Music Performance
Developing advanced technical and expressive skill on an instrument or voice.
Music performance trains you to a high level of technical and artistic skill on a specific instrument or voice, through private lessons, ensemble participation, and performance juries (evaluations in front of faculty). Music theory and history round out the practical training.
Admission usually requires an audition, and progress is measured through regular juries and recitals, culminating in a senior recital, a full solo performance that serves as the degree's capstone.
Typical courses you might take
- ✓Private Applied Lessons (every semester)
- ✓Music Theory I-IV
- ✓Ear Training / Aural Skills
- ✓Music History Survey
- ✓Ensemble Performance (orchestra, choir, chamber group)
- ✓Conducting Fundamentals
- ✓Performance Pedagogy
- ✓Senior Recital
Sample four-year plan
Illustrative, not a registration planOne possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.
- ✓Private Applied Lessons (every semester)
- +General education requirement
- ✓Music Theory I-IV
- +General education requirement
- ✓Ear Training / Aural Skills
- +General education requirement
- ✓Music History Survey
- +Free elective
- ✓Ensemble Performance (orchestra, choir, chamber group)
- +Free elective
- ✓Conducting Fundamentals
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Performance Pedagogy
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Senior Recital
- +Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)
Skills you'll build
This major might be a good fit if you...
- ★Has significant prior training and wants to go deeper
- ★Disciplined about sustained daily practice
- ★Comfortable with performance pressure and public evaluation
- ★Committed to a specific instrument or voice at a serious level
Common minors & double-major pairings
Music Education · Business Administration · Music Technology
Frequently asked questions
What is a Music Performance major?
Developing advanced technical and expressive skill on an instrument or voice.
What courses do Music Performance majors take?
Typical coursework includes classes like Private Applied Lessons (every semester), Music Theory I-IV, Ear Training / Aural Skills, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.
What skills do you build in a Music Performance program?
Music Performance coursework typically builds skills like Advanced technical performance skill, Music theory and ear training, Sight-reading and interpretation, Ensemble collaboration and listening.
Is Music Performance a good major for me?
It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Has significant prior training and wants to go deeper" or "Disciplined about sustained daily practice" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.
What other majors pair well with Music Performance?
Common minor or double-major pairings include Music Education, Business Administration, Music Technology.
How is Music Performance different from Music Education?
They're related but distinct. Music Performance: Developing advanced technical and expressive skill on an instrument or voice. Music Education: Training to teach music in schools, K-12. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.
How long does it take to earn a Music Performance degree?
Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.
Printed from majoratlas.com/majors/music-performance