The bachelor of music degree is offered through USUs Music Department, which fosters a small, close-knit environment and provides students with the opportunity to receive private instruction, where they work one-on-one with professors to improve their performance skills. All music majors must pass an audition to be admitted, making the program competitive and challenging which produces the highest quality musicians and music teachers. Students can also take advantage of scholarship funding exclusive to the Music Department.
There are many performance opportunities available for students, including concerts, operas, recitals, and numerous music ensembles. Students benefit from performances and master classes, which are small workshops in a private classroom setting given by visiting professional musicians from around the world.
The Music Department is housed in the Caine College of the Arts, which is headed by Craig Jessop, longtime director of the world-renown Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The Music Department is also home to the Fry Street Quartet, the regions only professional string quartet in residence. The group works as faculty and mentors in the department in addition to regular performances on campus and international tours. USUs Music Department boasts 100% job placement in public, private, and charter schools for its music education majors after graduation. Students in all emphases are also qualified to teach private lessons.
Emphases:
- Music Performance: This emphasis prepares students for careers in music performance. Students can focus on piano, string instruments, voice, wind/brass/percussion, guitar or organ. Students should check with the department for more information on the options available.
- Music Education: Students in this emphasis prepare to become music educators. In addition to music classes, they learn teaching techniques through classes taught by the College of Education. Students in this emphasis can focus on band, orchestra, choral, guitar, or piano education. Students should check with the department for more information on the options available.
Education Component:
This is for the music education emphasis only. In order to obtain a secondary teaching license for grades 6-12, students must complete the 35-credit Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP), which includes one semester of student teaching in a public school. This program is administered by USUs School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL) within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. Student must apply to the School of TEAL the semester before taking STEP courses. This is usually the fall of their junior year. Students learn subject content through the Music Department, and spend the last year or two studying education techniques through the STEP program.
Students in the music education program are required to select an approved teaching minor in order to expand their career options.