The program of study offered by the Department of Music prepares music students for various careers in music and for post-baccalaureate study. The Department offers a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music (General Studies in Music.) The Department also offers five (5) selected concentrations in Vocal Studies, Piano Studies, Jazz Studies, Commercial Composition, and Church Music. The music core includes theory and history sequences, special skills, applied studies, ensembles, and seminars.
The B.A. in Music
Further expanding these options, the department offers concentrations in the areas of vocal studies, piano studies, jazz studies, commercial composition, and church music. Music students pursue courses of study that include a judicious mixture of music theory, music history, and individual and ensemble music performances while emphasizing practical applications and exposure to the technology and methodology relevant to the various concentrations. The Department of Music also offers a minor in each music concentration for musically talented students pursuing other disciplines.
Concentrations:
- Church Music
- Commercial Composition
- Jazz Studies
- Piano Studies
- Vocal Studies
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet the General Admissions Requirements as published in this Catalog. In addition, all prospective students seeking to major or minor in music must satisfy departmental entrance requirements including the following:
- A letter of intent to include the applicant’s anticipated entrance date.
- An interview with the department chair, the coordinator of the proposed music concentration, and/or ensemble director.
- An audition on an instrument of choice and primary strength (voice, piano, string, woodwind, brass, percussion).
- Music theory and/or piano placement tests.
Prospective music students must successfully complete the music audition and the music theory placement test in order to matriculate in the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music degree program or to pursue a minor in music. The audition is also necessary for music scholarship consideration. The music theory placement test is used to determine prospective students’ readiness to study college-level music. Some prospective students may need to complete a preparatory course of study in music fundamentals. In order to matriculate in the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music or Minor in Music, students must select their major or minor in the freshman year and elect to remain in General Studies or choose a concentration, with the approval of the Department, at the end of the sophomore year. (The concentrations are Vocal Studies, Piano Studies, Jazz Studies, Commercial Composition, or Church Music.)
Membership in the University Bands, AUC Orchestra, Jazz Orchestra, University Choir, and Philharmonic Society are available to all University students. However, participation in these ensembles is determined by audition. Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts Degree in General Music Studies will be able to expand their overall educational outcomes in areas selected from the five concentrations of study. Student learning outcomes depend on the twelve (12) credits of proposed course work confirmed by the student and the student’s advisor.
