Music Technology, B.M.

Requirements for the major in music technology, Bachelor of Music program

Admission to Music degree programs

Admission to the music degree programs at Oakland University (OU) is a two-tiered process, except for the B.A. in Music. The first step in the process for all students is the entrance audition. These auditions are held several times a year and determine whether or not a student will be admitted to OU in any of these degree programs. For all B.M. programs, the second step is the major standing audition, which determines whether students may continue in the program, and if they can be admitted into a professional program in the school.

Entrance auditions

Entrance audition days are held several times each year. The audition schedule and downloadable application are available on the school website. Please submit application to the school office. Students should be prepared to demonstrate proficiency in their proposed area of specialization.

• Students seeking admission to Oakland University as music majors or auditioned music minors must audition for the music faculty.
• Students who audition and do not enroll within two semesters must re-audition.
• Students who enroll and leave school for at least two semesters must re-audition. Music students who enroll and leave school must re-audition and also retake the theory placement exam.

The Bachelor of Music degree is intended for students who wish pre-professional and professional preparation in music education and/or performance, piano pedagogy, or music technology and industry. Students should consult the Student Resources link and should also meet with the departmental adviser in the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office to plan their degree program. See: Student Resources

Only major courses in which a grade of at least C has been earned will count toward the major. For this program, MUS 1331  satisfies the General Education arts requirement. MUS 3331  and MUS 3332  count as writing intensive in the major. MUS 4998  counts as the general education capstone.

Degree requirements are as follows:

Applied music - 20 credits (or placement)

Must achieve 3000-level in principal instrument or voice:

• Applied principal instrument or voice 1000 level (4) (2 credits per semester, 4 credits total)
• Applied principal instrument or voice 2000 level (4) (2 credits per semester, 4 credits total)
• Applied principal instrument or voice 3000 level (4) (2 credits per semester, 4 credits total)
• Applied principal instrument or voice 3000 or 4000 level (4) (2 credits per semester, 4 credits total)
• MUS 1171 - Keyboard Technique I  (2)
• MUS 1172 - Keyboard Technique II  (2)

Music history, theory, and world music - 28 credits (or placement)

• MUS 1212 - Music Theory I (3) and  MUS 1213 - Aural Skills I (1)
• MUS 1214 - Music Theory II (3) and  MUS 1215 - Aural Skills II (1)
• MUS 2212 - Music Theory III (3) and  MUS 2213 - Aural Skills III (1)
• MUS 2214 - Music Theory IV (3) and  MUS 2215 - Aural Skills IV (1)
• MUS 1331 - History and Literature of Western Tonal Music (3)
• MUS 1332 - Music of World Cultures (3)
• MUS 3331 - History and Literature of Medieval and Renaissance Music (3)
• MUS 3332 - History and Literature of Western Music from ca. 1850 to the Present (3)

Music technology and industry - 28 credits

• MUS 2701 - Creative Composition I (2)
• MUS 2702 - Creative Composition II (2)
• MUS 3053 - Acoustics for Musicians (2)
• MUS 3054 - Basic Recording Techniques (2)
• MUS 3701 - Music Technology I: MIDI and Sequencing (2)
• MUS 3702 - Music Technology II: Audio Design and Processing (2)
• MUS 3711 - Advanced Recording Techniques (2)
• MUS 4701 - Orchestration and Arranging (3)
• MUS 4711 - Interactive Computer Music (2)
• MUS 4720 - Career Building for Musicians (2)
• MUS 4951 - Music Industry Internship (4)
• MUS 4998 - Senior Project: Music Technology and Recording (3)

Minimum of 2 credits of improvisation selected from

• MUE 3015 - Oakland Jazz Singers (0 OR 1)
• MUE 3040 - Oakland University Jazz Band (0 OR 1)
• MUE 3041 - Jazz Improvisation Combos (0 OR 1)
• MUE 3045 - African Ensemble (0 OR 1)
• MUE 3046 - Steel Band (0 OR 1)
• MUE 3048 - World Percussion Ensemble (0 OR 1)
• MUE 3065 - Contemporary Music Ensemble (0 OR 1)
• MUS 3601 - Jazz Theory and Improvisation I (2)
• MUS 3602 - Jazz Theory and Improvisation II (2)

Language - 4 credits

Must choose a foreign language to fulfill general education foreign language requirement (not ALS or ML)

Ensembles - 8 credits

Must enroll in an ensemble that uses the primary performance area every semester of major until graduation.

• MUE 3001 - University Chorus (0 OR 1)
• MUE 3004 - Oakland Chorale (0 OR 1)
• MUE 3019 - Chamber Orchestra (0 OR 1)
• MUE 3020 - Oakland Symphony (0 OR 1)
• MUE 3029 - Symphonic Band (0 OR 1)
• MUE 3031 - Wind Symphony (0 OR 1)

Non-credit requirement

• Events attendance requirement: Students must complete four attendance cards (ten events each year for four years).  May include up to 4 pre-approved music service learning events in underserved communities per year.
• One events attendance card must be submitted by the time of major standing.
• Major Standing

Recommended general education courses

• Western Civilization:  AN 3110 - Culture, Society and Technology  or COM 3607 - Rise of Electronic Media  
• Formal Reasoning:  MTH 1118 - Mathematical Sciences in the Modern World  or CSI 1200 - Introduction to Computing and Programming using Excel  or CSI 1220 - Computer Animation  

Additional Information

In addition to these major requirements, students must complete the Oakland University General Education Requirements  and an appropriate number of free elective classes to meet the overall credit requirement for the degree (in most cases 124; some degrees may require a greater number).

As a general rule, no more than eight credits of course work used to satisfy one major, minor or concentration may be applied toward another, but exceptions to this rule may be allowed with the written approval of the program coordinators.