Course descriptionRequirements for major in music
Students may complete a major in music with a bachelor of arts, bachelor of business administration, or bachelor of science degree. All music majors must complete a basic 36-hour program in tandem with either a music concentration or a nonmusic cognate concentration. The basic program includes Creating Music @ the Computer (MUSC 1002), Concept & Design I (MUSC 2000), Concept & Design II (MUSC 2010), Critical Skills & Music Analysis (MUSC 3000), The Evolution of Style in Music (MUSC 2100), Musical Style in World Cultures (MUSC 2142), Contemporary Music (MUSC 3102), Choral Conducting I (MUSC 3512), Music Study as Aesthetic Contemplation (MUSC 4902), two additional electives in music history/literature, and Seminar: Readings in Music Criticism (MUSC 4900). Participation in Singers each semester is required. All music majors must pass a keyboard proficiency test, demonstrate a minimum aural competency as defined in the theory curriculum, and attend all recitals required by the department.
Requirements for music performance concentration
Students may elect a performance concentration in piano, voice, organ, guitar, or orchestral instruments (the latter with special permission). Students may complete a performance concentration in music in tandem with the music major or any other major the College offers. The 22-hour program includes 16 hours of studio study in one performance medium, two hours of pedagogy, two hours of literature, Creating Music @ the Computer (MUSC 1002), one shared "half" recital, and one solo recital. Performance concentrators must attend all recitals required by the department. Vocal concentrators must participate in Singers each semester. Concentrators are strongly encouraged to complete the practicum in their performance area.
Requirements for church music concentration
Students may elect a concentration in church music in tandem with a music major or any other major the College offers. The 22-hour program includes six hours of studio study in one performance area, Creating Music @ the Computer (MUSC 1002), Choral Conducting I (MUSC 3512), Choral Conducting II (MUSC 3522), Church Music Literature/Hymnology (MUSC 4110), Internship for Church Musicians (MUSC 4852), and a full course elective in religion. Church music concentrators must present one solo "half " recital no earlier than the sixth semester of performance study. Church music concentrators must attend all recitals required by the department. Participation in Singers each semester is required.
Requirements for music history concentration
Students may elect a concentration in music history in tandem with a music major. The 20-hour program includes four hours of studio study in one performance area, a full course elective in history, an additional eight hours of electives in music history, and an undergraduate thesis (MUSC 4100). Requirements for non-music cognate concentration: Music majors may elect a nonmusic cognate concentration in tandem with their music major. For the non music cognate concentration the student will have to double major or minor in a non-music field of study and complete a thesis (MUSC 4110) that relates the cognate study to music study. The thesis must be approved by both the music faculty and the chair of the department of the cognate field of study.
Requirements for minor in music
A student may elect a music minor alone or in tandem with a performance concentration. The 16-hour program includes Creating Music @ the Computer, Concept & Design I, The Evolution of Style in Music, and a minimum of six semesters of applied electives at one semester hour each (four of which must be in one performance area). Participation in Singers for at least four semesters is required.
General Requirements for Students of Music
All students studying applied music must attend weekly repertoire classes and take an examination before the faculty at the end of each semester. All keyboard concentrators are required each semester to accompany either a singer, an instrumentalist, or one of the vocal ensembles.
Keyboard Proficiency
All music majors must demonstrate keyboard proficiency in the areas of sight-reading, performance, technique, and functional skills. The exam will be administered by the end of the first semester of the junior year and taken each subsequent semester until passed. Students must continue with piano lessons until the proficiency is passed. The exam must be passed as a whole. Students will not be allowed to pass portions at a time.
Piano Concentration Requirements
To enter the concentration program in piano, students should have an adequate musical and technical background and should be able to play all major and minor scales. They should have had some learning experience in all periods of the standard student repertoire, such as the Bach Two-Part Inventions, the Haydn and Mozart Sonatas, the Mendelssohn Songs without Words, and the Bartòk Mikrokosmos.
Organ Concentration Requirements
To enter the concentration program in organ, the student should have completed sufficient piano study to play the Bach Two-Part Inventions, Haydn and Mozart Sonatas, and compositions by Chopin, Schumann, or Mendelssohn. The student should be able to play all major and minor scales and arpeggios.
Voice Concentration Requirements
To enter the concentration program in voice, the student should possess above-average vocal talent; evidence ability to sing with correct pitch, phrasing, and musical intelligence; know the rudiments of music; and be able to sing a simple song at sight. A student should have experience in singing works from the standard repertoire.
Upper Divisional
Performance concentrators are required to pass a special performance jury before being admitted to upper divisional status. This upper divisional exam, taken at the end of the fourth semester of applied study, consists of a 20-minute program.