Music Major: Performance Study Option (B.A.)

The Bachelor of Arts in performance study degree is the program for you if you wish to develop your talent as a performer while also gaining a solid liberal arts education. You’ll develop your musicianship through private study, chamber music and some of the best performing ensembles in the region. You’ll be immersed in the study of music theory, history, literature and world music while sharpening your listening and performance skills. This program is recommended if you’re considering graduate study leading to a master's or doctoral degree in music.

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

Performance Study: Instrumental

Performance Study: Vocal

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The BA degree has a language requirement

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Performing Ensembles are specified in the catalog.

Degree Requirements

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Degree program has final approval from the National Association of Schools of Music.

Major Requirements

The Discovery Program capstone requirement is fulfilled by a final project or a public performance given during the senior year. For students in the performance study option, a full recital is required.

Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.

Major department courses may not be used to satisfy Discovery category requirements except in the case of a second major. B.A. in music majors may use MUSI 502 Musics in Context (a required core course for the major) to satisfy the Inquiry Discovery requirement.

Music requirements must receive a grade of C- or better.

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Students will be given the opportunity to test out of MUSI 471 Theory I, MUSI 475 Functional Piano I, MUSI 476 Functional Piano I and MUSI 575 Functional Piano II, MUSI 576 Functional Piano II.

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A maximum of 8 ensemble credits may count toward graduation for all bachelor of arts in music students.

Performance Study Option Requirements

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Students in the Bachelor of Arts Performance program in the instrumental track are required to complete 8 credits of ensemble; a maximum of 8 ensemble credits may be counted towards graduation.  Students in this program are required to enroll in at least one ensemble in every semester of enrollment at UNH, at least 6 of which must be on their primary instrument.  

Further, instrumentalists specializing in woodwind, brass, string, or percussion instruments should enroll in one credit of a conducted ensemble (MUSI 450 Symphony, MUSI 452 Wind Symphony,MUSI 453 Symphonic Band, MUSI 441 Concert Choir, MUSI 442 Chamber Singers, MUSI 460 Jazz Band, MUSI 454 UNH Marching Band) in every semester of enrollment. 

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2 credits per semester

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Students in the Bachelor of Arts Performance program in the vocal track are required to complete 8 credits of ensemble; a maximum of 8 ensemble credits may be counted towards graduation. Students in this program are required to enroll in at least one ensemble in every semester of enrollment at UNH, including at least 4 credits of MUSI 441 Concert Choir, with the remaining ensemble credits as indicated drawn from MUSI 441 Concert Choir, MUSI 442 Chamber Singers, and MUSI 448 Vocal Arts Project.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate the ability to perform a specialization instrument or voice at an appropriate solo level and/or in small ensemble and large ensemble.
• Aurally identify, analyze, and work conceptually with the elements of music in a variety of musical styles.
• Students will demonstrate familiarity with musical literature from the formal concert repertory and from musical traditions outside of that repertory.
• Demonstrate the ability to develop and defend musical judgments in writing and in oral presentation.
• Demonstrate collegiate-level skills in the English language, competence in written and oral communication in English, and fluency in communicating and synthesizing musical, historical and analytical concepts in writing.
• Demonstrate the ability to perform a specialization instrument or voice at the level of an advanced undergraduate student, or young professional, including a high level of technical and artistic competence, and to work independently in both solo practicing and small ensemble rehearsals.
• Demonstrate maturity in musical performance, using performance and liberal-arts tools and insights to create an artistic product.
• Students will plan, prepare, and perform a solo recital in collaboration with faculty and staff that includes both organizational elements and artistic preparation.