Use these checklists to track your completion of major requirements. Always check with your advisor if you have any questions.
Music Major: Performance Study Option (B.A.)
Music Major: Performance Study Option (B.A.)
What is performance study in music?
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.
Why study performance in music at UNH?
The applied studio faculty at UNH are some of the region’s most sought-after performers. They are also phenomenal teachers who will prepare you for entry into top master’s degree programs at home and abroad. You will perform frequently in chamber music ensembles and some of the best performing ensembles in New England. You will develop your ability to promote yourself as an artist through outreach experiences like the Chamber Music Program and numerous gigging opportunities. Our department also hosts dynamic guest artists and lecturers throughout the year and offers a study abroad exchange program with Cardiff University in the U.K.
Potential Careers
- Artist management
- Arts administrator
- Arts nonprofit team member or director
- Military musician
- Music educator
- Music professor
- Music therapist
- Private lesson instructor
- Professional performer
Department of Music
Paul Creative Arts Center
30 Academic Way
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-2404
Fax: (603) 862-3155
E-mail: music.info@unh.edu
Curriculum & Requirements
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.
Degree Requirements
Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
Foreign Language Requirement: Yes
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| MUSI 471 & MUSI 472 | Theory I and Theory I | 6 |
| MUSI 473 & MUSI 474 | Ear Training I and Ear Training I | 2 |
| MUSI 475 & MUSI 476 | Functional Piano I and Functional Piano I 1 | 2 |
| MUSI 571 & MUSI 572 | Theory II and Theory II | 6 |
| MUSI 573 & MUSI 574 | Ear Training II and Ear Training II | 2 |
| MUSI 575 & MUSI 576 | Functional Piano II and Functional Piano II 1 | 2 |
| MUSI 501 & MUSI 502 | The Western Musical Canon and Musics in Context | 6 |
| MUSI 515 | Music in World Cultures | 4 |
| MUSI 540 | Recital Attendance | 0 |
| MUSI 691 | Music Internship I | 1-2 |
| Advanced Music History: select one of the following | 3 | |
MUSI 701 | Topics in Music History | |
MUSI 713 | Art Song | |
MUSI #715 | Survey of Opera | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
MUSI #771 | Counterpoint | |
MUSI 781W | Analysis: Form and Structure | |
| MUSI 791 | Music Internship II | 2-4 |
| Performance Study (Applied Lessons): select from the following courses | ||
MUSI 541, MUSI 545, MUSI 546, MUSI 547, MUSI 548, MUSI 549, MUSI 550, MUSI 551, MUSI 552, MUSI 553, MUSI 554, MUSI 555, MUSI 556, MUSI 557, MUSI 558, MUSI 559, MUSI 560, MUSI 561, MUSI 562, MUSI 563, MUSI 564, MUSI 741, MUSI 745, MUSI 746, MUSI 747, MUSI 748, MUSI 749, MUSI 751, MUSI 752, MUSI 753, MUSI 754, MUSI 755, MUSI 756, MUSI 757, MUSI 758, MUSI 759, MUSI 760, MUSI 761, MUSI 762, MUSI 763, MUSI 764 | ||
| Performing Ensemble: select variable credits from the following courses 2 | ||
MUSI 441, MUSI 442, MUSI 448, MUSI 450, MUSI 452, MUSI 453, MUSI 454, MUSI 455, MUSI 456, MUSI 457, MUSI 459, MUSI 460, MUSI 462, MUSI 463, MUSI 464 | ||
| Total Credits | 39-42 | |
- 1
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.
- 2
A maximum of 8 ensemble credits may count toward graduation for all bachelor of arts in music students.
Performance Study Option Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Instrumental Performance Concentration | ||
| MUSI 731 | Conducting | 2 |
| Performance Study (Applied Lessons): select from the following courses 1 | ||
| MUSI 541, MUSI 546, MUSI 547, MUSI 548, MUSI 549, MUSI 550, MUSI 551, MUSI 552, MUSI 553, MUSI 554, MUSI 555, MUSI 556, MUSI 557, MUSI 558, MUSI 559, MUSI 560, MUSI 561, MUSI 562, MUSI 563, MUSI 564 | 8 | |
| MUSI 741, MUSI 746, MUSI 747, MUSI 748, MUSI 749, MUSI 751, MUSI 752, MUSI 753, MUSI 754, MUSI 755, MUSI 756, MUSI 757, MUSI 758, MUSI 759, MUSI 760, MUSI 761, MUSI 762, MUSI 763, MUSI 764 | 8 | |
| Performing Ensemble: select from the following courses 1 | ||
| MUSI 450, MUSI 452, MUSI 453, MUSI 454, MUSI 455, MUSI 456, MUSI 457, MUSI 459, MUSI 460, MUSI 462, MUSI 463, MUSI 464 | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 26 | |
- 1
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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Vocal Performance Concentration | ||
| MUSI 731 | Conducting | 2 |
| MUSI 520 | Diction for Singers I | 2 |
| MUSI 521 | Diction for Singers II | 2 |
| Performance Study (Applied Lessons) 1 | ||
| MUSI 545 | Voice | 8 |
| MUSI 745 | Voice | 8 |
| Performing Ensemble: select from the following courses 2 | 8 | |
MUSI 441 | Concert Choir | |
MUSI 442 | Chamber Singers | |
MUSI 448 | Vocal Arts Project | |
| Language Requirement: | 8 | |
FREN 401 & FREN 402 | Elementary French I and Elementary French II | |
or GERM 401 & GERM 402 | Elementary German I and Elementary German II | |
or ITAL 401 & ITAL 402 | Elementary Italian I and Elementary Italian II | |
| Total Credits | 38 | |
- 1
2 credits per semester
- 2
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.
- 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.
