University of Texas at El Paso Academic Catalog

Academic Catalog

Bachelor of Music, Commercial Music

Music consumption in the general populace is at an all time high.  Music performers are needed in all musical genres.  Music for media - movies, television, the internet, video games, corporate advertising and promotion, and education - is constantly required.  Additionally, support industries require musically educated workings.  These include music publishing, arranging, retail and the musical instrument industry.  The degree in Commercial Music prepares students all these areas.

Marketable Skills

  1. Confidence: Be self-assured through appreciating your own talents, abilities, skills, and qualities
  2. Entrepreneurship: Develop, organize, and manage ideas and opportunities turning them into new products, services, firms, or industries
  3. Leadership: Step up, think, and act critically and creatively to bring others together to accomplish a common task
  4. Teamwork: Participate as an effective, efficient member of a group in order to meet a common goal
  5. Time management: Prioritize goals and organize time to be more productive and efficient.

Perform music professionally in a variety of genres.  Arrange or compose music in a variety of genres.  Utilize twenty-first century music technology in composition, arranging, notation and recording.  Understand the in and outs of the music business.

Degree Plan

Required Credits: 120

Designated Core
MUSL 2321Music, Culture, and Society3
University Core Curriculum
Complete the University Core Curriculum requirements. 42
Commercial Music Major
Theory Advancement Test required for all Bachelor of Music degrees
Required Courses:
MUSA 1165Chamber Music/Accompanying (Complete two semesters)2
MUSA 1195Individual Instruction (Complete four semesters)4
MUSA 3295Individual Instruction (Complete four semesters)8
MUSA 2217Improvisation I2
MUSA 3255Improvisation II2
MUSA 3256Improvisation III2
MUSL 3321Classical Music History I3
MUSL 3322Classical Music History II3
MUSL 3330History of Commercial Music3
MUST 1111Aural Skills I1
MUST 1112Aural Skills II1
MUST 1215Music Technology I2
MUST 1313Music Theory I3
MUST 1314Music Theory II3
MUST 2111Aural Skills III1
MUST 2112Aural Skills IV1
MUST 2313Music Theory III3
MUST 2314Music Theory IV3
MUST 3261Comm Arr/Anal/Comp I2
MUST 3262Comm Arr/Anal/Comp II2
MUST 3263Comm Arr/Anal/Comp III2
MUST 3315Music Technology II3
MUST 3341Intro to Recording Studio3
MUST 4315Intro to Music Business3
Ensemble8-16
If brass, percussion, or wind, complete eight semesters of ensemble. This will be between 8 and 16 hours:
MUSA 1137Special Focus Ensembles (up to two semesters)0-2
MUSA 1143Symphonic Band (up to six semesters)0-6
MUSA 1241Marching Band (up to four semesters)0-8
MUSA 1244Wind Symphony (up to six semesters)0-12
If vocal, complete eight semesters of ensemble. This will be between 8 and 16 hours:
MUSA 1151University Chorus (up to eight semesters)0-8
MUSA 1250University Chorale (up to eight semesters)0-16
If guitar or piano, complete eight semesters of ensemble. This will be between 8 and 16 hours:
Up to eight semesters from the following:
MUSA 1137Special Focus Ensembles (Up to 4 semesters is allowed)0-4
MUSA 1151University Chorus0-8
MUSA 1250University Chorale0-16
If orchestral string, complete eight semesters of ensemble:
Up to eight semesters from the following:
MUSA 1261Orchestra-Strings16
Piano Proficiency:
Required:
MUSA 1271Piano Class I2
MUSA 1272Piano Class II2
MUSA 2255Commercial Piano I2
MUSA 2256Commercial Piano II2
Senior Recital:
Complete senior recital
Total Hours120
1

Only one ensemble course per semester is accepted.

2

Or fulfill piano proficiency.

University Core Curriculum

The department may make specific suggestions for courses which are most applicable towards your major.

All courses require a C or better

I. Communication (six hours)

Courses in this category focus on developing ideas and expressing them clearly, considering the effect of the message, fostering understanding, and building the skills needed to communicate persuasively. Courses involve the command of oral, aural, written, and visual literacy skills that enable people to exchange messages appropriate to the subject, occasion, and audience.
Select six hours of the following: 6
For students whose secondary education was in English:
Written and Oral Communication
Writing About Literature
Rhetoric & Composition I
Rhetoric & Composition 2
Rhetoric, Composition & Comm
For students whose secondary education was not in English:
Expos Engl Compos-Spkr Esl
Res & Crit Writng Spkr Esl
Total Hours6

II. American History (six hours)

Courses in this category focus on the consideration of past events and ideas relative to the United States, with the option of including Texas History for a portion of this component area. Courses involve the interaction among individuals, communities, states, the nation, and the world, considering how these interactions have contributed to the development of the United States and its global role.
HIST 1301History of U.S. to 18653
HIST 1302History of U.S. Since 18653
Total Hours6

III. Language, Philosophy & Culture  (three hours)

Courses in this category focus on how ideas, values, beliefs, and other aspects of culture express and affect human experience. Courses involve the exploration of ideas that foster aesthetic and intellectual creation in order to understand the human condition across cultures.
Select one of the following:3
Intro-African Amer Studies
Latina/o Presence in the U.S.
English Literature
English Literature
Intro to American Fiction
Intro to American Drama
Intro to American Poetry
Making of the "Other" Americas
World History to 1500
World History Since 1500
Introduction to Philosophy
Ethics
Introduct to Religious Studies
Seeing & Naming: Conversations
Introduction to Womens Studies
Global Feminisms
Total Hours3

IV. Mathematics  (three hours)

Courses in this category focus on quantitative literacy in logic, patterns, and relationships. Courses involve the understanding of key mathematical concepts and the application of appropriate quantitative tools to everyday experience.
Select one of the following:3
College Algebra
Trigonometry and Conics
Math in the Modern World
Math for Social Sciences I
Calculus I
Precalculus 1,2
Math for Social Sciences II
Statistical Literacy
Elementary Statistical Methods
1 A higher-level course in the calculus sequence can be substituted.
2 TCCN MATH 1314 will also satisfy this requirement.
Total Hours3

V. Life & Physical Sciences  (six hours)

Courses in this category focus on describing, explaining, and predicting natural phenomena using the scientific method. Courses involve the understanding of interactions among natural phenomena and the implications of scientific principles on the physical world and on experiences.
Select one of the following:1-4
Astronomy Lab I
Elem Astronomy-Solar System
Elem Astr Stars & Galaxies
Introductory Biology Lab
Human Biology Laboratory
Topics in Study of Life I
Organismal Biology Laboratory
Introductory Biology
Human Biology
General Biology
Organismal Biology
Human Anat/Physio Lab I
Human Anat/Physio Lab II
Human Anat/Physiology I
Human Anat/Physiology II
Laboratory for CHEM 1305
Laboratory for CHEM 1306
Intro General Chemistry Lab
Intro Organic & Biochem Lab
General Chemistry
General Chemistry
Intro to General Chemistry
Intro Organic & Biochemistry
Environmental Sci. Lab
Non-major Lab for ESCI 1301
Intro to Environment Science 2
Intro to Environmental Sci
Laboratory for GEOG 1306
Physical Geography
Lab for GEOL 1313
Lab for GEOL 1314
Principles of Earth Sci - Lab
Laboratory for Geology 1212
Principles of Earth Sciences
Principles of Earth Science
The Blue Planet
Natural Hazards
Intro to Physical Geology
Intro to Historical Geol
Fundamentals of Nutrition
Wellness Dynamics
Microorganisms and Disease
General Physics I
General Physics II
Laboratory for PHYS 2320
Laboratory for PHYS 2321
Introductory Mechanics
Introductory Electromagnetism
Total Hours 6

VI. Political Science  (six hours)

Courses in this category focus on consideration of the Constitution of the United States and the constitutions of the states, with special emphasis on that of Texas. Courses involve the analysis of governmental institutions, political behavior, civic engagement, and their political and philosophical foundations.
Required Courses:
POLS 2310Introduction to Politics3
POLS 2311American Gover & Politics3
Total Hours6

VII. Social and Behavioral Sciences  (three hours)

Courses in this category focus on the application of empirical and scientific methods that contribute to the understanding of what makes us human. Courses involve the exploration of behavior and interactions among individuals, groups, institutions, and events, examining their impact on the individual, society, and culture.
Select one of the following:3
Intro-Phys Anth/Archeolog
Intro-Cultural Anthropology
Cultural Geography
Intro to Linguistics
Econ for Engrs & Scientists
Intro to Chicano Studies
Asian American Studies
Interpersonal Communication
Mass Media and Society
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
Introduction to Ed Psychology
Action Research in Classrooms
Introduction to Linguistics
Cultural Geography
Community Service
An Intro. to Linguistics
Lang. Inside & Out: Sel Topics
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Cultural Geography
Total Hours3

VIII. Creative Arts (three hours)

Courses in this category focus on the appreciation and analysis of creative artifacts and works of the human imagination. Courses involve the synthesis and interpretation of artistic expression and enable critical, creative, and innovative communication about works of art.
Select one of the following:3
Art Appreciation
History of Art I
History of Art II
Chicana/o Fine Arts Appreciat
Dance Appreciation
Intro-Art of Motion Pict.
Music Appreciation
Jazz to Rock
Music, Culture, and Society
Introduction to Theatre
Total Hours3

IX. Component Area Option (six hours)

a. A minimum of 3 SCH must meet the definition and corresponding Core Objectives specified in one of the foundational component areas. b. As an option for up to 3 semester credit hours of the Component Area Option, an institution may select course(s) that: (i) Meet(s) the definition specified for one or more of the foundational component areas; and (ii) Include(s) a minimum of three Core Objectives, including Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, and one of the remaining Core Objectives of the institution's choice.
Intro to Global Business
Public Speaking
Business/Profession Comm
Intro-Computational Thinking
Computer Programming Sci/Engr
Eng Innovation and Leadership
Introduction to Leadership
Inquiry in Math & Science
Seminar/Critical Inquiry
Total Hours0

4-Year Sample Degree Plan

BACHELOR OF MUSIC, COMMERCIAL MUSIC
FRESHMAN
Fall
UNIV 1301Seminar/Critical Inquiry3
MATH 1319Math in the Modern World3
or MATH 1320 Math for Social Sciences I
MUST 1111Aural Skills I1
MUST 1313Music Theory I3
MUSA 1195Individual Instruction1
MUSA 1271Piano Class I2
Large Ensemble1-2
MUST 1215Music Technology I2
Spring
RWS 1301Rhetoric & Composition I3
COMM 1301Public Speaking3
MUST 1112Aural Skills II1
MUST 1314Music Theory II3
MUSA 1272Piano Class II2
MUSA 1195Individual Instruction1
Large Ensemble1-2
MUST 3315Music Technology II3
MUSA 1165Chamber Music/Accompanying1
SOPHOMORE
Fall
RWS 1302Rhetoric & Composition 23
MUST 2111Aural Skills III1
MUST 2313Music Theory III3
MUSA 1195Individual Instruction1
MUSA 2255Commercial Piano I2
Large Ensemble 1-2
MUST 3341Intro to Recording Studio3
Spring
HIST 1301History of U.S. to 18653
MUSL 2321Music, Culture, and Society3
MUST 2112Aural Skills IV1
MUST 2314Music Theory IV3
MUSA 1195Individual Instruction1
MUSA 2256Commercial Piano II2
Large Ensemble 1-2
JUNIOR
Fall
HIST 1302History of U.S. Since 18653
2- or 3-hour Science Lecture3
1-hour Science Lab1
MUST 3261Comm Arr/Anal/Comp I2
MUSL 3321Classical Music History I3
MUSA 3295Individual Instruction2
MUSA 2217Improvisation I2
Large Ensemble1-2
Spring
POLS 2310Introduction to Politics3
3-hour Science Lecture3
MUST 3262Comm Arr/Anal/Comp II2
MUSL 3322Classical Music History II3
MUSA 3295Individual Instruction2
MUSA 3255Improvisation II2
Large Ensemble1-2
MUSA 1165Chamber Music/Accompanying1
SENIOR
Fall
PSYC 1301Introduction to Psychology3
POLS 2311American Gover & Politics3
MUST 3263Comm Arr/Anal/Comp III2
MUSA 3295Individual Instruction2
MUSA 3256Improvisation III2
or MUSA 3296 Commercial Vocal Styles
Large Ensemble1-2
Spring
PHIL 1301Introduction to Philosophy3
MUST 4315Intro to Music Business3
MUSA 3295Individual Instruction2
MUSL 3330History of Commercial Music3
Large Ensemble1-2
Perform a Senior Recital
Total Hours121-129