Commercial Music (B.M.)

Location(s): Main Campus

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Program Information

Ensembles: All majors must be a member of one of the following ensembles for a minimum of four (4) semesters: MUSC 3320 - Wind Symphony , MUSC 3310 - Symphonic Band , MUSC 3350 - Opus Chamber Choir , MUSC 3360 - Concert Choir , or MUSC 3380 - Symphony Orchestra .
Music Theory: Students must be enrolled concurrently in Music Theory and Aural Skills classes.
In order to move to upper-level applied study (MUSC 3410 - Individual Applied Music Instruction ), students must pass the Music Gateway.
Senior Recital: The B.M. degree requires a half-recital to be given during the junior or senior year. Students must enroll in applied music each semester until the recital requirement is met.
To fulfill all graduation requirements, all zero (0) credit courses must appear on the transcript.
Each major or minor in music is required to abide by the policies and procedures set up in the Departmental Student Handbook (see www.suu.edu/pva/music/handbook.html).
All courses must be passed with a “C” (2.0) or better to be counted in the major, except for Applied Music courses which require a “B” (3.0) or higher.
Piano Proficiency: Students must pass a piano proficiency exam before enrolling in MUSC 2110 - Music Theory III and MUSC 2130 - Aural Skills III . MUSC 1150 and MUSC 1160 may be taken to assist in preparation for the exam.
An audition is required to be admitted into the music major.
The Department of Music follows National Association of Schools of Music standards.

General Education Requirement (30-35 Credits)

See General Education for course options.

Core Course Requirements (12-15 Credits)
Breadth Area Requirements (16-20 Credits)

Please note: All students must complete a minimum of 30 credits between the Core and Breadth Area requirements.

Commercial Music Curriculum (76 Credits)

Music Core Requirements (30 Credits)

MUSC 0990 - Recital Attendance 0 Credit(s) (8 semesters of SUU attendance)
MUSC 1110 - Music Theory I 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 1120 - Music Theory II 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 1130 - Aural Skills I 1 Credit(s)
MUSC 1140 - Aural Skills II 1 Credit(s)
MUSC 1180 - Survey of Music Technology 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 2110 - Music Theory III 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 2120 - Music Theory IV 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 2130 - Aural Skills III 1 Credit(s)
MUSC 2140 - Aural Skills IV 1 Credit(s)
MUSC 2350 - Fundamentals of Conducting 2 Credit(s)
MUSC 3540 - Jazz Music History 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 3550 - Popular Music History 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 3560 - Survey of Classical Music 3 Credit(s)

Commercial Music Core (41 Credits)

MUSC 1410 - Individual Applied Music Instruction 2 Credit(s) (course must be repeated once) 4 Credit(s)
MUSC 2160 - Songwriting I 2 Credit(s)
MUSC 2410 - Individual Applied Music Instruction 2 Credit(s) (course must be repeated once) 4 Credit(s)
MUSC 3150 - Recording Studio Operations 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 3160 - Songwriting II 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 3323 - Audio Recording I 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 3390 - Alternate Currents Performance Ensemble 0-1 Credit(s) (course must be taken six semesters) 6 Credit(s)
MUSC 3410 - Individual Applied Music Instruction 2 Credit(s) (course must be repeated once) 4 Credit(s)
MUSC 3800 - Junior Recital 0 Credit(s)
MUSC 3970 - The Entrepreneurial Musician 1 Credit(s)
MUSC 4323 - Audio Recording II 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 4410 - Individual Applied Music Instruction 2 Credit(s) (course must be repeated once) 4 Credit(s)
MUSC 4800 - Senior Recital 0 Credit(s)

Large Ensemble Requirement

Complete 4 credits in one of the following:

MUSC 3310 - Symphonic Band
MUSC 3320 - Wind Symphony 0-1 Credit(s)
MUSC 3350 - Opus Chamber Choir 0-1 Credit(s)
MUSC 3360 - Concert Choir 0-1 Credit(s)
MUSC 3380 - Symphony Orchestra 0-1 Credit(s)

Commercial Music Electives (5 Credits)

Complete 5 credits of the following:

FILM 1100 - Personal Cinema 3 Credit(s)
FILM 2400 - Sound for the Screen 3 Credit(s)
FILM 4150 - Topics in Filmmaking 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 2150 - Improvisation I 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 3070 - Form and Analysis 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 3330 - Jazz Ensemble 0-1 Credit(s)
MUSC 3553 - Digital Music Notation 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 4060 - Orchestration and Arranging 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 4303 - Applications in Live Sound 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 4353 - Music Business and Brand Promotion 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 4420 - Commercial Composition 3 Credit(s)
MUSC 4440 - Advanced Audio Productions 3 Credit(s)

Free Electives (9-14 Credits)

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. For a bachelor’s degree, students must earn a minimum of 40 upper-division credits (courses numbered 3000-4999). Students may need to select additional upper-division courses not included in their major requirements in order to reach this minimum. Please consult your Student Success Advisor for details.

Total Credits, B.M. Degree: 120

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to use appropriate terminology and applications in commercial music technology, research, and practice, demonstrating an understanding of the field of commercial music.
Students will be able to use recording equipment and sound processing software and work in a recording studio or digital work station.
Students will be familiar with, and be able to work and problem solve in various areas of commercial music including the creation, performance, recording, sound processing, work flow, and production of commercial music.
Students will be able to produce professional-standard work in one or more aspects of commercial music, i.e. performance, sound recording and processing, etc.
Students will have essential musicianship skills and a knowledge of history and theory relating to commercial music.