Music, BM

The Mason School of Music is part of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Students study with nationally and internationally recognized faculty who are active performers, conductors, composers, music theoreticians, historians, and music teachers. Admission is based on acceptance to the university and audition. The music program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Students pursuing a minor in music must also pass a music audition. Required classes include Introduction to Classical Music, Aural Skills, and Keyboard Skills.

Concentrations within the Bachelor of Music include:

Composition

Jazz

Music Education

Performance

For complete information on program requirements and policies, please see the University Catalog.

For complete information on program requirements and policies for the 2017-18 year, please see the University Catalog.

Please see the University Catalog for complete program requirements and policies, and discuss all program plans with an academic advisor. Certain courses may fulfill multiple requirements across the Mason Core general education program, the college or school, and/or the specific program. 

Degree Requirements (120 credits total)

Mason Core (21 credits) General education program required for all undergraduate students.

Major requirements

Music core (Required for All Concentrations)

• MUSI 113 - Aural Skills I Credits: 1
• MUSI 114 - Aural Skills II Credits: 1-2 (must be taken for 1 credit)
• MUSI 115 - Theory I Credits: 3
• MUSI 116 - Theory II Credits: 3
• MUSI 213 - Aural Skills III Credits: 2
• MUSI 215 - Theory III Credits: 3
• MUSI 251 - The Art of Teaching Music Credits: 3 - Mason Core oral communication
• MUSI 259 - Music in Computer Technology Credits: 3 - Mason Core information technology
• MUSI 273 - Keyboard Skills III (1 credit)
• MUSI 300 - Recital Attendance Credits: 0 (To be repeated five times)
• MUSI 431 - Music History in Society III Credits: 3

Students choose from one of the following concentrations: Composition, Jazz, Music Education, Music Technology, or Performance. 

Concentration in Composition

Students must complete concentration requirements as well as requirements for one of the following emphases: Brass; Guitar; Keyboard; Percussion; String; Voice; or Woodwind.

• MUSI 214 - Aural Skills IV Credits: 2
• MUSI 216 - Theory IV Credits: 3
• Eight credits of MUSI 242-248 (Applied Music Lessons)
• Eight credits of MUSI 442-448 (Applied Music Lessons)
• Eight credits of Ensemble, as related to student’s primary instrument
• MUSI 259 - Music in Computer Technology Credits: 3
• MUSI 319 - Class Composition and Arranging Credits: 3
• MUSI 324 - Junior Recital Credits: 1
• MUSI 331 - Music History in Society I Credits: 3
• MUSI 332 - Music History in Society II Credits: 3
• MUSI 354 - Electronic Composition Credits: 3
• MUSI 361 - Class Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass Credits: 1
• MUSI 363 - Class Woodwinds Credits: 1
• MUSI 365 - Class Brass: Trumpet and French Horn Credits: 1
• MUSI 369 - Class Brass: Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba Credits: 1
• MUSI 366 - Class Percussion Credits: 1
• MUSI 379 - Introduction to Jazz Improvisation Credits: 1
• MUSI 391 - Conducting I Credits: 2
• MUSI 396 - Conducting II Credits: 2
• MUSI 419 - Orchestration Credits: 3
• MUSI 424 - Senior Recital Credits: 1
• Three credits of one of the following:
  • MUSI 454 - Jazz Arranging Credits: 3
  • MUSI 485 - Chamber Ensembles Credits: 1
• ​Four credits of M3E or Healing Arts ensemble
• One additional credit of MUSI 485 - Chamber Ensembles Credits: 1
• MUSI 491 - Musical Communication in Performance Credits: 1
• MUSI 438 - Music History in Society B Credits: 3
• MUSI 439 - Music History in Society C Credits: 3
• MUSI 100-499 Credits: 5 
• One of the following:
  • MUSI 171 - Keyboard Skills I Credits: 1
  • MUSI 351 - Keyboard Pedagogy Credits: 3 (Keyboard Emphasis Only)
• One of the following:
  • MUSI 172 - Keyboard Skills II Credits: 1 
  • MUSI 371 - Techniques of Accompanying I Credits: 1 (Keyboard 
• One of the following:
  • MUSI 353 - Instrumental Pedagogy and Literature Credits: 3
  • MUSI 372 - Techniques of Accompanying II Credits: 1 (Keyboard Emphasis Only)

Concentration in Jazz

Students complete all concentration requirements as well as requirements for one of the following emphases: Brass; Guitar; Keyboard; Percussion; or Woodwinds.

• MUSI 107 - Jazz and Blues in America Credits: 3
• MUSI 214 - Aural Skills IV Credits: 2
• MUSI 216 - Theory IV Credits: 3
• Eight credits of MUSI 242-248 (Applied Music Lessons)
• Eight credits of MUSI 442-448 (Applied Music Lessons)
• Eight credits of Ensemble, as related to student’s primary instrument
• MUSI 259 - Music in Computer Technology Credits: 3 
• MUSI 311 - Jazz Studies Credits: 3
• MUSI 319 - Class Composition and Arranging Credits: 3
• MUSI 324 - Junior Recital Credits: 1
• MUSI 338 - Music History in Society A Credits: 3
• MUSI 379 - Introduction to Jazz Improvisation Credits: 1
• MUSI 391 - Conducting I Credits: 2
• MUSI 424 - Senior Recital Credits: 1
• MUSI 438 - Music History in Society B Credits: 3
• MUSI 439 - Music History in Society C Credits: 3
• MUSI 450 - Jazz Improvisation I Credits: 2
• MUSI 452 - Jazz Improvisation II Credits: 2
• MUSI 454 - Jazz Arranging Credits: 3
• SIx credits of MUSI 485 - Chamber Ensembles Credits: 1 (Jazz Chamber Ensembles only)
• MUSI 491 - Musical Communication in Performance Credits: 1 - Mason Core synthesis
• Five credits of MUSI 492 - Selected Topics in Music Credits: 1-3 (Topics in Jazz Studies only)
• MUSI 100-499 Credits: 3
• Eight credits of Ensemble, as related to student’s primary instrument
• One of the following:​
  • MUSI 171 - Keyboard Skills I (1 credit)
  • MUSI 351 - Keyboard Pedagogy Credits: 3 (Keyboard Emphasis Only)
• One of the following:
  • MUSI 172 - Keyboard Skills II (1 credit)
  • MUSI 371 - Techniques of Accompanying I Credits: 1 (Keyboard Emphasis Only)
• One of the following:
  • MUSI 353 - Instrumental Pedagogy and Literature Credits: 3
  • MUSI 372 - Techniques of Accompanying II Credits: 1 (Keyboard Emphasis Only)

Concentration in Music Education

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Music Concentration in Music Education prepares students for teaching certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Student complete all concentration requirements as well as requirements for one of the following emphases: Brass; Guitar; Keyboard; Percussion; String; Voice; or Woodwind. 

• MUSI 214 - Aural Skills IV Credits: 2
• MUSI 216 - Theory IV Credits: 3
• Eight credits of MUSI 242-248 (Applied Music Lessons)
• Six credits of MUSI 442-448 (Applied Music Lessons)
• Seven credits of Ensemble, as related to student’s primary instrument
• MUSI 259 - Music in Computer Technology Credits: 3
• MUSI 319 - Class Composition and Arranging Credits: 3
• MUSI 323 - Music Education Recital (0 credits)
• MUSI 331 - Music History in Society I Credits: 3
• MUSI 332 - Music History in Society II Credits: 3
• MUSI 361 - Class Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass Credits: 1 
• MUSI 366 - Class Percussion Credits: 1 
• MUSI 367 - Class Guitar Credits: 1 
• MUSI 393 - Music Administration and Management Credits: 2 
• MUSI 432 - Music History in Society IV Credits: 3
• Six credits of MUSI 495 - Internship in Music Education: Student Teaching Credits: 6-12 
• EDRD 300 - Literacy and Curriculum Integration Credits: 3
• EDUC 301 - Educationally Diverse Populations: Handicapped, Gifted, Multicultural Credits: 3
• One of the following:
  • EDUC 302 - Human Growth and Development Credits: 3
  • EDUC 539 - Human Development and Learning PK-12 Credits: 3

Instrumental Emphases:

• MUSI 171 - Keyboard Skills I Credits: 1 
• MUSI 172 - Keyboard Skills II Credits: 1 
• 2 credits of MUSI 363 - Class Woodwinds Credits: 1 
• MUSI 365 - Class Brass: Trumpet and French Horn Credits: 1 
• MUSI 368 - Class Voice Credits: 1 
• MUSI 369 - Class Brass: Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba Credits: 1 
• MUSI 391 - Conducting I Credits: 2 
• MUSI 396 - Conducting II Credits: 2 
• MUSI 464 - Instrumental Music Methods I Credits: 3 OR  
• MUSI 467 - Instrumental Music Methods I: Orchestra Credits: 3
• MUSI 466 - Instrumental Music Methods II Credits: 3
• MUSI 100-499 Credit: 1 

Keyboard or Voice Emphases: 

• One of the following:
  • MUSI 171 - Keyboard Skills I Credits: 1
  • MUSI 371 - Techniques of Accompanying I Credits: 1
• One of the following
  • MUSI 172 - Keyboard Skills II Credits: 1
  • MUSI 372 - Techniques of Accompanying II Credits: 1
• One of the following:
  • Two credits of  MUSI 222 - Applied Music in Keyboard Credits: 1 
  • Two credits of  MUSI 223 - Applied Music in Voice Credits: 1
  • MUSI 352 - Vocal Pedagogy and Lab Credits: 3
  • MUSI 391 - Conducting I Credits: 2
  • MUSI 396 - Conducting II Credits: 2
  • MUSI 461 - The Teaching of General Music in the Elementary and Middle School Credits: 3
  • MUSI 463 - The Teaching of Vocal Music in the Secondary School Credits: 3
• One of the following:
  • MUSI 363 - Class Woodwinds Credits: 1
  • MUSI 365 - Class Brass: Trumpet and French Horn Credits: 1
  • MUSI 369 - Class Brass: Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba Credits: 1

Concentration in Music Technology 

Students must complete all concentration requirements as well as requirements for one of the following emphases: Electroacoustic Music; Engineering; or Recording.

• MUSI 171 - Keyboard Skills I Credits: 1 
• MUSI 172 - Keyboard Skills II Credits: 1
• MUSI 248 - Applied Music in Composition Credits: 2 (Must be taken for 6 credits.)
• MUSI 252 - Popular Music Arranging Credits: 3
• MUSI 254 - Music and Technology Credits: 3
• MUSI 338 - Music History in Society A Credits: 3
• MUSI 354 - Electronic Composition Credits: 3
• MUSI 355 - Recording Techniques Credits: 3
• MUSI 358 - Music Programming Credits: 3
• MUSI 359 - Topics in Music Technology Credits: 3
• Three credits of Music Ensemble Options 
• MUSI 395 - Teaching Internship Credits: 1-4 (must be taken for 2 credits)
• MUSI 438 - Music History in Society B Credits: 3
• MUSI 439 - Music History in Society C Credits: 3
• MUSI 490 - RS: Musical Communication in Context Credits: 3 
• PHYS 103 - Physics and Everyday Phenomena I Credits: 4 
• Seven credits of Choral Ensemble

Emphasis requirements can include: 

• Double major in a STEM field
• Approved MATH courses (3-4 credits)
• Approved courses in the following departments: Music; Computer Science; Economics; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Instructional Technology; Math; Mathematics for School of Business Students; or Physics.
• Electives

Concentration in Performance 

Students complete all concentration requirements as well as requirements for one of the following emphases: Brass; Guitar; Keyboard; Percussion; String; Voice; or Woodwind.

This undergraduate program offers students the option of applying to the accelerated master’s degree program. 

• MUSI 214 - Aural Skills IV Credits: 2
• MUSI 216 - Theory IV Credits: 3
• Eight credits of MUSI 242-248 (see Applied Music Options)
• Eight credits of MUSI 442-448 (see Applied Music Options)
• MUSI 259 - Music in Computer Technology Credits: 3 
• MUSI 319 - Class Composition and Arranging Credits: 3
• MUSI 324 - Junior Recital Credits: 1
• MUSI 331 - Music History in Society I Credits: 3
• MUSI 332 - Music History in Society II Credits: 3
• MUSI 424 - Senior Recital Credits: 1
• MUSI 432 - Music History in Society IV Credits: 3
• MUSI 491 - Musical Communication in Performance Credits: 1 

Instrumental and Keyboard Emphases:

• One of the following:
  • MUSI 171 - Keyboard Skills I Credits: 1
  • MUSI 371 - Techniques of Accompanying I Credits: 1
• One of the following:​​
  • MUSI 172 - Keyboard Skills II Credits: 1
  • MUSI 372 - Techniques of Accompanying II Credits: 1
• Three credits of Pedagogy
• Eight credits of Large Ensemble
• Instrumental/Keyboard Emphases:
• MUSI 379 - Jazz Improvisation Credits: 1
• MUSI 391 - Conducting I Credits: 2
• Two credits of MUSI 395 - Teaching Internship Credits: 1-4
• MUSI 396 - Conducting II Credits: 2 (nstrumental Emphases Only)
• Instrumental Emphases Only:
• MUSI 419 - Orchestration Credits: 3
• MUSI 493 - Topics in Music Theory Credits: 3 
• Keyboard Emphasis Only: 
• Three credits of MUSI 492 - Selected Topics in Music Credits: 1-3 
• MUSI 373 - Advanced Accompanying and Musicianship Skills Credits: 3
• One of the following:
  • ​Eight credits of  Chamber Ensembles
  • Piano Ensemble (Keyboard Emphasis requires 2 credits)
• MUSI 100-499 Credits: 9 

Voice Emphasis:​

• MUSI 325 - Performance Seminar and Vocal Literature for Singers and Accompanists I Credits: 2
• MUSI 326 - Performance Seminar and Vocal Literature for Singers and Accompanists II Credits: 2
• MUSI 341 - Diction for Singers I: Italian Diction and English Diction Credits: 2
• MUSI 342 - Diction for Singers II: German Diction and French Diction Credits: 2
• MUSI 388 - Fundamental Techniques of Stagecraft for Opera and Music Theater Credits: 2
• MUSI 391 - Conducting I Credits: 2
• MUSI 396 - Conducting II Credits: 2
• Four credits of MUSI 485 - Chamber Ensembles (1 credit) - repeated Credits: 1
• Nine credits of Foreign Language (Voice Emphases Only)

Music majors at Mason work with world-class faculty who perform regularly in renowned venues with acclaimed ensembles. Music students also study and perform in beautiful spaces outfitted with up to date technology. Mason School of Music is an all-Steinway school. Performance opportunities are available for all musicians at Mason in more than 20 ensembles.

Concentrations within the Bachelor of Music include:

Composition

Jazz

Music Education

Performance

This information is being provided here for your planning purposes only. For official catalog information, please refer instead to the official George Mason University Catalog Website at http://catalog.gmu.edu.