Oct 13, 2024  
Butler University Bulletin 2024-2025 
    
Butler University Bulletin 2024-2025

Musical Arts, BMA


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  • Applicants are admitted to the program on the basis of academic acceptance by the University and an audition. Visit https://www.butler.edu/jordan-arts/admission/ for details.
  • The BMA requires the completion of 124 credit hours; 40 hours must be at the 300-level or above.
  • At least 62 credits must be in music.
  • At least 18 credits must be earned towards a minor or concentration in another field. The academic advisor will work with each student to oversee this degree requirement.
  • A grade of C or higher is required for all JCA courses.
  • All Music majors are required to attend Arts Events; see www.butler.edu/jordan-arts/current-student-resources/ for details (JCA Arts Event Attendance Requirements).
  • For detailed degree requirements, including an eight-semester suggested sequence of courses, see www.butler.edu/jordan-arts/undergraduate-programs/music/majors-minors/.

Required Courses in Music (57 credits)


Core Curriculum (27 credits)


FYS 101 and FYS 102, First Year Seminar 6 (3,3)
GHS, Global and Historical Studies (2 courses)     6 (3,3)
AR, Analytic Reasoning 3
NW, The Natural World 5
SW, The Social World 3
TI, Texts and Ideas 3
WB, Well-Being     1

Music majors are exempt from the following requirements of the University Core Curriculum: Perspectives in the Creative Arts (because they take nine credit hours in the arts) and the Butler Cultural Requirement.

Music Electives (5 credits)


May include AM 21  and AM 22  , if needed.

Free Electives (35 credits)


Emphasis in Music Composition


The Emphasis in Music Composition requires 19 credit hours.

Emphasis in Jazz Studies


The Emphasis in Jazz Studies is not a stand-alone degree, it is to be completed along with another music degree program, usually the B.A. Music degree. Students may elect to complete one or more areas of Emphasis. At least 50% of the credits in any Emphasis must be unique to that program and may not overlap with another Emphasis, major, or minor (except as free electives). Adding an Emphasis requires an audition and/or interview, as well as the approval of the appropriate music faculty. A grade of C or higher is required for all coursework. Completion of one or more of these will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

For students who successfully audition into and declare a Jazz Studies Emphasis, ES 124/324 (Jazz Ensemble) or ES 104/304 (Jordan Jazz) may fulfill three credits of the major ensemble requirement. This policy applies to the following instruments: voice, bass, drums, saxophone, trombone, and trumpet, and is contingent upon successful audition placement. In such cases, this ensemble may also fulfill additional major ensemble requirements resulting from scholarship obligations.

The Emphasis in Jazz Studies requires 18 credit hours.

Required courses


Emphasis in Music History


The Emphasis in Music History requires 15 credit hours.

Required Courses


Emphasis in Music Performance - Instrumental or Piano


The Emphasis in Music Performance - Instrumental or Piano is not a stand-alone degree, it is to be completed along with another music degree program, usually the B.A. Music degree. Students may elect to complete one or more areas of Emphasis. At least 50% of the credits in any Emphasis must be unique to that program and may not overlap with another Emphasis, major, or minor (except as free electives). Adding an Emphasis requires an audition and/or interview, as well as the approval of the appropriate music faculty. A grade of C or higher is required for all coursework. Completion of one or more of these will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

The Emphasis in Music Performance - Instrumental or Piano requires 16 credit hours.

Required Courses


Emphasis in Music Performance - Vocal


The Emphasis in Music Performance - Vocal  is not a stand-alone degree, it is to be completed along with another music degree program, usually the B.A. Music degree. Students may elect to complete one or more areas of Emphasis. At least 50% of the credits in any Emphasis must be unique to that program and may not overlap with another Emphasis, major, or minor (except as free electives). Adding an Emphasis requires an audition and/or interview, as well as the approval of the appropriate music faculty. A grade of C or higher is required for all coursework. Completion of one or more of these will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

The Emphasis in Music Performance - Vocal requires 20 credit hours.

Emphasis in Music Theory


The Emphasis in Music Theory  is not a stand-alone degree, it is to be completed along with another music degree program, usually the B.A. Music degree. Students may elect to complete one or more areas of Emphasis. At least 50% of the credits in any Emphasis must be unique to that program and may not overlap with another Emphasis, major, or minor (except as free electives). Adding an Emphasis requires an audition and/or interview, as well as the approval of the appropriate music faculty. A grade of C or higher is required for all coursework. Completion of one or more of these will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

The Emphasis in Music Theory requires 15 credit hours.

Required Courses


Emphasis in Piano Pedagogy


The Emphasis in Piano Pedagoy is not a stand-alone degree, it is to be completed along with another music degree program, usually the B.A. Music degree. Students may elect to complete one or more areas of Emphasis. At least 50% of the credits in any Emphasis must be unique to that program and may not overlap with another Emphasis, major, or minor (except as free electives). Adding an Emphasis requires an audition and/or interview, as well as the approval of the appropriate music faculty. A grade of C or higher is required for all coursework. Completion of one or more of these will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

The Emphasis in Piano Pedagogy requires 19 credit hours.

Required Courses


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