Music

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Department Head: Dr. Cindy Dewey
Location: Fine Arts 107
Phone: (435) 797-3204
FAX: (435) 797-1862
E-mail: music@usu.edu
WWW: http://music.usu.edu/

Assistant Department Head:

Sara Bakker, FAC 223, (435) 363-6530, sara.bakker@usu.edu

Undergraduate Advisors

Cary Youmans, UR 111, (435) 797-0513

Degrees offered: Bachelor of Music (BM) in Performance, Bachelor of Music (BM) in Music Education, Bachelor of Music (BM) in Performance and Pedagogy, Bachelor of Science (BS) in Music Therapy, Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music, Master of Music (MM) in Performance, Master of Music (MM) in Conducting, Master of Music (MM) in Performance and Pedagogy

Undergraduate emphases: BM degree in Performance (Brass, Guitar, Harp, Percussion, Strings, Voice, Woodwinds); BM degree in Music Education (Band, Choral, Guitar, Orchestra); BM degree in Performance and Pedagogy (Piano)

Graduate specialization: MM in Performance (Guitar, Voice); MM in Performance and Pedagogy (Piano); MM in Conducting (Choral)

Full details of the learning objectives, assessment plan, student outcomes, and evidence of continuous improvement for these programs of study can be found at music.usu.edu/summer/assessment.

Undergraduate Programs

Objectives

The Department of Music provides instruction in music by: (1) offering service courses which contribute to the Liberal Arts major in the college containing the humanities and social sciences and to the University Studies Program of the University; (2) offering specific sequences of courses leading to professional preparation in music education, music therapy, and performance/pedagogy; and (3) providing public musical service to the University and the community.

The specific objectives of the programs in music for the music major are fourfold: (1) to prepare licensed music teachers to serve effectively in elementary and secondary schools; (2) to prepare musically talented students for careers as professional performers and/or studio teachers; (3) to prepare board-certified music therapists to serve in educational and therapeutic settings; and (4) to prepare music students for graduate study in their areas of specialization.

Requirements

Admission Requirements

Admissions requirements for the Department of Music include those described for the University in this catalog. In addition, transfer students must have a minimum 3.00 GPA in music courses and a minimum 2.75 GPA overall. All students interested in majoring in Music or Music Therapy will be given undeclared major status until they have completed the required audition/interview process, as verified by their area advisor through the Change of Matriculation Form. It is strongly recommended that prospective majors complete their audition/interview during the department’s scholarship auditions in February preceding matriculation at USU. To schedule an audition/interview, visit our website: music.usu.edu and click on “future students” to fill out the audition application.

Prospective majors in Music Therapy should complete the audition/interview prior to May 1 of the year of admission.

GPA Requirement

Students majoring in music, music education, or music therapy must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 in music courses and a minimum 2.75 GPA overall to maintain their status as a music major and to graduate. All core curriculum classes must be completed with a C- or higher in order to progress to the next courses in sequence, except for individual instruction courses, which must be passed with a B- or higher grade. A student receiving a grade lower than C- is placed on probation, and may repeat the course once to raise the grade to C- or higher. If the grade received on the repeat is lower than C-, the student is no longer a  music, music education, or music therapy major.

Sample Four-year Plans

Sample semester-by-semester four-year plans for students working toward a bachelor’s degree within the Department of Music can be found in the department or under “Areas of Study” at music.usu.edu.

Students should consult with their advisor to develop a plan of study tailored to their individual needs and interests.

Recital and Concert Attendance

To graduate, students are required to attend a minimum of 80 concerts or recitals. Recital and concert attendance is monitored and recorded in the Music Student Services office. Students should turn in programs after attending concerts and recitals for documentation of attendance.

Individual Performance and Jury Requirements

Music majors enroll in individual instruction each semester and practice regularly outside of lessons. Jury exams are held at the end of each semester to assess individual progress. Students must pass individual instruction classes with a B- or higher grade in order to progress to the next level of instruction, and are expected to pass a barrier jury after their third semester of study in residence to continue as a music major. To determine specific jury requirements for their area, students should contact their music faculty advisor.

Recital Participation

Each music education, performance, and pedagogy major is encouraged to appear in a departmental recital each semester.  Since area recital requirements vary, students should consult program advisors and degree requirement sheets for specific information.

Piano Proficiency Requirements

Music, Music Education, and Music Therapy majors must meet a minimum standard of piano proficiency before graduation. The specific requirements are detailed in the department’s Student Handbook. 

Transfer Credits

Transfer music students must take diagnostic exams in Music Theory, Aural Skills (Ear Training) and Music History before earned credit for those courses are applied to music core curriculum requirements (see “Transfer Credit” at http://catalog.usu.edu/content.php?catoid=8&navoid=1642).  Music Theory and Aural Skills diagnostic exams are administered twice each year, during the week prior to the first week of classes Fall and Spring semesters. The Music History diagnostic exam is administered once each year, immediately prior to the first week of classes Fall semester.  For information about the date, time, and location of diagnostic exams contact the Music Department Student Services Office, (435) 797-3015, Fine Arts 102.

Assessment

Information about the ongoing assessment of the Music Department can be found at: http://music.usu.edu/assessment.aspx

University Honors Program

The University Honors Program offers students in all colleges and majors the unique opportunity to deepen their educational experience with hands-on practical applications of their academic knowledge. The Honors Program admits incoming, transfer, and existing USU students based on application. High achieving students with at least one year remaining are encouraged to apply.  See the University Honors Program catalog entry and website (honors.usu.edu) for more information.

Additional Information and Updates

Degree requirements are listed on the Music Major Requirement Sheet and the Music Therapy Major Requirement Sheet, which can be obtained from the department.

Additional requirements, including appropriate sequencing of courses, are listed in the Department of Music Student Handbook. For the most recent information regarding degree requirements and course sequencing, contact advisors over specific programs. Further information can also be obtained by contacting the Music Department Office, Fine Arts 102, or by visiting the department’s website.

Financial Support

Scholarships, grants, and work-study programs are available through the University. Information about these programs can be obtained by calling the Admissions Office, (435) 797-1129 or 1-800-488-8108. In addition, the Department of Music offers talent-based scholarships to undergraduate students and employs students as part-time workers. For scholarship information or to arrange an audition, contact the department at (435) 797-3015 or visit the department’s website.

FACULTY - Caine College of the Arts  
 

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