welcome admission programs faculty & staff contacts events calender
 

Music Program

Other Links

financial aid
job opportunities

choral music
choral performances
jazz studies

music auditions
music courses
music ensemble auditions


Quick Contacts

email the dept. of theatre and music email the music program email the theatre programemail the Box Office or call
(312)996-2939

UIC Department of Theatre and Music
College of Architecture and the Arts
EPASW Bldg. 1040 W. Harrison St. MC-255
Chicago, IL 60607
phone 312-996-2977 | fax 312-996-0954

Overview

Because the music profession is so diverse, the major curriculum at the University of Illinois at Chicago emphasizes skills and knowledge that are fundamental to the entire discipline: music theory, music history, performance, aural and keyboard training, orchestration, composition, conducting, and ensemble participation. Core course requirements for all majors include two years of work in theory, aural skills, and piano, five semesters of history and literature, and courses in analysis and ethnomusicology. Beyond these,  each of the three concentrations adds requirements particular its focus.   Majors should also plan on at least two years of participation in one of the program’s performing organizations, which include concert band, jazz ensembles, string orchestra, and three choral groups.

For those who qualify for the Performance Concentration, the program offers opportunities for private study in piano, voice, and orchestral and band instruments with some of Chicago’s most outstanding artist-teachers. For those who qualify for Jazz Studies, the program provides private study and small ensemble work with leading Chicago jazz artists.  An audition is required for both the Performance and Jazz Studies concentrations. 

Many of the program’s graduates pursue advanced degrees in music. Others find employment as performers, teachers, or composers in a wide variety of settings. A minimum of 120 semester hours is required for graduation. Students choose the Basic Concentration, the Performance Concentration, or the Jazz Studies Concentration. For more information, write to dpa@uic.edu.

Music Major Requirements

Basic Concentration

For the Basic Concentration, 58 - 66 semester hours distributed as follows:

  • Mus 101, 102, 103, 104, 201, 202, 203, 204 (16 hrs)
  • Mus 170, 171, 270, 271 (8 hrs)
  • Mus 227 (3 hrs)
  • Mus 230, 231, 232 (9 hrs)
  • Mus 300, 301 (6 hrs)
  • 2 courses of music electives chosen from Mus 113, 114, 115, 117, 119 (6 hrs)
  • 2 courses of music electives chosen from Mus 302, 303, 304, 306, 307 (6 hrs)
  • 4 courses chosen from Mus 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 157,159 (4 hrs)
    (No more than one hour of credit earned in any term may apply towards this four-hour requirement.)
  • Mus 110-- Convocation/Recital (0 hrs), Students must register for Mus 110 for 4 terms.
  • Foreign Language: one year of French, German, or Italian at the college level (0-8 hrs) With the consent of the department, students may substitute other languages. Two years of foreign language study is strongly recommended.

Basic Concentration courses: 58- 66
General Education Requirements: 24
Electives: 30 - 38
Total Hours: 120


Performance Concentration

Admission Requirements
For admission to the performance track, students are required to audition. The audition should include the performance of two pieces in contrasting styles, as well as scales, and sight reading.

Major Requirements

For the Performance Concentration, 72 - 74 semester hours distributed as follows:

  • Mus 101, 102, 103, 104, 201, 202, 203, 204 (16 hrs)
  • Mus 170, 171, 270, 271 (8 hrs)
  • Mus 227 (3 hrs)
  • Mus 230, 231, 232 (9 hrs)
  • Mus 300, 301 (6 hrs)
  • 2 courses of music electives chosen from Mus 113, 114, 115, 117, 119 (6 hrs)
  • 2 courses of music electives chosen from Mus 302, 303, 304, 306, 307 (6 hrs)
  • 2 - 4 courses chosen from Mus 151, 153, 157, 159 (2 - 4 hrs) *
  • 2 courses chosen from Mus 152, 154, 155, 160 (2 hrs) *
  • Mus 110-- Convocation/Recital (0 hrs) Students must register for Mus 110 for 4 terms
  • Mus 111 - Master Class (0 hrs). Students must register for Mus 111 for 4 terms and perform in 1 master class in 2 of those terms.
  • Mus 180 or 182 - Private Voice/Instrumental Lessons (8 hrs) Students must register for at least 4 terms. Half-recital and jury required for both courses with a minimum grade of B.
  • Mus 280 or 282 - Advanced Private Voice/Instrumental Lessons (6 hrs) Students must register for 2 terms. Full recital required for 280 and full recital and jury required for 282. Minimum grade of B in first term required.

Performance Concentration courses: 72 - 74
General Education Requirements: 24
Electives: 22 - 24
Total Hours: 120

* Vocalists must choose four hours of 153 and two hours of 154 or 155; wind and percussion students must choose four hours between 151 and 159, and two hours between 152 and 160; piano, classical guitar, and organ students must complete two hours from 152 and two hours of a large ensemble; string students must choose four hours of 157 and two hours of 152.

 

Jazz Studies Concentration

Admission Requirements
For admission to the performance track, students are required to audition. The audition should include the performance of two pieces in contrasting styles, as well as scales, and sight reading.

Major Requirements

For the Jazz Studies Concentration, 93 semester hours distributed as follows:

  • Mus 101, 102, 103, 104, 201, 202, 203, 204 (16 hrs)
  • Mus 114 (3 hrs)
  • Mus 120, 221 (6 hrs)
  • Mus 170, 171, 270, 271 (8 hrs)
  • Mus 220 (3 hrs)
  • Mus 222 (1 hr)
  • Mus 227 (3 hrs)
  • Mus 230, 231, 232 (9 hrs)
  • Mus 301 (3 hrs)
  • Mus 306 (3 hrs)
  • Mus 310, 311 (6 hrs)
  • Mus 312 (3 hrs)
  • 1 course of music electives chosen from Mus 113, 115, 117, 119 (3 hrs)
  • 1 course of music electives chosen from Mus 302, 303, 304, 307, 313 (3 hrs)
  • Mus 110-- Convocation/Recital (0 hrs) Students must register for Mus 110 for 4 terms
  • at least 2 terms chosen from 159 or 150 (2 hrs minimum) *
  • 2 terms minimum of 160 (2 - 3 hrs) *
  • Mus 111 - Master Class (0 hrs). Students must register for Mus 111 for 4 terms and perform in 1 master class for 2 of these terms.
  • Mus 180 or 182 - Private Voice/Instrumental Lessons (12 hrs) Students must register for at least 6 terms. Half-recital or jury and a minimum grade of B is required.
  • Mus 280 or 282 - Advanced Private Voice/Instrumental Lessons (6 hrs) Students must register for 2 terms. Full recital required for 280 and full recital and jury required for 282. A minimum grade of B in the first term is required.

Jazz Studies Concentration courses: 93
General Education Requirements: 24
Electives: 3
Total Hours: 120

* Mus 150 is required for singers. Mus 159 is required for instrumentalists. Students must enroll for a total of 5 hours in a combination of Mus 150/160 (for singers) or Mus 159/160 (for instrumentalists). A minimum of 2 hours is required in any one of these courses.

 

Minor in Music

  • Mus 101, 102, 103, 104 (8 hrs)
  • Mus 170, 171, (4 hrs)
  • Mus 230, 231 (6 hrs)
  • Three hours of music electives at the 100 level, excluding 100, 107, and 156 (3 hrs)

Total: 21 hrs