music performance student on violin

Music Performance Major

Bachelor of Music (B.M.)

Pursue your passion, immerse yourself in music and prepare for a career as a musician.

Music connects people across cultures, lifts our spirits and helps us explore our deepest emotions. With a performance degree from UND, you’ll have the power to help make the world a better place.

Program type:
Major
Format:
On Campus
Est. time to complete:
4 years
Credit hours:
120

What is a music performance degree?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 15
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

 

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Music is the universal language of emotion. With a major in Music Performance from UND, you'll be ready to join the musical conversation.

The B.M. in Music Performance program combines intense focus on your primary instrument with a strong foundation in music theory and history. You also will broaden your horizons with liberal arts courses such as history, English, geography, and foreign languages.

Your musical course of study includes:

  • Weekly hour-long lessons on your major instrument or voice
  • Weekly studio classes
  • Ensemble participation
  • Two full years of music theory and aural skills
  • Piano proficiency
  • Music history

You'll also have an opportunity for real-world experience in an internship, preparing you to make a living doing what you love.

Music Performance Major at UND

  • Join a student group like Music Students of UND or the Student National Association of Teachers of Singing.

  • The University of North Dakota is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

  • Apply for a scholarship to support your music studies.

  • Participate in UND music ensembles such as choirs, bands, chamber orchestra and chamber ensembles.

  • Go on tour with a UND ensemble to China, Japan, Brazil, Cuba or beyond.

  • Get access to practice rooms and rehearsal halls in our Hughes Fine Arts Center.

What can you do with a music performance degree?

50K

Average salary of a recent UND graduate

UND Career Services

As a music performance graduate, you'll be ready for graduate study and for many career opportunities. Our Music Performance graduates who start careers without a graduate degree:

  • Teach private lessons
  • Play in semi-professional community orchestras
  • Build careers as church musicians
  • Work in music sales and instrument repair
  • Perform in military ensembles

Music Performance Major Jobs

Those who complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree in music performance go on to careers in:

  • Private studio instruction
  • Churches
  • Studio session bands
  • Pit orchestras
  • Jazz bands
  • Concert bands
  • Orchestras
  • Opera companies

Music Performance Major Courses

MUSC 154. Individual Lessons. 1 Credit.

Applied study of the stated instrument or voice at the freshman level. Half hour lesson. For the final examination, the student will perform before the faculty. No regular student may take an Applied Music course without credit or on other than a letter grade basis. Repeatable. Prerequisite: Music Majors only or by permission of the instructor. Repeatable. F,S.

MUSC 277. Chamber Music Groups. 1 Credit.

Any combination of strings, brass, woodwind, voices, percussion, or keyboard instruments on an ad hoc basis by a faculty member to utilize the particular talents of advanced students in exploring and performing chamber music literature. These groups will prepare compositions in such media as string quartets and trios, woodwind quintets, and vocal quartets. Repeatable to 20.00 credits. F,S.

MUSC 310. Music History Survey I. 3 Credits.

A historical survey of western art music from Ancient Times to 1650. F.

MUSC 130. Music Theory I. 3 Credits.

The study of diatonic harmonic and melodic principles of Western European music from 1600 to 1900. Topics include harmonic progressions, melodic patterns, rhythmic patterns, and voice leading. Material is learned through part writing, keyboard skills, and music analysis. Corequisite: MUSC 131. F.

MUSC 256. Basic Conducting. 2 Credits.

Development of basic conducting techniques, baton technique, and use of the left hand. Reading of choral and instrumental scores. F.

MUSC 444. Applied Music Pedagogy. 2-3 Credits.

Readings, instruction, and application of pedagogical principles and materials relevant to the student's major instrument(s). Prerequisite: MUSC 254 or MUSC 255. Repeatable to 6.00 credits. F, even years.

Leaders in Music

Students are encouraged to be expressive with their art and to participate in the music program's community.

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