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Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.) – Music – Degree and Pre-major

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  • Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A.) – Music – Degree and Pre-major

2025-2026 Edition

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Department Chair: Robert Gynn, 847.635.1843, bgynn@oakton.edu
Program Coordinator: Glenna M. Sprague, 847.635.1905, gsprague@oakton.edu

The curriculum in Fine Arts (Music) is designed to prepare students to continue studies toward the baccalaureate degree in music in four-year colleges and universities. Since this curriculum places emphasis on applied/studio courses as well as general education courses, graduates may find they will be required to take additional freshman and sophomore level general education courses after transfer. General education courses should be selected from the list of IAI General Education Courses.

Students intending to major in music for the baccalaureate degree are encouraged to follow the curriculum for the Associate in Fine Arts – Music described below, and to consult with an advisor immediately upon entry to the college.

The curriculum for students intending to major in Music is consistent with the Illinois Articulation Initiative curriculum in this field. Public universities in Illinois, and many private four-year colleges and universities as well, have agreed to this curriculum. Students should consult with an advisor at the school to which they intend to transfer to confirm the school’s participation in the Illinois Articulation Initiative for the music major.

Admission to baccalaureate music programs is competitive. Completion of the degree does not guarantee admission either to the baccalaureate program or to upper-division or specialty music courses. Students may be required to demonstrate skill level through auditions and placement testing at the institution to which they transfer. In some colleges and universities, a baccalaureate degree in music may also require competency in a foreign language.

Students who wish to major in Music Education should consult an Oakton advisor immediately upon entry to the College to ensure appropriate selection of courses. They may find it advisable to take additional Oakton courses that focus on learning to play and teach various instruments; for example, MUS 130, MUS 131, MUS 132, MUS 133, MUS 134, MUS 135, MUS 138, MUS 234, and MUS 235.

Associate in Fine Arts Degree – Music

67 Semester Credit Hours; Curriculum: 0802

Note: Refer to IAI General Education Courses page for guidelines on General Education course selection.

Course List
Code Title Hours
General Education Requirements:
Area A - Communications
EGL 101Composition I3
EGL 102Composition II3
SPE 103Effective Speech3
Area B - Mathematics
One MAT course of at least 3 credits from the approved list of IAI general education Mathematics courses3
Area C - Science
One science course from the Life Sciences and one science course from the Physical Sciences; at least one of these courses must be a lab course7
Area D - Social and Behavioral Sciences
One course3
Area E - Humanities/Fine Arts
Two courses from the humanities (two different disciplines); not MUS courses or any other studio or applied courses6
Area F - Global Studies 1
One course that satisfies Global Studies requirement0-3
Area G - U.S. Diversity Studies 2
One course that satisfies U.S. Diversity Studies requirement0-3
Total Hours28-34
1

Students may take a Global Studies course that satisfies both Area F and another Area requirement.

2

Students may take a U.S. Diversity Studies course that satisfies both Area G and another Area requirement.

Course List
Code Title Hours
Major Requirements
MUS 121Music Theory I3
MUS 122Music Theory II3
MUS 221Music Theory III3
MUS 222Music Theory IV3
MUS 119Aural Skills I1
MUS 120Aural Skills II1
MUS 219Aural Skills III1
MUS 220Aural Skills IV1
MUS 107Class Piano I2
MUS 108Class Piano II2
MUS 207Class Piano III2
MUS 208Class Piano IV2
Select one series of courses from the following:4
Instrumental Ensemble
MUS 105
Instrumental Ensemble I
MUS 106
Instrumental Ensemble II
MUS 205
Instrumental Ensemble III
MUS 206
Instrumental Ensemble IV
Instrumental Percussion
MUS 109
Instrumental Percussion Ensemble I
MUS 110
Instrumental Percussion Ensemble II
MUS 209
Instrumental Percussion Ensemble III
MUS 210
Instrumental Percussion Ensemble IV
Choir
MUS 111
Choir I
MUS 112
Choir II
MUS 211
Choir III
MUS 212
Choir IV
Jazz Combo
MUS 115
Jazz Combo I
MUS 116
Jazz Combo II
MUS 215
Jazz Combo III
MUS 216
Jazz Combo IV
Jazz Band
MUS 117
Jazz Band I
MUS 118
Jazz Band II
MUS 217
Jazz Band III
MUS 218
Jazz Band IV
Jazz Ensemble
MUS 125
Jazz Ensemble I
MUS 126
Jazz Ensemble II
MUS 225
Jazz Ensemble III
MUS 226
Jazz Ensemble IV
Brass Ensemble
MUS 141
Brass Ensemble I
MUS 142
Brass Ensemble II
MUS 241
Brass Ensemble III
MUS 242
Brass Ensemble IV
Woodwind Ensemble
MUS 143
Woodwind Ensemble I
MUS 144
Woodwind Ensemble II
MUS 243
Woodwind Ensemble III
MUS 244
Woodwind Ensemble IV
One series of courses in applied instruction from the following:8
Voice
MUS 150
Applied Music: Voice I
MUS 170
Applied Music: Voice II
MUS 250
Applied Music: Voice III
MUS 270
Applied Music: Voice IV
Conducting
MUS 151
Applied Music: Conducting I
MUS 171
Applied Music: Conducting II
MUS 251
Applied Music: Conducting III
MUS 271
Applied Music: Conducting IV
Fluite
MUS 152
Applied Music: Flute I
MUS 172
Applied Music: Flute II
MUS 252
Applied Music: Flute III
MUS 272
Applied Music: Flute IV
Clarinet
MUS 153
Applied Music: Clarinet I
MUS 173
Applied Music: Clarinet II
MUS 253
Applied Music: Clarinet III
MUS 273
Applied Music: Clarinet IV
Oboe
MUS 154
Applied Music: Oboe I
MUS 174
Applied Music: Oboe II
MUS 254
Applied Music: Oboe III
MUS 274
Applied Music Oboe IV
Bassoon
MUS 155
Applied Music: Bassoon I
MUS 175
Applied Music: Bassoon II
MUS 255
Applied Music: Bassoon III
MUS 275
Applied Music: Bassoon IV
Trumpet
MUS 156
Applied Music: Trumpet I
MUS 176
Applied Music: Trumpet II
MUS 256
Applied Music: Trumpet III
MUS 276
Applied Music: Trumpet IV
Trombone
MUS 157
Applied Music: Trombone I
MUS 177
Applied Music: Trombone II
MUS 257
Applied Music: Trombone III
MUS 277
Applied Music: Trombone IV
French Horn
MUS 158
Applied Music: French Horn I
MUS 178
Applied Music: French Horn II
MUS 258
Applied Music: French Horn III
MUS 278
Applied Music: French Horn IV
Saxophone:
MUS 159
Applied Music: Saxophone I
MUS 179
Applied Music: Saxophone II
MUS 259
Applied Music: Saxophone III
MUS 279
Applied Music: Saxophone IV
Violin
MUS 160
Applied Music: Violin I
MUS 180
Applied Music: Violin II
MUS 260
Applied Music: Violin III
MUS 280
Applied Music: Violin IV
Viola
MUS 161
Applied Music: Viola I
MUS 181
Applied Music: Viola II
MUS 261
Applied Music: Viola III
MUS 281
Applied Music: Viola IV
Cello
MUS 162
Applied Music: Cello I
MUS 182
Applied Music: Cello II
MUS 262
Applied Music: Cello III
MUS 282
Applied Music: Cello IV
Contrabass
MUS 163
Applied Music: Contrabass I
MUS 183
Applied Music: Contrabass II
MUS 263
Applied Music: Contrabass III
MUS 283
Applied Music: Contrabass IV
Percussion
MUS 164
Applied Music: Percussion I
MUS 184
Applied Music: Percussion II
MUS 264
Applied Music: Percussion III
MUS 284
Applied Music: Percussion IV
Piano
MUS 165
Applied Music: Piano I
MUS 185
Applied Music: Piano II
MUS 265
Applied Music: Piano III
MUS 285
Applied Music: Piano IV
Bass Guitar
MUS 166
Applied Music: Bass Guitar I
MUS 186
Applied Music: Bass Guitar II
MUS 266
Applied Music: Bass Guitar III
MUS 286
Applied Music: Bass Guitar IV
Guitar
MUS 167
Applied Music: Guitar I
MUS 187
Applied Music: Guitar II
MUS 267
Applied Music: Guitar III
MUS 287
Applied Music: Guitar IV
Tuba
MUS 168
Applied Music: Tuba I
MUS 188
Applied Music: Tuba II
MUS 268
Applied Music: Tuba III
MUS 288
Applied Music: Tuba IV
Jazz Guitar
MUS 169
Applied Music: Jazz Guitar I
MUS 189
Applied Music: Jazz Guitar II
MUS 269
Applied Music: Jazz Guitar III
MUS 289
Applied Music: Jazz Guitar IV
MUS 236Music Literature and History3
Total Hours39

Music Pre-major

Department Chair: Robert Gynn, 847.635.1843, bgynn@oakton.edu
Program Coordinator: Glenna M. Sprague, 847.635.1905, gsprague@oakton.edu

The following pre-major is designed for students who are considering completing a Bachelor’s degree in Music after transferring to a four-year institution. It is intended for students who have not decided upon a specific four-year college or university. Once a transfer school is selected, students are strongly encouraged to consult the Office of Advising, Transitions, and Student Success and the transfer institution’s catalog to select courses that will meet both Oakton and transfer institution requirements.

Since the curriculum places emphasis on applied/studio courses as well as general education courses, graduates may find they will be required to take additional freshman and sophomore level general education courses after transfer.

For more information on course selection or program-specific advising, contact the program coordinator. Part time students should also consult the Office of Advising, Transition, and Student Success for part-time pre-major recommendations. General Education courses should be selected from the list of IAI General Education Courses.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Semester One (Fall)Hours
EGL 101 Composition I 3
MUS 107 Class Piano I 2
MUS 121 Music Theory I 3
MUS 119 Aural Skills I (tandem with MUS 121) 1
MAT 125
or MAT 131
General Education Mathematics
or Elementary Statistics
4
Select one of the following applied music courses: 2
MUS 150-MUS 169; MUS 170-MUS 189; MUS 250-MUS 269; MUS 270-MUS 289
Select one of the following: 1
MUS 105
Instrumental Ensemble I (Guitar, Piano, String)
MUS 111
Choir I
MUS 117
Jazz Band I
 Hours16
Semester Two (Spring)
EGL 102 Composition II 3
MUS 108 Class Piano II 2
MUS 122 Music Theory II 3
MUS 120 Aural Skills II (tandem with MUS 122) 1
Select one of the following applied music courses: 2
MUS 150-MUS 169; MUS 170-MUS 189; MUS 250-MUS 269; MUS 270-MUS 289
Select one of the following: 1
MUS 106
Instrumental Ensemble II (Guitar, Piano, String)
MUS 112
Choir II
MUS 118
Jazz Band II
Select one of the following: 3-4
ART 114
Art History: Art of the Non-Western World 1
EGL 131
Multicultural Literature in the U.S. 2
HUM 120
Western Culture and the Arts: Beginnings through the Middle Ages
HUM 121
Western Culture and the Arts: Renaissance through the 20th Century
HUM 161
Global Cinema 1
Modern Language course (2021 or higher) 3
or other Humanities/Fine Arts course
 Hours15-16
Semester Three (Summer)
SPE 103 Effective Speech 3
Select one Physical Science course without lab: 3
EAS 105
Introduction to Weather and Climate
EAS 121
Physical Geography
EAS 125
A Survey of Oceanography
 Hours6
Second Year
Semester One (Fall)
MUS 207 Class Piano III 2
MUS 221 Music Theory III 3
MUS 219 Aural Skills III (tandem with MUS 221) 1
MUS 236 Music Literature and History 3
Select one of the following applied music courses: 2
MUS 150-MUS 169; MUS 170-MUS 189; MUS 250-MUS 269; MUS 270-MUS 289
Select one of the following: 1
MUS 205
Instrumental Ensemble III (Guitar, Piano, String)
MUS 211
Choir III
MUS 217
Jazz Band III
Select one of the following: 3-4
ART 114
Art History: Art of the Non-Western World 1
EGL 131
Multicultural Literature in the U.S. 2
HUM 120
Western Culture and the Arts: Beginnings through the Middle Ages
HUM 121
Western Culture and the Arts: Renaissance through the 20th Century
HUM 161
Global Cinema 1
Modern Language course (2021 or higher) 3
or other Humanities/Fine Arts course that also satisfies Global Studies or U.S. Diversity Studies requirements (select a discipline not taken previously)
 Hours15-16
Semester Two (Spring)
MUS 208 Class Piano IV 2
MUS 222 Music Theory IV 3
MUS 220 Aural Skills IV (tandem with MUS 222) 1
Select one of the following applied music courses: 2
MUS 150-MUS 169; MUS 170-MUS 189; MUS 250-MUS 269; MUS 270-MUS 289
Select one of the following: 1
MUS 206
Instrumental Ensemble IV (Guitar, Piano, String)
MUS 212
Choir IV
MUS 218
Jazz Band IV
Select one Life Science course with lab: 4
BIO 101
Introduction to Life Science
BIO 106
Introduction to Environmental Science 1
Select two of the following: 6
ANT 102
Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology 4
PSC 202
International Relations 1
PSY 202
Social Psychology 2
SOC 101
Introduction to Sociology 2
SSC 105
Introduction to Ethnic Studies 2
or other Social and Behavioral Studies course that also satisfies Global Studies or U.S. Diversity Studies requirements (select a discipline not taken previously)
 Hours19
 Total Hours71-73
1

Course fulfills the Global Studies requirement. At least one Global Studies course is required for degree completion.

2

Course fulfills the U.S. Diversity Studies requirement. At least one U.S. Diversity Studies course is required for degree completion.

3

Transfer institutions may have a language requirement. Any Modern Language Intermediate II course can meet the Humanities and Global Studies requirements.

4

Course fulfills both the Global Studies and U.S. Diversity Studies requirements.

Note: Pre-major is a recommended sequence and selection of courses. See Associate in Fine Arts (A.F.A) - Music page for degree requirements. 

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