Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Music Performance (B.M.)


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Colleges/Schools, Departments & Programs

86-90 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours

Note:


*Piano proficiency for all majors: All music majors must pass a piano proficiency exam either through instruction in two years of class piano or through private piano lessons and a separate exam each semester.

**All music majors must be registered for credit for a major ensemble every semester of their course study, excluding the student teaching semester.

All music majors who complete the B.M. in performance must document small/chamber ensemble experience.

Music Performance Major Additional Requirements


All music majors must be registered for credit for a major ensemble every semester of their course study, excluding the student teaching semester.

Students majoring in performance must concentrate in one of the following areas:

Voice


Students must audition and be approved by the voice faculty for acceptance into the performance program by the end of the student’s second semester of study. Voice majors are required to take diction classes and eight hours of modern languages, as assigned by the voice faculty. Performance majors are required to perform a full senior recital. In addition, a half-junior recital is required of all performance majors, with the option of doing a full junior recital at the discretion of each studio teacher. When doing a half-recital, students should find a partner with whom to fill out the hour concert. The student’s major teacher must approve all recital literature and preparation.

All solo literature must be performed by memory.

Piano


Students must audition and be approved by the keyboard faculty for acceptance into the performance program by the end of the student’s second semester of study. All majors will be required to enroll for credit in the major ensemble in their performance area during each semester of study. Performance majors are required to perform a full senior recital. In addition, a half-junior recital is required of all performance majors, with the option of doing a full junior recital at the discretion of each studio teacher. When doing a half-recital, students should find a partner with whom to fill out the hour concert. The student’s major teacher must approve all recital literature and preparation.

Organ


Students must audition and be approved by the keyboard faculty for acceptance into the performance program by the end of the student’s second semester of study. All majors will be required to enroll for credit in the major ensemble in their performance area during each semester of study. Performance majors are required to perform a full senior recital. In addition, a half-junior recital is required of all performance majors, with the option of doing a full junior recital at the discretion of each studio teacher. When doing a half-recital, students should find a partner with whom to fill out the hour concert. The student’s major teacher must approve all recital literature and preparation.

Winds, Percussion, Strings


Students must audition and be approved by the instrumental faculty for acceptance into the performance program by the end of the student’s second semester of study. All majors will be required to enroll for credit in the major ensemble in their performance area during each semester of study. Performance majors are required to perform a full-senior recital. In addition, a half junior recital is required of all performance majors, with the option of doing a full junior recital at the discretion of each studio teacher. When doing a half-recital, students should find a partner with whom to fill out the hour concert. The student’s major teacher must approve all recital literature and preparation.

Note:


It is suggested that free electives beyond the major hours and general education requirements should be music oriented, including music courses, applied lessons, or ensembles. Foreign Language is also strongly suggested.

Four-Year Program Guides and Costs


USD encourages students to take 15 credits per semester or 30 credits within the year in order to graduate in 4 years. To help students complete their academic degree program in four years, we provide a sample academic plan. Please work with your academic advisor to confirm your plan. 

Student Learning Outcomes


  1. Music performance majors will develop increased knowledge of historical musical periods, composers, musical genres, and theoretical analysis skills.
  2. Students will be able to systematically explore issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments, and break down complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.
  3. Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion, and combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways reflecting a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk taking.
  4. Students will interact with other students and evaluate the effort put into team tasks, interactions with others, and the quantity and quality made to team discussions.
  5. Students will be able to demonstrate cognitive, effective, and behavioral skills that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts.
  6. Students will engage in purposeful, ongoing learning activities that improve their knowledge, skills and competence in their personal and professional lives.

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live


If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference the State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Colleges/Schools, Departments & Programs