The Music Program of the Department of Fine Arts and Communication is committed to providing high quality education in music. Students in our program develop the skills required to lead in music education and the music industry. The music program offers courses and performance opportunities to all students in a fine arts tradition.
The Bachelor of Music degree offers concentrations including:
- vocal performance
- instrumental performance
- vocal music education
- instrumental music education
- music business
Our comprehensive musical education serves as the foundation for a career in music. Coupled with the certification requirements of the Education Department, students will qualify to teach music to grades K-12 in public or private schools.
Sul Ross State University also offers the BM degree in Music Business, as well as in pre-music therapy. For those students not interested in certification, the music program can also prepare students for opportunities in the music field such as teaching in the private studio, music business and merchandising, music composition and arranging, and music technology.
Students may also choose Music as a Minor. A music minor affords the student the opportunity to develop musical skills and to further explore musical creativity. To complete a Music Minor, students must earn at least 18 semester credit hours in Music coursework. Required courses include FA 1303, Fundamentals of Music OR MUS 1311, Theory I and MUS 1116, Ear Training 1. Students must complete four hours of vocal or instrumental ensembles and no more than four of these count toward the 18 semester credit hours total. Students also take six hours of upper division work, including upper-level applied lessons.
The Department of Fine Arts and Communication also offers select graduate courses in music that can be applied to the Master of Liberal Arts, Master of Education, or as a minor for other masters’ programs.
Program Coordinator
Andrew Alegría
432.837.8216
andrew.alegria@sulross.edu
| Andrew D. Alegría, DMA Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Studies FAB 200A C-43 432.837.8216 andrew.alegria@sulross.edu |
|
| Karrin Ford, PhD, DMA Director of Keyboard Studies FAB 107 C-43 432.837.8222 karrin.ford@sulross.edu |
|
| Mary-Elizabeth Thompson, DMA Director of Woodwind Studies FAB 202 C-43 432.837.8130 mary.thompson@sulross.edu |
|
The Music Program of the Department of Fine Arts and Communication offers opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Music study is available in both instrumental music and vocal music. Course offerings include music theory, music history and literature, as well as private instruction, in keyboard, voice, guitar, woodwinds and brass. Performing ensembles include university choir, wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, mariachi ensemble, and marching band. These ensembles are open to all students. Scholarship funds are readily available for those interested in participating in these ensembles. Further, substantial scholarships are available for students who declare music as a major. For the student interested in music as a career, the department offers various concentrations in music. The major may serve as a foundation for careers in music business and music related activities.
The Bachelor of Music degree coupled with the certification requirements of the Education Department qualifies a student to teach music in private and public schools, grades K-12. For those students interested in a professional musical career, there are also many opportunities in the field such as performance, teaching in the private studio, music business and merchandising, music composition and arranging, and music technology. The Sul Ross music program can help students explore these areas as well as prepare for graduate school.
The Sul Ross Music Club supports musical activities on campus and provides opportunities for leadership and fellowship among all students interested in music. The Department of Fine Arts and Communication also offers select graduate courses in music that can be applied to the Master of Liberal Arts, Master of Education, or as a minor for other masters’ programs.
Students who participate in the Music Program gain solo, chamber, and ensemble performance experience, a knowledge of various styles of music, and strategies for rehearsal, practice, and teaching. The program also offers a la carte classes such as Music Appreciation, World Music, and American Music that contribute towards the standard Texas Core Curriculum, as well as credits that can lead to a Major or Minor in Music, such as private instruction in voice or an instrument, and courses including, but not limited to, Music Theory and Composition, Music History and Ethnomusicology, Conducting, and Music Technology. Recent graduates from the Music Program have gone on to successfully secure teaching and performance jobs throughout the Big Bend and El Paso regions and to enter Master’s programs, such as at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, England.
A partial list of careers you might pursue with a BM in Music includes (but is not limited to!):
- Accompanist
- Advertising Executive
- Armed Forces Musician
- Arts Council Director
- Booking Agent
- Church Choir Director
- Clinician
- City Cultural Events Planner
- College Music Professor
- Composer
- Commercial Jingle Composer
- Concert Soloist
- Conductor
- Consumer Researcher
- Copyright or Licensing Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
- Director of Bands
- Director of Brass Studies
- Director of Choral Activities
- Director of Keyboard Studies
- Director of Music Education
- Director of Vocal Studies
- Director of Woodwinds Studies
- Broadway Singer
- Elementary Music Teacher
- Ethnomusicologist
- Event Coordinator
- High School Band Director
- High School Choir Director
- Film Music Editor
- Film Score Composer
- Floor Show Musician
- Freelance Songwriter
- Fundraising Director
- Instrument Designer
- Instrument Maker
- Instrument Repairperson
- Instrument Sales Representative
- Instrumentalist
- Lyricist
- Marketing or Advertising Specialist
- Middle School Band Director
- Middle School Choir Director
- Music Attorney
- Music Accessories Distributor
- Music Copyist
- Music Critic
- Music Dealer Salesperson
- Music Librarian
- Music Publisher
- Music Reporter
- Music Sequencer
- Music Software Programmer
- Music Therapist
- Music Transcribe
- Notesetter
- Opera Chorus Singer
- Orchestra Musician
- Opera Soloist
- Performing Arts Manager
- Pop/Rock/Jazz Vocalist
- Postproduction Scoring
- Private or Studio Teacher
- Producer, Engineer/Mixer
- Public Relations Specialist
- Radio Program Director
- Radio/TV Commercial Musician
- Record Company Campus Representative
- Recording Engineer
- Recreation Arts Coordinator
- Restoration Specialist
- Retail Music Sales
- Sacred Music Musician
- Session/Studio Musician
- Small Ensemble Musician
- Sound and Video Editor
- Studio Arranger
- Synthesist
- Talent Manager
- Technology-Based Music Instruction Designer
- Tour Publicist
- University Music Professor
- Video Music Producer
- Virtual Reality Sound Environment
- Vocal Music Teacher
Dorothy Haines Music Scholarship
Major or Minor in Music
GPA – minimum 3.0
Must be in SRSU Band or SRSU Choir
Audition Required
Rex Wilson Scholarship
Music Major in Choral/Vocal Music
GPA – minimum 3.0
Must be in SRSU Choir
Audition Required
Mary Jane Micou and Charles Wade Scholarship
Major in Music Education
GPA – minimum 3.0
Must be in SRSU Band
Audition Required
Richard D. Bryan Memorial Scholarship
Major in Music Education
GPA – 3.0
Must be in SRSU Band
Audition Required
Music Excellence Scholarship
Music and Non-Music Majors
Must be in SRSU Concert Choir
Automatic Scholarship when registered for choir
For additional money, schedule an audition with Choir Director
Band Excellence Scholarship
Music and Non-Music Majors
Must be in SRSU Concert Band
Automatic Scholarship when registered for choir
For additional money, schedule an audition with Band Director
Audition Process
Vocalist
One song in French, Italian, or German (accompanist provided)
One song in English (accompanist provided)
Sight-Singing
Instrumentalist
Scales both Major and Minor
One prepared solo work
Sight-Reading
Auditions are each year in February or March. Contact Dr. Andrew Alegria at andrew.alegria@sulross.edu for more information about scholarships.
Degree Plans
Bachelor of Music: Instrumental Music Education
Freshman Year
Semester I
Semester II
MUS 1308
3 credit hours
MUS 1309
3 credit hours
ENG 1301
3 credit hours
ENG 1302
3 credit hours
MUS 1181
1 credit hour
MUS 1181
1 credit hour
MUS 1311
3 credit hours
MUS 1312
3 credit hours
MUS 1116
1 credit hour
MUS 1117
1 credit hour
MUS 1183
1 credit hour
MUS 2123
1 credit hour
SRSU 1101
1 credit hour
MUS 2124
1 credit hour
Total: 13 sch
Total: 13 sch
Sophomore Year
Semester I
Semester II
HIST 1301
3 credit hours
HIST 1302
3 credit hours
Component Area Core Req
3 credit hours
Component Area Core Req
3 credit hours
MUS 1111 (Piano)
1 credit hour
MUS 1111 (Piano)
1 credit hour
MUS 1111
1 credit hour
MUS 1111
1 credit hour
MUS 2311
3 credit hours
MUS 3341
3 credit hours
MUS 2116
1 credit hour
MUS 3141
1 credit hour
MUS 2121
1 credit hour
MUS 2122
1 credit hour
_
_
MUS 1113
1 credit hour
Total: 13 sch
Total: 14 sch
Junior Year
Semester I
Semester II
MATH Core Req
3 credit hours
Social & Behavioral Core Req
3 credit hours
Life & Physical Science Core Req
3 credit hours
Life & Physical Science Core Req
3 credit hours
MUS 3111
1 credit hour
MUS 3111
1 credit hour
MUS 3113
1 credit hour
MUS 3113
1 credit hour
MUS 3311
3 credit hours
MUS 3313
3 credit hours
MUS 4311
3 credit hours
MUS 4312
3 credit hours
Total: 14 sch
Total: 14 sch
Senior Year
Semester I
Semester II
PS 2305
3 credit hours
PS 2306
3 credit hours
MUS 3111
1 credit hour
MUS 3111
1 credit hour
MUS 3113
1 credit hour
MUS 3113
1 credit hour
MUS 3316
3 credit hours
MUS 4131
1 credit hour
MUS 4215
2 credit hours
MUS 4216
2 credit hours
EDU 3302
3 credit hours
EDU 3301
3 credit hours
EDU 4314
3 credit hours
EDU 3303
3 credit hours
Total: 16 sch
Total: 14 sch
Senior Year Cont.
Additional Semester
_
EDU 4603
6 credit hours
_
_
EDU 3300
3 credit hours
_
_
Total: 9 sch
_
Total Credit Hours Required for Bachelor of Music: 120
Additional Information:
B.M., Instrumental Music Education majors are expected to take applied study on their primary instrument and participate in an instrumental ensemble during every semester in residence. Music and band scholarship eligibility requires ensemble participation.
Bachelor of Music: Vocal Music Education
Freshman Year
Semester I
Semester II
MUS 1308
3 credit hours
MUS 1309
3 credit hours
ENG 1301
3 credit hours
ENG 1302
3 credit hours
MUS 1181
1 credit hour
MUS 1181
1 credit hour
MUS 1311
3 credit hours
MUS 1312
3 credit hours
MUS 1116
1 credit hour
MUS 1117
1 credit hour
SRSU 1101
1 credit hour
MUS 1314
3 credit hours
Total: 12 sch
Total: 14 sch
Sophomore Year
Semester I
Semester II
HIST 1301
3 credit hours
HIST 1302
3 credit hours
Component Area Core Req
3 credit hours
Component Area Core Req
3 credit hours
MUS 1111 (Piano)
1 credit hour
MUS 1111 (Piano)
1 credit hour
MUS 1111
1 credit hour
MUS 1111
1 credit hour
MUS 2311
3 credit hours
MUS 3341
3 credit hours
MUS 2116
1 credit hour
MUS 3141
1 credit hour
Instrumental Tech Class
1 credit hour
MUS 1112
1 credit hour
MUS 1112
1 credit hour
_
_
Total: 14 sch
Total: 13 sch
Junior Year
Semester I
Semester II
MATH Core Req
3 credit hours
Social & Behavioral Core Req
3 credit hours
Life & Physical Science Core Req
3 credit hours
Life & Physical Science Core Req
3 credit hours
MUS 3111
1 credit hour
MUS 3111
1 credit hour
MUS 3112
1 credit hour
MUS 3112
1 credit hour
MUS 3311
3 credit hours
MUS 3313
3 credit hours
MUS 4311
3 credit hours
MUS 4312
3 credit hours
MUS 3111 (Piano)
1 credit hour
MUS 3111 (Piano)
1 credit hour
Total: 15 sch
Total: 15 sch
Senior Year
Semester I
Semester II
PS 2305
3 credit hours
PS 2306
3 credit hours
MUS 3111
1 credit hour
MUS 3111
1 credit hour
MUS 3112
1 credit hour
MUS 3112
1 credit hour
MUS 3316
3 credit hours
MUS 4131
1 credit hour
EDU 3302
3 credit hours
MUS 4216
2 credit hours
EDU 4314
3 credit hours
EDU 3301
3 credit hours
_
_
EDU 3303
3 credit hours
Total: 14 sch
Total: 14 sch
Senior Year Cont.
Additional Semester
_
EDU 4603
6 credit hours
_
_
EDU 3300
3 credit hours
_
_
Total: 9 sch
_
Total Credit Hours Required for Bachelor of Music: 120
Additional Information:
B.M., Vocal Education majors are expected to take applied study in voice and participate in a vocal ensemble during every semester in residence. Music and choir scholarship eligibility requires ensemble participation.
Bachelor of Music: Instrumental Music
Freshman Year
Semester I
Semester II
MUS 1308
3 credit hours
MUS 1309
3 credit hours
ENG 1301
3 credit hours
ENG 1302
3 credit hours
MUS 1181
1 credit hour
MUS 1181
1 credit hour
MUS 1311
3 credit hours
MUS 1312
3 credit hours
MUS 1116
1 credit hour
MUS 1117
1 credit hour
MUS 1211
2 credit hours
MUS 1211
2 credit hours
MUS 1113
1 credit hour
MUS 1113
1 credit hour
SRSU 1101
1 credit hour
MUS 2123
1 credit hour
Total: 15 sch
Total: 15 sch
Sophomore Year
Semester I
Semester II
HIST 1301
3 credit hours
HIST 1302
3 credit hours
Component Area Core Req
3 credit hours
Component Area Core Req
3 credit hours
MUS 1111 (Piano)
1 credit hour
MUS 1111 (Piano)
1 credit hour
MUS 1211
2 credit hours
MUS 1211
2 credit hours
MUS 2311
3 credit hours
MUS 3341
3 credit hours
MUS 2116
1 credit hour
MUS 3141
1 credit hour
MUS 2121
1 credit hour
MUS 2122
1 credit hour
MUS 1113
1 credit hour
MUS 1113
1 credit hour
Total: 15 sch
Total: 15 sch
Junior Year
Semester I
Semester II
MATH Core Req
3 credit hours
Social & Behavioral Core Req
3 credit hours
Life & Physical Science Core Req
3 credit hours
Life & Physical Science Core Req
3 credit hours
MUS 3211
2 credit hours
MUS 3211
2 credit hours
MUS 3113
1 credit hour
MUS 3113
1 credit hour
MUS 3311/3316
3 credit hours
MUS 3313
3 credit hours
MUS 1183
1 credit hour
MUS 2124
1 credit hour
Elective
2 credit hours
Elective
3 credit hours
Total: 15 sch
Total: 16 sch
Senior Year
Semester I
Semester II
PS 2305
3 credit hours
PS 2306
3 credit hours
MUS 3211
2 credit hours
MUS 3211
2 credit hours
MUS 3113
1 credit hour
MUS 3113
1 credit hour
MUS 4215
2 credit hours
MUS 4131
1 credit hour
MUS 4311
3 credit hours
MUS 4216
2 credit hours
Elective
3 credit hours
MUS 4312
3 credit hours
_
_
Elective
3 credit hours
Total: 14 sch
Total: 15 sch
Total Credit Hours Required for Bachelor of Music: 120
Additional Information:
B.M., Instrumental majors are expected to take applied study on their primary instrument and participate in an instrumental ensemble during every semester in residence. Music and band scholarship eligibility requires ensemble participation.
Bachelor of Music: Vocal Music
Freshman Year
Semester I
Semester II
MUS 1308
3 credit hours
MUS 1309
3 credit hours
ENG 1301
3 credit hours
ENG 1302
3 credit hours
MUS 1181
1 credit hour
MUS 1181
1 credit hour
MUS 1311
3 credit hours
MUS 1312
3 credit hours
MUS 1116
1 credit hour
MUS 1117
1 credit hour
MUS 1211
2 credit hours
MUS 1211
2 credit hours
MUS 1112
1 credit hour
MUS 1112
1 credit hour
SRSU 1101
1 credit hour
MUS 1314
3 credit hours
Total: 15 sch
Total: 17 sch
Sophomore Year
Semester I
Semester II
HIST 1301
3 credit hours
HIST 1302
3 credit hours
Component Area Core Req
3 credit hours
Component Area Core Req
3 credit hours
MUS 1111 (Piano)
1 credit hour
MUS 1111 (Piano)
1 credit hour
MUS 1211
2 credit hours
MUS 1211
2 credit hours
MUS 2311
3 credit hours
MUS 3341
3 credit hours
MUS 2116
1 credit hour
MUS 3141
1 credit hour
MUS 1112
1 credit hour
MUS 1112
1 credit hour
Total: 14 sch
Total: 14 sch
Junior Year
Semester I
Semester II
MATH Core Req
3 credit hours
Social & Behavioral Core Req
3 credit hours
Life & Physical Science Core Req
3 credit hours
Life & Physical Science Core Req
3 credit hours
MUS 3211
2 credit hours
MUS 3211
2 credit hours
MUS 3112
1 credit hour
MUS 3112
1 credit hour
Instrumental Tech Class
1 credit hour
Elective
3 credit hours
MUS 4311
3 credit hours
MUS 4312
3 credit hours
MUS 3111 (Piano)
1 credit hour
MUS 3111 (Piano)
1 credit hour
Elective
2 credit hours
_
_
Total: 16 sch
Total: 16 sch
Senior Year
Semester I
Semester II
PS 2305
3 credit hours
PS 2306
3 credit hours
MUS 3211
2 credit hours
MUS 3211
2 credit hours
MUS 3112
1 credit hour
MUS 3112
1 credit hour
MUS 3111 (Piano)
1 credit hour
MUS 3111 (Piano)
1 credit hour
MUS 3311/3316
3 credit hours
MUS 4216
2 credit hours
Elective
3 credit hours
MUS 3313
3 credit hours
_
_
Elective
3 credit hours
Total: 13 sch
Total: 15 sch
Total Credit Hours Required for Bachelor of Music: 120
Additional Information:
B.M., Vocal majors are expected to take applied study in voice and participate in a vocal ensemble during every semester in residence. Music and choir scholarship eligibility requires ensemble participation.
Bachelor of Music: Music Business
Freshman Year
Semester I
Semester II
MUS 1308
3 credit hours
MUS 1309
3 credit hours
ENG 1301
3 credit hours
ENG 1302
3 credit hours
MUS 1181
1 credit hour
MUS 1181
1 credit hour
MUS 1311
3 credit hours
MUS 1312
3 credit hours
MUS 1116
1 credit hour
MUS 1117
1 credit hour
MUS 1111
1 credit hour
MUS 1111
1 credit hour
MUS 1112/1113
1 credit hour
MUS 1112/1113
1 credit hour
MUS 1183
1 credit hour
MUS 2123
1 credit hour
SRSU 1101
1 credit hour
_
_
Total: 15 sch
Total: 14 sch
Sophomore Year
Semester I
Semester II
HIST 1301
3 credit hours
HIST 1302
3 credit hours
Component Area Core Req
3 credit hours
Component Area Core Req
3 credit hours
MUS 1111 (Piano)
1 credit hour
MUS 1111 (Piano)
1 credit hour
MUS 1111
1 credit hour
MUS 1211
2 credit hours
MUS 2311
3 credit hours
MUS 3341
3 credit hours
MUS 2116
1 credit hour
MUS 3141
1 credit hour
MUS 2121
1 credit hour
MUS 2122
1 credit hour
MUS 1112/1113
1 credit hour
MUS 1112/1113
1 credit hour
MUS 2124
1 credit hour
_
_
Total: 15 sch
Total: 15 sch
Junior Year
Semester I
Semester II
MATH Core Req
3 credit hours
Social & Behavioral Core Req
3 credit hours
Life & Physical Science Core Req
3 credit hours
Life & Physical Science Core Req
3 credit hours
MUS 3211
2 credit hours
MUS 3211
2 credit hours
MUS 3112/3113
1 credit hour
MUS 3112/3113
1 credit hour
ACC 2301
3 credit hours
MUS 3313
3 credit hours
ECO 2302
3 credit hours
GBA 3351
3 credit hours
MUS 3111 (Piano)
1 credit hour
_
_
Total: 16 sch
Total: 15 sch
Senior Year
Semester I
Semester II
PS 2305
3 credit hours
PS 2306
3 credit hours
MUS 3211
2 credit hours
MUS 3211
2 credit hours
MUS 3112/3113
1 credit hour
MUS 3112/3113
1 credit hour
FIN 3340
3 credit hours
MUS 4131
1 credit hour
MUS 4311
3 credit hours
MUS 4216
2 credit hours
MGT 3306
3 credit hours
MUS 4312
3 credit hours
_
_
MKT 3307
3 credit hours
Total: 15 sch
Total: 15 sch
Total Credit Hours Required for Bachelor of Music: 120
Additional Information:
B.M., Music Business majors are expected to take applied study on their primary instrument and participate in an instrumental ensemble during every semester in residence. Music and band or choir scholarship eligibility requires ensemble participation.
