Music

Department | Program | All Courses | Music Theory, Literature, and Methods Courses | Applied Music Courses | Ensemble Courses | Applied Music Lessons

B.A. Degree with a Major in General Music

The Core Music Curriculum

A major in General Music is achieved by completion of the following courses, in addition to the General Education and electives required for a degree:

CORE MUSIC CURRICULUM (Adjusted for General Music Majors):

* Effective in 2007-2008, MUS 120 became MUS 220; MUS 121, MUS 221; MUS 312, MUS 222; and MUS 313, MUS 223.

** The Senior Seminar is designed to be the capstone experience of the Music Department’s core curriculum. As such, the seminar will focus on the research, study, practice, and implementation of the senior Music major’s final project, which consists of a final paper, performance, or other public presentation. Specific content and format will be determined by the student’s concentration, if applicable.

Recommendations for the General Music Major

Exploring the Major—Students considering General Music as a major should begin exploring the discipline through private applied music lessons (MUA), piano or voice classes (MUS 101, 102, or 103), and participation in one or more music ensembles (see Course Description section to follow). It is recommended that students complete or waive MUS 118 during their first year. Students also begin in the first or second year with MUS 115 (after MUS 118 is completed or waived), as well as the sequence of theory-skills courses (MUS 220/222 and MUS 320/322) and ear-training courses (MUS 221/223 and MUS 321/323).

Private applied music lessons (MUA) are offered as one or two half-hour lessons weekly, or as one full-hour lesson, depending on the decision of the teacher and needs of the student. Students taking two half-hour lessons per week or one full-hour lesson receive one-half (1/2) course credit. Students who take one half-hour lesson per week receive one-fourth (1/4) course credit.

Students enrolling in musical organizations/ensembles may take the work for repeated academic credit, or as noncredit. Attendance and participation requirements apply equally to all members regardless of whether the ensemble is taken for credit. A maximum of two (2) full course credits in ensemble will count toward the General Music major curricula.

Admission to the Major—The work of all prospective General Music majors is reviewed by the Music faculty at the end of the sophomore year, prior to formal admittance to any concentration of the General Music major program. This review includes performance on the major and minor instrument, if applicable, and a three-minute oral presentation by the student about his or her background and interest in music, choice of major, and career goals.

Course Sequencing Considerations and Department Recital Attendance Requirement (in order to complete degree requirements within eight terms)—First- and second-year courses (see Exploring the Major, above) are followed by more advanced courses in history, literature, and methods designed to advance the student toward a particular focus or concentration. All General Music majors are required to attend a minimum of eight Music Department recital programs each term as part of their applied music study, with the exception of students enrolled in applied lessons, who must attend three departmental recitals per term. Failure to meet this requirement will result in an “incomplete” grade being assigned for the applied major instrument lessons for that term. The "incomplete" grade will remain in effect until the student makes up for the shortage by attending extra events during the following regular term (the amount of the shortage plus that term’s eight regular events). If the shortage is not made up by the end of the next regular term, the incomplete grade will be recorded as an "F."

Proficiency Requirements for Retention in and Completion of the Major—A similar review is conducted at the end of the junior year to evaluate progress toward the completion of the Music degree. The oral presentation in the junior interview focuses on the student’s self-evaluation, future plans, and career goals. In addition to all core curricular requirements, all General Music majors must satisfy departmental standards for written and oral communication by successfully completing the sophomore and junior interview, MUS 330, 331, and Senior Seminar requirements. All General Music majors must pass two sight-singing proficiency exams before graduating. The first opportunity that a student has to take these exams is at the conclusion of MUS 223 and MUS 323.

Other Considerations in the Major—In addition to completing specified course requirements, each student must satisfy departmental standards for effectiveness in written and oral communication. Students still can perform in recitals that may count toward .5 credit in MUS 400: Senior Seminar. Students in General Music may take MUS 400 (1/2 credit) and MUA 400 (1/2 credit) to fulfill the Senior Seminar requirement if they do a recital and pass a recital preview. Other General Music majors will take MUS 400 as a one-credit course.

Curriculum Guides

• B.A. General Music, 2007-2008
• B.A. General Music—African-American Music Concentration, 2007-2008
• B.A. General Music—Appalachian Music Concentration, 2007-2008
• B.A. General Music—Keyboard Performance Music Concentration, 2007-2008
• B.A. General Music—Vocal Performance Music Concentration, 2007-2008
• B.A. General Music—Wind Performance Music Concentration, 2007-2008