University General Course Catalog 2021-2022 
    
    Nov 12, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2021-2022 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Applied Instrumental Music, B.M.


The University of Nevada, Reno Department of Music provides education in the history, performance, theory, and pedagogy of music. Its mission is to help students acquire the skills and knowledge to enable them to successfully contribute as performers, scholars, and educators. To this end, and following the mission of the university as a whole, the department provides high quality, accredited, undergraduate and graduate degree programs in performance, education, and research. The department offers courses, ensembles, and concerts that reflect the diversity and richness of the world’s cultures, and maintains a learning environment where student performers and scholars may regularly interact with professional teacher/mentors.

NOTE: For all students entering the Bachelor of Music–Applied Music degree programs, any grade of C- or lower in the coursework for the major must be repeated (courses may only be repeated once).

Student Learning Outcomes


Students will be able to:

  • perform on an instrument or voice at a minimum semi-professional level.
  • master basic musicianship skills (piano, rhythm, pitch discrimination).
  • demonstrate knowledge of basic musical arranging/composing concepts.

Contact Information


Department of Music
Virginia Street Gym 100
(775) 784-6145 

College of Liberal Arts Advising: http://www.unr.edu/liberal-arts/student-resources/academic-advising

Transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno


Use the transfer agreement  and the degree planner (available by clicking Print degree planner icon at the top right of this page) to build your plan for graduation with your advisor. Course substitutions not identified on the transfer agreement require UNR advisor approval.

If a major-to-major transfer agreement is not available for your transfer institution, please check the General Core agreement  if available. If neither is available, access Transferology to assist in your planning.

Graduation Requirements


  • Total Units | 120
  • Cumulative GPA | 2.0
  • University GPA | 2.0
  • Major GPA | 2.0 major; “C” or better in all major coursework
  • Residency Requirement | 20 Upper-Division Units at UNR
  • Major Residency Requirement | 15 Upper-Division Units in the major at UNR
  • Upper-Division Requirement | 42 Upper-Division Units
  • Half Program Units/4 Year Institution | 60 Units

I. Core General Education Requirements (24-27 units)


NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum  chapter of this catalog for information regarding the “Core English and Math Completion Policy  .”

Students in this major must meet all Core Objectives (CO1 through CO14). Courses satisfying Core Objectives are designated (e.g., CO9) in General Catalog curricula and course descriptions.

A. Composition & Communication; Critical Analysis & Use of Information (3-6 units) - CO1, CO3


B. Quantitative Reasoning (3 units minimum) - CO2


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO2 courses .

C. Physical & Natural Phenomena (6 units minimum) - CO4, CO4L


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO4/CO4L courses .

D. Cultures, Societies, & Individuals (3 units) - CO6


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO6 courses .

E. Artistic Composition, Interpretation, & Expression (3 units) - CO7


Music majors will satisfy the Fine Arts requirement through the Ensemble requirement.

F. History & Culture; Constitution (6 units) - CO5, CO8


Refer to the Core Curriculum   chapter in this catalog.

II. Additional Core Requirements (18 units maximum)


Students must take courses that satisfy the following Core Objectives. Some or all of these Core Objectives may be satisfied in the Major Requirements (Section IV).  Refer to the Core Curriculum   chapter in this catalog.

A. Science, Technology & Society Course - CO9


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO9 courses .

B. Diversity & Equity Course - CO10


The following recommended course can also be used in the Major Requirement:

C. Global Context Course - CO11


The following recommended course can also be used in the Major Requirement:

D. Ethics Course - CO12


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO12 courses .

E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis Course - CO13


The following recommended courses can also be used in the Major Requirement:

F. Application Course - CO14


III. Additional College Requirements (0 units)


Applied music majors studying the applied instrumental, or jazz emphases are not required to fulfill the College of Liberal Arts foreign language, and breadth requirements.

IV. Major Requirements–Applied Instrumental Specialization (65-69 units)


An audition for admission in the student’s area of concentration is required prior to acceptance into this Department of Music program. For more information visit the Department website, or contact the Music Office.

A. Required (0 units)


B. 100-level Applied Individual Instruction (8 units)


Applied Music units must be on a single instrument.

C. 300-level Applied Individual Instruction (8 units)


Upper division audition required. Applied music units must be on a single instrument.

D. Junior Recital (0 units)


E. Senior Recital (0 units)


F. Minor Instrument Instruction (2 units)


Units must be earned on a single instrument.

G. Piano Proficiency (0-4 units)


Functional piano sequence optional.

H. Major Ensemble (5 units)


 An additional 3 units of Ensemble coursework is counted in the Core Curriculum Fine Arts section above.

I. Secondary Ensemble (5 units)


K. Continuation Exam


L. Music Literature (3 units)


Select ONE of the following:

M. Conducting (2 units)


N. Music Literature Electives (4 units)


Course work must be numbered 300 - 499. Piano majors should take 4 units of MUS 483 .

V. Minor Requirements (0 units)


VI. Electives (6-13 units)


VII. Recommended Schedule–Instrumental Emphasis


Use the Planner in MyNEVADA to build a custom graduation plan. Review and adjust the plan with an academic advisor.

A. First Year


Fall Semester (14 units)


Spring Semester (14-15 units)


B. Second Year


Fall Semester (14-15 units)


Spring Semester (15 units)


C. Third Year


Fall Semester (14 units)


Spring Semester (17 units)


D. Fourth Year


Fall Semester (17 units)


Spring Semester (13-15 units)


  • Ethics (3 units) CO12
  • (0 units)
  • MUSA (Applied Lessons–300-400 level) (2 units)
  • MUSE (Major Ensemble) (1 unit)
  • MUSE (Secondary Ensemble) (1 unit)
  • (0 units)
  • Music Literature Elective (2 units)
  • General Elective (300-400 level) (1-3 units)
  • Application (3 units) CO14