Bachelor of Music in Music Theory
Application Deadline for Fall 2025 - December 1, 2024
Designed for students who wish to balance theoretical and applied approaches to the study of music. Elected courses range from developing musical craft (such as analysis, counterpoint, improvisation, and music composition) to aesthetics, music cognition, and music technology.
Curriculum
The Bachelor of Music in Music Theory requires a minimum of 120 credits: coursework is 75% within SMTD and 25% within the liberal arts. SMTD coursework to include:
Music Theory
Musicology
Ensemble participation
Piano
Composition
Silent Advisor
Degree requirements and term-by-term layout for current students.
Faculty
Karen Fournier
Marc Hannaford
Patrick Harlin
Áine Heneghan
John Knoedler
Kevin E. Korsyn
Nathan Martin
Somangshu Mukherji
Nancy Murphy
Wayne C. Petty
René Rusch
Joshua Tanis
Aleksandra Vojčić
Performance Opportunities
From large ensembles in celebrated concert halls to chamber groups in intimate recital spaces, performance opportunities across all disciplines abound, with nearly 900 student performances each academic year. Whether your focus is on early, classical, or contemporary music, whether your passion is for jazz, electronic, or world music, there is an ensemble—or in many cases, multiple ensembles—to suit your interests, including specific opportunities for percussion, piano, and organ & carillon. For students in theatre & drama, musical theatre, dance, and opera, opportunities abound in both professionally produced and student-run presentations.
Organ Performance
Students perform and study with their peers in studio classes and perform for the public in solo student recitals and studio recitals. In addition, the Organ Department organizes several recitals each term in local churches in the communities surrounding Ann Arbor and Detroit.
Carillon Performance
The University of Michigan has two world-class carillons. Half-hour recitals are given on weekdays throughout the academic year and are open to the public to view. Intermediate and advanced carillon students may perform for the campus regularly on these recitals.
Early Music Ensembles
Students interested in historically oriented performance have opportunities to explore music from across the centuries, performed on authentic period instruments and high-quality replicas.
Ensembles
Organ students have opportunities to perform with the University of Michigan orchestras, bands, and choral ensembles, and can gain extensive experience in continuo playing on organ and harpsichord with the Baroque Chamber Orchestra.