Music, BM

All undergraduate enrollments require School of Music approval. Entering first-year and transfer students who plan to major in music must be accepted into a performance area through an audition. All entering students must complete the online theory diagnostic examination for MUS:1201 Musicianship and Theory I and a piano proficiency exam to determine appropriate placement in related courses.

Transfer students admitted to the School of Music must complete a minimum of one year of applied music (lower or upper level) and one year of major ensemble at the University of Iowa in order to earn a degree in music. Transfer students who have not completed the equivalent of the four-semester sequence of Musicianship and Theory I–IV (MUS:1201, MUS:1202, MUS:2203, and MUS:2204) must complete a theory diagnostic exam to determine appropriate placement in the musicianship and theory sequence. Transfer students who have not completed the equivalent of two semesters of class piano or a piano proficiency exam must meet piano proficiency requirements at the University of Iowa.

Learning Outcomes

Bachelor of Music Graduates

The Bachelor of Music degree is the primary professional degree in music, and it emphasizes the development of the skills, concepts, and sensitivities essential to the professional life of the musician. Bachelor of Music students in performance programs develop comprehensive capabilities in the major-performing medium and the ability to integrate musical knowledge and performance skills in preparation for entering the profession or advanced study in graduate school.

All graduates of the Bachelor of Music program in music will be able to demonstrate the following.

  • Performance: Students will acquire the ability to sight read, reach technical proficiency, apply historically and stylistically informed performance practices, gain a broad knowledge of the repertoire of their performance area, perform a cross-section of that repertoire, and gain collaborative skills through ensemble experiences.
  • Keyboard Competency: Students will acquire the functional ability to play piano, including the ability to perform major and minor scales, arpeggios, and chord progressions in all keys; and to harmonize melodies, transpose, and improvise.
  • Conducting, Leadership, and Collaboration: Students will acquire the ability to work as leaders and in collaboration on matters of musical preparation, rehearsal techniques, and interpretation. Students will demonstrate competent conducting technique.
  • Musical Repertoire and Style: Students will acquire a basic knowledge of music history and repertoire through the present; an acquaintance with repertories beyond the area of specialization; the ability to place music in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts; and the ability to write and speak about music history and style in a coherent manner.
  • Music Theory, Analysis, and Compositional Processes: Students will acquire aural skills sufficient to hear melodic, rhythmic, harmonic, and formal elements of music; analytical skills sufficient to understand the melodic, rhythmic, harmonic, and formal elements of music; knowledge of basic compositional techniques; and the ability to write and speak about musical processes in a coherent manner.

Teacher Education Program Graduates

All graduates of the Teacher Education Program will be able to:

  • demonstrate competent conducting, and musical leadership of performing groups and in general classroom situations;
  • apply knowledge of analytical and historical knowledge to curriculum development, lesson planning, and daily classroom and performance activities;
  • demonstrate the ability to arrange and adapt music from a variety of sources to meet the needs and ability levels of individuals and groups;
  • demonstrate functional performance abilities in keyboard, voice, and instruments appropriate to the teaching specialization;
  • demonstrate pedagogical skills appropriate to the area of specialization sufficient to teach students individually and in groups; and
  • demonstrate knowledge and skills in student learning, diverse learning, planning instruction, instructional strategies, the learning environment, communication, assessment and evaluation, collaboration, ethics, and relationships.

Bachelor of Music in Composition Graduates

In addition to the learning outcomes listed above, all graduates of the Bachelor of Music in composition will:

  • demonstrate the ability to compose solo, chamber, vocal, and electronic music;
  • acquire a basic knowledge of acoustics; and
  • demonstrate the ability to use technologies applicable to musical composition, such as sound synthesis, recording and processing, and computer notation.

Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy Graduates

The undergraduate music therapy program provides the required academic and clinical coursework necessary to become professionally certified as a music therapist. The program, which is approved by the American Music Therapy Association, prepares students to pass the Certification Board for Music Therapists national exam, which is required for entry-level music therapy positions.

In addition to the learning outcomes listed above, all graduates of the Bachelor of Music in music therapy will display the following.

  • Functional musical and arranging skills in voice, keyboard, guitar, and percussion to accompany self and group singing, with a basic repertory of traditional, folk, and popular songs in several keys, with and without written music.
  • Knowledge of basic principles of human development, exceptionality, psychopathology, principles of therapy, and the therapeutic relationship.
  • Knowledge of basic principles of music therapy including history and philosophy; the psychological, physiological, and sociological bases for the use of music as therapy; music therapy techniques and materials and their application with various client populations.
  • Knowledge of various client populations, the therapeutic process (client assessment, treatment planning, therapeutic implementation, evaluation, and documentation of progress); knowledge of research methods, and ability to interpret research findings.
  • Knowledge of professional issues (standards, ethics, interdisciplinary collaboration, supervision, and administration).
  • Clinical skills with a variety of client populations to enable students to function as entry-level music therapists. Students will acquire knowledge of the technological developments applicable to the field of music therapy.