Overview
Whether you’re interested in pursuing a career in music education, performance, music therapy, arts administration, or music in the community, earning a degree in music at UMN Morris will give you a more comprehensive knowledge of music. At its core, the UMN Morris music curriculum is designed for you to not only develop musical and performance skills, but also to investigate the many ways that music can help us understand human culture and history. Using the liberal arts model of knowledge, the study of music at UMN Morris incorporates applied lessons, ensembles, theory, and history.
The music program is flexible so that you can tailor your studies to what interests you. Foundational skills in musicology and analysis, and ensemble and solo performances complement and support specialist topics covered in elective courses. As you learn from faculty who are active performers and researchers, you will develop research techniques, skills in writing about music, and oral abilities, along with analytical, critical, and creative thinking skills.
Ensembles form an integral part of the music discipline and are open to all students, regardless of their major. Although participation in an ensemble is optional as a music major, it provides the opportunity to experience a diverse range of music at traditional and informal events.
Degree Requirements
As an incoming music major or minor, you will meet with faculty to discuss your prior musical experiences and attainment levels in order to determine the best course options for you. In addition, you will undergo regular, detailed performance assessments to ensure that you are progressing appropriately and to gain feedback from music faculty.
There are three major points at which performance ability is assessed: at the end of the second semester of lessons; during the jury (generally takes place at the end of your second year, or during your third year); and during the senior recital. You may perform a jury if you are enrolled in your fourth (or later) semester of lessons.
Piano
Piano studies courses at UMN Morris are open to all students, regardless of major. If you’re interested in taking piano lessons (including all incoming and transfer music majors and minors, and all students registered for MUS 1111 and MUS 1200, section 095), you should contact and meet with Professor Ann DuHamel to ensure that you are placed with the instructor who is the best match for you. If you are a non-music major with no piano experience, you should register for MUS 1044.
Teaching Licensure
Meeting additional requirements to obtain a teaching licensure in music is another option you have as a music major at UMN Morris.
The Music Education Regulation of Minnesota recognizes two areas of specialization:
- Instrumental and Classroom Music K-12: Your major performance medium must be either winds, percussion, keyboard, or strings.
- Vocal and Classroom Music K-12: Your major performance medium must be either voice, keyboard, or guitar.
The secondary education requirements and elementary education requirements list the requirements for obtaining an education licensure.
Student Learning Outcomes
By completing a degree in music, you will be able to:
- demonstrate proficiency in aural and keyboard musicianship;
- interpret and perform a wide range of music literature in a public venue;
- listen to and write about music critically;
- apply stylistic principles to the music you perform;
- read and write scales, chords, and rhythms;
- understand contrapuntal techniques and formal structures by analyzing pieces; and
- use appropriate analytical techniques.
General Education Requirements
The University of Minnesota and its faculty are committed to providing an education that invites you to investigate the world from new perspectives, learn new ways of thinking, and grow as an active citizen and lifelong learner. The University’s general education requirements are designed to be integrated throughout your four-year undergraduate experience. These courses provide you an opportunity to explore fields outside your major and complement your major curriculum with a multidisciplinary perspective.
Transferring Credit
Put your credits to work for you at UMN Morris, where you’ll earn a degree from a highly ranked public liberal arts university.
Careers & Graduate School
Careers
As a student majoring in music at UMN Morris, you’ll be prepared for a lifetime of success in the field of music. Music graduates have gone on to pursue a broad spectrum of career paths, including:
- Music educator
- Vocal or instrumental performer
- Army musician
- Arts administrator
- Music therapist
- Composer
- Sound technician
- Music retailer
Graduate School
Graduate school offers many options that can build upon the Morris experience. Areas of advanced study include:
- Performance
- Music education
- Conducting
- Coaching
- Composition
- Music theory
- Musicology
- Music therapy
- Music cognition
Costs & Aid
The University of Minnesota Morris is a national public liberal arts college committed to making a high-quality education available to students from across the country. Expenses for housing, meals, books and supplies, transportation, loan fees, and personal expenditures can vary.
Learn more about the cost of attendance
Use our net price calculator to estimate your cost of attendance
Research & Engagement
You’ll be able to actively shape your education through a variety of performance, interdisciplinary, and leadership roles.
Research
Outside of your music classes, members of the music faculty are ready to collaborate with you on scholarly activities or research projects that you may wish to pursue, in fields such as music theory, music history, and world music.
Explore a couple of the projects music faculty and students have collaborated to complete.
Explore Musical MinnesotaExplore Morris Musician Stories
Engagement
Regardless of your major, there are many areas in which you can engage with or learn more about music.
In the area of performance, you may collaborate with faculty on live performance or recording projects
- as a performer,
- as a music arranger,
- in program creation and publicity literature,
- editing audio and video recording,
- as a sound and lighting technician, or
- as front-of-house personnel.
You’ll also have the opportunity to pursue and improve your performance skills through music ensembles, recitals, smaller groups, clubs, or solo venues.
In the area of community and education, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in the local community, perhaps as a church musician or collaborative pianist, or to perform in a student-led ensemble at local events or performing in schools, in public, or assisted care homes, for example. Assisting at campus music events, such as UMM Jazz Fest, honor band days, or choral events, may be another option.
In addition to working closely with other disciplines on projects or performances, the music program at UMN Morris welcomes participation by students from all majors. You’re encouraged to take advantage of any courses or opportunities offered throughout the University of Minnesota system.
UMN Morris offers a variety of large and chamber music ensembles open to all students. Most ensembles request a placement assessment prior to participation. Each ensemble has a student council, through which you can take on an active role in assisting with publicity, fundraising, social events, and administration. Many ensembles tour regionally, nationally, and internationally, and regularly perform in the local community.
Choral Ensembles
You’ll have many opportunities to to perform and practice a wide variety of vocal styles through choral ensembles of different sizes and requirements: Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and the University Community Choir.
Learn more about Choral Ensembles.
Symphonic Winds and Instrumental Chamber Music
UMN Morris Symphonic Winds is the primary large instrumental ensemble for wind, brass, and percussion players. You may also participate in directed chamber ensembles, including Brass Ensemble and Chamber Winds, or in a variety of small chamber groups.
Learn more about Symphonic Winds and Instrumental Chamber Music.
String Chamber Orchestra
The String Chamber Orchestra is the primary instrumental ensemble for string players at UMN Morris. It occasionally collaborates with wind and percussion players to form a full orchestra.
Learn more about String Chamber Orchestra.
Jazz Ensembles and Commercial Music
From big bands to jazz combos, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a variety of jazz ensembles.
