Sep 06, 2025  
Butler University Bulletin 2025-2026 
    
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Butler University Bulletin 2025-2026

Music, BA

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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 BA in Music requires the completion of 120 credit hours; 40 hours must be at the 300-level or above. 
  • At least 66 credits must be non-music.
  • A grade of C or higher is required for all JCA courses.
  • Music majors may choose to complete one or more areas of Emphasis, which will be noted on the transcript. Emphasis requirements are listed below for Music Composition, Jazz Studies, Music History, Music Performance (Instrumental, Piano. or Vocal), Music Theory, and Piano Pedagogy.
  • 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 (47 credits)

University 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 fulfill 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.

 

Non-Music Electives (39 credits)

Free Electives (7 credits)

Emphasis in Music Composition

The Emphasis in Music Composition is not a stand-alone degree; it is to be completed along with another music degree program (usually the BA Music degree) or the BS in Arts Administration-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 the Emphasis in Music Composition will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

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 BA Music degree) or the BS in Arts Administration-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 the Emphasis in Jazz Studies 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.

Required courses (18 credits)

Emphasis in Music History

The Emphasis in Music History is not a stand-alone degree; it is to be completed along with another music degree program (usually the BA Music degree) or the BS in Arts Administration-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 the Emphasis in Music History will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

Required Courses (15 credits)

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 BA Music degree) or the BS in Arts Administration-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 the Emphasis in Music Performance - Instrumental or Piano will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

Required Courses - 16 credits

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 BA Music degree) or the BS in Arts Administration-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 the Emphasis in Music Performance - Vocal will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

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 BA Music degree) or the BS in Arts Administration-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 the Emphasis in Music Theory will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

Required Courses (15 credits)

Emphasis in Piano Pedagogy

The Emphasis in Piano Pedagogy is not a stand-alone degree; it is to be completed along with another music degree program (usually the BA Music degree) or the BS in Arts Administration-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 the Emphasis in Piano Pedagogy will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

Required Courses (19 credits)

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