Music Major

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Students are encouraged to develop a Christ-centered philosophy of life and music. The music major receives technical training necessary to achieve the highest level of performance skills. Both repertoire and techniques are developed through teaching, practice, and performance. Students have numerous opportunities for platform experience in Vespers programs, major stage productions, ensembles that perform on campus and tour, senior recitals, and commencement contests. Students are taught how to be effective communicators through music.

If space is available, music instruction may be taken for personal benefit in voice, piano, organ, strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion.

Proficiency: Students must demonstrate sufficient talent and ability to pursue music courses. They must also demonstrate superior ability via placement test, platform, and recitals in one area of applied music and must take instruction in this field every semester. This proficiency may be voice, piano, organ, or one of the standard band or orchestral instruments. Students taking organ lessons must have at least 3 years of piano background. While natural gifts of voice and musicianship are expected, previous voice training is not required of students with a voice proficiency.

Music Repertoire: Students with a major or minor in music must enroll in Music Repertoire each semester they enroll in a one-hour or one-half-hour lesson, after they pass their sophomore music platform. Voice proficiencies take MU 997. Piano and instrumental proficiencies and all minors take MU 999.

Piano secondary proficiency examination: Students with a voice or instrument proficiency must have a secondary proficiency in piano and must pass the piano secondary proficiency examination or complete two semesters of secondary piano. Organists must pass the piano secondary proficiency examination before graduation.

Platform evaluation and recitals: Second semester sophomores must successfully complete MU 299 in their proficiency area to be approved for a major in music. A public recital is given during the senior year. Students must apply for senior recital procedures with the Productions Coordinator by appointed deadline.

Ensemble participation: All music majors must participate in one performing ensemble every semester, including their last 4 semesters. Performing ensembles include College Choir, Symphonic Choir, Chamber Ensemble, Madrigal Singers, Ladies’ Chorus, Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Handbell Choir, and Joy or Praise Singers (traveling ensemble). Students with an instrumental proficiency must be in Orchestra each semester. Majors with a piano or voice proficiency may count up to 4 credits of Joy or Praise Singers toward ensemble requirements. Piano proficiencies may count up to 4 semesters of Accompaniment Practicum, Handbell Choir, and/or Piano Tuning and Repair for ensemble credits.

Accompaniment Practicum: Students receiving instruction in piano, organ, or hymnplaying must do a limited amount of accompanying for vocal or instrumental lessons. One credit of Accompaniment Practicum may be earned for accompanying at least 2 hours per week in any given semester.

Academic Requirements: Students must have at least a “C” in all music courses. A minor must be completed.

Academic Program Fee: $30 per semester or $7.50 per payment. Students taking music lessons and group instruction must pay appropriate music course fees.

Music minor: See requirements for voice, piano, or instrumental. All music minors must participate in a performing ensemble 4 to 6 hours, including their last 4 semesters. Performing ensembles for voice and piano proficiencies include College Choir, Symphonic Choir, Madrigal Singers, Chamber Ensemble, and Ladies’ Chorus. Minors with instrument proficiency must be in Orchestra. Minors with a piano proficiency may earn up to 2 credits for Joy or Praise Singers (traveling ensemble). Piano proficiencies may count up to 2 semesters of Accompaniment Practicum, Handbell Choir, and/or Piano Tuning and Repair for ensemble credits. Minors with voice proficiency may earn up to 3 credits for Joy or Praise Singers. Music minors must demonstrate superior ability via placement test, platform, and recital in one area of applied music and will take Music Repertoire and instruction in this area for 6 semesters. Second-semester sophomores must successfully complete MU 298 in their proficiency area to be approved for a minor in music.

Music Education: Major; Second Field (Voice, Piano, or Instrument).

Voice Proficiency — Recommended Course Sequence

FallSpringFreshman
BI 101 New Testament Survey 2 EN 101 English Grammar and Composition 3 MA   Mathematics Elective 3 MU 101 Freshman Music Theory 4 MU 121 Vocal Class 1 SP 101 Fundamentals of Speech 3   Ensemble1 1 Total Hours 17	BI 102 New Testament Survey 2 EN 102 English Grammar and Composition 3 MU 102 Freshman Music Theory 4 MU 122 Vocal Class 1 SC/MA Science/Mathematics Elective 3 SP 102 Fundamentals of Speech 3   Ensemble1 1 Total Hours 17
FallSpringSophomore
BI 201 Old Testament Survey 2 EN 202 American Literature 3 HI 101 History of Civilization 3 MU 201 Sophomore Music Theory 4 MU 221 Advanced Vocal Instruction 1 PI 211 Secondary Piano 1   Ensemble1 1   Total Hours 15	BI 202 Old Testament Survey 2 EN 204 English Literature 3 HI 102 History of Civilization 3 MU 202 Sophomore Music Theory 4 MU 222 Advanced Vocal Class 1 MU 299 Sophomore Music Major Platform 0 PI 212 Secondary Piano 1   Ensemble1 1 Total Hours 15
FallSpringJunior
BI/BB Bible or Bible Background Elective‡ 2 ML   Modern Language2 3 MU 301 History of Music* 3 MU 313 Communication in Song 2 MU 315 Elements of Conducting 2 MU 327 Vocal Methods and Materials 1 ST 201 String Instruction I 1 VO 321 Private Voice 1     Ensemble1 1 Total Hours 15	BI/BB Bible or Bible Background Elective‡ 2 ML   Modern Language2 3 MU 314 Communicating in Song 2 ST 202 String Instruction II 2 VO 322 Private Voice 1   Ensemble1 1   Social Science Elective 3   Minor or Elective 2   Total Hours 16
FallSpringSenior
BI/BB Bible or Bible Background Elective‡ 2 MU 105 Beginning Hymnplaying 1 MU 310 Choral Writing and Arranging 2 MU 402 Church Music Philosophy and Administration 2 PE PE Activity Elective 1 ST 301 String instruction III 2 VO 421 Private Voice 1   Ensemble3 1     Minor or Elective   4   Total Hours 16	BI 414 Revelation 3 ED 430 Instructional Methods3 2 MU 231 Piano Accompaniment 1 MU 308 Strings Methods 2 MU 400 Choir Internship 2 MU 418 Orchestration 2 MU 486 Private Voice/Recital 1 PE PE Activity Elective 1   Ensemble3 1   Minor or Elective 1 Total Hours 16

¹College Choir, Chamber Ensemble, Symphonic Choir, Joy Singers, Praise Singers, Madrigal Singers, or Ladies’ Chorus.
²Double majors also take ED 431.
³Choose from Symphonic Choir, Chamber Ensemble, Madrigal Singers.
* This meets 3 hours of the social science requirement.
‡ At least 2 hours out of the 6 hours of BI/BB electives must have a BI course number.

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Piano Proficiency — Recommended Course Sequence

FallSpringFreshman
BI 101 New Testament Survey 2 EN 101 English Grammar and Composition 3 MA Mathematics Elective 3 MU 101 Freshman Music Theory 4 PI 121 Piano Lesson 1 SP 101 Fundamentals of Speech 3     Ensemble 1 Total Hours 17	BI 102 New Testament Survey 2 EN 102 English Grammar and Composition 3 MU 102 Freshman Music Theory 4 PI 122 Piano Lesson 1 SC/MA Science/Mathematics Elective 3 SP 102 Fundamentals of Speech 3     Ensemble 1 Total Hours 17
FallSpringSophomore
BI 201 Old Testament Survey 2 EN 202 American Literature 3 HI 101 History of Civilization 3 MU 121 Vocal Class 1 MU 201 Sophomore Music Theory 4 PE   PE Activity Elective 1 PI 221 Private Piano 1   Ensemble 1 Total Hours 16	BI 202 Old Testament Survey 2 EN 204 English Literature 3 HI 102 History of Civilization 3 MU 122 Vocal Class 1 MU 202 Sophomore Music Theory 4 MU 299 Sophomore Music Major Platform 0 PI 222 Private Piano 1   Ensemble 1 Total Hours 15
FallSpringJunior
BI/BB Bible or Bible Background Elective‡ 2 ML   Modern Language 3 MU 233 Hymn Keyboard Skills I 2 MU 301 History of Music* 3 MU 315 Elements of Conducting 2 OR 131 Private Organ 1 PI 151 Accompaniment Practicum 1 PI 321 Private Piano 1 ST 201 Strings Instruction I 1 Total Hours 16	BI/BB Bible or Bible Background Elective‡ 2 ML   Modern Language 3 MU 234 Hymn Keyboard Skills II 2 MU 337 Instrumental Church Music Arranging 2 PI 152 Accompaniment Practicum 1 PI 322 Private Piano 1 ST 202 Strings Instruction II 2   Social Science Elective 3   Total Hours 16
FallSpringSenior
BI/BB Bible or Bible Background Elective‡ 2 MU 310 Choral Writing and Arranging 2 MU 400 Choir Internship 2 MU 402 Church Music Philosophy and Administration 2 PE   PE Activity Elective 1 PI 421 Private Piano 1 ST 301 Strings Instruction III 2   Ensemble 1   Minor or Electives 2 Total Hours 15	BI 414 Revelation 3 ED 430 Instructional Methods1 2 MU 308 Strings Methods 2 MU 335 Piano Methods and Materials 0 MU 401 Counterpoint 2 MU 418 Orchestration 2 MU 484 Private Piano/Recital 1   Ensemble 1     Minor or Electives   2   Total Hours 16

¹ Double majors also take ED 431.
* This meets 3 hours of the social science requirement.
‡ At least 2 hours out of the 4 hours of BI/BB electives must have a BI course number.

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Instrument Proficiency — Recommended Course Sequence
(Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Percussion)

FallSpringFreshman
BI 101 New Testament Survey 2 EN 101 English Grammar and Composition 3 MA Mathematics Elective 3 MU 101 Freshman Music Theory 4 SP 101 Fundamentals of Speech 3 ST 141 Orchestra 1   Private Instrument 1 Total Hours 17	BI 102 New Testament Survey 2 EN 102 English Grammar and Composition 3 MU 102 Freshman Music Theory 4 SC/MA Science/Mathematics Elective 3 SP 102 Fundamentals of Speech 3 ST 142 Orchestra 1   Private Instrument 1 Total Hours 17
FallSpringSophomore
BI 201 Old Testament Survey 2 EN 202 American Literature 3 HI 101 History of Civilization 3 MU 201 Sophomore Music Theory 4 PE   PE Activity Elective 1 PI 211 Secondary Piano 1 ST 241 Orchestra 1   Private Instrument 1 Total Hours 16	BI 202 Old Testament Survey 2 EN 204 English Literature 3 HI 102 History of Civilization 3 MU 202 Sophomore Music Theory 4 MU 299 Sophomore Music Major Platform 0 PI 212 Secondary Piano 1 ST 242 Orchestra 1   Private Instrument 1 Total Hours 16
FallSpringJunior
BI/BB Bible or Bible Background Elective‡ 2 ML   Modern Language 3 MU 111 Voice Class 1 MU 301 History of Music* 3 MU 315 Elements of Conducting 2 ST 201 Strings Instruction I 1 ST 341 Orchestra 1   Private Instrument 1   Minor or Elective 2 Total Hours 16	BI/BB Bible or Bible Background Elective‡ 2 ML   Modern Language 3 MU 312 Instrumental Methods and Materials 1 MU 337 Instrumental Church Music and Arranging 2 ST 202 Strings Instruction II 2 ST 342 Orchestra 1   Social Science Elective 3   Private Instrument 1   Total Hours 16
FallSpringSenior
BI/BB Bible or Bible Background Elective‡ 2 ED 430 Instructional Methods1 2 MU 310 Choral Writing and Arranging 2 MU 402 Church Music Philosophy and Administration 2 PE   PE Activity Elective 1 ST 301 Strings Instruction III 2 ST 441 Orchestra 1   Private Instrument 1   Minor or Electives 3 Total Hours 16	BI 414 Revelation 3 MU 231 Piano Accompaniment 2 MU 308 Strings Methods 2 MU 400 Choir Internship 2 MU 401 Counterpoint 2 MU 418 Orchestration 2   Private Instrument/Recital 1 ST 442 Orchestra 1     Minor or Electives   4   Total Hours 16

¹ Double majors also take ED 431.
* This meets 3 hours of the social science requirement.
‡ At least 2 hours out of the 4 hours of BI/BB electives must have a BI course number.