Music, B.A.

The Music Program strives to advance the comprehensive formation of musicians who can perform music, organize music (composition), and analyze music (theory, history). The program accomplishes this aim through a wide range of teaching and performance situations, including private lessons, traditional classroom environments, and large group rehearsals. These opportunities are offered to the entire University.

The Music Program is committed to its role within the University mission (especially the development of the whole person), compliance with the standards of the National Association of Schools of Music (of which the University is an accredited institutional member), and ongoing evaluation of the program in all its aspects.

The bachelor of arts degree in music provides students a broad education in the sciences and the humanities as they give particular emphasis to the comprehensive study of music. Four tracks are offered: instrumental, vocal, pre-music education, and general. The degree prepares students for careers in the music industry, church music, and education (teaching privately or seeking certification through programs such as the master of arts in teaching), as well as graduate study.

New students, including transfer students, will be accepted as music majors on a probationary status until they present a satisfactory audition at one of the following: 1) scholarship audition; 2) the performance final examination at the end of the first semester; or 3) by special arrangement with the faculty.

A variety of large and chamber ensembles are open to all University students with prior musical experience. These ensembles, which perform music of all types and styles, include the University Singers, Wind Symphony, Bel Canto, University Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Ensembles, and Chapel Music Ensemble. Each presents a series of performances throughout the academic year.

The Music Study Handbook contains details about the requirements for MUS 001 (Performance Attendance); and MUS 486 (Private Lessons), and necessary information about the senior capstone. The handbook is made available online to all music students at the beginning of each year. It is considered an addendum to the University Bulletin. See the handbook at: college.up.edu/pfa/music.

Opportunities for individual performance are available through regularly scheduled student recitals. They are included as a part of Music at Midweek, a weekly series of professional and non-professional performances. Attendance at these and other designated campus performances is required of all music students (See MUS 001). Unsatisfactory attention to this requirement can result in delay or denial of graduation. Students choosing to work toward the bachelor of arts in music will complete their studies with a senior capstone supervised by a faculty member. The selection of a topic and work toward that completion will begin during the junior year.

Practice room use is limited to students enrolled in music courses or by permission of the director of the Music Program.

Learning Outcomes for Music Majors

Music graduates of the University of Portland should be able to:

  1. Perform capably as a soloist.
    1. Work independently and collaborate with an accompanist and music faculty to prepare high quality expressive performances;
    2. Achieve proper intonation, balance, and blend with an accompanist;
    3. Perform with stylistically appropriate tone, articulation, and rhythmic fee
    4. Extemporaneously create music, including ornamentation and other forms of improvisation, when required by repertoire;
    5. Demonstrate familiarity with literature applicable to the major performance medium;
    6. Demonstrate correct usage and understanding of foreign language and diction (as applicable);
    7. Present a senior capstone recital that demonstrates the scope of skills, musical styles, expressive qualities, and repertoire studied while at UP.
  2. Perform capably within an ensemble
    1. Work independently and collaborate with ensemble members and music faculty to prepare high quality expressive performances;
    2. Achieve proper intonation, balance, and blend within a section and within the larger ensemble;
    3. Perform with stylistically appropriate tone, articulation, and rhythmic feel;
    4. Extemporaneously create music, including ornamentation and other forms of improvisation, when required by repertoire;
    5. Understand the roles and capabilities of instruments and sections in relevant performance ensembles;
    6. Demonstrate familiarity with literature applicable to the major performance medium;
    7. Demonstrate the correct use of foreign language and diction (as applicable).
  3. Organize the sounds of music through basic composition
    1. Achieve a basic skill level in using rhythm, melody, harmony, and simple formal structures to develop a composition from concept to finished product;
    2. Compose music that displays creativity and idiomatic awareness of period and style.
  4. Understand the structure and style of compositions.
    1. Demonstrate the ability to hear, identify, and work conceptually with the elements of music;
    2. Demonstrate an understanding of compositional processes; aesthetic properties; and artistic, social, and historical context.
  5. Explain theoretical and historical elements of music through prose.
    1. Demonstrate the ability to understand and share theoretical principles through written explication;
    2. Demonstrate the application of knowledge related to the history of music, including various time periods, historical figures, and styles and genres in Western and non-Western musical traditions;
    3. Use appropriate examples and/or anecdotes to prove and demonstrate significant points;
    4. Demonstrate effective writing skills for use in program notes, abstracts, essays, capstone projects (General and Pre-Music Education tracks), and research papers;
    5. Select and cite appropriate and reliable sources, with proper style formatting.

Capstone Experience

Music students demonstrate their development as musicians and scholars through the senior capstone. This project can take a variety of forms: a performance recital, lecture recital, performance of original compositions, a research presentation, or other plan approved by the music faculty that includes a public presentation of at least 25 minutes. Proposals for capstone projects will be submitted to the director of the Music Program before spring break of the student’s junior year. Faculty approval is required to move forward. Students register for MUS 498, Senior Capstone (or Honors Senior Thesis) during the fall or spring semester of their senior year. In this course they work with a faculty mentor in preparing the presentation and research. A preview of the capstone presentation will take place approximately one month in advance, after which the faculty will approve going ahead with the presentation or require more preparation. At the preview the student will submit complete program notes (500 words minimum) and perform the music/present the lecture presentation with the faculty in attendance. Senior capstones are generally scheduled on a weekend date in March and April of the senior year.

University Core Curriculum Requirements — 40 credit hours

All University of Portland students progress through a set of shared course options as part of the University’s liberal arts Core Curriculum. This curriculum offers a foundation of multiple lenses to address enduring questions of human concern, integrating the liberal arts, the University mission, and the knowledge, skills, and values needed in a diverse society and in the workplace.

See Core Curriculum Requirements

MUS 201 and MUS 302 are the designated Writing in the Discipline courses for the B.A. in Music.

College of Arts and Sciences B.A. Requirements — 24-33 credit hours

See College Requirements, B.A.

Major Requirements - 44-51 credit hours

Required Courses - 28 credit hours

MUS 101Music Theory I

3

MUS 102Music Theory II

3

MUS 103Aural Skills I

1

MUS 104Aural Skills II

1

MUS 201Music Theory III

3

MUS 202Music Theory IV

3

MUS 301Music History: Social, Political, and Religious Influences, 1000-1820

3

MUS 302Music History: The Influence of Revolution, War, Immigration, and Women's Suffrage, 1820-2022

3

MUS 309World Music

3

MUS 331Conducting

3

MUS 131Piano Proficiency I

1

MUS 231Piano Proficiency II

1

MUS 131/231: May be waived by the instructor

MUS 231: Must be completed by the sophomore year

6 semesters minimum, required every semester in residence

MUS 486Private Lessons

1

6 semesters minimum, required every semester in residence:

Select from the following:
MUS 443Wind Symphony

1

MUS 444University of Portland Singers

1

MUS 445University of Portland Orchestra

1

MUS 452University of Portland Bel Canto

1

MUS 453University Jazz Ensemble

1

6 semesters minimum, enrolled every semester in residence:

MUS 001Performance Attendance

0

Select one of the following four emphases:

Instrumental Performance Emphasis Requirements - 11 credit hours

Students require faculty permission to enter this track. A decision will be made at the end of the sophomore year.

MUS 498Senior Capstone

1

Music Electives

6

Music elective credit hours must be upper division, including at least one 3-credit hour classroom course.

Instrumental Ensembles - 4 credit hours

Select any combination of ensembles from the following, beyond the 6 semesters minimum ensemble required for all music majors.

MUS 443Wind Symphony

1

MUS 444University of Portland Singers

1

MUS 445University of Portland Orchestra

1

MUS 447Chamber Ensembles

1

MUS 452University of Portland Bel Canto

1

MUS 453University Jazz Ensemble

1

Any additional credit hours required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours

Pre-Music Education Track - 11 credit hours

MUS 332Brass and Percussion Instrument Pedagogy

1

MUS 333Woodwind Instrument Pedagogy

1

MUS 334String Instrument Pedagogy

1

MUS 235Finding your Voice: Techniques for healthier breathing, speaking and singing

1

MUS 341Fundamentals of Music Education

3

Music Electives

4

Voice students may substitute MUS 486 for MUS 235.

Any additional credit hours required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours

Vocal Performance Emphasis Requirements: 11 credit hours

Students require faculty permission to enter this track. A decision will be made at the end of the sophomore year.

MUS 336Lyric Diction

3

MUS 455/THTR 355Lyric Theater Workshop I: The Voice

3

MUS 498Senior Capstone

1

Music Electives

4

Music electives must be upper division, including at least one 3-credit hour classroom course.

Any additional credit hours required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours

General Emphasis Requirements: 4 credit hours

MUS 3/4XXMusic Elective Classroom Course

3

MUS 498Senior Capstone

1

Any additional credit hours required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours

Total Credit Hours: 120-123