About the Department

The Music Department assumes leadership in the musical arts area for the campus. It offers private instruction in several instruments, and a variety of large and small instrumental and vocal ensembles. In addition, it offers a clearly defined succession of courses leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with several concentrations available, and in Music Education with instrumental or vocal emphasis. The music education degrees lead to K-12 teacher certification. A music minor is also offered.

First and second year courses in theory skills and applied music are followed by more advanced courses in history, literature and methods that are designed to advance the student toward a particular focus or concentration, or toward K-12 certification as a music educator. Students who elect to major in music begin in the first or second year (music education students in their first year) with the sequence of music theory and ear-training courses, introduction to music literature, applied music lessons, and participation in one or more of the several musical ensembles.

Private applied music lessons 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 may take the work for repeated academic credit if they wish. Attendance and participation requirements apply equally to all members whether or not the ensemble is taken for credit. A maximum of two full courses of academic credit in ensemble will count toward the music major curricula.

The music faculty reviews the work of all prospective music majors at the end of the sophomore year prior to formal admittance to the music major program in all curricula. 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. 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.

All 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 (Aural Harmony 2) and MUS 323 (Aural Harmony 4).

All music majors are required to attend a minimum of eight music department recital/ programs each semester as part of their applied music study. Failure to meet this requirement will result in an “incomplete” grade being assigned for the applied major instrument lessons for that semester. The “incomplete” grade will remain in effect until the student makes up for the shortage by attending extra events during the following regular semester (the amount of the shortage plus eight regular events). If the shortage is not made up by the end of the next full semester, the incomplete grade will turn into an “F.”

In addition to completing specified course requirements, each student must satisfy departmental standards for effectiveness in written and oral communication.