Music Performance (BM)

On Campus

Practice advanced music techniques and perform in music ensembles with other passionate music majors. Study music history and theory, take private lessons, and strengthen your talents with a music performance degree from Indiana State.

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Why Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance at Indiana State?

Studying music performance at Indiana State’s School of Music equips you with the technical skills, musical understanding, and performance background necessary to pursue a professional music career. You will gain a deeper understanding of music theory and history, hone your performance skills through rigorous training, and enjoy many opportunities to perform for audiences.

Develop Your Talents

You already love music and want to continue refining your skills. Our Bachelor of Music in Music Performance is ideal if you wish to pursue a professional music performance career, establish your own studio, or further your education in graduate school with the goal of teaching music at the university level.

As a Music Performance major, you will choose a concentration in one of the following areas:

  • Brass (euphonium, horn, trombone, trumpet, or tuba) 
  • Percussion 
  • Piano 
  • Strings (cello, violin, viola, or string bass) 
  • Voice 
  • Woodwinds (bassoon, clarinet, flute, oboe, or saxophone) 

You will also participate in performance ensembles, take private lessons in the School of Music’s designated rehearsal spaces, attend music concerts, and perform solo recitals with a music performance degree from Indiana State.

NOTE: In addition to Indiana State’s regular admission process, there is a separate admission process for a student to be admitted as a music performance major.

Learn from Our Talented Faculty

Indiana State's instructors are trained musicians and music scholars with experience as performers. They regularly perform in orchestras and music ensembles. Faculty will mentor you as you learn about music, offering private lessons and essential techniques to strengthen your musical talents.

With smaller classes, you will have the chance to work one-on-one with your instructors as they help you develop lifelong learning and practicing skills. You may also have an opportunity to perform with faculty in music ensembles and for special events.

Perform in Our Ensembles

All majors in our School of Music must participate in music ensembles for at least seven semesters of their undergraduate degree. These ensembles provide opportunities for you to work with faculty, learn new music, gain performance experience, and perform alongside your peers.

Student ensembles and combos include brass, jazz, piano, percussion, string, and wind, plus several chorale groups, a women’s concert choir, a musical theater/opera workshop, and the University Symphony Orchestra.

Music majors are required to attend a specified number of concerts, recitals, and events in the annual Contemporary Music Festival, a three-day event held on Indiana State’s campus. Indiana State students perform alongside faculty and visiting guests including the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra.

What You'll Learn in the Music Performance Program

The Bachelor of Music [BM] in music performance provides a solid foundation in all areas of music, but especially in your chosen concentration. Our program features music performance practicums, music theory, music history and literature, piano, performance management, music technology, scoring, conducting, and recitals.

You will develop a theoretical and practical capacity to perform music as a solo artist or in group ensembles. You can complete our music performance bachelor’s degree in four years of full-time study

View required courses.

The music performance program concludes with a senior recital. This is a performance of a whole or half recital. As a music performance major, you will perform a recital showcasing your developed talents from the program.

In addition to your general music classes, you will also declare a concentration for your BM in music performance.  

Music Performance Concentrations

Develop your talents in brass music with a concentration that focuses on euphonium, horn, trombone, trumpet, and tuba music. Courses highlight musicianship, music theory, music skills, brass literature and pedagogy, and brass performance. Brass students are typically members of music ensembles in the School of Music, including Brass Ensembles and Jazz Ensemble.

View the full curriculum

Strengthen your talents in percussion music with a concentration that focuses on drum, xylophone, marimba, tambourine, and other percussion music. Courses highlight musicianship, music theory, music skills, percussion literature and pedagogy, and percussion performance. Percussion students are typically members of music ensembles in the School of Music, including Brass Ensembles, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and Steel Drum Ensemble.

View the full curriculum

Learn new piano performance techniques and piano history with a concentration that focuses on piano performances, accompaniment, and other skills. Courses highlight musicianship, music theory, music skills, piano literature and pedagogy, and piano performance. Piano students are typically members of music ensembles in the School of Music, including Masterworks Chorale, Piano Ensemble, String Ensembles, University Chorale, University Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Wind Orchestra.

View the full curriculum

Practice performing in symphonies and orchestras with a concentration that focuses on cello, violin, viola, and string bass music. Courses highlight musicianship, music theory, music skills, string literature and pedagogy, and string performance. String students are typically members of music ensembles in the School of Music, including String Ensembles and University Symphony Orchestra.

View the full curriculum

Enhance your vocal talents with a concentration that focuses on choral music, performance, repertoire, and diction for singing. Courses highlight musicianship, music theory, music skills, vocal literature and pedagogy, and vocal performance. Voice students are typically members of music ensembles in the School of Music, including Masterworks Chorale, University Chorale, and Women’s Concert Choir.

View the full curriculum

Learn and practice your talent for woodwind instruments with a concentration that focuses on bassoon, clarinet, flute, oboe, and saxophone music. Courses highlight musicianship, music theory, music skills, woodwind literature and pedagogy, and woodwind performance. Woodwind students are typically members of music ensembles in the School of Music, including Jazz Ensemble, University Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Woodwind Ensembles.

View the full curriculum

Transfer Credit

Indiana State University accepts credit from regionally accredited colleges and universities within the United States, and from selected schools located outside the United States. Credit also may be granted for military training and experience. Previously earned college credit can be applied toward completion of the program per Indiana State's transfer guidelines

Career Possibilities for Music Performance Majors

Take your musical talents to new levels with a bachelor’s degree in music performance. Your degree from Indiana State will prepare you for a successful career as a performer, music scholar, orchestra conductor, and for related careers.

Our graduates perform in music ensembles throughout the world. They lend their talents to symphony orchestras, chorus groups, musical theater productions, jazz ensembles, and other musical groups. Our students are also prepared for graduate studies to become university professors.  

A male with a black shirt and dark hear with beard and a mustache plays a black guitar.

A Passion for Jazz

Music performance alumnus Antonio Duran, ’20, enhanced his passion for jazz music throughout his education at Indiana State. Influenced by his professors, he learned more about guitar playing, jazz pedagogy, and how to entertain audiences.

Learn what makes Antonio Duran a performer at heart.

Accreditation

Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Higher Learning Commission

In addition, the School of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The Music Education program holds accreditation with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the Music Business program is affiliated with NAMM – International Music Products Association.

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