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  • Bachelor of Arts


Music, Bachelor of Arts

This degree builds on a strong set of core requirements, then sends students through a well orchestrated curriculum that includes private lessons, a performance exam, and major ensemble experience.

This program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

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Requirements Accordion Open

  • To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.

    • All of Northern Arizona University's diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
    • At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
    • At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
    • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.

    The full policy can be viewed here.

Overview Accordion Closed

In addition to University Requirements:

  • At least 51 units of major requirements
  • At least 16 units of language requirements
  • At least 18 units of minor requirement
  • Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.
  • For this major the liberal studies prefixes are MUS and MUP
  • Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion120
Major GPAC
Highest Mathematics RequiredMAT 114
Additional Admission RequirementsRequired
Foreign LanguageRequired
ResearchRequired
University Honors ProgramOptional
Progression Plan LinkView Progression Plan


Purpose Statement

The purpose of the Bachelor of Arts degree program is to provide students with a background in music and musicianship that prepares them for a wide range of further educational and vocational activities that include music as a component.  Students are also prepared for further study at the graduate and/or professional level.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Continuing Musical Growth and Independence in the following ways:
    • Applying performance skills on their principal instrument or voice.
    • Demonstrate technical aptitude on their principal instrument or voice.
    • Perform individually and in ensembles of different types
    • Investigating specific repertoire.
    • Exercise and defend aesthetic judgment by recognizing and interpreting appropriate literature.                              
  • Application of Musicianship Skills in performance, teaching and/or critical analysis of music including:
    • Aural Perception
    • Sight-singing
    • Dictation
    • Keyboard Competency appropriate to the students’ degree program and satisfactory progress in Music Theory.
    • Composition or Improvisation.
  • Analysis of and the ability to apply understanding to enhance students’ performance, teaching, and/or critical analysis of Tonal and Post-Tonal Musical Works and Topics through discussion of the following elements of music:
    • Melody
    • Harmony
    • Counterpoint
    • Rhythm and Meter
    • Form
    • Timbre
  • Knowledge of the Historical and Cultural Contexts of Western and non-Western Music including:
    • Characteristics of musical styles
    • Compositional techniques
    • Performance practices
    • Societal and cultural influences on the creation, performance, and dissemination of music.
  • Knowledge and Application of Research Materials, Critical Thinking Skills, and Writing Skills
    • Basic knowledge and appropriate application of primary and secondary research materials pertaining to music,
    • Effectively communicate in writing on topics in the field of music through the purposeful use of evidence, insightful reasoning (critical thinking), and supporting details.
  • Synthesis of Learning Experiences
    • Synthesize understanding of musical forms, processes, and structures in compositional, performance, analytical, scholarly and pedagogical applications appropriate to the degree program.
    • Employ multiple areas of learning within music and, ideally, disciplines outside music through a capstone project or culminating experience.
    • Students develop a background in music and musicianship that prepares them for a wide range of further educational and vocational activities that include music as a component.
  • Integration of content knowledge and skills into analytical frameworks, including an explication of how the following elements complement and enhance areas of music:
    • Understanding and appreciation of the human experience as it can be explained and expressed in the analysis and performance of music. (Aesthetic & Humanistic Inquiry)
    • Examining musical practices and aesthetics in cross-cultural perspectives. (Cultural Understanding)
    • Develop an awareness of music’s long technological history and how its tools (including digital and non-digital) have evolved to represent and shape the cultural and aesthetic values of particular time periods. Exploration furthermore of the rootedness of music, as sound, in the physics of the natural world. (Science & Applied Science)
    • Awareness of how music both expresses and shapes societies, political systems, and cultures. (Social & Political Worlds)
  • Advanced research and writing skills within music and allied disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, including the ability to:
    • Select and define a problem, challenge, or research question.
    • Conduct a literature review using primary and secondary sources relevant to the research question.
    • Critically analyze the insights gained through the literature review and synthesize the findings into a research paper.
  • The ability to think, speak, and write clearly and effectively and to communicate with precision, cogency, and rhetorical force in music theory, historical musicology, and ethnomusicology
    • Produce writing, research, and presentations according to discipline-specific needs
    • Master the language and terms of the discipline and be able to apply them accurately
    • Apply discipline-specific formats, vocabulary, documentation, and evidence
    • Understand the interactions between reading, critical thinking, writing and public presentations
    • Review work-in-progress, understanding the need for continuous revisions that focus on polishing grammar, syntax, punctuation
    • Communicate effectively to general and specialized audiences through well-structured oral presentations that contain a clear central message and make appropriate reference to information or analysis that significantly supports the presentation
    • Employ digital tools for revising, editing, designing, sharing drafted works, and in disseminating final products
    • Incorporate appropriate citations in one’s work.
    • Use, invent, and correctly read graphic symbols, including traditional and contemporary musical scores and notations.
    • Organize a progression of ideas or points into an effective rhetorical sequence.
  • The capacity to explain and defend views effectively and rationally.
    • Demonstrate an understanding of logic, logical fallacy, and syllogism.
    • Engage with and “do” musical criticism, both in the apprehension of musical structure and its relationship to musical interpretation and performance.
    • Survey, compare, and criticize musical theories, schools of thought, points of view, and performance interpretations
    • Categorize various theories and performance practices as they relate to, derive from, or contest others.
    • Evaluate musical performances, interpretations, and theories as implausible versus plausible, contestable versus incontestable, inappropriate versus appropriate, farfetched versus fetched, silly versus serious, and gradations in between.
    • Propose an original philosophical or musical interpretation or adopt an existing idea as one’s own.
    • Evaluate and verbally articulate the pros and cons of various points of view and musical interpretations.

Details Accordion Closed

Additional Admission Requirements
  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

    • In order to declare a Music Major, you must apply to and be accepted to the Kitt School of Music. Please visit the Kitt School of Music website.
Major Requirements
  • This major requires 85-91 units distributed as follows:

    • Music Major Course Requirements: 51 units
    • Minor: 18-24 units
    • Foreign Language: 16 units


    Take the following 51 units. Courses with a prefix of MUS or MUP must be completed with a Grade of "C" or better.

    • MUP 101, MUP 102 (2 units)
    • MUS 121, MUS 122, MUS 131, MUS 132 (8 units)
    • MUS 221, MUS 222, MUS 231, MUS 232 (8 units)
    • MUS 241, MUS 242 (6 units)
    • MUS 260 (3 units)
    • MUS 410 (3 units)
    • MUP 111, MUP 211 (1 unit each) Beginning private lessons as assigned by your advisor. Students enroll for a minimum of 4 terms; 2 terms each of 111 and 211. We require an exit performance exam in your last term of private lesson study. (4 units)
    • Complete 5 terms of major ensemble as assigned through audition. Select one option: 
      • Voice Track - MUP 160, MUP 260, and MUP 360, (1 unit each). To satisfy this requriement, choose from Shrine of the Ages Choir, Men's Chorale, and Women's Chorale. (5 units) 
      • OR
      • Instrumental Track - MUP 170, MUP 270, and MUP 370, (1 unit each). To satisfy this requirement, choose from Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Guitar Ensemble (if Guitar major) and Piano Ensemble (if Piano major). (5 units)
    • MUS 330W which meets the junior writing requirement (3 units)
    • MUS 485C which meets the senior capstone requirement (3 units)
    • Additional MUS or MUP elective courses with your advisor's consent. Note that you may count up to 3 units of MUP ensemble courses toward this requirement. (6 units)
Minor Requirements
  • You must complete a minor of at least 18 units from those described in this catalog. In consultation with your advisor, you should select a minor that is appropriate for your career aspirations and educational needs. Your minor advisor will advise you about this part of your academic plan.

Foreign Language Requirement
  • You must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English that is equivalent to four terms of university coursework in the same language. You may satisfy this requirement by taking language courses or through credit by exam. (16 units)

General Electives
  • Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

    You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.

    We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

Availability Accordion Closed

  • Flagstaff

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Jonathan Bergeron
Professor
Kitt School of Music
Jonathan.Bergeron@nau.edu
+1 928 523-3166
Performing and Fine Arts , room 189
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Stephen C Brown
Professor
Kitt School of Music
Stephen.Brown@nau.edu
+1 928 523-1781
Performing and Fine Arts , room 221
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Aimee Fincher
Assistant Professor of Practice
Kitt School of Music
Aimee.Fincher@nau.edu
+1 928 523-9809
Performing and Fine Arts , room 164
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Christopher Brian Finet
Associate Professor of Practice
Kitt School of Music
Christopher.Finet@nau.edu
+1 928 523-3496
Performing and Fine Arts , room 139
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Abby Fisher
Assistant Professor
Kitt School of Music
Abigail.Fisher@nau.edu
+1 928 523-3739
Performing and Fine Arts , room 281
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Christine Renee Graham
Associate Professor of Practice
Kitt School of Music
Christine.Graham@nau.edu
+1 928 523-5541
Performing and Fine Arts , room 122
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Karin Hallberg
Part-Time Faculty
Department of Educational Psychology
Karin.Hallberg@nau.edu
+1 928 523-8065
Ponderosa , room 120
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Julie Hedges Brown
Professor
Kitt School of Music
Julie.Brown@nau.edu
+1 928 523-6218
Performing and Fine Arts , room Room 229
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Ryan W Holder
Associate Choral Director; Professor, Kitt School of Music
Kitt School of Music
Ryan.Holder@nau.edu
+1 928 523-2748
Performing and Fine Arts , room 127
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Emily Rachel Hoppe
Associate Professor
Kitt School of Music
Emily.Hoppe@nau.edu
+1 928 523-3875
Performing and Fine Arts , room 120D & 190
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Cris Edward Inguanti
Associate Professor of Practice
Kitt School of Music
Cris.Inguanti@nau.edu
+1 928 523-3676
Performing and Fine Arts , room 107
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Eric Lenz
Director, Kitt School of Music; Professor, Kitt School of Music
Kitt School of Music
Eric.lenz@nau.edu
+1 928 523-3538
Performing and Fine Arts , room 120B
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James S Leve
Professor
Kitt School of Music
James.Leve@nau.edu
+1 928 523-0045
Performing and Fine Arts , room 231
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Brent Levine
Associate Director of Bands; Assistant Professor of Practice, School of Music
Kitt School of Music
Brent.Levine@nau.edu
+1 928 523-4224
Performing and Fine Arts , room 180A
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Stephen J Meyer
Director of Bands, School of Music; Assistant Professor, School of Music
Kitt School of Music
Stephen.Meyer@nau.edu
+1 928 523-7680
Performing and Fine Arts , room 186
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Steven Moeckel
Associate Professor
Kitt School of Music
Steven.Moeckel@nau.edu
+1 928 523-3879
, room 192
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Silvan Negrutiu
Kitt Endowed Piano Professor; Associate Professor, Kitt School of Music
Kitt School of Music
Silvan.Negrutiu@nau.edu
+1 928 523-3800
Performing and Fine Arts , room 194
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Daniel Keith O'Bryant
Director of Orchestras, School of Music; Associate Professor, School of Music
Kitt School of Music
Daniel.OBryant@nau.edu
+1 928 523-2340
Performing and Fine Arts , room 138
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Benjamin Ordaz
Assistant Teaching Professor
Kitt School of Music
Benjamin.Ordaz@nau.edu
+1 928 523-5833
Performing and Fine Arts , room 187
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Ricardo Pereira
Associate Professor
Kitt School of Music
Ricardo.Pereira@nau.edu
+1 928 523-4760
Performing and Fine Arts , room 128
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Mary Ann Ramos
Associate Teaching Professor
Kitt School of Music
MaryAnn.Ramos@nau.edu
+1 928 523-3646
Performing and Fine Arts , room 188
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Bruce J Reiprich
Professor
Kitt School of Music
Bruce.Reiprich@nau.edu
+1 928 523-0116
Performing and Fine Arts , room 233
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Rebecca M Rinsema
Associate Professor
Kitt School of Music
Rebecca.Rinsema@nau.edu
+1 928 523-3936
Performing and Fine Arts , room 227
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Jennifer J Russell
Teaching Professor
Kitt School of Music
Jennifer.Russell@nau.edu
+1 928 523-8975
Performing and Fine Arts , room 237
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Robert Allen Saunders
Associate Professor
Kitt School of Music
Robert.Saunders@nau.edu
+1 928 523-8858
Performing and Fine Arts , room 126
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Blase S Scarnati
Professor
Kitt School of Music
Blase.Scarnati@nau.edu
+1 928 523-2876
Performing and Fine Arts , room 140
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Rebecca Ann Kemper Scarnati
Professor
Kitt School of Music
Rebecca.Scarnati@nau.edu
+1 928 523-3740
Performing and Fine Arts , room 185
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Jacquelyn Joy Schwandt
Associate Director, School of Music; Associate Professor, School of Music
Kitt School of Music
Jacquelyn.Schwandt@nau.edu
+1 928 523-0230
Performing and Fine Arts , room 101
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Nancy E Sullivan
Teaching Professor
Kitt School of Music
Nancy.Sullivan@nau.edu
+1 928 523-3755
Performing and Fine Arts , room 109
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Kevin Christopher Tague
Assistant Professor
Kitt School of Music
Kevin.Tague@nau.edu
+1 928 523-3414
Performing and Fine Arts , room 141
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David Allen Vining
Professor
Kitt School of Music
David.Vining@nau.edu
+1 928 523-3786
Performing and Fine Arts , room 142
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Tim Westerhaus
Director of Choral Studies; Associate Professor, School of Music
Kitt School of Music
Timothy.Westerhaus@nau.edu
+1 928 523-2299
Performing and Fine Arts , room 127A
Kitt School of Music
Location
Building 37
Performing Arts
1115 S Knoles Dr
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-6040
Mailing Address
PO Box 6040
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-6040
Email
music@nau.edu
Phone
928-523-3731