Music

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Michael Parkinson, Director

Aliquo, Arndt, Bundage, Cancryn, Clark, Combest, Cornish, Davila, Dawson, DeBoer, Dent, Han, Isley-Farmer, Kennedy, Kim, Ko, Linton, Little, Loucky, McWhirter, Morgan, Mueller, Nadgir, Nies, Pigg, Reish, Shearon, Simmons, Smith, Thomas, Tipps, Vannatta-Hall, Waldecker, West Osterfield, Yelverton, Zink

The purposes of the School of Music are to educate and mentor music students to become articulate musicians, successful as music teachers, performers, composers, scholars, business persons in music-related enterprises, and/or students in advanced degree programs; to welcome students whose studies are concentrated in other fields into a community of music education and appreciation, instrumental and vocal instruction, and ensemble participation; to enrich the musical life of the University and community through public music performance and non-curricular instruction; and to provide leadership and maintain professional relationships and activities with musicians regionally, nationally, and internationally.

The school offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Music degree. Students may choose from six concentrations within this major-Instrumental Music Education, Vocal/General Music Education K-12, Voice Performance, Instrumental Performance, Music Industry, and Theory-Composition. Minors in Music, American Music Studies, and Music Industry are also available as well as a undergraduate certificate in Piano Pedagogy.

The collections of MTSU’s James E. Walker Library includes scores, sound recordings, videos/DVDs, music periodicals (journals and magazines), and books about music and musicians. Walker Library also provides access to many online resources, including collections of scores, streaming audio and video, reference sources, and periodicals. MTSU students, faculty, and staff may borrow books, scores, and recordings. Anyone may use these materials while in Walker Library.

The Listening/Viewing Center, located on the first floor of Walker Library, contains listening stations equipped with turntables, CD/DVD players and computers. It is staffed by student assistants, most of whom are currently enrolled in the School of Music. The office of the Visual and Performing Arts librarian is also located within the Listening/Viewing Center.

The School of Music has been an accredited baccalaureate and graduate degree granting institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music since 1970. The Bachelor of Music degree programs with concentrations in Instrumental Music Education and Vocal/General Music Education K-12 are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

The School of Music encourages its students to consider study abroad. MTSU is a member of two study-abroad consortia: KIIS (Kentucky Institute for International Studies) and CCSA (Cooperative Center for Study Abroad). Students may earn academic credit for their participation in these programs, and financial aid from MTSU may be used for them. Interested students should contact the Study Abroad Office, (615) 898-5179, and check the consortia Web sites at www.kiis.org and www.nku.edu/ccsa.

Requirements for Admission to the Bachelor of Music Degree

To be admitted into the Bachelor of Music degree program, all entering students must pass an audition before the faculty on their major instrument or voice. Students who do not pass the audition may be allowed, at the discretion of the faculty, to enroll in private music lessons or class instruction for one semester only. At the end of the semester the student must reaudition for admission into the program.

In addition, all prospective new or transfer undergraduate majors and minors are required to take the Music Theory and Aural Skills Diagnostic Exam to determine appropriate placement in the music theory program. For additional information and to schedule a time for the exam, contact the School of Music Office. Students may not enroll in any music theory course until the exam is taken.

Students seeking a Bachelor of Music degree should refer to The School of Music Undergraduate Student Handbook that serves as the official document of the school concerning specific additional degree requirements and school policies and procedures. It is essential that all music majors consult their advisors each semester.

Beyond the Classroom

School of Music student performance organizations are listed below. Each welcomes qualified non-Music majors and performs frequently throughout the year. Many travel to perform regionally, nationally, and internationally.

The Band of Blue, MTSU’s marching band; Concert Band; Symphonic Band; Wind Ensemble; Chamber Winds; Chamber Choir; Meister Singers; Schola Cantorum; Women’s Chorale; MTSU Singers; Opera Theater; Symphony Orchestra; Chamber Orchestra; Jazz Ensembles; Jazz Combos; Salsa Bands; Steel Drum Ensembles; World Percussion Ensemble; Percussion Ensembles; Commercial Music Ensembles; Mixed Chamber Ensembles; Chamber Brass Ensembles; Guitar Chamber Ensembles; Piano Chamber Ensembles; String Chamber Ensembles; and Woodwind Chamber Ensembles are all organizations of student performers.

 Graduate Study

 The school offers the Master of Music degree. Requirements for this degree and a list of the courses offered for graduate credit are published in the Graduate Catalog.

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