Music

Department Head: Dr. James M. Bankhead
Location: Fine Arts 107
Phone: (435) 797-3000
FAX: (435) 797-1862
E-mail: music@usu.edu
WWW: http://music.usu.edu/

Assistant Department Heads:

Gary Amano, Fine Arts 201, (435) 797-3028, gary.amano@usu.edu

Cindy Dewey, Fine Arts 208B, (435) 797-3055, cindy.dewey@usu.edu

Undergraduate Advisors:

Music Education/Choral:

R. Cory Evans, Fine Arts 215, (435) 797-3035, cory.evans@usu.edu

Music Therapy:

Maureen Hearns, Fine Arts 220B, (435) 797-3009, maureen.hearns@usu.edu

Music Therapy Office, Fine Arts 219, (435) 797-3030

Guitar:

Michael K. Christiansen, Fine Arts 124, (435) 797-3011, michael.christiansen@usu.edu

Corey Christiansen, University Reserve 019, (435) 797-8810, corey.christiansen@usu.edu

High Brass/Director of Education:

Thomas Rohrer, Fine Arts 106, (435) 797-3004, thomas.rohrer@usu.edu

Low Brass:

Todd L. Fallis, Fine Arts 120, (435) 797-3005, todd.fallis@usu.edu

Piano:

Gary Amano, Fine Arts 201, (435) 797-3028, gary.amano@usu.edu

R. Dennis Hirst, Fine Arts 203, (435) 797-3257, dennis.hirst@usu.edu

Kevin Olson, Fine Arts 101, (435) 797-3033, kevin.olson@usu.edu

Strings:

Sergio Bernal, Fine Arts 218B, (435) 797-0487, sergio.bernal@usu.edu

Violin:

Yi Ching Fedkenheuer, University Reserve 009, (435) 797-0083, yi.fedkenheuer@usu.edu

Rebecca J. McFaul, Fine Arts 104C, (435) 797-3597, rebeccamcfaul@mac.com

Robert Waters, University Reserve 118, rtwaters@earthlink.net

Viola:

Bradley Ottesen, Fine Arts 206, (435) 797-3092

Cello/String Bass:

Anne Francis, University Reserve 21, (435) 797-3086, anne@frystreetquartet.com

Clarinet/Oboe:

Nicholas E. Morrison, Fine Arts 103, (435) 797-3506, nicholas.morrison@usu.edu

Flute and Elementary School Music Teaching Minor:

Leslie Timmons, Fine Arts 105, (435) 797-3699, leslie.timmons@usu.edu

Saxophone:

Jon Gudmundson, Fine Arts 212, (435) 797-3003, jon.gudmundson@usu.edu

Bassoon:

R. Dennis Hirst, Fine Arts 203, (435) 797-3257, dennis.hirst@usu.edu

Voice:

Cindy Dewey, Fine Arts 208B, (435) 797-3055, cindy.dewey@usu.edu

Degrees offered: Bachelor of Music (BM) in Music; Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music Therapy; Master of Music (MM) in Music

Undergraduate emphases: BM degree in Music—Music Education (Band), Music Education (Orchestra), Music Education (Choral), Music Education (General); Piano Performance, String Performance, Vocal Performance, Wind/Brass/Percussion Performance, Guitar Performance; Piano Pedagogy

Graduate specialization: MM degree in Music—Piano Performance and Pedagogy

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

Admission 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-music major status until they have completed the required audition/interview process, as verified by their area advisor through the Change of Major 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 audtion 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. All core curriculum classes must be completed with a C- or higher in order to progress to the next courses in sequence. 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.

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

Recital and Concert Attendance

Recital and concert attendance is required and will be monitored. Students should turn in programs after attending concerts and recitals. A summary of attendance will be kept in the student’s file. To graduate, students are required to attend a minimum of 80 concerts or recitals.

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. To determine specific jury requirements for their area, students should contact their advisor.

Recital Participation

Each music education, performance, and pedagogy major is encouraged to appear in a departmental recital each semester. Four such appearances are required for graduation. Since junior and senior 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. 

Music Theory Proficiency

Music, Music Education, and Music Therapy majors must meet a minimum standard of theory proficiency before entering third-year core music courses. This theory exam is administered upon completion of the theory sequence and is also required for all transfer students. It serves as a placement exam for those who have not completed the theory sequence at their previous schools. For details, 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

Departmental Honors

Students who would like to experience greater academic depth within their major are encouraged to enroll in departmental honors. Through original, independent work, Honors students enjoy the benefits of close supervision and mentoring, as they work one-on-one with faculty in select upper-division departmental courses. Honors students also complete a senior project, which provides another opportunity to collaborate with faculty on a problem that is significant, both personally and in the student’s discipline. Participating in departmental honors enhances students’ chances for obtaining fellowships and admission to graduate school. Minimum GPA requirements for participation in departmental honors vary by department, but usually fall within the range of 3.30-3.50. Students may enter the Honors Program at almost any stage in their academic career, including at the junior (and sometimes senior) level. The campus-wide Honors Program, which is open to all qualified students regardless of major, offers a rich array of cultural and social activities, special classes, and the benefit of Honors early registration. Interested students should contact the Honors Program, Main 15, (435) 797-2715, honors@usu.edu. Additional information can be found online at: http://www.usu.edu/honors/

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.

Music Faculty

Professors
Gary Amano, piano
Michael L. Ballam, opera
Michael K. Christiansen, guitar program
Todd L. Fallis, instrumental music education, student advising, low brass
Craig D. Jessop, choral/orchestral conducting
Nicholas E. Morrison, clarinet, associate director of bands
Thomas Rohrer, director of bands

Professors Emeritus
Warren L. Burton, introduction to music
Max F. Dalby, bands, woodwind, conducting
Glen A. Fifield, elementary music, cornet and trumpet
Larry G. Smith, jazz program, musicianship program, staff arranger, saxophone, jazz piano
Alvin Wardle, music education, low brass

Associate Professors
Sergio Bernal, orchestra conductor, string program
Cindy Dewey, voice, opera, pedagogy, diction
Mark A. Emile, string performance and pedagogy, violin/viola
R. Cory Evans, choral music
Jon Gudmundson, jazz, saxophone
Maureen Hearns, music therapy
R. Dennis Hirst, piano, Youth Conservatory
Lynn Jemison-Keisker, opera, repertory, diction
Bruce M. Saperston, music therapy
Leslie Timmons, elementary music education, flute

Assistant Professors
Jason E. Nicholson, percussion
Kevin Olson, piano
Christopher Scheer, music history, world music
Jude Vaclavik, music theory and aural skills

Assistant Professor Emeritus
Betty Beecher, piano

Lecturers (Fry Street Quartet)
Anne Francis, cello
Rebecca McFaul, violin
Bradley Ottesen, viola
Robert Waters, violin