Music (BM)

Affiliation: School of Arts & Letters

The objectives of the music discipline are as follows:

• To provide programs of study of the highest quality which enables each student to realize his or her maximum, innate scholarly and creative potential.
• To inculcate in students in all degree programs an understanding of the broad historical and cultural foundations of the art and science of music, and to encourage them to incorporate into their own lives the knowledge and aesthetic appreciation acquired through this experience.
• To prepare students for graduate study and for professional careers in music.
• To make available to the general University student opportunities for academic and creative development through instruction in humanities/general education courses and through participation in ensembles.
• To offer all members of the University community and citizens of the region and the state of Missouri cultural enrichment through the presentation of solo and ensemble performances of the highest professional caliber.

ADMISSION TO THE MUSIC PROGRAM

Prior to declaring a major in music, each student must perform for a committee of the appropriate studio faculty in order to determine that the student has reached a sufficiently advanced level of applied proficiency. While a personal audition is highly recommended, in cases where such is not possible, a recording of the student’s performance is accepted. All transfer students are also subject to placement examinations in theory and music literature.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL BACHELOR’S DEGREES IN MUSIC 

• Achievement levels for the various levels of applied music in the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts degrees are listed in the Music Student’s Handbook available upon request.
• Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree, General Concentration in Music with Emphasis Groups, must present a recital consisting of 30 minutes of music during the senior year. Standards applicable to these recitals are available upon request from the office of the Department Chair or School of Arts & Letters.
• Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree with a performance concentration must present a recital consisting of 30 minutes of music during the junior year and another recital of 50 minutes of music during the senior year. Standards applicable to these recitals are available upon request from the office of the Department Chair or School of Arts & Letters.
• All music majors are required to attend a designated number of student recitals and concerts given on the campus. Failure to meet this requirement results in a student’s failing to graduate until he or she has fulfilled the deficiency. Evidence of having met the requirement is 6 successful semesters of satisfactory work in MUSI 279 (0 credits).
• Keyboard Competency. All music majors are required to complete MUSI 254 (Basic Keyboard Skills IV or Advanced Class Piano) in order to demonstrate competency at the keyboard. Placement into one of the keyboard skills courses occurs upon admission to the program. (Students who possess substantial keyboard background may elect, upon recommendation of the keyboard faculty, to test out of this requirement. A student is deemed competent upon successfully passing the MUSI 254 final examination with a score of 90%. Students who plan to attempt this examination are allowed to do so before the end of their first semester at Truman. Students may only attempt the examination one time.
• At the end of each semester, every student in an applied music course must perform for the appropriate faculty committee (jury). This is an opportunity to show improvement during the semester, and for the faculty to assess the student’s progress and make helpful suggestions. In the event he or she fails to appear and perform the jury examination without evidence of extenuating circumstances, an automatic grade of “F” is assigned as the student’s semester grade for the course. After completing four semesters of applied study in a single instrument or voice, every student is eligible for admittance to upper division applied study after passing the jury examination into upper division.
• All music majors are required to participate in a major University ensemble (Marching Band, Concert Band, Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Cantoria, or University Chorus). The individual degree programs should be consulted to determine the specific number of credits required.
• Students are eligible to earn upper-level ensemble credit only after passing the jury examination into upper division on their major instrument and after completing at least 4 credits of ensemble(s). Maximum: 6 credits.

MUSIC (PERFORMANCE)

BACHELOR OF MUSIC

This program prepares students for careers in professional performance in music, or for graduate study in music performance. Its strong concentration on private study and ensemble performance provides the most musically intense offering within the Music Department at Truman. Sixty-five percent of the degree content is devoted to music courses.

DEPARTMENTAL HONORS IN MUSIC (PERFORMANCE)

1. 3.50 or above cumulative GPA.
2. 3.50 or above music course GPA.
3. A on Junior and Senior Recital.
4. Presentation at a research conference – Truman State University Student Research Conference, NCUR, CMS, MENC, MMTA, other.
5. Approval of non-abstaining faculty.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: