Dec 11, 2024

2009-2010 Undergraduate Academic Catalog | Expires Aug. 2016

2009-2010 Undergraduate Academic Catalog | Expires Aug. 2016 THIS CATALOG IS ARCHIVED. BE SURE YOU ARE ACCESSING THE MOST ACCURATE CATALOG FOR YOU.

Music Major (B.A.)

A minor is required. Students enrolled in a B.A. in Music degree program must take electives to reach a total of 124 credits for the degree. In order to meet national standards that help ensure students will develop a range of knowledge, skills, and competencies, no more than two of these elective credits may be in music.

An applied audition, musicianship assessment, and interview are required prior to being accepted as a music major. To schedule an audition and musicianship assessment, prospective majors should contact the Department of Music at (989) 964- 4159. Email inquiries may be sent to: music@svsu.edu . The B.A. in Music provides a broad general education in the liberal arts combined with comprehensive music studies, with an emphasis in performance, which prepares students to undertake graduate study in music and pursue a career in music.

Advising and Applied Juries

All music and music education students must see a music faculty advisor at least once each academic year to help maintain regular and intelligent advancement toward finishing their degrees. Students failing to meet with their music faculty advisor will be unable to register for classes the following academic year. Refer to the Music Student Handbook for details.

Applied Juries will be given at the end of fall and winter semesters, and are required for all music and music education majors enrolled in applied music courses. Other students may be advised to take Juries if their occupational goal would suggest it. Minimum performance standards in each performance medium will be determined by the music faculty, and each students must satisfy these performance standards in order to graduate. Juries and/or senior recitals will be used for evaluation. Failure to meet applied performance standards will result in additional requirements in the applied area having to be met prior to graduation.

Transfer Students

Transfer students must be enrolled in an ensemble every semester of attendance, but may count ensemble credits gained at another institution toward the minimum ensemble credits required for graduation. For placement in required courses, all transfer students will be given proficiency exams in music theory, music history, and applied music. Remedial work may be assigned, if necessary. All transfer students must take at least 2 credits in Applied Music at SVSU.

Major Courses (37 credits required)

Applied Music (8 credits minimum)

Majors must take applied lessons on their declared principal instrument each semester they are enrolled as declared music majors for a minimum of 8 credits. (Part-time students with special schedule problems may apply to the department for an exemption from this requirement.) Students whose primary performance medium is voice must enroll in a minimum of one semester of either French or German. Another language may be substituted with Department of Music approval.

Ensembles (8 credits minimum)

Students are required to participate in an appropriate ensemble every semester during which they are enrolled as declared music majors. Part-time students with special schedule problems may apply to the department for an exemption from being in an ensemble in a given semester. Keyboard and guitar majors would normally enroll in one of the choirs, Collegium or Jazz Ensemble to meet this requirement. All students must have a minimum of 8 ensemble credits in order to graduate. Ensemble credits must be earned from the following ensembles only:

Chamber Ensemble Requirement

In order to graduate, students must also enroll in a minimum of one semester of a chamber ensemble. Chamber ensemble participation does not substitute for participation in a regularly scheduled large ensemble (MUS 181, 183, 184, and 185). Students participating in Collegium (MUS 188) for their chamber music requirement must also enroll in another major ensemble the semester they are in Collegium. Refer to the Music Student Handbook for details.

Piano Requirement

Students will be given a piano assessment upon acceptance as a music major. Prior to enrolling in MUS 212, Advanced Piano Skills, all students will be required to pass a piano proficiency exam that will include prepared and sight-reading material that is at a level of difficulty equivalent to three semesters of applied piano study. Students should contact the Department of Music for a list of specific requirements for the proficiency exam.

Solo Requirement

In order to graduate, students must perform at least one solo composition on their major instrument/voice, either with a major ensemble or on a student recital. Refer to the Music Student Handbook for details.

Concert Attendance Requirement

In order to graduate, students must attend a minimum of three classical and/or jazz performances each semester they are enrolled as a music major. Refer to the Music Student Handbook for details.