Music BA
The B.A. in Music provides a solid foundation in post-secondary musicianship, including intensive study in music theory, aural skills, instrumental skills, and music history.
The Bachelor of Arts in Music is designed for students who seek both an intensive study in music and the opportunity to explore other areas of academic interest. By focusing on a versatile liberal arts curriculum, the program provides students a comprehensive academic education that fosters creative and intellectual engagement across many disciplines.
Department Contacts
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Accreditation
Toggle More InfoInformation on FGCU institutional accreditation is available at www.fgcu.edu/accreditation -
Admissions Information
Toggle More InfoAdmissions Information for the 2022-2023 Catalog Year
If you are not yet an FGCU student, visit the Admissions Office Website
If you are a newly-admitted FGCU student please be sure to sign up for an Eagle View Orientation session. As part of this session you will be meeting with an academic advisor who will assist you in registering for classes for your major.
Program Admission Requirements
- Submit an FGCU Undergraduate Admission Application and satisfy all applicable university admission requirements.
- *Limited Access: Submit a Bower School of Music Supplemental Application by June 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission.
- Audition on the student's primary instrument or voice, sight read, and take the music theory placement test.
- Attend an orientation session.
- Sign an Advising Agreement document.
*This means that students apply and are initially accepted into the University as a pre-music major student. A supplemental application and subsequent audition for acceptance into the music major are also required. Not all students who audition and meet the selection criteria are admitted into the limited access major. The selection process is very competitive and space is limited in each admission class.
NOTE: Students admitted to the Bower School of Music are eligible to apply for a Music Scholarship. The Music Scholarships are awarded to assist individual students to obtain an education and to help create an institutional musical environment conducive to the musical growth of all students and the enhancement of the campus cultural environment. The Music Scholarship recipient must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.5 and have no grades of “F” in any class (unless later replaced by a grade of “C” or better). Also she/he must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 in music classes at FGCU and have no grades lower than “C” in any music class (unless later replaced by a grade of “C” or better), and demonstrate continuing progress in the principal performing medium as exhibited through applied lessons, ensemble performance, recital appearances, and jury examinations.
Admission Deadlines
Visit the Admissions Office Web site for information on admission deadlines of the university.
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Program Requirements
Toggle More InfoProgram Requirements for the 2022-2023 Catalog Year
The General Education Program Website is located at https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/undergraduatestudies/generaleducation/
Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
In addition to the program requirements, students must complete the following:
- Enroll in a large ensemble (1 credit) every semester they are enrolled in an applied lesson.
- A minimum of 120 credits.
- A minimum of 48 of the 120 credits must be at the upper division (3000 - 4999) level.
- A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
- Satisfaction of College-Level Skills, and foreign language entrance requirements.
- Satisfaction of the Service Learning requirement (See https://www.fgcu.edu/studentlife/servicelearning/).
- Completion of the summer course enrollment requirement.
- Of the last 60 credits, a minimum of 30 credits must be at FGCU, including 12 credits in MUx or MVx.
- Submit an online Application for Graduation via Gulfline by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
- Satisfy Civic Literacy requirement.
Program Requirements
- FGCU General Education Program (https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/undergraduatestudies/generaleducation/)
To prevent or minimize excess hours, select general education courses that satisfy common prerequisite requirements for your intended major. - Common Prerequisites
A minimum grade of C is required in each course
FGCU Course: Choose 4 credits in MUN 1XXX or 2XXX (1 credit per semester) (4)
Acceptable Substitute: MUNXXXX
FGCU Course: MUT 1111 Music Theory I (3)
Acceptable Substitute: MUTX111 or MUTX121
FGCU Course: MUT 1112 Music Theory II (3)
Acceptable Substitute: MUTX112 or MUTX122
FGCU Course: MUT 2116 Music Theory III (3)
Acceptable Substitute: MUTX116 or MUTX126
FGCU Course: MUT 2117 Music Theory IV (3)
Acceptable Substitute: MUTX117 or MUTX127
FGCU Course: (MUT 1241 Aural Skills I (1) and MUT 1242 Aural Skills II (1) and MUT 2246 Aural Skills III (1) and MUT 2247 Aural Skills IV (1))
Acceptable Substitute: [(MUTX241 and MUTX242 and MUTX246 and MUTX247) or (MUTX221 and MUTX222 and MUTX226 and MUTX227) or (MUTX271 and MUTX272 and MUTX276 and MUTX277)]
FGCU Course: Choose 4 credits of Freshman Applied Music in MVx 1X1X (2 credits per semester) (4)
Acceptable Substitute: MVxXX1X
FGCU Course: Choose 4 credits of Sophomore Applied Music in MVx 2X2X (2 credits per semester) (4)
Acceptable Substitute: MVxXX2X
FGCU Course: Secondary Piano-Proficiency by Examination or (MVK 1111 and MVK 1112 and MVK 2121 and MVK 2122) (0-4)
Acceptable Substitute: (MVKX111 and MVKX112 and MVKX121 and MVKX122) as needed to achieve piano proficiency. - Required Courses in the Major (23 credits)
A minimum grade of C or S is required in each course.
IDS 3300 Foundations of CivicEngagement (3)
MUH 3211 Survey of Music History I (3)
MUH 3212 Survey of Music History II (3)
MUN 3xxx - 4xxx Ensemble (1 cr x 4 sem) (4)
MUS 1010 Recital Attendance (0 cr x 6 semesters) (0)
MUS 1360 Intro to Music Technology (1)
MUS 4920 Senior Capstone in Music (3)
MUT 3611 Form and Analysis (2)
MVx 3xxx Junior Applied Music (2 cr x 2 semesters) (4) - Restricted Electives in the Major (33 credits)
A minimum grade of C or S is required in each course.
Complete one of the following:
MUN 3453 Piano Ensemble (1)
MUN 3463 Instrumental Chamber Music (1)
MUO 3503 Opera/Musical Theater Workshop (1)
Complete an additional 6 credits of any music courses (1000-4999) in prefixes MUx or MVx*
Complete an additional 22 credits of upper-level courses (3000-4999) in prefixes other than MUx and MVx
Complete an additional 4 credits of any courses (1000-4999) in prefixes other than MUx or MVx
*4 credits in MVKX111, MVKX112, MVKX121 and MVKX122 are applicable toward the restricted electives in the major.
- University Requirements (3 credits)
IDS 3920 University Colloquium (3) - Additional Electives - as needed to reach total credits required for the degree
Total Credits Required: 120
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Curriculum Map
Toggle More InfoCurriculum Maps are to be used as a general guideline for students. Some students scheduling needs may vary based upon completed courses and transfer credits. Please see your advisor for assistance and verification.
2022-2023 BA Music Curriculum Map
Additional Graduation Requirements include:
- A minimum of 120 credit hours.
- A minimum of 48 of the 120 hours must be at the upper division (3000 - 4999) level.
- A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
- A minimum grade of C for each course used to satisfy the following categories: common prerequisites, required courses in the major, and courses in the concentration.
- Satisfaction of the College-Level Skills and foreign language entrance requirements.
- Satisfaction of the Service Learning requirement (See FGCU Service Learning).
- Satisfaction of the residency requirement: thirty of the last sixty credits must be completed at FGCU.
- Completion of the summer course enrollment requirement.
- Submit an online Application for Graduation via Gulfline by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
Transfer Notes and Acceptable Substitutes
For All Majors: Students are strongly recommended to select required lower division electives that will enhance their General Education coursework and that will support their intended baccalaureate degree program. Students should consult with an academic advisor in their major degree area.
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Course Description
Toggle More InfoOfficial Course Descriptions
Search for official course descriptions by using the Course Description Search utility.
Go to the Course Descriptions Search Web page, then follow these steps:
- Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
- Select a course prefix from one of the SUBJECT dropdowns (required)
- Enter search words in the TEXT field (optional, but will narrow the search results)
- Press Search
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Course Schedule
Toggle More InfoGetting started with the Course Schedule Search
Search for program courses by using the Course Schedule Search utility.
Go to the Course Schedule Search Web page, then follow these steps:
- Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
- Select one or more of the search options to narrow your results (for example, CAMPUS, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT, LEVEL, PREFIX*, COURSE ATTRIBUTE**). For virtual or web courses, select VIRTUAL in the CAMPUS field.
- Press Search.
*A course prefix is a three-letter designator for a major division of an academic discipline (for example, ACG for Accounting , BSC for Biological Science, ENC for English Composition). See the Degree Requirements page for a list of courses (with prefix and number) that can be used to fulfill degree requirements.
**A course attribute identifies specific characteristics of courses that can be used in a Degree Evaluation to satisfy a degree requirement. (Course attribute examples are Humanities courses - GEHM and Social Science courses - GESO.)
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Learning Outcomes
Toggle More InfoAcademic Learning Compact
Consistent with its mission and guiding principles, Florida Gulf Coast University is committed to academic excellence and continuous quality improvement, as supported by a sound teaching-learning process. Within this process, students and instructors share responsibility for learning that is a movement from the simple to the complex, the concrete to the abstract, and the dependent to the independent. The Academic Learning Compact (ALC) initiative supports the teaching-learning process by clearly identifying expected core student learning outcomes in the areas of content/discipline knowledge and skills, communication skills, and critical thinking skills; aligning curricula with expectations; and using assessment to guide continuous improvement.Content/Discipline Knowledge and SkillsGraduates in the Music B.A. will be able to:
- Demonstrate proper technique, understanding of musical style, poise, and artistic expression in applied area, as soloist and ensemble member.
- Demonstrate a depth of knowledge in the areas of music theory and history through analysis and evaluation.
- Plan, develop, and execute a coherent scholarly project appropriate to their area of study. The student’s scholarly project may include musical performance as a point of reference for academically oriented scholarship.
- Identify representative styles chosen from the common practice period; draw intelligent conclusions about probable genre, artist, and approximate date.
Content/discipline knowledge and skills are assessed at the college and departmental levels through projects/assignments appropriate to the course content and goals. Jury exams to reflect applied knowledge are completed in MVx 3xxx, Junior Applied Music). Senior projects that reflect cumulative knowledge of music theory and history and other music academic courses are completed in MUS 4920, Senior Capstone in Music.
Communication SkillsGraduates in the Music B.A. will be able to:
- Accurately demonstrate the understanding of style periods in Western music in both written and oral form.
- Demonstrate acceptable conventions for scholarly writing on musical topics including music history, music theory, and performance practice using a developed vocabulary of relevant technical terms and concepts, in a manner that reflects comprehension of words meanings and usage.
- Develop and support arguments and hypotheses with primary and secondary sources/evidence and well-chosen comparisons.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the apparatus of music historical scholarship, including how to research a topic, when and how to cite sources, and the bibliographic formats used in music history.
- Demonstrate a command of the syntax, grammar and writing mechanics of Standard English academic
Communication skills are assessed as students write scholarly papers that measure their analytical ability in music history or music topics in MUH 3211, Music History I, MUH 3212, Music History II, and MUS 4920, Senior Capstone in Music. Students will write program notes MUH 3212, Music History II.
Critical Thinking Skills
Graduates in the Music B.A. will be able to:
- Provide melodic, harmonic, rhythmic and formal analysis of music written from 1700-present.
- Develop strategies for recognizing, diagnosing and resolving technical and musical issues in applied instrument areas. Synthesize ideas and solutions into unique personal performances.
- Analyze contexts and perspectives relevant to music performances or events. Develop a logical, consistent plan to solve technical and conceptual issues. Identify/articulate the value and necessity of music in culture and society as it is expressed throughout the common practice period and in contemporary society.
- Describe the broad historical context, likely social function, and probable performance circumstances for a piece on the class listening list (and for pieces of similar types).
Students will write papers and complete projects which will measure their ability to analyze and create and apply critical thinking and problem solving skills in the following courses: MUS 4920, Senior Capstone in Music, MUT 3611 Form and Analysis.
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Tuition, Fees, and Financial Assistance
Toggle More InfoTuition and Fees
Information on Tuition, Fees and estimated total Cost of Attendance is available on the Office of the Bursar web site.
Music Scholarship Opportunities
For the 2020-2021 Academic Year, scholarships for full or partial tuition, full or partial housing, and/or a stipend toward meals are available.
Scholarship auditions are held at the same time as auditions for admission to the Bower School of Music.
- Review the Audition Repertoire Requirements[.pdf - 534kb].
- Apply Online - complete the Bower School of Music Audition and Scholarship Application to apply.
- Download and complete the Bower School of Music Applicant Letter of Recommendation Form [.pdf - 85kb]. Follow instructions included on the form. Letter of Recommendation must arrive prior to your audition date.
Financial Aid
Visit FGCU's Financial Aid Web site for information about grants, additional scholarships, loans, and student employment.