College of Fine Arts and Humanities
Department of
MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS
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A semester by semester outline of suggested courses for each degree option is available in the Music and
Performing Arts Office.
- Valerie Cisler, Chair
- Professors: D. Bauer,
Buckner, Cisler,
Cook, Crocker,
Foradori, Mitchell,
Nabb, Payne,
Schaaf
- Associate Professors: Chen,
Janice Fronczak, Garrison,
Harriott, White
- Assistant Professors: Beard,
Bierman, S. Campbell,
Rogoff, Wethington
- Senior Lecturers: Fletcher,
Himmerich
- Lecturer: Ice
- Professional Staff: M. Johnson, Piano Technician;
Scholwin, Sound Production Coordinator/Events Technician
The Department of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
Department Objectives:
- To provide professional training and specialized advising in the fields of music education, music
business, musical theatre, music performance and pedagogy, music composition, dance, and preparatory pre-professional training
in music therapy;
- To provide rigorous, nationally accredited academic programs that prepare music students for graduate work and advanced
study;
- To foster in students a basis for aesthetic judgment and the ability to distinguish musical quality through participation in
private instruction, studio classes, performance ensembles, master classes, workshops, clinics, recitals, concerts, and regular
attendance at faculty and guest artist performances;
- To provide opportunities for the highest degree of artistic and scholarly development of students through participation in
academic research and creative activity;
- To provide opportunities for all members of the university community to acquire an informed understanding and appreciation
for music and develop skills in critical judgment through enrollment in music courses and private lessons, participation in
ensembles, and attendance at various music functions;
- To present concerts, recitals, musicals, operas, and music for special events for the artistic enrichment of the region;
- To offer leadership in the musical life of the region by providing participative, collaborative, and advisory services to
teachers, community members, and alumni.
- To assist students in the development of skills and attitudes conducive to a lifetime of independent
learning, with an awareness and appreciation for diverse views, and an understanding of the contributions of theatre to society
and culture;
- To offer students a broad practical and theoretical knowledge of Theatre as a Fine Art and as one of the humanities, while
developing a world view of theatre through specialized training in history, dramatic literature, performance, design, and
theatre technology;
- To provide students with an appreciation of the demands of the professional marketplace, and prepare them for productive
careers in the Theatre Arts through work in the classroom, on the stage, and in professional settings.
Requirements
- All students planning to major or minor in music must complete admission requirements as determined by
the Department of Music and Performing Arts. Application for admission including audition must be submitted prior to
enrollment. Music majors and minors must choose an area of applied music and meet the proficiency standards of the Department
for admission and graduation. All new students will audition to determine their performance level. Students should be able to
perform with adequate technique, tone quality and musicianship; specific audition requirements for each performance area are
available through the Department of Music and Performing Arts.
All incoming students including transfer students will also take placement tests in the areas of theory, ear training, sight
singing, piano skills, and performance. Students who do not meet admission requirements may be admitted provisionally. Once
students have been accepted into a program they must receive departmental approval to change their applied music area or
academic program.
- All music majors and minors are required to complete piano requirements, including a proficiency examination as determined
by the Department of Music and Performing Arts. Students are strongly encouraged to maintain continuous enrollment in piano
until the piano proficiency examination is completed. All piano examination requirements must be completed prior to
registration for Field Experience/Student Teaching (Music Education majors), Internship (Music Business majors) or Senior
Recital (Performance/Musical Theatre majors).
The placement level in piano classes will be made by the piano faculty at the time of the entrance audition. Those with limited
keyboard background will be placed into the appropriate Piano Techniques class. Students with keyboard facility will be placed
into Keyboard Harmonization (the entire exam is covered in one semester) or, under the advisement of the piano faculty, may
elect to independently prepare for and take the full piano proficiency examination, given by a committee of piano faculty, by
the end of their third semester. Degree requirements are outlined in the Piano Proficiency Packet. Proficiency examinations are
scheduled each semester.
- Every full-time music major or minor must participate in a large ensemble every semester until the large ensemble degree
requirement is satisfied. Wind and percussion students will elect band (flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon students may elect
the orchestra once the two semester marching band requirements have been met); string students will elect the orchestra; voice
students will elect an appropriate vocal ensemble; guitar students will elect any ensemble; keyboard students will elect any
ensemble or appropriate accompaniment/chamber music assignment for their participation (except the semester enrolled in Senior
Recital). After the large ensemble requirement is met, all full-time music majors must participate in at least one ensemble
each semester, except the semester enrolled in Internship or Student Teaching.
- Students completing requirements for a major or minor in music must earn the total number of credits listed for their
specific program. Completion of a course through proficiency examination does not reduce the total number of program credits
required.
- Candidates for degrees must satisfactorily complete an exit assessment including a portfolio before graduation. Specific
requirements should be obtained from the advisor in the student's first semester as a music major.
A semester by semester outline of suggested courses for each degree option is available in the Music and
Performing Arts Office.
MUSIC MAJOR
Five options are available in this major:
- Music - Bachelor of Arts Degree
- Music Performance Comprehensive - Bachelor of Music Degree
- Musical Theatre Comprehensive - Bachelor of Music Degree
- Music Business Emphasis, Music Comprehensive - Bachelor of Music Degree
- Music K-12 Teaching Field Endorsement - Bachelor of Arts in Education Degree
Two options are available in this major:
- Theatre - Bachelor of Arts Degree
- Theatre 7-12 Teaching Subject Endorsement - Bachelor of Arts in Education Degree
Minors in Music, Dance, and
Theatre are available for students pursuing majors in other disciplines. The Elementary Education
Major has a specially defined minor in Music.
A Pre-Professional Program in Music Therapy is available.
Courses with the prefixes MUS, DANC and
THEA are offered by the department.
