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Develop your skills as a musician while you pursue a major in another field that excites and inspires you.
The minor program in music performance allows students with a background in playing an instrument or in singing to continue to develop their musicianship while pursuing their major studies.
The coursework includes individualized instruction and ensemble experience to develop the student's performance skills.
At A Glance
Application requirements
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements:
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Program requirements
The minor requires 21 credit hours, of which 12 are upper division, in performance, history, theory and electives.
Students may transfer up to nine credit hours toward the minor.
Admission requirement: An audition is required for entrance into the minor and MUP 121 study. Audition criteria are determined by area faculty and will be similar to the MUP 111 and MUP 311 criteria found in the Audition Requirements section on this webpage.
Required Courses -- 6 credit hours
Notes: Two semesters of MUP 121 are required.
Ensembles - Three semesters of ensembles related to the primary instrument studied in the minor -- 3 credit hours
Ensemble - Fourth semester of ensemble (may be unrelated to the primary instrument studied in the minor) -- 1 credit hours
MUP 485: Jazz (1)
MUP 489: Gamelan (1)
Music History -- 6 credit hours
MHL courses may be accepted if the appropriate prerequisites are met or with instructor approval.
Music Theory -- 3 credit hours
Students will take a theory diagnostic exam to determine placement in either MUS 100 or MTC 125.
Music Electives -- 2 credit hours
Depending on a student's undergraduate program of study, prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this minor.
Enrollment requirements
GPA Requirement: None
Incompatible Majors: All music majors
Other Enrollment Requirements: Students must successfully complete an audition before the faculty in the applicable instrument area for entrance into the program. Audition criteria and specific audition requirements are determined by area faculty and are similar to the MUP 111 and MUP 311 enrollment criteria for each instrument posted at https://musicdancetheatre.asu.edu/admissions/music/undergraduate-auditions. Students interested in pursuing the performance minor should submit an application at https://musicdancetheatre.asu.edu/degree-programs/music-performance-minor.
Advisors should not add the minor until the student presents a letter from the School of Music, Dance and Theatre Academic Affairs Office confirming that the student has successfully passed the audition.
Current ASU undergraduate students may pursue a minor and have it recognized on their ASU transcript at graduation. Students interested in pursuing a minor should consult their academic advisor to declare the minor and to ensure that an appropriate set of courses is taken. Minor requirements appear on the degree audit once the minor is added. Certain major and minor combinations may be deemed inappropriate by the college or department of either the major program or the minor. Courses taken for the minor may not count toward both the major and the minor. Students should contact their academic advisor for more information.
Career outlook
A minor can help students enhance the marketable skills they acquire in their major program and help them develop new skills apart from it, though most careers do require more training than a minor alone can provide.
Graduates with a minor in music performance have additional experience which can help them as they pursue careers in art administration, teaching and business.
Example careers
Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. Career examples include but are not limited to:
| Career | *growth | *median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 12% | $66,930 |
| Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers | 7.6% | $61,820 |
| Music Composers and Arrangers | 5.7% | $50,590 |
| Music Directors | 5.7% | $50,590 |
| Musicians, Instrumental | 6% | * |
| Public Relations and Fundraising Managers | 10.4% | $111,280 |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | 6.3% | $55,810 |
| Directors- Stage, Motion Pictures, Television, and Radio | 12.2% | $71,620 |
| Program Directors | 12.2% | $71,620 |
| Producers | 12.2% | $71,620 |
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
- Bright Outlook
- Green Occupation