Associate in Arts Code: 1024
Program Contacts:
QC Campus
Jonathan Palomaki, 309-796-5478, palomakij@bhc.edu
Edgar Crockett, 309-796-5479, crockette@bhc.edu
The music curricula are primarily intended for those planning to transfer to a four-year school to complete a bachelor’s degree in a music-related field. Four-year degree programs in music are complex and highly structured, making careful preparation and course selection in the first two years essential. Students are urged to study the general information given below, follow the suggested curricula closely, and consult often with a music advisor. It is also recommended that prospective students be auditioned by a music instructor before enrolling at Black Hawk.
Students planning to major in music at a four-year institution should follow the Black Hawk College Associate of Arts curriculum. Since requirements for a music major vary at four-year institutions, students are encouraged to work closely with academic advisors at Black Hawk College and the transfer school.
Music Achievement Awards Available: The music program offers achievement awards to both music and non-music majors. Students must audition before the full-time faculty. Awards are given in full, three-quarter, half, or quarter tuition waivers. Contact the contact persons listed above for more information.
Music Fundamentals, Music Theory, and Music Literature
All the music curricula require classes in music fundamentals (MUSC 110 or proficiency) and music theory (MUSC 111 and 112). All curricula require one semester of music literature (MUSC 113). Note: In order to satisfy the Humanities/Fine Arts general education component for graduation, you must submit and have approved a “Course Substitutions and/or Waiver for Graduation Form” that substitutes MUSC 113 for MUSC 154. See Mr. Palomaki for details.
Performance Groups
Each music student should participate in a performing group each semester, either MUSC 101 or 102 and 103, instrumental ensembles, or MUSC 107 or 109, choral ensembles. Music students may also participate in other performance groups for additional elective credit. Performance groups are open to all Black Hawk College students. No more than 4 credits in each ensemble can be counted toward graduation requirements.
Applied Lessons, Applied Major, Applied Electives
An important part of a music major’s curriculum should be individualized and/or group instruction on specific musical instruments and/or in voice. This form of instruction is called “applied lessons.” Students choose one instrument, or voice, for primary study and the instruction they receive in that instrument, or voice, makes up their “applied major.” One or more additional instruments, or voice, may also be chosen for additional but less intensive study, and these form the “applied electives.” All applied lesson classes may be repeated two times for credit. However, music majors can count only 12 credits of applied lessons toward graduation requirements and non-majors may count only up to 4 credits of applied lessons toward graduation. Lesson classes numbered 200 or above may be taken only by sophomores or by students with two semesters of instruction in the corresponding 100 level class.
The following individual lesson classes are offered and are available to all students:
Applied Lesson (Non-major or secondary instrument)
- MUSC 121, 221 — Elementary Voice
- MUSC 123, 223 — Elementary Piano
- MUSC 141, 241 — Elementary Brass Instrument
- MUSC 143, 243 — Elementary Woodwind Instrument
- MUSC 145, 245 — Elementary String Instrument
- MUSC 147, 247 — Elementary Percussion Instrument
Applied Major Lesson
- MUSC 125, 225 — Voice
- MUSC 127, 227 — Piano
- MUSC 129, 229 — Organ
- MUSC 131, 231 — Brass Instrument
- MUSC 133, 233 — Woodwind Instrument
- MUSC 135, 235 — String Instrument
- MUSC 137, 237 — Percussion Instrument
Piano Proficiency Exam
All music majors are expected to complete the BHC Piano Proficiency Exam by the end of their sophomore year. As such, applied lessons in piano are encouraged for each semester of study in order to adequately prepare for this exam.
Course of Study Outline
First Semester Suggested Courses (Credit Hours)
ENG 101 — Composition I (3)
MUSC 101 — Instrumental Ensemble or (1)
MUSC 102 — Stage Band or
MUSC 103 — Instrumental Chamber Ensemble or
MUSC 107 — Choir or
MUSC 109 — Chamber Singers
MUSC 110 — Fundamentals of Music (2)
MUSC 111 — Theory of Music (4)
MATH 131 — Finite Mathematics for Business (3)
CS 100 — Introduction to Computers (3)
1Applied lessons strongly encouraged see below.
Second Semester Suggested Courses (Credit Hours)
ACCT 101 — Financial Accounting (3)
ACCT 103 — Financial Accounting Lab (1)
ENG 102 — Composition II (3)
MUSC 101 — Instrumental Ensemble or (1)
MUSC 102 — Stage Band or
MUSC 103 — Instrument Chamber Ensemble or
MUSC 107 — Choir or
MUSC 109 — Chamber Singers
MUSC 112 — Theory of Music (4)
MUSC 113 — Exploring Music Literature (3)
1Applied lessons strongly encouraged see below.
Third Semester Suggested Courses (Credit Hours)
ACCT 102 — Managerial Accounting (3)
ACCT 104 — Managerial Accounting Lab (1)
ECON 221 — Principles of Macro Economics (3)
Humanities (3)
Life Science (4)
SPEC 101 — Principles of Speech Communication (3)
1Applied lessons strongly encouraged see below.
Fourth Semester Suggested Courses (Credit Hours)
ECON 222 Principles of Micro Economics (3)
Fine Arts (3)
Physical Science (3)
MUSC 101 — Instrumental Ensemble or (1)
MUSC 102 — Stage Band or
MUSC 103 — Instrumental Chamber Ensemble orR
MUSC 107 — Choir or
MUSC 109 — Chamber Singers
Non-Western Studies – MUSC 158 recommended (3)
PSYC 101 — Introduction to Psychology (3)
1Applied lessons strongly encouraged see below.
Minimum total hours required for degree (64)
1All students planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Music Business are advised to enroll in at least one additional hour of applied major lesson or applied elective lesson per semester. (It is critical that each student receives the advice of a music advisor before enrolling in classes each semester.)
All students planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Music Business are advised to enroll in at least one additional credit hour of applied piano: Music 123 or Music 127 Elementary Piano or Piano (Freshman Year) and Music 223 or Music 227 Elementary Piano or Piano (Sophomore Year).
All students planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Music Business are advised to enroll in one credit hour of music ensemble: Music 101, 102/103 or 107, 109 Instrumental Ensemble or Choir during the third semester sequence.

