Overview
Our BFA in Music is a comprehensive, four-year program perfect for students seeking intensive study to develop those skills needed for a professional career and/or preparation for graduate school across many voice or primary instrument paths.
Our versatile voice program is broad enough to cover many genres and flexible enough to reflect your interest. That is because the market for professional singers is changing – opera singers are performing in musicals; Broadway performers are singing operas and pop singer training is improving dramatically.
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Faculty and Staff
Our inspirational faculty and staff make sure students feel welcome and empowered to think outside the box and explore all possibilities of making art at UWM. Visit the Peck School of the Arts directory to meet these artists, explore their biographies and engage with recent work.
Scholarships and Aid
Financial constraints shouldn’t hinder your artistic dreams. Our comprehensive range of scholarships and aid programs is designed to empower and support artists like you.
Study Abroad
We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate applicants must meet general University admission requirements in addition to specific program requirements found on the Peck School of the Arts apply page.
Undergraduate Advising
Academic advising is a collaborative process that empowers students to realize their maximum educational potential. Students are encouraged to visit the Peck School of the Arts Advising & Student Services page to meet with your advisor prior to each semester’s registration period. Advisors provide students with individualized appointments to assist with degree requirements, course selection, campus resources, college success strategies, graduation assessment, academic policies and more.
Laptop Requirement
Preparing for a future defined by digital technology is an important step in developing artists. Our digitally integrated curriculum helps you achieve a professional level with leading art-related software and practices.
Laptop ownership is strongly recommended for all students. However, it’s required for most majors. For more information, please visit the Peck School of the Arts admission page.
Degree Requirements
Music Theory and History Requirements
The Music Theory core comprises a four-semester sequence of Materials of Theory concurrently with three semesters of Aural Theory. The Music History core comprises a three-semester sequence of the General History of Western Music. See individual programs for details.
Lessons, Studio Class, Convocation
Music performance instruction on the primary instrument consists of three components each week: a private lesson with the studio instructor (scheduled independently), a studio class with other students on the instrument, and a department-wide recital on Friday (Convocation) with a rotating selection of student performers.
Students are required to participate in an approved performing organization in each semester in which the student is registered for music performance instruction in the major instrument.
Performance Ensembles
Students pursuing a music degree are required to participate in performing organizations during their course of study. Students must be registered in an approved ensemble concurrent with each semester of private study in lessons. Directors make ensemble assignments at the beginning of each semester. Only one approved ensemble credit per semester may apply toward degree requirements. The Department of Music recognizes the following approved ensembles: Alta Voce, Bella Voce, Concert Chorale, Kameraden Chorus, Symphony Band, Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. Other performance ensembles may be approved for music minors, students with provisional admission or in certain degree programs.
Credits from an accredited college/university for performing organizations may be granted for undergraduate students as follows:
- All transfer students to UWM, regardless of entry level, must take at least two semesters of an approved major performing organization. The performing organization must conform to the individual degree requirements: instrumentalists take band or orchestra; vocalists take choral ensembles.
- Entering sophomores with 30 or more earned credits may only transfer up to two completed semesters of an approved performing organization from another university; and
- Entering juniors with 60 or more earned credits may only transfer up to four completed semesters of an approved performing organization from another university.
Advance to Major and Retention
Students declared provisional at the time of auditions can achieve Music major status based on a successful jury performance at the end of the first semester. Students not performing a successful first semester jury will not be allowed to continue as a Music major and will be dropped from the Music Department. Provisional students must take all required first-semester Music courses during the provisional semester.
Students accepted through auditions who lack basic aural, theory, and/or keyboard skills must successfully complete MUSIC 1 and/or MUSPERF 1 in their first year of study. A final grade of B or higher is required to enroll in the subsequent Music Theory and Piano courses.
A Music major who has a studio performance grade of C or lower for two consecutive semesters may be placed on probation. Students then have the opportunity to re-audition or attain a passing grade for the performance lessons. Final jury is attained during the probation semester along with a 2.0+ cumulative GPA.
Credits and Courses
Required Core
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements 1 | ||
| Competencies | ||
| Oral and Written Communication – Part A and Part B 2,3 | ||
| Quantitative Literacy (QL) – Part A and Part B 2,3 | ||
| Foreign Language 2 | ||
| Distribution Requirements 1 | ||
| Humanities | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences (Must include one lab) | 6 | |
| Social Sciences | 6 | |
| Cultural Diversity 2 | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
- 1
See General Education Requirements for more information.
- 2
Credits may be utilized in required curriculum areas.
- 3
OWC Part A and QL Part A should be completed within the first two semesters of pursuing a Music program.
Music BFA Requirements
The minimum number of credits required to complete the Bachelor of Fine Arts is 130. Students who need background preparation courses in math, English, foreign language, and chemistry may need additional credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Music Department Competencies | ||
| Theory Fundamentals | ||
| Fundamentals of Piano: | ||
| Music Theory | ||
| MUSIC 123 | Aural Theory I | 1 |
| MUSIC 124 | Aural Theory II | 1 |
| MUSIC 127 | Materials of Theory I | 2 |
| MUSIC 128 | Materials of Theory II | 3 |
| MUSIC 225 | Materials of Theory III | 3 |
| MUSIC 226 | Aural Theory III | 1 |
| MUSIC 421 | Materials of Theory IV | 3 |
| Music History | ||
| MUSIC 310 | Introduction to World Musics | 3 |
| MUSIC 106 | Foundations of Music | 3 |
| MUSIC 211 | General History of Western Music I | 3 |
| MUSIC 212 | General History of Western Music II | 3 |
| Total Credits | 26 | |
Versatile Voice Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSIC 604 | Business for Performing Artists | 3 |
| DANCE 111 | Ballet I | 3 |
| or DANCE 115 | Jazz Dance I | |
| DANCE 321 | Alexander Technique for the Performer | 3 |
| DANCE 327 | Dance for the Musical Theatre I | 3 |
| MUSIC 245 | Basic and Italian Lyric Diction | 1 |
| MUSIC 246 | German and French Lyric Diction | 1 |
| MUSIC 310 | Introduction to World Musics | 3 |
| MUSIC 444 | Vocal Pedagogy I | 2 |
| MUSIC 457 | Opera Theatre 1 | 0-3 |
| MUSIC 520 | Voice Performance in Popular Music Styles | 2 |
| THEATRE 101 | Acting for Non-majors | 3 |
| THEATRE 230 | Acting 2: Text and Performance | 3 |
| THEATRE 408 | Acting in Musical Theatre | 3 |
| Principal Instrument | 24 | |
| Lessons in Voice | ||
| Foreign Language Requirement | ||
| ITALIAN 103 | First-Semester Italian | 4 |
| Lessons in Piano | 2 | |
| Lessons in Piano | ||
| Performing Ensemble 2 | 8 | |
| Complete 4-8 credits: | ||
| Alta Voce Singers | ||
| Kameraden Chorus | ||
| Bella Voce | ||
| Concert Chorale | ||
| Choose up to 4 credits of the following: | ||
| Opera Theatre | ||
| Rehearsal and Performance: | ||
| Music Theory Electives | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Computers and Music | ||
| Counterpoint | ||
| Instrumental and Choral Orchestration | ||
| Studio Techniques | ||
| Interactive Electronic Music | ||
| Advanced Electronic Music and Sound Art: | ||
| Special Studies in Music: | ||
| Music History Electives | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| Music of the Baroque Era | ||
| Music of the Classic Era | ||
| Music of the Romantic Era | ||
| Music since 1900 | ||
| Introduction to American Music | ||
| Recital | ||
| Junior Recital | ||
| Senior Recital: | ||
| General Electives | 6 | |
| May be taken from any area of the University (including Music) to fulfill requirements | ||
| Total Credits | 86 | |
- 1
Students enroll in MUSIC 457 for a total of 6 credits.
- 2
Full time students must enroll in one ensemble each semester.
Music Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with this degree in Music will be able to:
- Recognize and distinguish music from all periods of European art music history, and from a variety of other world cultures and traditions, based on musical and stylistic features.
- Recognize assumptions, concepts, models, and various methods in musicological and ethnomusicological work and in their own thinking and will be able to choose the most appropriate analytical tools and concepts to examine specific music.
- Interpret, analyze, critique, and reflect on art music from different critical perspectives and aesthetic viewpoints.
- Express ideas about music in written form demonstrating a mastery of factual knowledge, bibliographic resources, analytical method, critical thinking, and the ability to construct a coherent and well-organized argument.
- Perform solo instrumental or vocal repertoire, chamber music, and large ensemble music in public, in a practical demonstration of their understanding of period or cultural aesthetic ideals.
- Apply pedagogical skills appropriate to their instrument/voice, choosing performance exercises that deal with technical issues found in the repertoire, and guiding beginning students in learning music.
Policies and Regulations
Academic Regulations
For information on University-wide Academic Action Policy and honors for scholarship, see Academic Policies.
Auditing Courses
No studio or performance courses may be audited.
Declaration of Submajor
In most instances, after two years of basic preparatory courses in the major, students choose an area of specialization within their respective departments, known as a submajor. Students must declare a submajor after they have accumulated 45 to 75 credits to assure completion of the appropriate curriculum requirements for graduation.
Grievance and Appeal Procedures
If you have concerns about a class or a grade, or if you’ve been dropped from a program and would like to appeal, follow the grievance procedures found under the resources section on the Peck School of the Arts Advising & Student Services page.
Independent Study
Under special conditions, juniors and seniors are permitted to take courses in independent study. For regulations on independent study, see the departmental advisor.
Program Changes
All program changes must be signed by the instructor and the Peck School of the Arts Office of Student Services. Certain other courses may also require this approval indicated in the semester's Schedule of Classes.
Second Bachelor's Degree Candidates
Students with good scholastic records who wish to earn a second bachelor's degree in the Peck School of the Arts must obtain the recommendation of the Peck School of the Arts department in which they wish to major before they can be accepted. Upon acceptance, students must earn in residence a minimum of 30 credits beyond the studies for the first degree and must satisfy all curriculum requirements.
Semester Credit Load
A full-time Peck School of the Arts student is one who takes a minimum of 12 credits per semester. Typically, Peck School of the Arts students are not permitted to carry more than 18 credits per semester. Students who have a 3.0+ cumulative GPA may, with the permission of the Peck School of the Arts Office of Student Services, carry up to 21 credits per semester.
Transfer Students
Transfer students from other universities and colleges or UWM units are accepted by the Peck School of the Arts provided they meet the UWM admissions criteria and have a 2.0+ cumulative GPA.
Honors in the Major
- Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a GPA of 3.500 or greater in the major and the academic department's recommendation.
- High Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or greater and the academic department's recommendation.
- Departmental Honors are granted to students recommended by their academic department for Honors excellence in performance not reflected in the GPA.
- Dean's Honors are granted to students with major achievements in one or more of the arts.
College of the Arts and Architecture Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.