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Performance: Instrumental

SIU School of Music Performance instrumental

With a specialization in instrumental performance at SIU, you can earn both a BM and MM in this unique program. The curriculum is designed to ensure scholarly and artistic excellence with a primary focus on applied lessons and ensemble performances.

The BM program curriculum allows you to perfect your skills as a musician with technical training in the performance area of your choice. Two highlights of this undergraduate degree are the required pedagogy course, which will improve you with the skills necessary to work as an educator, and the hour-long senior recital, to showcase your talents as a performing musician.

Throughout the MM course of study, you will build upon the education offered in the BM program and become uniquely qualified to find a successful career as a performer, a college-level educator, or to begin doctoral studies in instrumental performance. The personalized education offered through the MM program provides several performance opportunities and one-on-one mentorship geared specifically toward each student's chosen career path.

Bachelor of Music (Performance: Instrumental)

The undergraduate major can be accomplished by fulfilling the requirements for the Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree.

  • Total Degree Requirements: 120 credit hours
  • University Core Curriculum: 39 credit hours
  • Theory: 8 credit hours
  • History-Literature: (3) + 5 credit hours
  • MUS 011, MUS 366 A-F: 8 credit hours
  • Applied MUS 140 A-X - MUS A-X: 8 credit hours
  • Specialization Requirements: 48 credit hours

Compass IconCheck out the B.M. Curricular Guide, which helps you outline what courses you would want to take each semester for all four years. View all related undergraduate courses.


Master of Music (Performance: Orchestral Instruments)

  • Total Degree Requirements: 36 credit hours
  • Music Bibliography and Research: 3 credit hours
  • Analytic Techniques A or B: 2 credit hours
  • Applied Music (440): 1-3 credit hours
  • Applied Music (540): 6-9 credit hours
  • Chamber Music: 1,1 credit hours
  • Research Paper: 1 credit hour
  • Graduate Recital: 3 credit hours
  • Ensemble-Concert: 4 credit hours
  • Applied Music Pedagogy: 3 credit hours
  • Approved Graduate Music Electives: 6 credit hours

Compass IconThe graduate major can be accomplished by fulfilling the requirements for the Masterof Music (M.M.) degree. View all related graduate courses.

Here are just a few of the the instraments we focus on...

Ensembles

Music majors are required to participate in major musical ensembles throughout the academic year, such as SIU's Concert Choir, Marching Salukis, Southern Illinois Symphony or Wind Ensemble. Additionally, The Outside the Box music festival is produced each year, providing opportunities for composition students to attend master classes, seminars, workshops and to perform in the Emerging Composers recital during the event.

Visit the School of Music for a full list of participation opportunities.

Scholarships

The SIU School of Music has more than 30 scholarships available. A large variety of criteria exist for these awards and are listed below outlining the eligibility requirements.

Admissions and Auditions

To apply to the SIU music program, prospective students are required to submit both a University application as well as a School of Music application. In addition to these applications, you will be required to complete an in-person audition at Altgeld Hall on campus, or a live online audition if traveling is not possible. Our undergraduate and graduate Admissions and Auditions pages will give you all of the details necessary to begin early preparation for your applications and an audition for each specific instrument.

Facilities

At SIU, rehearsals and performances take place in the oldest currently occupied building on campus, Altgeld Hall. With state of the art spaces for choral performers and musicians of every kind, this majestic building is a second home to many students of the music program and a place to enhance their experience as a burgeoning artist.

Contact Information

Karen Wolf
Academic Advisor
Faner 1229
1100 Lincoln Dr.
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-453-3388
kwolf@siu.edu

Jessica Butler
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Altgeld 22
1000 S Normal Ave
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-453-5195
j.butler@siu.edu

SIU School of Music Performance instrumental