Bachelor of Music in Music Performance

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About the major

The Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Performance offers exceptional, individualized applied studio instruction and a comprehensive curriculum designed to prepare students for careers as performers, educators, arrangers, producers, and more. Students work closely with a world-class faculty of performers, composers, and scholars who support their personal goals through carefully designed, strategic experiences—empowering them to pursue a wide range of professional opportunities.

Music Performance majors can choose from four concentrations: Instrumental, Jazz, Piano, or Voice. Each curriculum includes diverse ensemble offerings, including large and chamber performance experiences as well as solo and collaborative opportunities.

The B.M. in Music Performance emphasizes the professional development and unique career goals of each student. The program goes beyond traditional artistic training by integrating innovation, entrepreneurship, and embedded certificates or minors — such as Non-Profit Leadership, Audio and Music Production, or Digital Marketing Strategy — within the degree plan.

Contact information

To learn more about our degree programs, audition information, scholarships, professional development and careers, performances, faculty, and students, visit Dana School of Music or contact us at 330.941.3635. 

To schedule a personalized campus visit, contact the Cliffe College of Creative Arts Program Coordinator of Admissions and Recruitment at 330.941.3636 or music@ysu.edu. We would love to hear about your interests, show you our school, and become an important part of your future. 

The BM in Music Performance has four concentrations: Instrumental, Jazz, Piano, and Voice. Please see the specific concentration requirements for your area of study. 

COURSE TITLE S.H.
FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT - STUDENT SUCCESS
YSU 1500Success Seminar1-2
or YSU 1500S Youngstown State University Success Seminar
or HONR 1500 Intro to Honors
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
ENGL 1550Writing 13-4
or ENGL 1549 Writing 1 with Support
ENGL 1551Writing 23
Any Gen Ed Math (Recommended MATH 2623)3
Arts and Humanities (6 s.h. select 1 additional course)3
HIST 2650CL History of American Democracy3
Natural Sciences (7 s.h.) Select 2 courses, 1 with lab7
Social and Behavioral Science (6 s.h.) Select 2 courses6
General Education Electives (9 s.h.)
CMST 1545Communication Foundations3
Any 2 Gen Ed Courses 6
CORE MUSIC REQUIREMENTS
Music Theory (9 hours). Music Theory and Aural Theory of the same level must be taken concurrently.
MUTC 1531Integrated Musicianship 13
MUTC 1532Integrated Musicianship 23
MUTC 2631Integrated Musiciansgip 33
Keyboard Musicianship (4 hours)
MUAC 1581Class Piano 1 *Keyboard students will substitute MUAC 26911
MUAC 1582Class Piano 2 *Keyboard students will substitute MUAC 2692.1
MUAC 2681Class Piano 3 *Jazz students must take MUAC 3781. Keyboard students can choose between MUAC 2693 and MUAC 37811
or MUAC 3781 Jazz Class Piano 1
MUAC 2682Class Piano 4 *Jazz students must take MUAC 3782. Keyboard student may choose between MUAC 2694 and MUAC 3782.1
or MUAC 3782 Jazz Class Piano 2
Music History and Literature (6 hours)
MUHL 3771Music History and Literature 1: World Music3
MUHL 3773Music History and Literature 3: American Music3
Applied Music Lessons Each concentration may have additional hours and requirements18
Conducting (2 hours)
MUCO 3715Beginning Conducting2
Career Preparedness (3 hours)
MUIN 4833Career Development in Music3
Minor or Certificate Choose a certificate or minor. Options include, but are not limited to: Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership, Certificate in Digital Market Strategy, Certificate in Enterprise Resource Planning12
Concentration Requirements *See Concentration for specific requirements28-33
Total Semester Hours120-127

Instrumental Concentration Requirements

COURSE TITLE S.H.
Music History and Literature3
Music History and Literature 2: Western Art Music
Music Theory
MUTC 2633Composition and Songwriting2
MUTC 3710Orchestration and Arranging3
Conducting
MUCO 3716Advanced Instrumental Conducting1
Applied Lesson Sequence * Applied lesson must be taken concurrently with an ensemble each semester. Total 18 hours.
Applied Lesson 1501
Applied Lesson 1502
Applied Lesson 2601
Applied Lesson 2602
Applied Lesson 3701
Applied Lesson 3702 (with Junior Recital)
Applied Lesson 4803
Applied Lesson 4804 (with Senior Recital)
Ensembles10
Large Ensembles (8 hours) Select from the following: MUEN 0002, MUEN 0004, MUEN 0005, MUEN 0006*, MUEN 0007, MUEN 0008, MUEN 0023, MUEN 0025, MUEN 0027 *May only count once as a large ensemble
Chamber Ensembles (2 hours) Select from the following: MUEN 0009, MUEN 0012, MUEN 0013, MUEN 0014, MUEN 0015, MUEN 0016, MUEN 0018, MUEN 0019, MUEN 0020, MUEN 0022, MUEN 0024, MUEN 0026, MUEN 0028, MUEN 0029, MUEN 0030, MUEN 0031, MUEN 0035, MUEN 0044
Upper Division MUHL or MUTC 3700:5800 level Elective9
Total Semester Hours28

Jazz Concentration Requirements

COURSE TITLE S.H.
MUSIC THEORY
MUTC 3712Jazz Arranging 13
CONDUCTING
MUCO 3716Advanced Instrumental Conducting1
APPLIED LESSONS * Applied lesson must be taken concurrently with an ensemble each semester. Total 16 hours.
Applied Lesson 1501
Applied Lesson 1502
Applied Lesson 2601
Applied Lesson 2602
Applied Lesson 3701
Applied Lesson 3702 (with Junior Recital)
Applied Lesson 4801
Applied Lesson 4802 (with Senior Recital)
ENSEMBLES * Applied lesson must be taken concurrently with an ensemble each semester.10
JAZZ EMPHASIS
MUAC 2667Jazz Improvisation 13
MUAC 2668Jazz Improvisation 23
MUAC 3735Jazz Methods1
MUAC 4867Jazz Improvisation 33
MUAC 4868Jazz Improvisation 43
Upper Division MUHL and MUTC level electives6
Jazz Arranging 2
Jazz History
Total Semester Hours33

Piano Concentration Requirements

COURSE TITLE S.H.
Music History and Literature3
Music History and Literature 2: Western Art Music
Music Theory
MUTC 2633Composition and Songwriting2
MUTC 3710Orchestration and Arranging3
CONDUCTING
MUCO 3716Advanced Instrumental Conducting1
or MUCO 3717 Advanced Choral Conducting
APPLIED LESSONS * Applied lesson must be taken concurrently with an ensemble each semester. Total 20 hours (+2 hours for this concentration). 2
Applied Lesson 1501
Applied Lesson 1502
Applied Lesson 2601
Applied Lesson 2602
Applied Lesson 3703
Applied Lesson 3704 (with Junior Recital)
Applied Lesson 4803
Applied Lesson 4804 (with Senior Recital)
ENSEMBLES * Applied lesson must be taken concurrently with an ensemble each semester.8
Large or Chamber Ensembles
MUEN 0002, MUEN 0004, MUEN 0005, MUEN 0007, MUEN 0008, MUEN 0013, MUEN 0023, MUEN 0027, MUEN 0031
*Please consult with your applied teacher regarding ensemble participation
CAREER PREPAREDNESS
MUIN 1561Recording Workshop3
Upper Division MUHL or MUTC 3700:5800 level elective6
Total Semester Hours28

Voice Concentration 

COURSE TITLE S.H.
Music History and Literature3
Music History and Literature 2: Western Art Music
MUSIC THEORY
MUTC 2633Composition and Songwriting2
MUTC 3710Orchestration and Arranging3
CONDUCTING
MUCO 3717Advanced Choral Conducting1
APPLIED LESSONS * Applied lesson must be taken concurrently with an ensemble each semester. Total 18 hours.
Voice
Voice
Voice
Voice
Voice
Voice
Voice
Voice
ENSEMBLES * Applied lesson must be taken concurrently with an ensemble each semester.8
Large Ensembles
Select from the following: (8 hours)
MUEN 0002, MUEN 0004, MUEN 0005, MUEN 0006*, MUEN 0007, MUEN 0008, MUEN 0023, MUEN 0025, MUEN 0027 *May only count once as a large ensemble
Upper Division MUHL or MUTC 3700: 5800 level electives9
DICTION AND PEDAGOGY
MUAC 1556Singer's Diction: English/German1
MUAC 1557Singer's Diction: Italian/French1
MUED 5880Vocal Pedagogy1
CERTIFICATE OR MINOR (12 s.h., 6 s.h. upper division)
Students will choose a certificate/minor, or may elect to take the Foreign Language/Theatre package, which includes the following:
One 3-credit upper division course
Total Semester Hours29
  • All undergraduate music majors are required to attend 12 approved performances each semester for six consecutive semesters beginning in the freshman year.
  • Applied lesson must be taken concurrently with a large ensemble each semester.

Different Emphases may vary slightly. Consult the four-year plans for the Instrumental Concentration, Jazz Concentration, Piano Concentration, or Voice Concentration plans of study.

Instrumental Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallS.H.
YSU 1500
Success Seminar
or Youngstown State University Success Seminar
or Intro to Honors
1-2
ENGL 1550
Writing 1
or Writing 1 with Support
3-4
Applied Lessons 1501 2
MUTC 1531 Integrated Musicianship 1 3
MUAC 1581 Class Piano 1 1
MUEN 00XX Large Ensemble 1
General Education Elective - Social Science 3
 Semester Hours14-16
Spring
ENGL 1551 Writing 2 3
Applied Lessons 1502 2
MUTC 1532 Integrated Musicianship 2 3
MUAC 1582 Class Piano 2 1
MUEN 00XX Large Ensemble 1
Any Gen Ed Math 3
HIST 2650 CL History of American Democracy 3
 Semester Hours16
Year 2
Fall
Applied Lessons 2601 2
MUTC 2631 Integrated Musiciansgip 3 3
MUAC 2681
Class Piano 3
or Jazz Class Piano 1
1
MUEN 00XX Large Ensemble 1
MUHL 3771 Music History and Literature 1: World Music 3
CMST 1545 Communication Foundations 3
General Education Elective - Any Gen Ed Course 3
 Semester Hours16
Spring
Applied Lessons 2602 2
MUTC 2633 Composition and Songwriting 2
MUAC 2682
Class Piano 4
or Jazz Class Piano 2
1
MUHL 3772 Music History and Literature 2: Western Art Music 3
MUEN 00XX Large Ensemble 1
General Education Elective - Social Science 3
Certificate Course 1 3
 Semester Hours15
Year 3
Fall
Applied Lessons 3701 2
MUCO 3715 Beginning Conducting 2
MUHL 3773 Music History and Literature 3: American Music 3
MUEN 00XX Large Ensemble 1
MUEN 00XX Chamber Ensemble 1
Certificate Course 2 3
General Education Elective - Natural Science + Lab 4
 Semester Hours16
Spring
Applied Lessons 3702 (with Junior Recital) 2
MUTC 3710 Orchestration and Arranging 3
MUCO 3716 Advanced Instrumental Conducting 1
MUIN 4833 Career Development in Music 3
MUEN 00XX Large Ensemble 1
MUEN 00XX Chamber Ensemble 1
General Education Elective - Any Gen Ed Course 3
 Semester Hours14
Year 4
Fall
Applied Lessons 4803 3
MUEN 00XX Large Ensemble 1
MUTC/MUHL - Upper Division Electives 3
General Education Elective - Natural Science 3
Certificate Course 3 3
Any AH Gen Ed 3
 Semester Hours16
Spring
Applied Lessons 4804 (with Senior Recital) 3
MUEN 00XX Large Ensemble 1
MUTC/MUHL - Upper Division Electives 6
Certificate Course 4 6
 Semester Hours16
 Total Semester Hours123-125

Jazz Concentration 

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallS.H.
YSU 1500
Success Seminar
or Youngstown State University Success Seminar
or Intro to Honors
1-2
Applied Lesson 1501 2
MUTC 1531 Integrated Musicianship 1 3
MUAC 1581 Class Piano 1 1
Keyboard majors will substitute MUAC 2691
 
MUEN 0023 Jazz Ensemble 1
ENGL 1550
Writing 1
or Writing 1 with Support
3-4
HIST 2650 CL History of American Democracy 3
 Semester Hours14-16
Spring
Applied Lesson 1502 2
MUTC 1532 Integrated Musicianship 2 3
MUAC 1582 Class Piano 2 1
Keyboard majors will substitute MUAC 2692
 
MUEN 0023 Jazz Ensemble 1
ENGL 1551 Writing 2 3
General Education Elective -- Social Science 3
Any Gen Ed Math 3
 Semester Hours16
Year 2
Fall
Applied Lesson 2601 2
MUTC 2631 Integrated Musiciansgip 3 3
MUAC 3781 Jazz Class Piano 1 1
MUEN 0023 Jazz Ensemble 1
MUHL 3771 Music History and Literature 1: World Music 3
MUAC 3735 Jazz Methods 1
MUAC 2667 Jazz Improvisation 1 3
 Semester Hours14
Spring
Applied Lesson 2602 2
MUAC 3782 Jazz Class Piano 2 1
MUEN 0023
MUEN 0030
Jazz Ensemble
and Jazz Combo
2
MUAC 2668 Jazz Improvisation 2 3
Certificate Course 1 5
General Education Elective - Any Gen Ed Course 3
 Semester Hours16
Year 3
Fall
Applied Lesson 3701 2
MUCO 3715 Beginning Conducting 2
MUEN 0030 Jazz Combo 1
MUHL 3773 Music History and Literature 3: American Music 3
MUTC 3712 Jazz Arranging 1 3
CMST 1545 Communication Foundations 3
Certificate Course 2 3
 Semester Hours17
Spring
Applied Lesson 3702 (with Junior Recital) 2
MUCO 3716 Advanced Instrumental Conducting 1
MUTC 3713 Jazz Arranging 2 3
MUEN 0030 Jazz Combo 1
MUHL 3775 Jazz History 3
MUIN 4833 Career Development in Music 3
General Education Elective - Social Science 3
 Semester Hours16
Year 4
Fall
Applied Lesson 4801 2
MUEN 0023
MUEN 0030
Jazz Ensemble
and Jazz Combo
2
MUAC 4867 Jazz Improvisation 3 3
General Education Elective - Natural Science 3
Certificate Course 3 3
Any AH Ged Ed 3
 Semester Hours16
Spring
Applied Lesson 4802 (with Senior Recital) 2
MUEN 0030 Jazz Combo 1
Certificate Course 4 3
General Education Elective - Natural Science + Lab 4
General Education Elective - Any Gen Ed Course 3
 Semester Hours13
 Total Semester Hours122-124

Piano Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallS.H.
YSU 1500
Success Seminar
or Youngstown State University Success Seminar
or Intro to Honors
1-2
PIAN 1501 Piano 2
MUTC 1531 Integrated Musicianship 1 3
MUAC 2691 Professional Piano Skills 1 1
MUEN 00XX (Ensemble) 1
ENGL 1550
Writing 1
or Writing 1 with Support
3-4
HIST 2650 CL History of American Democracy 3
 Semester Hours14-16
Spring
PIAN 1502 Piano 2
MUTC 1532 Integrated Musicianship 2 3
MUAC 2692 Professional Piano Skills 2 1
MUEN 00XX (Ensemble) 1
ENGL 1551 Writing 2 3
General Education Elective - Social Science 3
Any Gen Ed MATH 3
 Semester Hours16
Year 2
Fall
PIAN 2601 Piano 2
MUTC 2631 Integrated Musiciansgip 3 3
MUAC 2693 Professional Piano Skills 3 1
MUEN 00XX (Ensemble) 1
MUHL 3771 Music History and Literature 1: World Music 3
CMST 1545 Communication Foundations 3
 Semester Hours13
Spring
PIAN 2602 Piano 2
MUTC 2633 Composition and Songwriting 2
MUAC 2694 Professional Piano Skills 4 1
MUHL 3772 Music History and Literature 2: Western Art Music 3
Certificate Course 1 3
MUEN 00XX (Ensemble) 1
General Education Elective - Natural Science 3
 Semester Hours15
Year 3
Fall
PIAN 3703 Piano 3
MUCO 3715 Beginning Conducting 2
MUHL 3773 Music History and Literature 3: American Music 3
MUIN 1561 Recording Workshop 3
MUEN 00XX (Ensemble) 1
Certificate Course 2 3
 Semester Hours15
Spring
PIAN 3704 Piano 3
MUTC 3710 Orchestration and Arranging 3
MUCO 3716
Advanced Instrumental Conducting
or Advanced Choral Conducting
1
MUEN 00XX (Ensemble) 1
MUIN 4833 Career Development in Music 3
General Education Elective - Natural Science + Lab 4
 Semester Hours15
Year 4
Fall
PIAN 4803 Piano 3
MUEN 00XX (Ensemble) 1
Music Upper Division MUHL or MUTC Elective 3
Certificate Course 3 3
General Education Elective - Social Science 3
General Education Elective - Any Gen Ed Course 3
 Semester Hours16
Spring
PIAN 4804 Piano 3
Music Upper Division MUTC or MUHL Elective 3
MUEN 00XX (Ensemble) 1
Certificate Course 4 3
Any Gen Ed Elective 3
Any AH Gen Ed 3
 Semester Hours16
 Total Semester Hours120-122

Voice Concentration

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallS.H.
YSU 1500
Success Seminar
or Youngstown State University Success Seminar
or Intro to Honors
1-2
VOIC 1501 Voice 2
MUTC 1531 Integrated Musicianship 1 3
MUAC 1581 Class Piano 1 1
MUEN 00XX Large Ensemble 1
MUAC 15XX Diction Elective 1
ENGL 1550
Writing 1
or Writing 1 with Support
3-4
HIST 2650 CL History of American Democracy 3
 Semester Hours15-17
Spring
VOIC 1502 Voice 2
MUTC 1532 Integrated Musicianship 2 3
MUAC 1582 Class Piano 2 1
MUEN 00XX Large Ensemble 1
ENGL 1551 Writing 2 3
CMST 1545 Communication Foundations 3
Any Gen Ed Math 3
 Semester Hours16
Year 2
Fall
VOIC 2601 Voice 2
MUTC 2631 Integrated Musiciansgip 3 3
MUAC 2681
Class Piano 3
or Jazz Class Piano 1
1
MUHL 3771 Music History and Literature 1: World Music 3
MUEN 00XX Large Ensemble 1
General Education Elective - Social Science 3
Certificate Course 1 3
 Semester Hours16
Spring
VOIC 2602 Voice 2
MUAC 2682
Class Piano 4
or Jazz Class Piano 2
1
MUTC 2633 Composition and Songwriting 2
MUHL 3772 Music History and Literature 2: Western Art Music 3
MUEN 00XX Large Ensemble 1
MUAC 15XX Diction Elective 1
Certificate Course 2 3
General Education Elective - Natural Science 3
 Semester Hours16
Year 3
Fall
VOIC 3701 Voice 2
MUCO 3715 Beginning Conducting 2
MUHL 3773 Music History and Literature 3: American Music 3
MUEN 00XX Large Ensemble 1
Certificate Course 3 3
General Education Elective - Social Science 3
 Semester Hours14
Spring
VOIC 3702 Voice 2
MUTC 3710 Orchestration and Arranging 3
MUCO 3717 Advanced Choral Conducting 1
MUEN 00XX Large Ensemble 1
MUIN 4833 Career Development in Music 3
General Education Elective - Natural Science + Lab 4
 Semester Hours14
Year 4
Fall
VOIC 4803 Voice 3
MUEN 00XX Large Ensemble 1
MUHL or MUTC Upper Division Elective 3
General Education Elective - Any Gen Ed Course 3
Certificate Course 4 3
Any Gen Ed Elective 3
 Semester Hours16
Spring
VOIC 4804 Voice 3
MUED 5880 Vocal Pedagogy 1
MUEN 00XX Large Ensemble 1
MUHL or MUTC Upper Division Electives 6
Any AH Gen Ed 3
 Semester Hours14
 Total Semester Hours121-123
  • All undergraduate music majors are required to attend 12 approved performances each semester for six consecutive semesters beginning in the freshman year.
  • Applied lesson must be taken concurrently with a large ensemble each semester.

Learning outcomes

The student learning outcomes for the major in music performance are as follows:

  • Students will perform a public recital in their applied area.
  • Students will analyze music, discriminate pitch, harmony, and rhythm and perform harmonic progressions at the piano.
  • Students will demonstrate critical thinking about the various historical periods, cultural contexts, and social forces that influence musical activity.
  • Students will demonstrate basic keyboard proficiency including scales, arpeggios, harmonization, repertoire, transpositions, and score reading.