large ensemble) (1) 
  • Foreign Language (3)
  • General Education (3)
Spring Semester (13-14 Hours) 
  • MH252 (3) 
  • MM002 (0) 
  • MM204 (3) 
  • MM208 (1) 
  • MP2xx (1) 
  • MU001 (0) 
  • MU002 (0) 
  • MU110 (0) 
  • MU254 (or proficiency) (0-1) 
  • MU3xx (major ensemble) (1) 
  • General Education (3)

Milestone: Maintain 2.75 cumulative GPA, Passing score MoGEA

Junior Year 

Fall Semester (17 Hours)
  • MP3xx (2)
  • MU110 (0)
  • MU341 (2)
  • MU3xx (major ensemble) (1)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
Spring Semester (16 Hours) 
  • MM312 (3)
  • MP3xx (3)
  • MU110 (0)
  • MU300 (0)
  • MU378 (1)
  • MU3xx (large ensemble) (1)
  • Music Elective (3)
  • Music Elective (3)
  • General Education (3)

Milestone: Passing score Mo Content Exam

Senior Year 

Fall Semester (12 Hours)
  • MP4xx (1)
  • MU110 (0)
  • MU330 (2)
  • MU3xx (major ensemble) (1)
  • MU378 (1)
  • MU432(2)
  • Foreign Language (3)
  • Music Elective (3)
Spring Semester (12 Hours) 
  • MP4xx (2) 
  • MU003 (0)
  • MU110 (0)
  • MU400 (0)
  • MU3xx (major ensemble) (1)
  • Music Elective (3)
  • Music Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)

Milestone: Prior to last semester: Passing score Mo Content Exams; 2.75 cumulative GPA; 3.0 GPA in content; 3.0 GPA in pedagogy; all content and professional education coursework complete.

A “Milestone” signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.
A minimum of 3.0 GPA in the major and overall are required to graduate with a BM degree.

“Critical Courses” are italicized and bold. 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.

 

Opportunities in Music at SEMO

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