2017-2018 Augusta University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Department of Music
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 Return to: Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
The Music Department is a professional unit which regards music as both an art and a discipline. It recognizes the artistic values of creativity, experimentation, and music discrimination as well as the disciplinary attributes of scholarship, independent and critical thinking, self-motivation, skill development, and dedication. Musical performance is a vital component of all programs of study. Individualized instruction allows for a nurturing environment reflecting high regard for the musical legacies of the past as well as preparedness for the future. Graduates in musicat Augusta University have gone on to careers as professional performers, public school music teachers, band directors, choral directors, and church musicians. Augusta University graduates have been accepted for graduate study at some of the most prestigious music schools in the country, including Indiana University, the University of North Texas and the Eastman School of Music.
The music unit provides intensive musical training on the collegiate level for musicians preparing for professions in music education, music performance, music management/business, music history, music theory/composition, conducting, and general studies in music, while serving non-music majors and music minors with a variety of offerings. Public school teachers are served through the offering of courses which satisfy the requirements for Staff Development Units. Persons of all ages in the community are encouraged to participate in musical activities through the Conservatory Program at Augusta University.
All members of the faculty represent professional expertise and diversity of background and experience. Several members of the faculty hold prominent positions in area professional musical organizations, including the Augusta Choral Society, the Augusta Symphony Orchestra, and the Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society.
The music unit is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
General Degree Requirements for all Music Majors
- Minimum Hours Requirement/Grade Requirements
All Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music require a minimum of 120 hours. All Bachelor of Music in Performance degrees require a minimum of 124 hours. The Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree requires a minimum of 128 hours. Music majors must achieve a grade of C or better in each course required of the major, including those in the minor field.
- All students declaring a music major are expected to show proficiency in functional keyboard and computer applications, as outlined in the Music Student Handbook. This requirement will be satisfied through the following required courses: MUSI 1521 - Class Piano I , MUSI 1522 - Class Piano II , MUSI 2523 - Class Piano III , MUSI 2524 - Class Piano IV , and MUSI 1810 - Music Technology . Keyboard majors will substitute the following courses for Class Piano I, II, III and IV: MUSI 2525 - Advanced Keyboard Skills , MUSI 3551 - Keyboard Accompanying (2 credits) and either MUSI 4670 - Keyboard Ensemble (1 credit) or MUSI 3660 - Augusta University Jazz Ensemble (1 credit).
- Applied Lessons
Lessons in applied music (principal performing medium) must be taken each semester of residence according to the major field specifications. Composition lessons are not a substitute for lessons in a principal performing medium.
- Major Ensembles
All music students are required to participate for credit in a minimum of one major ensemble each semester of residence whether of full-time or part-time status. Exceptions may be granted through petition to and approval of the full-time music faculty. All students will be assigned to a major ensemble upon entrance, but are encouraged to participate in other major ensembles. Major ensembles are defined as follows: 1) Augusta University Wind Ensemble (all woodwinds, brass and percussion); 2) Augusta University Orchestra (all string instruments); and 3) Augusta University Choir (all voice types). Students who choose piano or guitar as their principal performing medium will be assigned to one of the three depending upon their experiences in secondary performing areas.
- Recital Laboratory and Studio Class
Music majors and minors are required to be enrolled in and achieve a passing grade in Recital Laboratory (MUSI 1500 ) and Studio Class (MUSA 2X05) according to the major or minor field specifications. For further information, consult the Augusta University Music Student Handbook.
- Advising
All music majors are required to have an advisor on the full-time music faculty. Self-advising for a degree in music is not allowed. The student must obtain their advisor’s signature on all registration forms and Add/Drop forms.
- Exit Exams
All music majors are required to take the Music Major Exit Exam, which is given during the final semester of study.
General Education Requirements
Students declaring a music major must complete the requirements of the university-wide program which includes Core Areas A-E.
Core Curriculum in Music (Area F)
All music majors take a basic core of music courses, studies and activities. This core curriculum educates the musician in the art form. It strives to improve music literacy, develop artistic sensitivity and provide a broad artistic experience for all music students. Further, it is designed to raise the quality of music-making in each student regardless of individual professional goals. The Core Area F in music is required of all music majors in the university.
Placement Examinations Upon Entrance
All entering freshmen music majors must perform a placement audition before a faculty panel in their major performing medium. These auditions will be scheduled prior to the beginning of classes. Students are expected to demonstrate background and experience through high school programs or prior collegiate work in band/wind ensemble, orchestra, choir, and/or private study, church music, musical theater, etc. Students without this background must show extraordinary potential to be admitted as a music major. Students who are unable to demonstrate these abilities will not be admitted into the music major and will be advised to seek another major.
Entering freshmen and those who have previous college credit, but are new to the music major, must also take an evaluative exam in music fundamentals. Students will be placed into appropriate course work based on the results of this exam. This test can be pre-empted by earning a grade of C or better in MUSI 1201 . See the Music Department website for further information on these topics.
The Bachelor of Arts in Music is a degree designed for the emphasis of study in music within a liberal arts curriculum. Students pursuing the BA in Music typically conduct the majority of their course work outside the field of music and focus on the interrelationship of music with other academic disciplines.The student entering this program will be expected to take more courses in liberal arts fields than is required of students in the Bachelor of Music degrees. This degree can prepare one for graduate study leading to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, as well as careers based on cultural concerns. This degree can also be oriented towards pre-professional or social and/or business opportunities.
If you are interested in a career in music as a performer, teacher, composer, or researcher, you will need to develop your skills to expand your knowledge of music. The Department of Music provides intensive musical training on the collegiate level for musicians preparing for a profession in music education, music performance, jazz studies, musical theater and general studies in music, while serving non-music majors and music minors with a variety of offerings. Musical performance is a vital component of all programs. Individualized instruction allows for a nurturing environment reflecting high regard for the musical legacies of the past as well as preparedness for the future. Graduates in music have gone on to careers as professional performers, public school music teachers, band directors, choral directors, church musicians, and private music teachers.
As a music major or minor, you will be required to declare a major performing area (voice, piano, trumpet, etc.). In addition to being proficient on your instrument, music majors must also demonstrate a knowledge of music theory. Students who have a basic knowledge of the fundamentals of music theory upon entry into a music program are much more likely to succeed in all fields of musical study. All entering freshmen and those who have previous college credit but are new to the music major must take a music theory diagnostic examination before being advised into their first semester of coursework. This exam is given by the Music Departmental office. Those with adequate knowledge will be placed in MUSI 1211: Music Theory 1 and MUSI 1101: Ear-Training and Sight-Singing 1. Students who are not familiar with the rudiments of music theory will be placed in MUSI 1201: Music Fundamentals.
All entering music majors must also perform a placement audition before a faculty panel in their major performing area. These auditions will be scheduled prior to the start of classes. Students are expected to demonstrate background and experience through their high school programs or prior collegiate work in musical ensembles, private study, church music, etc. Students without this background must show extraordinary potential to be admitted as a music major. Students who are unable to demonstrate these abilities will not be admitted into the music program and will be advised to seek another major.
The Department of Music, a program fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of music offers two degrees:
1. Bachelor of Arts in Music
2. Bachelor of Music in Performance (instrumental, vocal, piano and jazz studies tracks), and Bachelor of Music in Music Education (vocal and instrumental tracks)
Two areas of professional study are available in the Bachelor of Music degree:
Performance prepares students for careers as instrumentalists in symphonic, jazz and popular styles; as singers in opera, theatre, and popular music; and as solo recitalists, accompanists, private and college teachers, and church musicians.
Music Education prepares musicians for careers as music teachers at all levels in public and private schools.
Minor in Music
The music minor is available to all university students who have interest and ability in music. The program requires 19 hours of coursework in applied music, ensembles, music history, and music theory.
As a music minor, you will be required to declare a major performing area (voice, piano, trumpet, etc.). In addition to being proficient on your instrument, music minors must also demonstrate a knowledge of music theory. All students must take a music theory diagnostic examination before being advised into their first semester of coursework. This exam is given by the Music Departmental office. Those with adequate knowledge will be placed in MUSI 1211: Music Theory 1 and MUSI 1101: Ear-Training and Sight-Singing 1. Students who are not familiar with the rudiments of music theory will be placed in MUSI 1201: Music Fundamentals, which is offered during the summer and fall semesters.
Courses taken to satisfy Core Areas A through E may not be counted as coursework in the minor.
General Degree Requirements For All Music Minors
- Music minors must achieve a grade of C or better in each course required for the minor.
- Applied Lessons: Lessons in applied music (principal performing medium) must be taken a minimum of four semesters for a total of six credit hours.
- Major Ensembles: All music minors are required to participate for credit in a major ensemble for a minimum of four semesters, whether of full-time or part-time status. All students will be assigned to a major ensemble upon entrance to the minor. Major ensembles are defined as the following: 1. Augusta University Wind Ensemble (all woodwinds, brass and percussion), 2. Augusta University Orchestra (all string instruments), and Augusta University Singers (all voice types). Students who choose piano or guitar as their performing medium will be assigned to one of the three depending upon their experiences in secondary performing areas.
- Recital Lab and Studio Class: Music minors are required to be enrolled and achieve a passing grade in Recital Laboratory (MUSI 1500) and Studio Class (MUSA 2XX5) for a minimum of four semesters. Recital Lab and Studio Class are required co-requisites for all applied lesson study.
- Advising: All music minors are required to have an advisor on the full-time music faculty; a student’s advisor is most often also their applied teacher. Self-advising for any program in music is not allowed.
Return to: Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
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