John P. Henry, Jr., Program Director
Objectives
The general objectives of the Music Program are as follows:
- to provide the student with basic skills, techniques, pedagogical concepts, and perspectives for a career as an artist and as a teacher of music on the K-12 levels.
- to contribute to and present an experiential knowledge base that includes technological advances, instrumentation, and techniques which support the discipline.
- to interpret, create, and maintain the highest level in individual and group performance in music,
- to enhance the cultural and aesthetic life of the university student through personal experiences in a focused program of education in music.
Degrees Offered
Music (Performance) - Bachelor of Arts
Music (General) - Bachelor of Arts
Secondary Education (Music Education) - Bachelor of Arts
The Music Program offers the Bachelor of Arts degree with two options. One option is a liberal arts curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree with concentrations in general music. This degree program is designed to accommodate students who wish to enter some area of music other than teaching. The other option is a professional degree in performance. This degree is designed for students who desire a career as a concert artist. Degree program requirements differ, and are not necessarily interchangeable. Students are advised to check programs carefully.
The Bachelor of Arts degree is a teacher education based curriculum with either choral or instrumental concentrations. Students who wish to teach in the public schools must follow this curriculum and the guidelines of the School of Education to meet certification and graduation requirements.
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of the requirements of the B.A. degree in Music provides the student with opportunities for various careers in the performing arts, and/or related disciplines. Completion of the B.A. in secondary eduation degree certifies one to teach in the public schools.
Program Requirements
For certified admission to the study of music as a major, all prospective students must successfully pass auditions set by the Faculty in the principal applied music area as well as a Music Theory Exam.
To continue in the Music Program as a major, students must maintain a 2.8 average in all music courses. Students whose averages fall below 2.8 will be placed on Program probation for the following semester of enrollment. Should the average not meet the minimum requirements at the end of the probationary period, their status will be subject to review by the Program Committee on Curriculum, Standards and Measures. Students who have a semester grade of “D” or below in a major course must repeat the affected course(s) and earn a grade of “C” or better before enrolling into any continuation or the next level of said course(s). Student progress will be evaluated at the end of the fourth semester of residency to determine approval for enrollment into upper level (junior classification, 400-600) music courses.
Music Performance Degree Requirements
The Music Performance degree is a highly selective program that maintains specific entry and retention requirements. These requirements may include additional auditions and academic provisions.
Music Degree Requirements
Upon entrance into the music program, each student must choose a principal applied concentration area - woodwind, brasswind, percussion, voice or piano.
Performance Ensembles
Each student with a major in music is required to have 7 credits in performance ensembles during their enrollment. For instrumentalists, at least 4 of these credits must come from Marching Band or from Symphonic/Concert Bands. The remaining 3 credits may either be additional hours of Marching and Symphonic/Concert Bands, or may come from the other instrumental ensembles within the Program, such as Jazz Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Piano Chamber Ensemble, etc. For vocalists, 4 credit must come from Concert Choir, and the remaining 3 credits may come from Chamber Choir or Concert Choir. Participation in more than a single ensemble is encouraged so long as there are no schedule conflicts or violation of University policy concerning student course load.
Recital Seminar
Music 307 is required each semester of enrollment as a major in the Program. As a part of this course, attendance is required for all music majors at student and faculty recitals, band, choir, and chamber ensemble concerts, and lyceum programs. A systematic method of checking and recording attendance will be used.
Instruments and Practice Facilities
Several studios are provided as practice facilities for students. Each contains a piano that is tuned regularly and kept in good repair. These areas are reserved for music majors only, and each person using the practice space assumes the responsibility for the maintenance of the instrument provided.
With the exception of piano students, each music major is expected to furnish an instrument for personal use. University-owned instruments are intended for use within ensembles and pedagogy classes only.
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