Undergraduate Degree(s):

The mission of the Department of Music is to accept students at their level of expertise and provide them with the academic and professional musical training to help them find their relevance on the urban and global stage.  This is achieved through curricular offerings designed to lay a strong musical foundation in preparation for a diverse array of music careers including performers, conductors, composers, church musicians, school or private studio educators, music industry professionals, and for graduate/advanced studies in a variety of areas.

Students interested in pursuing a music degree must first be admitted by the University and then audition for the music faculty for acceptance as a music major. Once accepted, students may select from four curriculum concentrations of study: Performance, Composition, Teacher Certification or Jazz Performance.  In addition to the chosen concentration, students will be categorized under a specific area of emphasis, either instrumental, voice, or keyboard, based on their principal instrument. In lieu of one of the four concentrations mentioned above, students may elect to complete a minor in an area outside of music along with the core music content hours. 

Students will be assigned an academic advisor whom they should consult before registering for classes each semester.  In addition, students choosing the Teacher Certification program should also consult with the music faculty coordinator for music education.  Further admission and graduation requirements for the Department are considered below.

1. All music majors and minors must complete required MUSI and MUSA courses designated as either major, minor, concentration or other requirement courses with grades of “C” of better.  Grades of “C-“ or below will not count toward degree completion and must be retaken.
2. Individuals interested in seeking certification for teaching music in the public schools of Texas should contact the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Education at Texas Southern University for application instructions.
3. All music majors are required to take a freshman and gateway assessment jury at the conclusion of their second and fourth semesters of applied music (MUSA 122 Applied Music and MUSA 222 Applied Music/MUSA 232 Applied Music).
4. All freshmen music majors will enroll in MUSA 121 Applied Music and MUSA 122 Applied Music during their first two semesters of applied music regardless of their intended concentration. The results of the freshman assessment jury will determine their qualifying areas of concentration.
5. An exit examination is required of all graduating seniors. This exam is included in the requirements of MUSI 401 Capstone Sem in Music.

Transfer students may substitute FS 102 Freshman Seminar/ first Year Experience with any college level course to complete the total credit hours required for graduation by their degree plan.

Students interested in pursuing a minor in music or jazz studies must audition and be assigned a faculty advisor.

The Department currently offers six performing groups. These groups are open to all university students and require enrollment for credit. These groups include: University Wind Ensemble, University Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble Combo, Jazz Big Band, University Choir, and the Opera Workshop. 

 For additional information, students should contact the Department Office at (713)313-7337. The Department of Music is housed in the Rollins- Stewart Music Center and the Rhinehart Music Auditorium with the main departmental office on the first floor of the Rollins-Stewart Music Center in Room 112.

Music Courses

Applied Music Courses

Applied Music courses are for majors and minors in Music. In scheduling each course referenced as Applied Music, the individual sections are provided with an alphabetic code (with the exception of Applied Composition) to specify the applied instrument selected for the semester or term under consideration. Each designated course number is also coded according to year, concentration, credit, and semester or term. For example, MUSA 121K Applied Music Piano would correspond to first or freshman year, certification or general concentration, first semester, piano. The following instrument codes are noted: