B.S. in Music
The Bachelor of Science in Music is for students who desire a strong music program, together with a well-rounded liberal arts education. Our 120-credit curriculum combines practical music instruction, including private lessons; classes in music theory and music history; elective credits that can be used toward your chosen music concentration; and traditional liberal arts courses in science, history, literature, economics, political science, philosophy and foreign languages.
As a student in this program, you will work with faculty members who are active musicians with flourishing professional careers. In addition, you will have access to workshops and master classes conducted by high-profile musical artists from across the country and around the world.
Music majors also perform on national and international tours organized and led by their professors. You also will have the opportunity to participate in one or more of LIU Post's many ensembles, including groups that specialize in contemporary, traditional, and early music styles.
Qualities that Set Our Program Apart
- You will work with some of the most talented and successful musicians and teachers in the New York metro area. Our faculty members are active musicians and teachers, and they represent some of the most cutting-edge and high profile people in the profession.
- Our proximity to New York City and connection to Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at LIU Post will give you direct access to a wide variety of outstanding professional music-making in the form of concerts, workshops, master classes and collaborative projects. Recent musical artists who have worked with our students include: the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Chanticleer Choral Ensemble, Shanghai String Quartet, Bobby McFerrin, United States "President's Own" Marine Band, New York Voices, United States Air Force Band, guitarist David Leisner, flutist Sir James Galway, jazz artist Paquito D'Rivera, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
- You will have an opportunity to make music as a soloist, chamber musician and large ensemble member both on campus, and as part of our domestic and international touring program.
For admission to the Bachelor of Science in Music program, evidence of prior music training experience and suitable music aptitude are expected. Auditions and placement exams are required for all programs. Deficiencies discovered through the placement exams may require remedial coursework. Acceptance into the music program is also contingent upon acceptance to LIU Post.
Auditions for Admission
Please see the Music Auditions page for how to schedule an audition and audition requirements.
Program Curriculum
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
| Required Musicianship Core Courses (Student must receive a grade of C or better in all MUS courses) |
||
| MUS 107A | Music Theory/Keyboard Harmony I | 3 |
| MUS 107B | Music Theory/Keyboard Harmony II | 3 |
| MUS 107C | Music Theory/Keyboard Harmony III | 3 |
| MUS 108A | Aural Skills I | 3 |
| MUS 108B | Aural Skills II | 3 |
| MUS 108C | Aural Skills III | 3 |
| Required Music History/Literature Courses | ||
| MUS 21 | Music in Western Civilization I | 3 |
| MUS 22 | Music in Western Civilization II | 3 |
| MUS 23 | Music in Western Civilization III | 3 |
| MUS 46 | Introduction to World Music | 3 |
| Required Applied Music Courses | ||
| MUS 20 | Conducting I | 2 |
| MUS 40 | Conducting II | 2 |
| Required Music Lessons Eight credits of MUS Studio Lessons must be completed on primary applied instrument from the following list: |
||
Lessons are offered every semester for 1 or 2 credits. |
||
| Required Performance & Ensemble Course One of the following is required every semester: |
||
| MUS 5 | Chorus | 1 |
| MUS 6 | Wind Symphony | 1 |
| MUS 7 | Orchestra | 1 |
| Taken every semester | ||
| MUS 4 | Music Convocation | 0 |
| Successful completion of the Music Theory Comprehensive Exam and the Music History Comprehensive Exam is required of all undergraduate music majors. | ||
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
| Required Core Courses
(32-33 Credits)
|
||
| POST 101 | Post Foundations | 1 |
| FY | First-Year Seminar | 3 |
| ENG 1** | Writing 1 | 3 |
| ENG 2** | Writing 2 | 3 |
| MTH 5 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3-4 |
| Choose one course from each of the five below course clusters and one additional course from one of the clusters. | ||
| Scientific Inquiry & the Natural World |
4 | |
| Creativity Media & the Arts | 3 | |
| Perspectives on World Culture | 3 | |
| Self, Society & Ethics | 3 | |
| Power, Institutions & Structures | 3 | |
| One additional course from one of the five above clusters | 3 | |
| General Elective (3 Credits from Any Course) | ||
* Some courses may count as core and others as electives.
** In addition to ENG 1 and 2, students take at least 3 more writing intensive (WAC) courses as part of their major, core, or elective courses. ENG 303 and 304 can satisfy the ENG 1 and 2 requirement for students in the Honors College.
| Credit Requirements | |
| Total Major Requirement Credits | 47 |
| Total Elective Credits | 41 |
| Total Core Requirements | 32-33 |
| Total Degree Credits | 120 |
Courses
MUS 4 Music Convocation
This non-credit course brings all Music Majors together to observe and participate in artist presentations and master classes. Must be taken by all Music Majors every semester except for Music Education Majors in their senior year while they are student teaching.
Credits: 0.00
MUS 5 Chorus
Audition Required
Credits: 0.00
MUS 6 Wind Symphony
Audition Required
Credits: 1.00
MUS 7 Orchestra
Audition Required
Credits: 1.00
MUS 15 Introduction to Music Education
This course is an introduction to the philosophy and materials of music education.
Credits: 1.00
MUS 16P Vocal Pedagogy
This course offers an overview of the anatomy, physiology and learning processes associated with healthy singing.
Credits: 2.00
MUS 16T Marching Band Techniques
This course centers on the development and maintenance of public school marching band programs including program administration, budgeting, scheduling, school and community relationships, show design concepts and application, and visual instructional techniques.
Credits: 2.00
MUS 17A Elementary GEneral Music Methods
Course is an examination of the organization and operation of elementary general music programs. Students are required to participate in the Rompertunes Early Childhood Music Teaching and Learning Program. Classroom methods include: Orff, Kodály, Dalcroze, Gordon and Laban.
Credits: 3.00
MUS 17C Secondary Choral Music Methods
This course covers the organization and implementation of vocal music activities, programs and performing groups in grades 7 to 12. Methods and materials for vocal ensembles such as chorus, select choir, a cappella chorus and vocal jazz ensemble are included. Special attention is paid to rehearsal techniques, lesson planning and outcome assessment. A field-based experience that includes conducting is required.
Credits: 3.00
MUS 17D Instrumental Music Methods
This course covers the organization, administration and implementation of instrumental activities, programs and performing groups in grades 4 to 12. Methods and materials for instrumental ensembles, band, orchestra, wind and jazz ensembles, and marching bands are included. Special attention is paid to rehearsal techniques, lesson planning and outcome assessment. A field-based experience that includes conducting is required.
Credits: 3.00
MUS 17F Technology and Music Education
This course focuses on the applications of music technology in the classroom at the K-12 level and in performance.
Credits: 2.00
MUS 19A Brass Methods
This course focuses on the applications of music technology in the classroom at the K-12 level and in performance.
Credits: 1.00
MUS 19B String Methods
This course leads to a basic level of playing competence on string instruments. Diverse teaching and learning approaches are explored.
Credits: 1.00
MUS 19C Woodwind Methods
This course leads to a basic level of playing competence on woodwind instruments. Diverse teaching and learning approaches are explored.
Credits: 1.00
MUS 19D Percussion Methods
This course leads to a basic level of playing competence on percussion instruments. Diverse teaching and learning approaches are explored.
Credits: 1.00
MUS 19E Vocal Methods
This course leads to a basic level of singing competence. Diverse teaching and learning approaches are explored.
Credits: 2.00
MUS 20 Conducting I
This course covers the elements of conducting.
Credits: 2.00
MUS 21 Music in Western Civilization I
This course examines the characteristics and development of Western music from antiquity to the 17th century. This course fulfills the Perspectives on World Cultures thematic cluster requirement in the core curriculum.
Credits: 3.00
MUS 22 Music in Western Civilization II
This course examines the characteristics and development of 18th and 19th century Western music. This course fulfills the Perspectives on World Cultures thematic cluster requirement in the core curriculum.
Credits: 3.00
MUS 23 Music in Western Civilization III
This course examines the characteristics and development of contemporary art music. This course fulfills the Perspectives on World Cultures thematic cluster requirement in the core curriculum.
Credits: 3.00
MUS 35 Band Literature
This course is a detailed and comprehensive study of wind and percussion techniques, instructional practices, and administrative procedures that pertain to public school instrumental music problems. Suggested for third and fourth-year Music and Music Education majors only.
Credits: 2.00
MUS 36 String Literature
Course is a detailed and comprehensive study of string techniques, instructional practices and approaches that pertain to public school instrumental music programs. Suggested for third and fourth-year Music and Music Education majors only.
Credits: 2.00
MUS 37 Choral Literature
This course is a comprehensive study of materials, trends, and instructional procedures that pertain to school choral organizations. Suggested for third and fourth-year Music and Music Education majors only.
Credits: 2.00
MUS 40 Conducting II
This course is a continuation of Conducting I.
Credits: 2.00
MUS 46 Introduction to World Music
This course explores the music, cultures, and customs associated with various indigenous peoples from around the globe. Course materials examine musical styles and forms through lectures, discussions, and attendance at live performances. This course fulfills the Perspectives on World Cultures thematic cluster requirement in the core curriculum.
Credits: 3.00
MUS 106A Basic Keyboard I
This course centers on the development of basic piano skills including fingerings, hand and body posture, scales, arpeggios, triads, progressions, beginner musical selections, and technical exercises.
Credits: 1.00
MUS 106B Basic Keyboard II
This course is a continuation of Basic Keyboard I. Requirements include performing My Country `tis of Thee in six (6) different keys, singing My Country `tis of Thee while playing a basic standard chord accompaniment, and writing and performing an original piano composition that includes mixed meters.
Credits: 1.00
MUS 107A Theory/Keyboard Harmony I
This course focuses on music theory and keyboard harmony including four-part writing, harmonization, and transposition. Requirements including performing and notating 1) London Bridge, Silent Night, and Happy Birthday with appropriate chords; 2) diatonic circle of fifths and falling fourths progression; and 3) root position triads in close and open positions in six (6) different keys. Students compose an original simple four-part composition that includes open and close position chords.
Credits: 2.00
MUS 107B Theory/Keyboard Harmony II
This course is a continuation of Music Theory/Keyboard Harmony I. Requirements include identifying at sight and by ear all non-chord tones in standard melodies from the classical repertory including standard folk tunes such as London Bridge, Silent Night, and Happy Birthday. Students notate diatonic circle of fifths, root position seventh chords in four voices in six (6) major keys and demonstrate a vocal improvisation to London Bridge while playing a standard chordal accompaniment at the piano. Students compose and harmonize a simple melody that includes non-harmonic tones.
Credits: 2.00
MUC 107C Theory/Keyboard Harmony III
This course is a continuation of Music Theory/Keyboard Harmony II. Topics include four-part writing, harmonization, secondary dominants, secondary leading tones, simple figured bass realization and simple score reading at the piano, and composition. Requirements include 1) notating and playing a progression involving a sequence of secondary dominants in six (6) keys; and 2) writing and identifying secondary dominant and leading tone chords. Students compose and harmonize simple melodies that include secondary dominant and leading tone chords.
Credits: 2.00
MUS 107D Theory/Keyboard Harmony IV
This course is a continuation of Music Theory/Keyboard Harmony III. Topics include four-part writing, harmonization, binary and ternary forms, augmented sixth chords, Neapolitan chords, transposition, intermediate figured bass realization and score reading at the piano, and composition. Requirements include 1) transposing a selected standard work from the classical repertory; 2) composing an original piece using binary and ternary forms; 3) composing an original piece that includes augmented sixth chords, and 4) performing at the keyboard intermediate pieces from the standard classical repertory.
Credits: 2.00
MUS 108A Aural Skills I
This course focuses on diatonic singing using the Moveable DO, LA-based minor solfege system. Students learn intervals, triads, rhythmic clapping, conducting while intoning rhythms, and singing while playing the piano. Compound and simple meters are stressed. Regularly assigned ear training examples will be completed using a digital ear training program.
Credits: 2.00
MUS 108B Aural Skills II
This course is a continuation of Aural Skills I.
Credits: 2.00
MUS 108C Aural Skills III
This course focuses on sight singing complex diatonic melodies with accidentals, skips, leaps, and more complex rhythms. The melodies introduce modulations, secondary dominants, and diatonic arpeggios. Students clap and count more complex rhythms that include syncopation, asymmetrical rhythms, compound, simple, and cut-time meters. Students sing improvisations that include chromaticism using the syllable TA. Regularly assigned ear training examples will be completed using a digital ear training program.
Credits: 2.00
MUS 108D Aural Skills IV
This course is a continuation of Aural Skills III.
Credits: 2.00
MUS 109 Arranging, Orchestration and Analysis
This course focuses on instrumentation as well as arranging and orchestrating existing compositions for varying groups of voices and instruments, including strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion.
Credits: 2.00
MUS 111 Guitar Pedagogy
This course is for Music Education majors. Guitar Pedagogy explores the materials relevant for the teaching of guitar in the classroom, individual instruction and guitar ensemble.
Credits: 2.00
MUS 151 Senior Recital
This course serves as the means of assessment for the senior recital requirement as part of the B.M. in Music Education degree program. Requires permission of studio instructor.
Credits: 0.00
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