Music

NDSU Challey School of Music prepares students for careers in teaching, performance, and related liberal studies. It also provides creative opportunities for all talented student musicians regardless of major, and seeks to foster an appreciation of music throughout the greater NDSU community.

NDSU is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Programs of study lead to the Bachelor of Music with options in Performance and Music Education; the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Music; the Master of Music with options in Performance, Conducting, and Music Education; and the Doctor of Musical Arts with options in Performance and Conducting.

Admission to music major or minor programs is arranged through an audition and interview; for information, please contact the Division of Performing Arts office. All undergraduate music majors take private lessons, participate in ensembles, and take a broad range of courses appropriate to their areas of emphasis. All music courses must be passed with a grade of 'C' or better. A performance achievement jury must be passed prior to registration in 300-level applied study.

The Bachelor of Music degree in Performance is for talented vocalists and instrumentalists who wish a career as a professional performer or conductor, and who will likely continue their studies in graduate school. The Bachelor of Music degree with certification in Music Education is for students who wish to teach K-12 music in North Dakota’s public schools. Certification requirements for other states varies, but North Dakota licensure is congruent with that of many other states. Experiences in a broad spectrum of music education courses—elementary, instrumental, and voice/choral—results in NDSU’s outstanding reputation for producing teachers with excellent and versatile credentials.

Music majors pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree (without public school teaching certification) are generally interested in a broad liberal arts education with a significant number of electives.

Music majors and minors supplement their course work by attending recitals and concerts. Those in applied study perform for the jury examination at the end of each semester. Students enrolled in private applied study also participate in a related major ensemble; pianists sometimes play with chamber ensembles or accompany large ensembles.

The professional undergraduate degree in music, the B.Mus. in performance is designed for students pursuing careers as performing musicians. Such students often continue advanced study in graduate school. All students audition for the appropriate area of performance with faculty members and demonstrate professional level skills or potential. In addition to college and university requirements, all students take courses in the core requirements section, and then select a specialized curriculum under instrumental, voice or piano. Bachelor of Music students are required to pass all four levels of piano proficiency examinations prior to completion of the degree. Piano credit requirements listed below may be waived in whole or in part upon successful completion of the piano proficiency examinations.

B.A. or B.S. with a Major in Music

Majors interested in a general liberal arts degree pursue either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree.  The B.A. degree requires a second-year language proficiency at the college level in a language other than English.  In addition to the music curriculum, the B.S. degree requires the completion of a minor program of study, a second major, or a second degree.

Music Minor

Two minors are available - one for the general student and one specifically designed for the education major.  Music majors cannot declare music minors.

Certification in Music Education

Students must complete the School of Education requirements, complete the common music requirements, complete either the vocal or instrumental emphasis and pass a piano proficiency examination prior to student teaching. Piano credit requirements may be waived in whole or in part upon successful completion of the piano proficiency examinations. Specific general education requirements, School of Education requirements, and other information may be obtained from the Division of Performing Arts office.

Ensembles

The NDSU Challey School of Music sponsors a large variety of ensembles including the NDSU Wind Symphony, Concert Choir, University Symphony Orchestra, Madrigal Singers, two large Jazz Ensembles, Jazz Combos, the Gold Star Marching Band, Brass Ensemble, University Chamber Singers, NDSU Statesmen, Cantemus, University Band, Bison Pep Bands, NDSU Opera Theatre, and chamber ensembles in typical instrumental and vocal combinations.  The Concert Choir, Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, Madrigal Singers and several other groups have touring programs, some of which are national or international in scope. Participation in these ensembles is open to all students, some by audition and some as open-enrollment ensembles.

Music Curricula

Requirements are grouped by degree. Please refer also to graduation requirements listed in the Academic Policies section of this publication. The information in this Bulletin may be superseded by information updated regularly and provided by the Challey School of Music.

Plans of Study

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This guide is not an official curriculum. This guide is a sample four-year degree plan of how students might plan this major with other degree requirements to complete their education in four years.Student plans will vary from this sample due to a variety of factors, such as, but not limited to, start year, education goals, transfer credit, and course availability. To ensure proper degree completion, enrolled students should utilize Degree Map and Schedule Planner in Campus Connection and consult regularly with academic advisors to ensure graduation requirements are being met.  

 Degree Requirements and Notes

• Music majors may not declare a music minor.
• A grade of 'C' or better is required in all MUSC prefix courses.
• Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences College Requirements: An additional 9 credits are required by the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences for all Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degree programs of study, except the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, the Bachelor of Music degree, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree, and the Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree
• Bachelor of Science (B.S) Degree - The completion of a minor program of study, a second major, or a second degree is required.
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree - Second year language proficiency at college level required.
• MUSC 189 is only required for first-time, first-year students--A first-time, first-year student is defined as a student who has not yet completed a college course as a college student.  Students that are not first-time, first-year students that either transfer into the university or change their major are not required to take MUSC 189.
• B.A./B.S. Recital Capstone or Individual Study Capstone is fulfilled by registration in MUSC 380 Recital, MUSC 480 Recital, or MUSC 494 Individual Study. The MUSC 494 Individual Study registration is approved by the music faculty and supervised by the adviser. Possibilities include:
  • Half (MUSC 380 Recital) or full (MUSC 480 Recital) recital with program notes.
  • Approved research project on a topic related to music; requires a formal written document (MUSC 494 Individual Study).
  • Approved internship, such as directing an ensemble (e.g. church choir), teaching at the NDSU Academy, observed regularly by the advisor, with a formal written document of the experience (MUSC 494 Individual Study).
  • Approved “lecture recital” with a formal presentation.  Lecture recital should be at least the same length as a half recital (MUSC 494 Individual Study)
  • Performance or major opera role or a major solo with ensemble in a formal concert, accompanied by a summary document (MUSC 494 Individual Study)

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This guide is not an official curriculum. This guide is a sample four-year degree plan of how students might plan this major with other degree requirements to complete their education in four years.Student plans will vary from this sample due to a variety of factors, such as, but not limited to, start year, education goals, transfer credit, and course availability. To ensure proper degree completion, enrolled students should utilize Degree Map and Schedule Planner in Campus Connection and consult regularly with academic advisors to ensure graduation requirements are being met.  

STUDENTS ENTERING AS A FRESHMAN IN AN ODD-YEAR FALL

A grade of 'C' or better is required in all MUSC prefix courses.

STUDENTS ENTERING AS A FRESHMAN IN AN EVEN-YEAR FALL

A grade of 'C' or better is required in all MUSC prefix courses.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This guide is not an official curriculum. This guide is a sample four-year degree plan of how students might plan this major with other degree requirements to complete their education in four years.Student plans will vary from this sample due to a variety of factors, such as, but not limited to, start year, education goals, transfer credit, and course availability. To ensure proper degree completion, enrolled students should utilize Degree Map and Schedule Planner in Campus Connection and consult regularly with academic advisors to ensure graduation requirements are being met.  

STUDENTS ENTERING AS A FRESHMAN IN AN ODD-YEAR FALL

A grade of 'C' or better is required in all MUSC prefix courses.

¹

MUSC 189 is only required for first-time, first-year students.  A first-time, first-year student is defined as a student who has not yet completed a college course as a college student.  Students that are not first-time, first-year students that either transfer into the university or change their major are not required to take MUSC 189.

*

Music majors may not declare a music minor. 

STUDENTS ENTERING AS A FRESHMAN IN AN EVEN-YEAR FALL

A grade of 'C' or better is required in all MUSC prefix courses.

¹

MUSC 189 is only required for first-time, first-year students.  A first-time, first-year student is defined as a student who has not yet completed a college course as a college student.  Students that are not first-time, first-year students that either transfer into the university or change their major are not required to take MUSC 189.

*

Music majors may not declare a music minor. 

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This guide is not an official curriculum. This guide is a sample four-year degree plan of how students might plan this major with other degree requirements to complete their education in four years.Student plans will vary from this sample due to a variety of factors, such as, but not limited to, start year, education goals, transfer credit, and course availability. To ensure proper degree completion, enrolled students should utilize Degree Map and Schedule Planner in Campus Connection and consult regularly with academic advisors to ensure graduation requirements are being met.  

FOR FRESHMAN ENROLLING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ODD-YEAR FALL

A grade of 'C' or better is required in all MUSC prefix courses.

¹

MUSC 189 is only required for first-time, first-year students.  A first-time, first-year student is defined as a student who has not yet completed a college course as a college student.  Students that are not first-time, first-year students that either transfer into the university or change their major are not required to take MUSC 189.

*

Music majors may not declare a music minor. 

FOR FRESHMAN ENROLLING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AN EVEN-YEAR FALL

A grade of 'C' or better is required in all MUSC prefix courses.

¹

MUSC 189 is only required for first-time, first-year students.  A first-time, first-year student is defined as a student who has not yet completed a college course as a college student.  Students that are not first-time, first-year students that either transfer into the university or change their major are not required to take MUSC 189.

*

Music majors may not declare a music minor.