Program Description:
The Department of Music offers a four-year curriculum designed for students who wish to pursue a career in music. As an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music, the department has designed the requirements for entrance and graduation according to the published standards of that association. The Bachelor of Music degree is offered with majors in performance, music education, and music history and literature; the Bachelor of Arts degree is offered with a major in music. The department also collaborates with the Department of Computer Science, Music Option. A Master of Music degree with majors in music education and performance and a Master of Humanities degree are also offered. Because of the highly individualized nature of the various programs, students are required to consult with an advisor to plan their major program.
In addition to fulfilling university admissions procedures, prospective music majors must also complete a departmental application for an audition, perform a satisfactory audition in a major performance area, and meet with an assigned advisor from the music faculty for counseling and registration. Transfer students must submit a transcript of all previous work in addition to completing the above steps. A minimum of one year of full-time study is required of all transfer students working toward a degree.
The department has developed a course of study based on four levels of technical proficiency, musicianship, and repertoire in all areas of applied music. Students should consult regularly with their applied music instructors and advisors to ensure progress through the various levels. Students enrolled in applied music courses are required to attend a specified number of recitals, concerts, and other approved performances. Solo recital performances are also required of music majors. For information regarding applied music requirements and keyboard proficiency requirements, students should refer to the Undergraduate Studies in Music student handbook.
Because of the cost of individual instruction, special fees are charged for applied music and, in certain cases, for accompanists. Applied music is also available to nonmajors on a limited basis and subject to instructor availability. A rental fee is charged for use of university-owned instruments in class instruction. There is no charge for use of these instruments in university ensembles.
All music degree programs require a minimum number of hours for graduation. A detailed, four-year curriculum outline for each major program is available on the Department of Music website.
Any student who fails a required music course a second time must petition in order to continue the program. The petition will go to the Academic Studies Committee, which, along with the applied teacher, the advisor, and the instructor of the class, will make a determination to accept or reject the petition, or to determine/recommend any additional conditions necessary to remain in the program.
All students in the university, as well as members of the community, are eligible to participate in performing groups. Some groups require individual auditions; prospective members should consult the various conductors to arrange auditions. The following instrumental groups are available:
Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Concert Band, Wind Symphony, Chamber Players, Pep Band, Clarinet Choir, Saxophone Quartet, Brass Choir, Trombone Ensemble, Collegium Musicum, Symphonic Band, Trumpet Ensemble, and Jazz Band. Choral groups include the University Chorus, Men’s Chorale, Women’s Chorale, Chamber Singers, Collegiate Chorale, and Paul Laurence Dunbar Chorale. Students majoring in other academic areas and members of the community may also take music courses especially designed for the nonmusic major.
Faculty:
Professors: Booth, Dahlman, Jagow, Leung
Associate Professors: Cha, Chaffee, Collins, Ellis, Paul (chair), Tipps, Warrick, Zehringer
Assistant Professors: Cox
Lecturers: Jobert, Loranger, McNamara
Degree Requirements–Music Education
Bachelor of Music Degree
Students who major in music education may choose either an instrumental or a vocal general music curriculum. Upon completing the requirements of the music education program, students are able to apply for teaching licensure. To be eligible for the Bachelor of Music degree, music education majors must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in required music courses . An overall minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 is required. Any grade lower than a “C” in one of the Music Education Classes will not count towards graduation. It MUST be retaken
Failing to maintain these GPAs, students will have three quarters to improve their grades to the minimum standard after which time they will need to petition the Music Education Committee to continue taking music education courses.
Students planning to major in music education will be placed in the “Music: Unspecified” category until the following requirements have been met: (1) satisfactory completion of MUS 1010 , MUS 1020 , MUS 1510 , MUS 1520 , MUS 1550 , MUS 1560 , and two quarters of applied concentration and ensemble study; (2) minimum grade of C in applied and ensemble studies for two consecutive quarters; (3) no failing grade in music courses during two consecutive quarters; and (4) minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 in total course work after the completion of 30 quarter hours.
Each music education major is required to participate in at least one university ensemble related to the student’s applied music concentration during each quarter in which the student is enrolled full time, with the exception of the quarter in which the student is student teaching. Assignment to an ensemble is made by the director of bands, director of choral studies, or director of orchestral studies; the appropriate ensemble director; and the student’s full-time applied instructor. When the student’s applied instructor is not a full-time faculty member, approval must be given by the chair of the student’s applied board. 300 hours of field observation and clinical experiences are required prior to student teaching.
During the senior year, all students will perform in student recitals two or three times, for a total of 25 to 30 minutes. With the approval of the studio teacher and the applied music board, students may present a half recital or a full recital in lieu of this requirement.
Music Honors Program
The Department of Music encourages students who have demonstrated superior academic ability to participate in the music honors program. In order to enter the program, students must be juniors or seniors with a cumulative 3.0 GPA and a 3.5 GPA in music. For additional information, students should contact the department chair.
Degree Requirements–Performance
Bachelor of Music Degree
The department offers majors in the following areas of performance: bassoon, clarinet, classical guitar, euphonium or baritone horn, flute, horn, jazz guitar, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, string bass, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, violoncello, and voice. With departmental permission, students may major in fields other than those listed. Students must study continuously in their chosen disciplines until they meet all graduation requirements, including satisfactory public performance of specified recitals during the junior and senior years.
Each music performance major is required to participate in at least one university ensemble related to the student’s applied music concentration during each quarter in which the student is enrolled full time. Assignment to an ensemble is made by the director of bands, director of choral studies, or director of orchestral studies; the appropriate ensemble director; and the student’s full-time applied instructor. When the student’s applied instructor is not a full-time faculty member, approval must be given by the chair of the student’s applied board. To be eligible for the Bachelor of Music degree, the performance major must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the major performing medium and a 2.0 in all other required music courses.
Instrumental Band Concentration
I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours
Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours
Element 2: Mathematics: 3 Hours
Element 3: Global and Cultural Studies: 6 Hours
Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours
Required:
Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours
Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours
Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours
Required:
II. Departmental Requirements: 69 Hours
Large ensemble: MUE: 7 Hours
Applied Music: 14 Hours
(not taken during student teaching)
III. Related Requirements
IV. Professional Education: 26 Hours
Graduation Planning Strategy
The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.
Instrumental Orchestra Concentration
I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours
Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours
Element 2: Mathematics: 3 Hours
Element 3: Global and Cultural Studies: 6 Hours
Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours
Required:
Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours
Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours
Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours
Required:
II. Departmental Requirements: 67 Hours
Large ensemble: MUE 7 Hours
Applied Music: 14 Hours
(not taken during student teaching)
III. Related Requirements
IV. Professional Education: 26 Hours
V. Electives
- Electives Credit Hour(s): 3
Graduation Planning Strategy
The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.
Vocal/Choral Concentration
I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours
Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours
Element 2: Mathematics: 3 Hours
Element 3: Global and Cultural Studies: 6 Hours
Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours
Required:
Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours
Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours
Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours
Required:
II. Departmental Requirements: 70 Hours
Large ensemble: MUE 7 Hours
Piano for the Music Educator: 2 Hours
III. Related Requirements
IV. Professional Education: 26 Hours
Graduation Planning Strategy
The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.
Music History and Literature Concentration
The major in music history and literature is not a terminal degree, and students should expect to continue at the graduate level. Therefore, students should consult with the appropriate faculty advisor before entering.
Students planning to pursue this major will be placed in the “Music: Unspecified” category until the following requirements have been met: a minimum grade of C in MUS 1210 and completion of MUS 1030 and 1530.
Students majoring in music history and literature must complete level III in the applied music concentration. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in required major courses and 2.0 in other required music courses. Senior students are required to complete a senior project. The project may consist of an extensive written research paper or a scholarly lecture or lecture/recital.
I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours
Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours
Element 2: Mathematics: 3 Hours
Element 3: Global Traditions: 6 Hours
Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours
Required:
Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours
Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours
Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours
Required:
II. Departmental Requirements: 45 Hours
Applied Music (MUA) (6 Semesters): 12 Hours
Large ensemble: MUE (as assigned): 8 Hours
III. Major Requirements: 38-42 Hours
Advanced Music Lit: MUS 9 Hours
Foreign Language: 12 Hours
Vocal/ Instrumental Track: 6 Hours
Graduation Planning Strategy
The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.
Music Performance: Brass Concentration
I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours
Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours
Element 2: Mathematics: 3 Hours
Element 3: Global and Cultural Studies: 6 Hours
Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours
Required:
Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours
Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours
Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours
Required:
II. Departmental Requirements: 57 Hours
Applied Music: MUA 24 Hours
Large ensemble: MUE (as assigned) 8 Hours
III. Related Requirements: 26 Hours
Secondary Ensemble: MUE 4 Hours
Advanced Music Literature: 3 Hours
Secondary Instrument: 1 Hours
Graduation Planning Strategy
The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.
Music Performance: Guitar Concentration
I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours
Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours
Element 2: Mathematics: 3 Hours
Element 3: Global and Cultural Studies: 6 Hours
Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours
Required:
Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours
Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours
Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours
Required:
II. Departmental Requirements: 57 Hours
Applied Music (MUA): 24 Hours
Large ensemble: MUE (as assigned): 8 Hours
III. Related Requirements: 26 Hours
Secondary Ensemble: MUE 4 Hours
Advanced Music Literature: 3 Hours
Secondary Instrument: 1 Hours
V. Electives: 6 Hours
- Electives Credit Hour(s): 6
Graduation Planning Strategy
The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.
Music Performance: Organ Concentration
I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours
Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours
Element 2: Mathematics: 3 Hours
Element 3: Global Traditions: 6 Hours
Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours
Required:
Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours
Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours
Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours
Required:
II. Departmental Requirements: 57 Hours
Applied Music (MUA): 24 Hours
Large ensemble: MUE (as assigned): 8 Hours
III. Related Requirements: 24 Hours
Secondary Ensemble: 4 Hours
Advanced Music Literature: 3 Hours
Applied Piano (2 semesters): 2 Hours
V. Electives: 8 Hours
- Electives Credit Hour(s): 8
Graduation Planning Strategy
The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.
Music Performance: Percussion Concentration
I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours
Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours
Element 2: Mathematics: 3 Hours
Element 3: Global Traditions: 6 Hours
Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours
Required:
Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours
Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours
Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours
Required:
II. Departmental Requirements: 57 Hours
Applied Music: MUA 24 Hours
Large ensemble: MUE (as assigned) 8 Hours
III. Related Requirements: 26 Hours
Secondary Ensemble: MUE 4 Hours
Advanced Music Literature: 3 Hours
V. Electives: 6 Hours
- Electives: Credit Hour(s): 6
Graduation Planning Strategy
The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.
Music Performance: Piano Concentration
I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours
Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours
Element 2: Mathematics: 3 Hours
Element 3: Global and Cultural Studies: 6 Hours
Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours
Required:
Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours
Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours
Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours
Required:
II. Departmental Requirements: 57 Hours
Applied Music (MUA): 24 Hours
Large ensemble: MUE (as assigned): 8 Hours
III. Related Requirements: 28 Hours
Secondary Ensemble: 4 Hours
1
Piano Literature: 6 Hours
Secondary Instrument/voice (2 semesters): 2 Hours
Note(s):
1: As discussed with and approved by the Applied Teacher
IV. College Requirements: 0 Hours
Graduation Planning Strategy
The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.
Music Performance: String Concentration
I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours
Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours
Element 2: Mathematics: 3 Hours
Element 3: Global and Cultural Studies: 6 Hours
Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours
Required:
Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours
Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours
Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours
Required:
II. Departmental Requirements: 57 Hours
Applied Music (MUA): 24 Hours
Large ensemble: MUE (as assigned): 8 Hours
III. Related Requirements: 34 Hours
Vocal Literature: 4 Hours
Pronunciation of Foreign Language: 4 Hours
V. Electives: 2 Hours
- Electives: Credit Hour(s): 2
Graduation Planning Strategy
The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.
Music Performance: Voice Concentration
I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours
Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours
Element 2: Mathematics: 3 Hours
Element 3: Global and Cultural Studies: 6 Hours
Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours
Required:
Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours
Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours
Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours
Required:
II. Departmental Requirements: 57 Hours
Applied Music (MUA): 24 Hours
Large ensemble: MUE (as assigned): 8 Hours
III. Related Requirements: 34 Hours
Vocal Literature: 4 Hours
Pronunciation of Foreign Language: 4 Hours
IV. College Requirements: 0 Hours
V. General Electives: 2 Hours
Graduation Planning Strategy
The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.
Music Performance: Woodwind Concentration
I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours
Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours
Element 2: Mathematics: 3 Hours
Element 3: Global Traditions: 6 Hours
Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours
Required:
Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours
Element 6: Natural Sciences: 8 Hours
Additional Core Courses: 6 Hours
Required:
II. Departmental Requirements: 57 Hours
Applied Music (MUA): 24 Hours
Large ensemble: MUE (as assigned): 8 Hours
III. Related Requirements: 26 Hours
Secondary Ensemble MUE: 4 Hours
1: As discussed with and approved by the Applied Teacher
Advanced Music Literature: 3 Hours
Secondary Instrument: 1 Hours
V. Electives: 6 Hours
- Electives: Credit Hour(s): 6
Graduation Planning Strategy
The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.
