Our competitive performance programs are led by renowned performing artist faculty. Students regularly perform as soloists, chamber musicians, and orchestral musicians while earning their degree. They are prepared for modern, multifaceted professional careers as performers and/or teachers. The program offers a thorough grounding in instrumental technique and repertory, and broad and continuous experience in performance.

Requirements

University Core

General Education Requirements 1
Competencies
Oral and Written Communication – Part A and Part B 2,3
Quantitative Literacy (QL) – Part A and Part B 2,3
Foreign Language 2
Distribution Requirements 1
Humanities6
Natural Sciences (Must include one lab)6
Social Sciences6
Cultural Diversity 2
Electives
Electives Outside Peck School of the Arts12
Electives in Peck School of the Arts 412
Electives Outside Discipline3
Total Credits45
1

See General Education Requirements for more information.

2

Credits may be utilized in required curriculum areas.

3

OWC Part A and QL Part A should be completed within the first two semesters of pursuing a Music program.

4

9 credits are required in 3 of the 4 other departments in PSOA, outside of the student's discipline: Art and Design, Dance, Music, Theatre, or Film, Video, Animation, and New Genres.

Music BFA Requirements

The minimum number of credits required to complete the Bachelor of Fine Arts is 130. Students who need background preparation courses in math, English, foreign language, and chemistry may need additional credits.

Music Department Competencies
Theory Fundamentals
Fundamentals of Piano:
Music Theory
MUSIC 123Aural Theory I1
MUSIC 124Aural Theory II1
MUSIC 127Materials of Theory I2
MUSIC 128Materials of Theory II3
MUSIC 225Materials of Theory III3
MUSIC 226Aural Theory III1
MUSIC 421Materials of Theory IV3
Music History
MUSIC 106Foundations of Music3
MUSIC 211General History of Western Music I3
MUSIC 212General History of Western Music II3
Total Credits23

Strings Requirements

MUSIC 353Conducting2
MUSIC 447String Pedagogy in the Studio2
Principal Instrument 524
Performing Ensemble 68
Symphony Orchestra
Chamber Music 7
MUSIC 361Ensemble - Piano1-2
MUSIC 365Ensemble - Woodwind1-2
MUSIC 367Ensemble - Brass1-2
MUSIC 369Ensemble - Strings1-2
MUSIC 370Chamber Ensemble - Mixed1-2
MUSIC 561Advanced Chamber Music1-3
Music Theory Electives
Complete one of the following:3
Introduction to Computers and Music
Counterpoint
Instrumental and Choral Orchestration
Studio Techniques
Interactive Electronic Music
Advanced Electronic Music and Sound Art:
Special Studies in Music:
Music History Electives
Complete one of the following:3
Selected Topics in Music History and Literature:
Music of the Baroque Era
Music of the Classic Era
Music of the Romantic Era
Music since 1900
Recital
MUSIC 659Junior Recital0
MUSIC 660Senior Recital:2
Music Electives7
General Electives5
May be taken from any area of the University (including Music) to fulfill requirements
Total Credits62
5

Enrollment in 400-level primary instrument lessons includes enrollment in both Masterclass and Convocation.

6

8 semesters of Orchestra required while concurrently taking studio lessons.

7

Complete 1-4 credits in MUSIC 361, MUSIC 365, MUSIC 367, MUSIC 369, and/or MUSIC 370; complete 1-4 credits in MUSIC 561.

Plan of Study

Recommended Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredits
MusPerf 4XX 3
MUSPERF 1 Fundamentals of Piano: 1
MUSIC 106 Foundations of Music 3
MUSIC 123 Aural Theory I 1
MUSIC 127 Materials of Theory I 2
MUSIC 182 Symphony Orchestra 1
Choose one: 1
Ensemble - Piano
Ensemble - Woodwind
Ensemble - Brass
Ensemble - Strings
Chamber Ensemble - Mixed
Advanced Chamber Music
Electives or Core Curriculum 4
 Credits16
Spring
MusPerf 4XX 3
MUSPERF 1 Fundamentals of Piano: 1
Electives or Core Curriculum 6
MUSIC 182 Symphony Orchestra 1
MUSIC 124 Aural Theory II 1
MUSIC 128 Materials of Theory II 3
Choose one: 1
Ensemble - Piano
Ensemble - Woodwind
Ensemble - Brass
Ensemble - Strings
Chamber Ensemble - Mixed
Advanced Chamber Music
 Credits16
Year 2
Fall
MusPerf 4XX 3
Electives or Core Curriculum 4
MUSIC 182 Symphony Orchestra 1
MUSIC 211 General History of Western Music I 3
MUSIC 225 Materials of Theory III 3
MUSIC 226 Aural Theory III 1
Choose one: 1
Ensemble - Piano
Ensemble - Woodwind
Ensemble - Brass
Ensemble - Strings
Chamber Ensemble - Mixed
Advanced Chamber Music
 Credits16
Spring
MusPerf 4XX 3
Electives or Core Curriculum 5
MUSIC 182 Symphony Orchestra 1
MUSIC 211 General History of Western Music I 3
MUSIC 421 Materials of Theory IV 3
Choose one: 1
Ensemble - Piano
Ensemble - Woodwind
Ensemble - Brass
Ensemble - Strings
Chamber Ensemble - Mixed
Advanced Chamber Music
 Credits16
Year 3
Fall
MusPerf 4XX 3
MUSIC 182 Symphony Orchestra 1
MUSIC 369
Ensemble - Strings
or Chamber Ensemble - Mixed
1
Electives or Core Curriculum 12
 Credits17
Spring
MusPerf 4XX 3
MUSIC 182 Symphony Orchestra 1
MUSIC 659 Junior Recital 0
Choose one: 1
Ensemble - Piano
Ensemble - Woodwind
Ensemble - Brass
Ensemble - Strings
Chamber Ensemble - Mixed
Advanced Chamber Music
Choose one Music History elective: 3
Selected Topics in Music History and Literature:
Music of the Baroque Era
Music of the Classic Era
Music of the Romantic Era
Music since 1900
Music of the Medieval Era
Music of the Renaissance and Early Modern Era
Choose one Music Elective: 2
Conducting
String Pedagogy in the Studio
Advanced Chamber Music
Electives or Core Curriculum 7
 Credits17
Year 4
Fall
MusPerf 4XX 3
MUSIC 182 Symphony Orchestra 1
Choose one: 1
Ensemble - Piano
Ensemble - Woodwind
Ensemble - Brass
Ensemble - Strings
Chamber Ensemble - Mixed
Advanced Chamber Music
Electives or Core Curriculum 11
 Credits16
Spring
MusPerf 4XX 3
MUSIC 182 Symphony Orchestra 1
MUSIC 660 Senior Recital: 2
Electives or Core Curriculum 9
Choose one: 1
Ensemble - Piano
Ensemble - Woodwind
Ensemble - Brass
Ensemble - Strings
Chamber Ensemble - Mixed
Advanced Chamber Music
 Credits16
 Total Credits130

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

To be considered for the Music BA or BFA program, applicants must first be accepted to UW-Milwaukee, apply to the Peck School of the Arts and complete a successful audition or interview. Please visit the Peck School admissions page for more information. 

Pre-Music Education majors must audition for the certification program with the Music Education Area, while enrolled in MUS ED 350, preferably in their fourth semester.

Students accepted through auditions who lack basic aural, theory, and/or keyboard skills must successfully complete MUSIC 1 and/or MUSPERF 1 in their first year of study. A final grade of B or higher is required to enroll in the subsequent Music Theory and Piano courses.

Provisional

Students declared Provisional at the time of auditions could achieve Music major status based on the successful Jury performance at the end of the first semester. Students not performing a successful first semester jury will not be allowed to continue as a Music major and will be dropped from the Music department. Provisional students must take all required first-semester Music courses during the provisional semester.

Probation

A Music major who has a studio performance grade of C or lower for two consecutive semesters may be placed on Music Department Probation. (2.75 GPA is required for continuation in the Music Education degree program.) Cleared Probation: Either re-audition or a passing grade for the performance lessons and final Jury is attained during the semester of probation and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.

Not Accepted

Prospective students not accepted at their initial audition are allowed one additional audition opportunity.

Re-Audition

Required after an absence of two consecutive semesters from the UWM Music Department as a Music major actively progressing toward degree. The returning student must successfully re-audition in their principal area. The Music Education major must re-audition in their principal area and re-interview with the Music Education faculty.

Music BFA Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a BFA in Music will be able to: 

  • recognize and distinguish music from all periods of European art music history, and to recognize and distinguish the music from a variety of other world cultures and traditions, based on musical and stylistic features.  
  • will be able to recognize assumptions, concepts, models, and various methods in musicological and ethnomusicological work and in their own thinking, and will be able to choose the most appropriate analytical tools and concepts to examine specific musics. 
  •  to interpret, analyze, critique, and reflect on art music from different critical perspectives and aesthetic viewpoints. 
  • to express ideas about music in written form demonstrating a mastery of factual knowledge, bibliographic resources, analytical method, critical thinking, and the ability to construct a coherent and well-organized argument. 
  • to perform solo instrumental or vocal repertoire, chamber music, and large ensemble music in public, in a practical demonstration of their understanding of period or cultural aesthetic ideals. 
  • to apply pedagogical skills appropriate to their instrument/voice, choosing performance exercises that deal with technical issues found in the repertoire, and guiding beginning students in learning music. 

Degree Requirements

All Music curricula for the BFA require 125-130 credits, distributed as follows: music courses as specified in each curriculum: 75-80 credits; core curriculum: 45 credits; general electives: 0-9 credits. The BA in Music requires 120 credits, distributed as follows: music courses, 48 credits; core curriculum, 45 credits; general electives, 27 credits.

Performance Ensemble Requirement

All Music majors are required to participate in performing organizations during the course of their study. All Performance and Music Education majors must be registered in an approved major performing organization concurrent with each semester of private study. The director of bands, the director of choral activities, and the director of orchestras make ensemble assignments at the beginning of each semester. Only one approved ensemble credit per semester can apply toward degree requirements. For the purpose of fulfilling the Performance Ensemble requirement, the Department of Music recognizes the following approved major performing Ensembles: University Advanced Women’s Choir, Concert Chorale, Women’s Chorus, University Men’s Chorus, University Band, Symphony Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Symphony Orchestra, and University Community Orchestra. (Other performance ensembles may be approved in certain degree programs; see individual degree programs below for specific requirements in each area.)

Performance Ensemble Requirement for Transfer Students

Credits from an accredited college/university for performing organizations may be granted as follows:

  • All transfer students to UWM, regardless of entry level, must take at least two semesters of an approved major performing organization. The performing organization must conform to the individual degree requirements: instrumentalists take band or orchestra, vocalists take choral ensembles;
  • Entering sophomores with 30 or more earned credits may only transfer up to two completed semesters of an approved performing organization from another university; and
  • Entering juniors with 60 or more earned credits may only transfer up to four completed semesters of an approved performing organization from another university.

Recital Attendance and Music Convocation Requirements

All Music majors must attend weekly Music Convocation meetings for a minimum of five semesters. All students entering the Music Department as freshmen are required to take one semester of MUSIC 106 during their freshman year.

All Music majors, excluding transfer students and second degree candidates, must earn 80 recital attendance credits for graduation. This requirement may be met by attending:

  • Campus recitals (one attendance credit per recital),
  • Weekly departmental Music Convocation (five attendance credits per semester), and
  • Off-campus recitals (one attendance credit per recital to a maximum of three per semester).

Transfer students and second degree candidates must earn 10 recital credits (including weekly Music Convocation) for each semester on the UWM campus, to a total of 80, or until the completion of the degree.

Music Performance Course Enrollment Requirements

The study of music performance in private lessons, master classes, and seminars is governed by four special conditions:

  • Performance courses (lessons) cannot be dropped after the second week of each semester;
  • Eligibility for undergraduate Music major private lessons requires a minimum of 4 credits in Music Department courses. Only one ensemble credit can be applied to the 4-credit minimum;
  • All Music majors are required to enroll in an approved ensemble concurrent with each semester of Performance lessons; and
  • Students enrolled in Music Performance lessons at the 200 level or above must enroll in the appropriate Performance Master Class. Music Education Majors are not required to take Performance Master Class, but may enroll in Performance Master Class as music electives.

Music Theory and History Requirements

The Music Theory core comprises a three-semester sequence of Materials of Theory concurrently with three semesters of Aural Theory. This is followed by a semester of Form Analysis. The Music History core comprises a three-semester sequence of the General History of Western Music. Additional Music Theory and Music History courses are required in all Music degree programs. See individual programs for details.

Laptop Requirement

Preparing for a future defined by digital technology is an important step in developing artists. Our digitally integrated curriculum helps you achieve a professional level with leading art-related software and practices.

Laptop ownership is strongly recommended for all undergraduates. However, it’s required for the programs below. For more information please visit the Peck School of the Arts admission page

  • Art & Design (BA and BFA Programs)
  • Dance (BA and BFA Programs) 
  • Film, Video, Animation & New Genres (BA and BFA Programs)
  • Music (Composition & Technology Program)
  • Theatre (BFA Production and BA Theatre Education Programs)

Advising

Location: Theatre 120
Hours: M–Th 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Fri. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (closed on university holidays)
Contact: 414-229-4763 | Contact Form 

Academic advising is an important aspect of long-term academic success. At the Peck School of the Arts, we offer professional advising in the undergraduate disciplines of art, dance, film, music and theatre.

Our advisors provide students with individualized appointments to assist them in areas such as: degree requirements, major options, course selection, campus resources, college success strategies, graduation assessment, academic policies and procedures, and more.

For more information please visit the Peck School of the Arts advising and student services page

Honors in the Major

Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a GPA of 3.500 or greater in the major and the academic department's recommendation.

High Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or greater and the academic department's recommendation.

Departmental Honors are granted to students recommended by their academic department for Honors excellence in performance not reflected in the GPA.

Dean's Honors are granted to students with major achievements in one or more of the arts.

College of the Arts and Architecture Dean's Honor List

GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.

Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction

Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.

Commencement Honors

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).

Final Honors

Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.