
Music (BM) in Performance with an Emphasis in Piano |
2025-2026 UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES CATALOG
Effective 1 June 2025 through 31 May 2026
Please see the Undergraduate Catalog Archives for PDF versions of past catalogs.
This program is offered by the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts/Department of Music and is only available at the St. Louis main campus.
Program Description
The bachelor of music in performance is a pre-professional degree designed to prepare students who wish to pursue a future in the professional music world as a performing artist or studio teacher. This degree requires an emphasis in orchestral instruments, jazz, piano or voice.
The piano emphasis is designed to prepare students who wish to pursue a future in the professional music world as a performer in orchestras, chamber music, as a soloist or collaborator, or building an independent multi-faceted career. In addition to solo recitals, majors in this emphasis are expected to participate in chamber music ensembles and to serve regularly as vocal, instrumental or ensemble accompanists.
Performance majors with a piano emphasis may perform in University-sponsored ensemble concerts, including choral concerts, musical theatre performances or Opera Studio as designated by the faculty.
All performance majors must spend a minimum of one hour per week accompanying vocalists and/or instrumentalists, beginning with the sophomore year or earlier at the discretion of the teacher.
Students with a piano emphasis are expected to perform in a student recital at least twice every semester.
The bachelor of music in performance conforms to the guidelines specified by the National Association of Schools of Music for accreditation. ɫɫ¸£ÀûÉç is a full member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of this degree program, in addition to departmental outcomes, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate the effective expression of music through technical proficiency, knowledge of style and communication of musical character.
- Synthesize theoretical and historical knowledge and integrate them into performance.
- Demonstrate in performance different musical styles of piano music, and make appropriate stylistic choices.
- Perform diverse repertoire in ensembles and chamber music.
Admission and Audition Requirements
To be admitted as an undergraduate music major or music minor, applicants must complete an audition/interview with the music faculty and complete various diagnostic examinations. Auditions are arranged through the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Specific information on the audition requirements for each music degree program is available from the department’s website. Priority consideration for performance scholarships is given to students who complete all admission requirements before February 28 of the application year.
Performance Requirements
Much of the music that we make is collaborative in nature, with a mix of keyboard, wind, brass, string and percussion instruments and voices. So that performance majors develop an ability to work with others beyond an accompanist, all performance majors presenting junior and senior recitals will include on each recital or in a Thursday student recital at least one 3-minute work that includes collaboration with a performer other than or in addition to piano. Works longer than 3 minutes are encouraged.
Degree Requirements
For information on the general requirements for a degree, see Baccalaureate Degree Requirements under the Academic Policies and Information section of this catalog.
- 90-91 required credit hours
- Applicable University Global Citizenship Program hours, with accommodations for the bachelor of music
- Electives
Global Citizenship Program for Bachelor of Music
- GLBC 1200 Global Cornerstone Seminar
- 6 credit hours from courses designated ‘Roots of Cultures’ (One course with the MUSC prefix can fulfill GCP and major requirements simultaneously.)
- 3 credit hours from courses designated ‘Social Systems & Human Behavior’
- 3 credit hours from courses designated ‘Global Un