B.M. in Instrumental Performance

Program Overview

The Department of Instrumental Performance at the Frost School of Music offers a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) performance degree in 17 traditional instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, violin, viola, violoncello, double bass, guitar, and harp. Additionally, performer's certificates are available for those students in non-performance music degree programs who are still interested in continuing their performance studies at pre-professional levels. These certificates require focused coursework and meeting rigorous standards in lesson and recital performance.

Advanced Writing and Communication Skills

All University of Miami students are required to successfully complete 3 Advanced Writing and Communication Skills (AWC) courses. These courses emphasize discipline-specific communication skills in writing, speaking, stage presence, and audience engagement. Qualifying AWC courses require students prepare either (a) an evaluated, revisable writing project of approximately 4000 words; OR (b) an evaluated, revisable discipline-specific communication project of equivalent rigor. 

All Instrumental Performance students will successfully complete:

1. MCY 341 Music of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Periods, which will include substantial evaluated and revised writing components.
2. MIP XX3 Private Lesson Level 3/Senior Recital: Senior recital or culminating project, which will include evaluated communication skills in attracting an audience, engaging an audience during performance, and preparing program notes or similar media as appropriate to the medium/venue,
3. One course from the MIP 541-549 Pedagogy and Repertoire course grouping. These courses focus on developing and assessing discipline specific communication and presentation skills.

Curriculum Requirements

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EMC core courses require a grade of “C” or higher.  Lessons require a grade of "B-" or higher.

Suggested Plan of Study

Mission

The mission of the Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance degree is to

1. Provide the highest quality of musical education possible for the purpose of preparing students for a professional performance career or graduate studies as a classical artist;
2. Provide quality performance opportunities that integrate skills learned from music and other classes; and leverage these opportunities to further additional creativity and research;
3. Develop interpersonal, entrepreneurial, and other associated professional skills as the skills necessary for building and managing non-performance aspects of a professional career in music.

Goals

• Students will develop musicianship skills and technique that will lead toward a professional career as a solo classical performer or graduate study.
• Students will be able to sight-read and prepare musical performances without assistance.
• Students will develop musicianship skills and technique for working within an ensemble leading towards a professional career or graduate study as a classical performer. Ensemble requirements will vary by applied area.
• Students will develop skills for fostering a professional career or graduate study as a classical performer.
• Students will have a broad knowledge of music literature in their applied area as well as an understanding of stylistic and theoretical principles of the various musical and historical periods.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will develop instrumental techniques necessary for acceptance into elite level graduate study institutions, and for fostering professional careers as classical instrumentalists.
• Students will develop instrumental expression necessary for acceptance into elite level graduate study institutions, and for fostering a professional career as classical instrumentalists.
• Students will develop effective Communication skills related to performance and pedagogy through effective writing or presentation. These skills are necessary for acceptance into elite level graduate study institutions and for fostering a professional career as classical instrumentalists.