Program Description
The School of Fine and Performing Arts 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 School of Fine and Performing Arts 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; the Bachelor of Arts degree is offered with a major in music. The School of Fine and Performing Arts 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.
Wright State University’s programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, fully approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education, and meet the requirements for the Ohio Department of Education 4-Year Resident Educator teaching license. Licensure and certification requirements vary from state to state. If you are planning to pursue professional licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please contact the appropriate licensing entity in that state to seek information and guidance regarding that state’s licensure or certification requirements.
Admission Requirements
In addition to fulfilling university admissions procedures, prospective music majors must also complete a School of Fine and Performing Arts 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 School of Fine and Performing Arts website.
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 non-majors 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 School of Fine and Performing Arts 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, Pep Band, Clarinet Quartet, Saxophone Quartet, Brass Choir, Trombone Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Trumpet Ensemble, and Jazz Band. Choral groups include the Men’s Chorale, Women’s Chorale, and Collegiate Chorale. Students majoring in other academic areas and members of the community may also take music courses specially designed for the non-music major.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Pursue an understanding of how to design and carry out instruction that enables learners to develop musical understanding and musicianship.
- Achieve personal music performance skills and skills in sight-reading, ear-training, improvisations, and composition to a level of proficiency and expertise necessary to pursue a career in music education.
- Formulate a personal philosophy of learning and teaching and understand how that philosophy will affect the choices they make in practice.
- Acquire the ability to teach, respect, and value a diverse population of students, with respect to the diversity of cultural, social, and economic background, prior experience, and ways of learning.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how to provide all students with the capacity to use music as a means of personal expression and creativity.
- Show a propensity for professional growth.
- Demonstrate the ability to reflect on and assess the effectiveness of their own teaching with an eye toward self-improvement.
- Acquire proficiency in current research methods and trends including all forms and technologies available for the study of music and to be able to justify teaching strategies and support those views with this knowledge.
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 two semesters 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: BA” 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 semesters of applied concentration and ensemble study; (2) minimum grade of C in applied and ensemble studies for two consecutive semesters; (3) no failing grade in music courses during two consecutive semesters; and (4) minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 in total course work after the completion of 32 semester 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 semester in which the student is enrolled full time, with the exception of the term 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 School of Fine and Performing Arts 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 School of Fine and Performing Arts chair.
For additional information
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