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, Foradori,
Janice Fronczak, Mitchell,
Nabb, Payne
- Associate Professors: S. Campbell,
Chen, Freedman,
Garrison, Harriott,
White
- Assistant Professors: Alber,
Bierman, Rogoff
- Senior Lecturers: Fletcher,
Himmerich, Ice
- Lecturers: DeLorm,
Stephansen
- Professional Staff: M. Johnson, Piano Technician;
Scholwin, Audio Director/Events Technician
The Department of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
Department Objectives:
- To present concerts, recitals, musicals, operas, and music for special events for the artistic
enrichment of the region;
- To offer quality courses and instruction in the areas of music theory, music history, music education, music business, music
technology, music performance, music composition, music pedagogy, musical theatre, opera, music appreciation, musical
ensembles, dance appreciation, dance techniques, jazz dance, tap, and choreography;
- To provide curricula leading to nationally accredited bachelor degree programs in music, music education, music business,
music performance (composition, instrumental, piano, piano with pedagogy emphasis, vocal), musical theatre, and a master's
degree in music education;
- To give preparatory training in music that enables a student to enter a music therapy program at another university;
- To provide rigorous academic undergraduate programs that prepare music students for graduate work and advanced study;
- To engender an interest in academic research and creative activity in graduate and undergraduate music students;
- To foster in music and dance students a sense of aesthetic judgment and the ability to distinguish musical quality that
comes from their participation in private instruction, studio classes, performance ensembles, master classes, workshops,
recitals, concerts, research and creative activities, and through their regular attendance at faculty and guest artist
performances;
- To provide opportunities for all university students to develop skills in critical judgment, and an informed understanding
and appreciation for music and dance through their participation in music/dance courses and ensembles, and through their
attendance at student, faculty, and guest artist performances;
- To guide and nurture the highest degree of artistic development in each music student through private study on their musical
instrument or voice with music faculty who have proven their high artistic standards of performance;
- To lead the university, community, and region in acquiring greater musical understanding and critical judgment through
involvement in music courses, participation in music ensembles and attendance at various musical functions;
- 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
Three 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 Education K-12 - Bachelor of Music 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.
Courses with the prefixes MUS, DANC and
THEA are offered by the department.
