Location
On Campus
Curriculum
120 credit hours
Program Length
as few as 48 months
Accreditation
Regionally Accredited by SACSCOC
Take Your Music Skills to the Next Level with BA in Music
Whether you aspire to be a performer, songwriter, private music teacher, cross-cultural missionary or church musician, CIU’s Music program can help you achieve your goals. The Music program at Columbia International University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in music, enabling them to develop and refine the skills necessary for success in any area of music.
Studying Music at CIU enables you to:
- Sharpen your performance skills through one-on-one private instruction and coaching, as well as ensemble performance opportunities
- Increase your musical analysis skills, which are essential for stronger and more nuanced performances
- Broaden your knowledge and understanding of diverse musical styles, including classical, jazz, popular, and world music
- Expand your creativity through collaborative projects, improvisation and exploration of new musical ideas and techniques
- With a faculty of experienced and accomplished musicians, state-of-the-art facilities, and a vibrant community of fellow musicians, CIU’s Music program is an ideal choice for anyone seeking a rigorous and rewarding music education.
Harrison
Why choose CIU?
Columbia International University’s Bachelor of Arts in Music program offers a unique and comprehensive education that sets it apart from other music programs.
- Focus on a Christian worldview: CIU is grounded in a Christian worldview that integrates faith and music, preparing students to use their musical gifts in a way that honors God and serves others.
- Personalized instruction: The Music program offers personalized instruction with a low student-to-faculty ratio. This enables students to receive one-on-one attention and feedback from experienced and accomplished faculty members who are passionate about teaching.
- Diverse musical styles: We also offer a diverse range of musical styles, including classical, jazz, popular and world music. This allows students to explore a variety of musical genres and develop a well-rounded skill set.
- Performance opportunities: Additionally, CIU’s program offers a variety of performance opportunities, including ensemble performances, recitals and master classes. These experiences allow students to develop their performance skills and gain valuable real-world experience.
- Collaborative projects: Here at CIU, we emphasize collaboration and creativity, providing opportunities for students to work together on projects such as songwriting, arranging and recording.
- Well-rounded education: A well-rounded education that includes music theory, history and performance, as well as general education courses in areas such as English, math, and science. This provides students with a broad foundation that can be applied to a variety of careers.
What Can I Do With This Degree?
Having a BA in Music can open up diverse career paths beyond performance. Here are some potential areas to explore:
- Music Education: Teaching music to a variety of age groups in schools, community centers or private lessons.
- Music Therapy: Using music to promote physical, emotional and cognitive healing in patients.
- Music Journalism: Writing reviews, articles or blogs about music and music events for publications.
- Music Business: Working in the music industry as an artist manager, record label executive or concert promoter.
- Music Technology: Working in the technical aspects of music production, such as sound engineering or music software development.
- Musicology: Researching and analyzing the cultural, social and historical context of music.
- Music Composition: Creating original music for film, television, or video games, as well as for personal artistic projects.
These are just a few examples of the wide variety of opportunities available to graduates with a BA in Music. With a passion for music and the necessary skills and knowledge, there are many paths to a fulfilling and successful career in the music industry.
Featured Faculty
What Will I Study?
In addition to the undergraduate core, here are degree specific-courses you can expect to take:
- MUS 1000 Convocation
This is a requirement for all students with a major in music and music minors enrolled in other music courses. Convocation involves weekly recitals, lectures, and presentations by the Music department faculty, students, and guest musicians.
0.00 credit hours
- MUS 1100 Practical Musicianship
The course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and practical skills required to read and play melodies, simple hymn style harmony, play major and minor scales in all keys, and primary I-IV-V-I progressions in all inversions. Note: This course is required of all music majors during their first semester. Completion of the course will satisfy the music program piano proficiency requirement. The class must be passed before a student may take Music Theory I or Aural Theory I.
3.00 credit hours
- MUS 2200 Aural Theory I
Emphasizes strategies for accurate and expressive reading, improvisation, singing, and dictation using elementary rhythms and diatonic pitch materials in treble and bass clefs. Includes the singing of all intervals and scales, melodic and interval dictation, identification of major and minor triads, rhythmic exercises, and sight-singing in a limited vocal range. To be taken concurrently with Music Theory I.
2.00 credit hours
- MUS 2210 Aural Theory II
Students will complete an aural understanding of diatonic harmony through harmonic dictation in addition to a continuing practice of sight singing and melodic and rhythmic dictation. Includes intervallic, melodic, two and four-part, and rhythmic dictation. Recognition of bass and soprano factors as well as triad function in four-part dictation. Rhythmic exercises including subdivision level. Sight-singing with modal inflections and in tenor and alto clef. To be taken concurrently with Music Theory II.
2.00 credit hours
- MUS 2300 Music Theory I
In this course, you will review of the fundamentals of music (rhythm, scales, key signatures, reading, and writing), followed by a detailed study of harmony, intervals, keyboard harmony, and melodic and choral analysis. You will apply your knowledge in composition of traditional and contemporary music.
3.00 credit hours
- MUS 2310 Music Theory II
In this course, you will continue to review the fundamentals of music (rhythm, scales, key signatures, reading, and writing), followed by a detailed study of harmony, intervals, keyboard harmony, and melodic and choral analysis. You will apply your knowledge in composition of traditional and contemporary music.
3.00 credit hours
- MUS 2899 Piano Proficiency
This is a requirement for music majors that involves a demonstration of competency in all the keyboard skills described in the Piano Proficiency handbook.
0.00 credit hours
- MUS 3300 Music Theory III
In this continuation of the study of music theory, you will focus on advanced sight-singing and ear training, dictation and transcription, keyboard harmony, writing in 3 and 4 parts, and introduction to contemporary chord symbol notation.
3.00 credit hours
- MUS 3302 Music Theory IV
In this continuation of the study of music theory, you will focus on advanced sight-singing and ear training, dictation and transcription, keyboard harmony, writing in 3 and 4 parts, and introduction to contemporary chord symbol notation.
3.00 credit hours
- MUS 4200 History of Western Music I
In this course, you will cover the time period from about AD 600-1750. The course begins with an introduction to ancient music and continues through the periods of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Baroque. You will study the musical characteristics, instruments, and theory of each period as well as the cultural and historical contexts including philosophy, religion, politics, art, architecture, and daily life. Connections are made to music from other cultures as well as contemporary musical styles.
3.00 credit hours
- MUS 4201 History of Western Music II
In this course, you will examine the history of Western music from the Classical Period through the present day, stressing the origin and evolution of musical forms and musical styles and the important composers since 1750. Students will also be placing this knowledge in the broader cultural context of each period.
3.00 credit hours
- MUS 4407 Conducting 2.00 credit hours
- MUS 4810 Contemporary Christian Worship
In this course, you will begin to examine the many facets of music ministry in today's church, including service planning, worship philosophy, sound reinforcement and recording, musical/drama production, team building, and contemporary worship styles. Segments may be taught by a variety of specialists.
3.00 credit hours
- MUS 4898 Recital
A requirement for music majors that involves a 25-35 minute, public recital in their primary performance area, consisting of music selected from their private studies.
0.00 credit hours
- MUS 4930 Internship in Music
This is an independent study available to juniors and seniors by special arrangement with instructor. You will demonstrate skills in an on-site experience in a church, recording studio, camp, or other location appropriate to your area of interest and specialization. A minimum of 50 clock hours of direct experience is required for a unit of credit. Consult with your academic advisor.
1.00 credit hour
- MUS 2510 Diction for Singers
A comprehensive study of the rules for proper diction in the singing of English, Italian, and Latin vocal literature with practical exercises in a comparative approach for American Singers. Languages will be studied using the specific symbols of the International Phonetic Alphabet.
2.00 credit hours
- MUS 3445 Choral Methods 2.00 credit hours
- MUS 3700 Music in Cross-cultural Settings
In this course, you will discover the music of various cultures from around the world and will investigate current efforts and apply biblical guidelines to the development of ethnic hymnody.
3.00 credit hours
- MUS 4416 Advanced Conducting
Practical training in directing music ensembles. Development of basic conducting techniques with emphasis on musical interpretation of selected works. Includes ensemble management, score study, rehearsal techniques, and performance techniques.
2.00 credit hours
- MUS 4811 Music Seminar
This is a seminar in which you will explore a specific area of music in greater depth. Includes topics that address current developments and/or special-interest topics in Music. This course aims at developing both an in-depth understanding of the content area but will also aim to develop your thinking and application skills.
1.00 credit hour
- MUS 2504 Vocal Ensemble Ambassador Singers
Ambassador Singers is composed of 20-25 members who are selected by audition for the academic year. Selectons occur during the first week of the fall semester and a small number of slots may be filled during the first week of the spring semester. The singers minister regularly for local churches, organizations, and school events throughout the school year. Some out-of-town tours also may be scheduled. Members are required to attend all scheduled rehearsals and sectionals.
1.00 credit hour
- MUS 4504 Vocal Ensemble Ambassador Singers
Ambassador Singers is composed of 20-25 members who are selected by audition for the academic year. Selectons occur during the first week of the fall semester and a small number of slots may be filled during the first week of the spring semester. The singers minister regularly for local churches, organizations, and school events throughout the school year. Some out-of-town tours also may be scheduled. Members are required to attend all scheduled rehearsals and sectionals.
1.00 credit hour
- MUS 5506 Vocal Ensemble Ambassador Singers
Ambassador Singers is composed of members who are selected by audition for the academic year. Selections occur during the first week of the fall semester and a small number of slots may be filled during the first week of the spring semester. The singers minister regularly for local churches, organizations, and school events throughout the school year. Some out-of-town tours also may be scheduled. Members are required to attend all scheduled rehearsals and sectionals.
1.00 credit hour
- MUS 2523 Vocal Ensemble Praise Team
The Praise and Worship team is a group of vocalists and instrumentalists that leads the CIU family in worship through a blend of traditional and contemporary worshp music. By audition.
1.00 credit hour
- MUS 4523 Vocal Ensemble Praise Team
The Praise and Worship team is a group of vocalists and instrumentalists that leads the CIU family in worship through a blend of traditional and contemporary worshp music. By audition.
1.00 credit hour
Accreditation and Accolades
Top FAQs
- What qualifications do I need to apply for a music program?
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CIU requires an audition or a portfolio of your work to be considered for admission.
- What kind of music courses will I take in a music program?
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You will take a wide range of courses such as music theory, music history, performance, conducting, and more. You will also take general education courses in areas such as science and English.
- Can I study music if I don’t have a strong performance background?
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Yes, you can still pursue a music degree even if you don’t have a strong performance background. CIU offers courses in music theory, music history, conducting, as well as hands on learning opportunities through internships.
- What kind of career opportunities are available with a music degree?
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There are many career paths available to graduates with a music degree, including performance, education, therapy, journalism, business, technology and musicology.
- How important is it to have private lessons in a music program?
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Private lessons are a valuable component of the music program, providing one-on-one instruction and feedback from an experienced music teacher.
- Will I have opportunities to perform in a music program?
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Yes, students will have opportunities to perform in a variety of venues. These experiences allow students to develop their performance skills and gain valuable real-world experience.
- How much practice time will I need to dedicate to my studies in a music program?
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The amount of practice time will vary by individual. Generally, students are expected to practice every day to maintain and improve their skills.
- What kind of scholarships or financial aid are available for a music program?
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Please check with the financial aid office for a full listing of the scholarships and financial aid available to students pursuing a music program at CIU.