Requirements

Academic requirements

• Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Performing Arts, Music Concentration
• Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Performing Arts, Music Concentration, Emphasis in Piano Pedagogy
• Bachelor of Music, Visual and Performing Arts, Music Education Concentration
• Bachelor of Music in Visual and Performing Arts, Music Performance Concentration
• Minor in Music
• Minor in Music History
• Minor in Music Theatre

In addition to the requirements for each degree program as stated in the university catalog, certain other requirements are specified by the Department of Music:

Ensembles

Each music major must perform in a required ensemble every semester they are registered as a full-time student. 

Voice Primaries

• University Choir
• Chamber singers
• Camerata Singers

Instrumental Primaries

• Wind Symphony 
• Chamber Orchestra

Keyboard and Guitar Primaries

Choose from the ensembles listed above

Recitals

Student recitals are the primary Capstone Experience for music majors. Students must successfully pass a Recital hearing one month prior to presenting a recital. 

Grade Point Average

A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 must be maintained both in overall studies as well as in all music courses to remain in good academic standing.

Graduation

Music majors expecting to graduate must complete an Application for Degree and file it with the Office of Registration one year in advance of the expected date of graduation, normally in the second semester of the Junior year. Degree Application Forms are available in the Registrar's Office. Students not completing this form will have their registration blocked for the next semester.

Attendance at Department-Sponsored Events

Students are expected to attend and participate in departmental events. Hearing live musical performances is critical for learning to appreciate, perform, analyze, and enjoy music.  Personal and professional courtesy requires that students attend faculty performances, and your fellow students will appreciate your support when they are performing. 

Music majors entering the program are required to complete six semesters of MUSC 185, Performance Observation.  This course requires attendance at departmentally-sponsored events.  Some of your other classes will also require attendance at specific performances; consult individual course syllabi. A schedule of concerts for the semester is posted on the departmental website and can also be obtained from the Department of Music Office.

Departmental Recitals and Events

Departmental Recitals and other department-wide meetings are scheduled on Thursdays throughout the semester at 3:30 p.m., in Molnar Recital Hall. A schedule of Departmental Recitals is available at the Music Office.

The recitals give music students opportunities to perform in public the works they have been studying. Applied teachers generally require their students to perform on one or more recitals during a semester. (First-semester students may be exempt from this requirement.)  All music students are expected to attend departmental recitals.

In order to be placed on the program for a departmental recital, the student must have approval from his/her applied teacher. The completed Departmental Recital Submission Form must be forwarded by the applied instructor to the Music Secretary by Friday prior to the recital date. Recitals are limited to 50 minutes of performance; it is not wise to wait until the last recital of the semester to meet the applied syllabus requirement, since that program may be filled early. 

Primary Applied Music Study

Primary Applied Music Study includes one 50-minute private lesson and a studio class each week. At the beginning of the semester private lessons are scheduled individually. A student who does not already have an assigned time on the first day of classes should see his/her instructor immediately.

Applied study is a focal point of a student's curriculum as a music major, and the music faculty expect students to strive for excellence in this area.  In accordance with national standards, for each credit earned in an applied music course a minimum of three hours of individual practice each week.  

The links below provide information regarding levels of competency necessary to graduate in each degree program:  

• Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Performing Arts, Concentration in Music (pdf)
• Bachelor of Arts in V&PA, Concentration in Music with Emphasis in Piano Pedagogy (pdf)
• Bachelor of Music, Concentration in Education (pdf)
• Bachelor of Music, Concentration in Performance (pdf)

Competency in Applied Music is assessed at entrance auditions, semester jury performances, the Sophomore Promotional Jury, and recital hearings.  For further details, see the Student Assessments.