Music Department Info
The purpose of the USAO Music Department is to train effective, passionate, and curious musicians. The Music Department serves students interested in music as a major as well as students for whom music is a secondary passion. Through coursework that is both challenging and nurturing, the Music Department achieves this goal by offering the following:
- Study in the specific fields of music education, performance, and business; a music minor; coursework and ensembles for Artistic Expression
- A learning environment that includes music coursework, private instruction, and large and small music ensembles
- Opportunities for creative work within music courses such as lesson planning, composition, and arranging
- Performance opportunities in public recitals and large and small ensembles (both open and auditioned)
- Education by full-time faculty who have all obtained the terminal degree in their field and part-time faculty with significant professional and educational experience in their field
- Student-centered curricula and individualized attention
- A rigorous course of study in a program accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
A Bachelor of Arts degree in music focuses on music in the context of a broad program of liberal arts studies. Students completing the music program will be effective performers, achieve proficiency in musical literacy, apply knowledge of musical concepts by performing and creating music, and demonstrate achievement of performance competence in their area of specialization. The Music Department also offers courses and ensembles for the general student population which count as Artistic Expression and support the liberal arts curriculum:
Specific fields of study include:
- Bachelor of Arts with a major in music (with a emphasis in performance or business)
- Bachelor of Arts in Music Education (with teacher certification and a specialization in vocal/choral or instrumental music)
- Minor in music
The following presents a general description of program requirements. Detailed information about music degree program policies and procedures are published in the USAO Music Student Handbook available from the Music Department and at https://usaomusic.wordpress.com/handbook/.
Application for Admission to Music Programs of Study
All students intending to major in music are required to audition on their primary instrument for the music faculty prior to acceptance into the music major.
At the end of the sophomore year all students declaring music as a major are assessed by the music faculty during the Progress and Skills Exam. Students who demonstrate that they have met competencies and are approved by the music faculty for further music study are officially declared music majors.
Applied Studio Instruction
Music majors and minors must choose a primary specialization from the areas of voice, piano, guitar, brass, woodwinds, percussion, or composition. Music majors must complete leveling competencies while pursuing Applied Studio Instruction in their area of specialization. Music majors and minors must complete Applied Studio Instruction in secondary areas as appropriate to their chosen emphasis and area of specialization. Only voice or piano may be selected as the primary area of specialization for students pursuing vocal/choral teacher certification. Any concert band instrument may be selected as the primary area of specialization for students pursuing instrumental teacher certification. Guitar may not be chosen as the primary area of specialization for any student pursuing teacher certification.
Recital Attendance
Student Recital Attendance (MUSC-2880) is a performance lab course which affords students the opportunity to gain valuable performance experience in front of their peers and to hear a variety of repertoire and genres. Enrollment in Recital Attendance is required as a lab component to all primary Applied Studio Instruction. Five terms, with a grade of Pass, are required for graduation.
Juries and Progress and Skills Exams
Music majors and minors enrolled in primary Applied Studio Instruction must perform for the music faculty at the end of each fall and spring term of enrollment. Music majors must demonstrate forward progress based on leveling competency criteria.
Ensemble Participation
Continuous enrollment in a major ensemble for at least 6 hours is required of all music majors. Music majors who choose voice as their primary area of specialization must enroll in MUSC-1051 (Concert Choir). Music majors who choose woodwinds, brass, or percussion as their primary area of specialization must enroll in MUSC-1081 (Concert Band). Students who choose guitar or composition as their primary area of specialization may choose either Concert Choir or Concert Band as their major ensemble. Continuous enrollment in a major ensemble is recommended beyond the required 6 hours. Music scholarship recipients must enroll continuously in the designated major ensemble.
Piano Proficiency
All music majors must demonstrate piano proficiency prior to graduation. Students must meet minimum requirements for technique, keyboard harmony, harmonization, transposition, repertoire performance, accompanying, sight-reading, and improvisation.
Academic Requirements
Music majors emphasizing in performance or business must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00. Music majors emphasizing in teacher certification must maintain a 2.75 GPA in music coursework and a 3.00 GPA in Liberal Arts and Science Coursework. Music scholarship recipients must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00. Certain music courses must be completed in sequence. Students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in these courses in order to demonstrate competence in course material and to progress to the next course in the sequence. Music courses that must be completed in sequence are MUSC-1031, 1111, 1113, 1121, 1123, 2031, 2103, 2113, and 3102.
Senior Recital
Music majors emphasizing in Teacher Education or Performance must present a senior recital or recital project.
Music Comprehensive Portfolio and Exit Interview
Prior to graduation, all music majors must compile and present a comprehensive portfolio of their work. The purpose of the portfolio is to collect and archive documents essential for graduate school, future employers, or other professional purposes. It also serves as a review of the scope of a student's progress during their time in the program and is the synthesis of a student’s undergraduate career. The portfolio is presented at the time of the Exit Interview. The purpose of the Exit Interview is to review the Comprehensive Portfolio and to solicit from graduates of the program recommendations for continued assessment of the Music Department.