Bachelor of Music (BM) in Performance
The Performance program is offered in eight areas: Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Piano, Collaborative Piano, Organ, and Voice. Performance majors combine performance studies with courses in theory, musicology, pedagogy, and related music studies. Each student is assigned to a teacher with whom they study individually during their degree program. The Historical Performance program is available for those seeking instruction on period instruments or baroque style.
Learning Outcomes
All students graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree are expected to demonstrate:
- A practical knowledge of basic music theory, musicianship, composition, and analytical skills.
- An appropriate level of technical and interpretive performance skills.
- A broad understanding of music history and cultures and associated repertories of music in a global context.
- The ability to apply creative approaches to problem-solving and self-directed study.
Students graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Performance are additionally expected to demonstrate:
- An appropriate level of pedagogical skills.
- Evidence of an advanced level of technical proficiency and artistic judgment on their chosen instrument/voice, through a variety of solo, chamber music, large instrumental/choral ensemble, and operatic performances, as appropriate, over the course of their undergraduate career.
Undergraduate Curricula
General Degree Requirements
To attain the Bachelor of Music, each student must meet the following requirements:
- Satisfactory completion of all courses in the chosen program of study, as prescribed by the School of Music
- Completion of a minimum of 132 credits (please refer to the Boston University Residency Requirement policy)
- Demonstration of proficiency in all technical and professional courses, including satisfactory recitals at the junior and senior levels (for performance majors) and a recital of original compositions (for composition majors)
The curriculum falls into four main categories: Musicianship, Applied Studies and Ensembles, Major Requirements, and BU Hub requirements.
Musicianship
Music Theory Sequence and Aural Skills
All undergraduate music majors must satisfy both the written music theory and aural skills requirement. Music theory consists of a six-semester sequence, while the aural skills sequence lasts four semesters. All entering undergraduate music majors are required to take placement examinations in both music theory and aural skills. Exams are given during the Summer Orientation and at the start of each semester. Based on the results of these placement exams, students may test out of some, but not all, of these courses. Music theory must be completed through Level 6 (MT 302) and aural skills for four semesters and/or through Level 5 (MT 311). School of Music students will not earn credit for MT 105. Students may substitute other upper-level music theory courses for MT 302 by petition, including MT 411 or MT 472.
Group Piano
All undergraduate music majors, with the exception of piano performance majors, have a two-semester Group Piano requirement. A non-mandatory Keyboard Proficiency Exam is offered for students wishing to test out of this requirement.
Conducting
All undergraduate music majors have a two-semester conducting requirement, with the exception of voice performance majors, whose requirement is one semester. An introductory course is required of all students, covering basic techniques, terminology, and transpositions. The second semester specializes in either instrumental or choral techniques. Students may petition to count ME 330–1, 430–1, or 530–1 toward conducting requirements.
Music History
All undergraduate music majors are required to take four semesters of music history. MH 211 History and Literature of Music 1 and MH 212 History and Literature of Music 2 are required. The remaining music history requirement may be taken from a selection of elective offerings. The list of electives is broken down into two series. Series A, which includes period, opera, and performance practice courses, requires the two survey courses as a prerequisite. Series B, which includes courses in non-Western, jazz, and popular repertories as well as interdisciplinary topics, is open to all students and has no prerequisite.
Applied Studies and Ensembles
Applied Lessons
All undergraduate music majors must study a major instrument for credit every semester in residence, up to a maximum of eight semesters. Instruction is offered in the following areas: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, piano, organ, harp, voice, violin, viola, cello, and bass. Prescribed levels of proficiency are adjudicated through juries and recital permission hearings. For a student to receive credit for a semester of applied music study, a grade of C– or higher must be earned. Please see the General Applied Lesson Syllabus (on the CFA School of Music website) for detailed information.
Music Organization
All undergraduate music majors are required to perform in a music organization for credit every semester in residence, up to a maximum of eight semesters. Music education students are exempt from the music organization requirement during their semester of full-time practicum (student teaching).
BU Hub Requirements
All BU undergraduate students, including both entering first-year and transfer students, will pursue coursework in the BU Hub, the University’s general education program that is integrated into the entire undergraduate experience. BU Hub requirements can be satisfied in a number of ways, including coursework in and beyond the major as well as through cocurricular activities. Students majoring in Performance will ordinarily, through coursework in the major, satisfy BU Hub requirements in Aesthetic Exploration, Historical Consciousness, Quantitative Reasoning, some of the Communication requirements, and many of the requirements in the Intellectual Toolkit. Remaining BU Hub requirements will be satisfied by selecting from a wide range of available courses outside the major or, in some cases, cocurricular experiences.
Major Requirements
Each major has a number of courses tailored specifically to that major. Students in the major take a combination of professional development courses, literature and pedagogy courses, and electives, as outlined in the Program of Study below. They enhance the general Musicianship components of the curriculum and form the body of major study around the BU Hub coursework.
Program of Study
Piano Program Outline
| First Year |
1st |
2nd |
| ML 501 Applied Piano |
3 |
3 |
| MT 101, 102 Music Theory 1, 2 |
3 |
3 |
| MT 111, 112 Aural Skills 1, 2 |
1 |
1 |
| MP 603 Music Organization: Symphonic Chorus |
.5 |
.5 |
| First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 120) |
4 |
– |
| Writing, Research, and Inquiry (e.g., WR 150/151/152) |
– |
4 |
| BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major |
4 |
4 |
| FA 100 Doing, Making & Knowing: The CFA Experience |
2 |
– |
| Total credits |
17.5 |
15.5 |
| Second Year |
| ML 501 Applied Piano |
3 |
3 |
| MT 201, 202 Music Theory 3, 4 |
3 |
3 |
| MT 211, 212 Aural Skills 3, 4 |
1 |
1 |
| MH 211, 212 History and Literature of Music 1, 2 |
4 |
4 |
| MP 610 Music Organization: Ensemble for Pianists |
1 |
1 |
| MP 621 Accompaniment Skills |
1 |
1 |
| BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major |
4 |
4 |
| Total credits |
17 |
17 |
| Third Year |
| ML 501 Applied Piano |
3 |
3 |
| MT 301, 302 Music Theory 5, 6 |
2 |
2 |
| MH 4xx Music History electives |
4 |
4 |
| MP 610 Music Organization: Ensemble for Pianists |
1 |
1 |
| MP 411, 412 Piano Literature 1, 2 |
3 |
3 |
| MP 381 Introduction to the Organ |
1 |
– |
| MP 382 Harpsichord for Keyboard Majors |
– |
1 |
| BU Hub requirement (s) outside the major |
4 |
4 |
| Total credits |
18 |
18 |
| Fourth Year |
| ML 501 Applied Piano |
3 |
3 |
| MP 603 Music Organization: Symphonic Chorus |
.5 |
.5 |
| MP 408–409 Chamber Music |
1 |
1 |
| MP 413, 414 Piano Literature 3, 4 |
3 |
3 |
| MP 415, 416 Piano Pedagogy and Practicum 1, 2 |
2 |
2 |
| MP 390 or 391 Conducting 1,2 |
2 |
2 |
| Electives |
3 |
3 |
| Total credits |
14.5 |
14.5 |
Program Total: 132 cr
Organ Program Outline
| First Year |
1st |
2nd |
| ML 505 Applied Organ |
3 |
3 |
| MP 603 Music Organization: Symphonic Chorus |
.5 |
.5 |
| MT 101, 102 Music Theory 1, 2 |
3 |
3 |
| MT 111, 112 Aural Skills 1, 2 |
1 |
1 |
| Electives in Music |
– |
1 |
| First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 120) |
4 |
– |
| Writing, Research, and Inquiry (e.g., WR 150/151/152) |
– |
4 |
| BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major |
4 |
4 |
| FA 100 Doing, Making & Knowing: The CFA Experience |
2 |
– |
| Total credits |
17.5 |
16.5 |
| Second Year |
| ML 505 Applied Organ |
3 |
3 |
| MP 609 Music Organization: Baroque Chamber Music |
1 |
1 |
| MH 211, 212 History and Literature of Music 1, 2 |
4 |
4 |
| MT 201, 202 Music Theory 3, 4 |
3 |
3 |
| MT 211, 212 Aural Skills 3, 4 |
1 |
1 |
| BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major |
4 |
4 |
| Electives |
1 |
2 |
| Total credits |
17 |
18 |
| Third Year |
| ML 505 Applied Organ |
3 |
3 |
| MP 609 Music Organization: Baroque Chamber Music |
1 |
1 |
| MP 382 Harpsichord for Keyboard Majors |
– |
1 |
| MH 4xx Music History electives |
4 |
4 |
| MT 301, 302 Music Theory 5, 6 |
2 |
2 |
| MT XXX Music Theory electives |
3 |
3 |
| BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major |
4 |
4 |
| Electives |
1 |
– |
| Total credits |
18 |
18 |
| Fourth Year |
| ML 505 Applied Organ |
3 |
3 |
| MT 341, 342 Modal and Tonal Counterpoint |
2 |
2 |
| MP 390, 391 Conducting 1, 2 |
2 |
2 |
| MP 603 Music Organization: Symphonic Chorus |
.5 |
.5 |
| MP 609 Music Organization: Baroque Chamber Music |
1 |
1 |
| MP 685 Organ Seminar |
2 |
2 |
| Electives |
3 |
3 |
| Total credits |
13.5 |
13.5 |
Program Total: 132 cr
Strings Program Outline
| First Year |
1st |
2nd |
| Applied Music (varies by instrument) |
2 |
3 |
| MP 111, 112 Group Piano 1, 2 |
1 |
1 |
| MP 600 Music Organization |
1 |
1 |
| MT 101, 102 Music Theory 1, 2 |
3 |
3 |
| MT 111, 112 Aural Skills 1, 2 |
1 |
1 |
| First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 120) |
4 |
– |
| Writing, Research, and Inquiry (e.g., WR 150/151/152) |
– |
4 |
| BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major |
4 |
4 |
| FA 100 Doing, Making & Knowing: The CFA Experience |
2 |
– |
| Total credits |
18 |
17 |
| Second Year |
| Applied Music (varies by instrument) |
3 |
3 |
| MP 600 Music Organization |
1 |
1 |
| MP 408–409 Chamber Music* |
1 |
1 |
| MH 211, 212 History and Literature of Music 1, 2 |
4 |
4 |
| MT 201, 202 Music Theory 3, 4 |
3 |
3 |
| MT 211, 212 Aural Skills 3, 4 |
1 |
1 |
| BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major |
4 |
4 |
| Electives |
– |
1 |
| Total credits |
17 |
18 |
| Third Year |
| Applied Music (varies by instrument) |
3 |
3 |
| MP 600 Music Organization |
1 |
1 |
| MP 408 Chamber Music* |
1 |
1 |
| MH 4xx Music History electives |
4 |
4 |
| MT 301, 302 Music Theory 5, 6 |
2 |
2 |
| BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major |
4 |
4 |
| Electives |
1 |
1 |
| Total credits |
16 |
16 |
| Fourth Year |
| Applied Music (varies by instrument) |
3 |
4 |
| MP 390, 391 Conducting 1, 2 |
2 |
2 |
| MP 441, 442 String Literature 1, 2 |
2 |
2 |
| MP 445, 446 String Pedagogy and Practicum 1, 2 |
2 |
2 |
| MP 600 Music Organization |
1 |
1 |
| MP 408 Chamber Music* |
1 |
1 |
| Electives (could be used for BU Hub requirements outside the major) |
4 |
3 |
| Total credits |
15 |
15 |
Program Total: 132 cr
*Bass majors may substitute MP 440 Orchestral Techniques.
Harp Program Outline
| First Year |
1st |
2nd |
| ML 539 Applied Music |
3 |
3 |
| MP 111, 112 Group Piano 1, 2 |
1 |
1 |
| MP 449 Harp Pedagogy/Literature/Ensemble |
1 |
1 |
| MP 600 Music Organization |
1 |
1 |
| MT 101, 102 Music Theory 1, 2 |
3 |
3 |
| MT 111, 112 Aural Skills 1, 2 |
1 |
1 |
| First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 120) |
4 |
– |
| Writing, Research and Inquiry (e.g., WR 150/151/152) |
– |
4 |
| BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major |
– |
4 |
| FA 100 Doing, Making & Knowing: The CFA Experience |
2 |
– |
| Total credits |
16 |
18 |
| Second Year |
| ML 539 Applied Music |
3 |
3 |
| MP 449 Harp Pedagogy/Literature/Ensemble |
1 |
1 |
| MP 600 Music Organization |
1 |
1 |
| MH 211, 212 History and Literature of Music 1, 2 |
4 |
4 |
| MT 201, 202 Music Theory 3, 4 |
3 |
3 |
| MT 211, 212 Aural Skills 3, 4 |
1 |
1 |
| MP 408–409 Chamber Music* |
1 |
1 |
| BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major |
4 |
4 |
| Total credits |
18 |
18 |
| Third Year |
| ML 539 Applied Music |
3 |
3 |
| MP 449 Harp Pedagogy/Literature/Ensemble |
1 |
1 |
| MP 600 Music Organization |
1 |
1 |
| MH 4xx Music History electives |
4 |
4 |
| MT 301, 302 Music Theory 5, 6 |
2 |
2 |
| MP 408 Chamber Music* |
1 |
1 |
| BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major |
4 |
4 |
| Electives |
1 |
1 |
| Total credits |
17 |
17 |
| Fourth Year |
| ML 539 Applied Music |
3 |
3 |
| MP 390, 391 Conducting 1, 2 |
2 |
2 |
| MP 449 Harp Pedagogy/Literature/Ensemble |
1 |
1 |
| MP 600 Music Organization |
1 |
1 |
| MP 408 Chamber Music* |
1 |
1 |
| BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major |
4 |
– |
| Electives (could be used for BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major) |
– |
4 |
| Electives |
2 |
2 |
| Total credits |
14 |
14 |
Program Total: 132 cr
*Harp majors may substitute approved electives.
Voice Program Outline
| First Year |
1st |
2nd |
| ML 507 Applied Voice |
1 |
2 |
| MP 111, 112 Group Piano 1, 2 |
1 |
1 |
| MP 131, 132 Phonetics for Singing 1, 2 |
1 |
1 |
| MP 603 Music Organization: Symphonic Chorus |
.5 |
.5 |
| MP 604 Music Organization: Small Choral Ensemble |
.5 |
.5 |
| MT 101, 102 Music Theory 1, 2 |
3 |
3 |
| MT 111, 112 Aural Skills 1, 2 |
1 |
1 |
| CAS LI 131, 132 Modern Language (Italian) |
4 |
4 |
| First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 120) |
4 |
– |
| Writing, Research and Inquiry (e.g., WR 150/151/152) |
– |
4 |
| FA 100 Doing, Making & Knowing: The CFA Experience |
2 |
– |
| Total credits |
18 |
17 |
| Second Year |
| ML 507 Applied Voice |
3 |
3 |
| MP 231, 232 Diction (English, Italian) |
1 |
1 |
| MP 603 Music Organization: Symphonic Chorus |
.5 |
.5 |
| MP 604 Music Organization: Small Choral Ensemble |
.5 |
.5 |
| MH 211, 212 History and Literature of Music 1, 2 |
4 |
4 |
| MT 201, 202 Music Theory 3, 4 |
3 |
3 |
| MT 211, 212 Aural Skills 3, 4 |
1 |
1 |
| BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major |
4 |
4 |
| Electives |
1 |
1 |
| Total credits |
18 |
18 |
| Third Year |
| ML 507 Applied Voice |
3 |
4 |
| MP 233, 234 Diction (French, German) |
1 |
1 |
| MP 331, 332 Song Literature 1, 2 |
2 |
2 |
| MP 390 Conducting I |
– |
2 |
| MP 603 Music Organization: Symphonic Chorus |
.5 |
.5 |
| MP 604 Music Organization: Small Choral Ensemble |
.5 |
.5 |
| MH 4xx Music History electives |
4 |
4 |
| MT 301, 302 Music Theory 5, 6 |
2 |
2 |
| BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major |
4 |
– |
| Total credits |
17 |
16 |
| Fourth Year |
| ML 507 Applied Voice |
4 |
4 |
| MP 333 Song Literature 3 |
2 |
– |
| Voice Department elective |
– |
1 |
| MP 603 Music Organization: Symphonic Chorus |
.5 |
.5 |
| MP 604 Music Organization: Small Choral Ensemble |
.5 |
.5 |
| BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major |
4 |
4 |
| Electives |
3 |
3 |
| Total credits |
14 |
13 |
Program Total: 132 cr
Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion Program Outline
| First Year |
1st |
2nd |
| Applied Music (varies by instrument) |
2 |
3 |
| Music Organization (varies) |
1 |
1 |
| MP 111, 112 Group Piano 1, 2 |
1 |
1 |
| MP 408 Chamber Music* |
– |
1 |
| MT 101, 102 Music Theory 1, 2 |
3 |
3 |
| MT 111, 112 Aural Skills 1, 2 |
1 |
1 |
| First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 120) |
4 |
– |
| Writing, Research and Inquiry (e.g., WR 150/151/152) |
– |
4 |
| BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major |
4 |
4 |
| FA 100 Doing, Making & Knowing: The CFA Experience |
2 |
– |
| Total credits |
18 |
18 |
| Second Year |
| Applied Music (varies by instrument) |
3 |
3 |
| Music Organization (varies) |
1 |
1 |
| MP 408 Chamber Music* |
1 |
1 |
| MH 211, 212 History and Literature of Music 1, 2 |
4 |
4 |
| MT 201, 202 Music Theory 3, 4 |
3 |
3 |
| MT 211, 212 Aural Skills 3, 4 |
1 |
1 |
| BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major |
4 |
4 |
| Electives |
1 |
1 |
| Total credits |
18 |
18 |
| Third Year |
| Applied Music (varies by instrument) |
3 |
3 |
| Music Organization (varies) |
1 |
1 |
| MP 390, 391 Conducting 1, 2 |
2 |
2 |
| MP 408–409 Chamber Music* |
– |
1 |
| MH 4xx Music History electives |
4 |
4 |
| MT 301, 302 Music Theory 5, 6 |
2 |
2 |
| BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major |
4 |
4 |
| Total credits |
16 |
17 |
| Fourth Year |
| Applied Music (varies by instrument) |
3 |
4 |
| Music Organization (varies) |
1 |
1 |
| MP 465 Pedagogy and Practicum 1 |
2 |
– |
| MP 408 Chamber Music* |
1 |
1 |
| Electives (could be used for BU Hub requirement(s) outside the major) |
4 |
8 |
| Electives |
2 |
– |
| Total credits |
13 |
14 |
Program Total: 132 cr
*Chamber Music for percussionists may be satisfied by a total of six semesters of enrollment in either MP 671 Percussion Ensemble or MP 470 Percussion Orchestral Techniques.
