Bachelor of Music Major Options

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Bachelor of Music Program

The bachelor of music degree program is offered to students who wish to develop their talent in performance, composition, or music education to a high professional level. The program is recommended to those considering graduate study leading to the M.M. or D.M.A. degrees. The music education option is part of the undergraduate certification program (see the Department of Education).

To be admitted to the B.M. program, students must demonstrate a high degree of musical competence or significant creative ability during an audition or examination. Selection is made on the professional requirements appropriate to each option. Students must formally declare the B.M. as a degree program before the beginning of the sophomore year. Continuation into the upper level of the program is subject to review by the department faculty.

Three degrees are offered in the bachelor of music curriculum: Bachelor of Music in Music Education; Bachelor of Music in Performance; Bachelor of Music in Theory. Students wanting to declare theory as their option must submit a music portfolio in addition to an audition on their major instrument.

Students in music education must maintain an overall minimum 2.50 grade-point average at the time of application for student teaching (February 15 of junior year). Techniques and methods courses must include MUED 745 (strings), 741 (choral), 747 (woodwinds), 749 (brass), 751 (percussion), and 765 (instrumental).

The Bachelor of Music program in Music Education leads to State of New Hampshire teacher certification in music, grades K-12 (cert. #612.13). New Hampshire also participates in a reciprocal agreement with many other states, the Interstate Certification Compact.

Regarding ensemble requirements for music education students: Of the 8 credits in ensemble performance (MUSI 441-464) required during the course of study, it is expected that at least 4 credits will be from Concert Choir (MUSI 441), Orchestra (MUSI 450), Wind Symphony (MUSI 452), and/or Symphonic Band (MUSI 453). At least 1 credit of performance in a jazz ensemble (MUSI 460 -464) and 1 credit of Marching Band (MUSI 454) are highly desirable.

Students in the Bachelor of Music in Music Education and the Bachelor of Music in Theory degree programs may use a maximum of 8 ensemble credits toward graduation.

Students in the Bachelor of Music in Performance degree program are required to perform a junior recital.

All bachelor of music students are required to give a public performance during their senior year. For music education students, a half recital is required; for students in the performance option, a full recital is required; for those in theory, a full lecture, lecture-recital, or recital including at least one original composition is required.

The following courses are required of all Bachelor of Music students:

Students will be given the opportunity to test out of MUSI 475-476 and MUSI 575-576. Additional requirements, grouped by option, are shown below.

A minimum of 128 credits is required for graduation from UNH.  All music students must earn grades of C- or better in all required music and music education courses.

All B.M. degree options require a senior recital. Bachelor of Music in Performance majors are also required to do a half junior recital.

Each option and degree program has additional requirements and those requirements are as follows:
(Lesson and ensemble credits vary, so they are listed again under each option)