Music Major (B.A.)

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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 three 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.

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

An applied audition, interview, and appropriate placement tests (in music theory, aural skills, and music history) are required prior to being accepted as a music major. Transfer students must be enrolled in a major ensemble and in an applied lesson on their major instrument or voice every semester they are at SVSU. A minimum of 8 credits is required in each (ensemble and applied lessons) for graduation. At least 2 credits of each must be taken at SVSU. Transfer students may count ensemble and applied lesson credits gained at another institution towards the 8 credits of each required for graduation. Remedial work may be assigned, if necessary.

Major Courses (33 cr)

MUS 111 - Music Theory I 3 cr
MUS 111A - Aural Skills I 2 cr
MUS 150 - Introductory Music Studies 3 cr
MUS 211 - Music Theory II 3 cr
MUS 211A - Aural Skills II 2 cr
MUS 211B - Rhythm Skills 1 cr
MUS 311 - Music Theory III 3 cr
MUS 311A - Aural Skills III 2 cr
MUS 312 - Musical Analysis 3 cr
MUS 315 - Advanced Piano Skills 2 cr
MUS 320 - Music History and Literature I 3 cr
MUS 321 - Music History and Literature II 3 cr
MUS 421 - Music since 1900 3 cr

Applied Music (8 cr)

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 cr)

Students are required to participate in an appropriate ensemble every semester during which they are enrolled as declared music majors. Vocalists should enroll in Concert Choir or Cardinal Singers (auditioned). Pianists and guitarists should enroll in a major ensemble that is appropriate to their previous experience. Part-time students with special schedule problems may apply to the department for an exemption from being in an ensemble in a given semester. All students must have a minimum of 8 ensemble credits in order to graduate. Contact the Department of Music for details.

Ensemble credits must be earned from the following ensembles only:

Chamber Ensemble Requirement

In order to graduate, students must perform in at least one chamber composition on their major instrument/voice, at a department-sponsored recital. Refer to the Music Student Handbook for details.

Piano Requirement (3 cr)

Students must take a minimum of three credits in applied piano, following which they must pass a piano proficiency exam prior to enrolling in MUS 315 Advanced Piano Skills . The proficiency exam will include prepared and sight-reading material. Students with prior keyboard experience may test out of one or more semesters of applied piano. Contact the Department of Music for details.

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 five classical and/or jazz performances each semester they are enrolled as a music major. Refer to the Music Student Handbook for details.