Music, BA

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Program Description

The School of Fine and Performing Arts offers a four-year curriculum designed for students who wish to pursue a career in music. As an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music, the School of Fine and Performing Arts has designed the requirements for entrance and graduation according to the published standards of that association. The Bachelor of Music degree is offered with majors in performance, music education; the Bachelor of Arts degree is offered with a major in music. The department also collaborates with the Department of Computer Science, Music Option. A Master of Music degree with majors in music education and performance and a Master of Humanities degree are also offered. Because of the highly individualized nature of the various programs, students are required to consult with an advisor to plan their major program.

In addition to fulfilling university admissions procedures, prospective music majors must also complete a School of Fine and Performing Arts application for an audition, perform a satisfactory audition in a major performance area, and meet with an assigned advisor from the music faculty for counseling and registration. Transfer students must submit a transcript of all previous work in addition to completing the above steps. A minimum of one year of full-time study is required of all transfer students working toward a degree.

The School of Fine and Performing Arts has developed a course of study based on four levels of technical proficiency, musicianship, and repertoire in all areas of applied music. Students should consult regularly with their applied music instructors and advisors to ensure progress through the various levels. Students enrolled in applied music courses are required to attend a specified number of recitals, concerts, and other approved performances. Solo recital performances are also required of music majors. For information regarding applied music requirements and keyboard proficiency requirements, students should refer to the School of Fine and Performing Arts website.

Because of the cost of individual instruction, special fees are charged for applied music and, in certain cases, for accompanists. Applied music is also available to non-majors on a limited basis and subject to instructor availability. A rental fee is charged for use of university-owned instruments in class instruction. There is no charge for use of these instruments in university ensembles.

All music degree programs require a minimum number of hours for graduation. A detailed, four-year curriculum outline for each major program is available on the School of Fine and Performing Arts website.

Any student who fails a required music course a second time must petition in order to continue the program. The petition will go to the Academic Studies Committee, which, along with the applied teacher, the advisor, and the instructor of the class, will make a determination to accept or reject the petition, or to determine/recommend any additional conditions necessary to remain in the program.

All students in the university, as well as members of the community, are eligible to participate in performing groups. Some groups require individual auditions; prospective members should consult the various conductors to arrange auditions. The following instrumental groups are available:

Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Concert Band, Wind Symphony, Pep Band, Saxophone Quartet, Brass Choir, Trombone Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Trumpet Ensemble, and Jazz Band. Choral groups include the Men’s Chorale, Women’s Chorale, and Collegiate Chorale. Students majoring in other academic areas and members of the community may also take music courses especially designed for the non-music major.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Learn to develop a degree of musicianship that will enable him or her to function as a performer.
• Develop an understanding of the principles and processes of music as it occurs within a variety of cultural and historical settings.
• Demonstrate a broad, general education in music rather than one of intensive musical study leading to a professional degree.
• Achieve proficiency in a foreign language and expand their appreciation of global perspectives in music.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving through a more diverse selection of liberal arts course offerings.
• Cultivate an understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods

Degree Requirements–Music

Bachelor of Arts Degree

The Bachelor of Arts degree in music is designed for students who want to study music but do not necessarily plan a professional career in music. Students will get a much broader, more general education than students seeking a Bachelor of Music degree. Required courses are kept to a minimum. Consequently, students must work closely with an advisor in selecting course electives. For graduation, students must complete level III in the applied music concentration.

Music Honors Program

The School of Fine and Performing Arts encourages students who have demonstrated superior academic ability to participate in the music honors program. In order to enter the program, students must be juniors or seniors with a cumulative 3.0 GPA and a 3.5 GPA in music. For additional information, students should contact the department chair.

For More Information

• Music, BA
• School of Fine and Performing Arts
• College of Liberal Arts

Program Requirements:

I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours

ELEMENT 1: COMMUNICATION: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 2: MATHEMATICS: 3 HOURS

ELEMENT 3: GLOBAL TRADITIONS: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 4: ARTS AND HUMANITIES: 3 HOURS

Required:

• MUS 1210 - Music Listening Credit Hour(s): 3

ELEMENT 5: SOCIAL SCIENCES: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 6: NATURAL SCIENCES: 8 HOURS

ADDITIONAL CORE COURSES: 6 HOURS

Required:

• MUS 2420 - Comparative Nonwestern Cultures: Music Credit Hour(s): 3

II. Departmental Requirements: 34 Hours

MUSIC THEORY: 9 HOURS

• MUS 1020 - Theory of Music II Credit Hour(s): 3
• MUS 2010 - Theory of Music III Credit Hour(s): 3
• MUS 2020 - Theory of Music IV Credit Hour(s): 3

MUSICIANSHIP: 4 HOURS

• MUS 1510 - Musicianship I Credit Hour(s): 1
• MUS 1520 - Musicianship II Credit Hour(s): 1
• MUS 2510 - Musicianship III Credit Hour(s): 1
• MUS 2520 - Musicianship IV Credit Hour(s): 1

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS: 3 HOURS

• MUS 4650 - Computer Applications in Music Credit Hour(s): 2

MUSIC HISTORY: 6 HOURS

• MUS 3110 - History of Music I Credit Hour(s): 3
• MUS 3120 - History of Music II Credit Hour(s): 3

APPLIED MUSIC (4 SEMESTERS): 8 HOURS

LARGE ENSEMBLE: MUE (4 SEMESTERS): 4 HOURS

RECITALS: 0 HOURS

III. Related Requirements: 6 Hours

EITHER: 6 HOURS

• Keyboard track
• Music electives
• or
• Vocal/Instrumental track

KEYBOARD: 2 HOURS

• MUS 1550 - Keyboard Musicianship I Credit Hour(s): 1
• MUS 1560 - Keyboard Musicianship II Credit Hour(s): 1

ELECTIVES: 4 HOURS

IV. College Requirements: 18-22 Hours

FOREIGN LANGUAGE: 12-16 HOURS

Through 2020 level (1010, 1020, 2010, 2020) of one language:
Arabic, Spanish, French, German, Greek, Latin, Chinese, American Sign Language or other.

METHODS OF INQUIRY

• PHL 3000 - Critical Thinking Credit Hour(s): 3
• MUS 4140 - Intro to Research in Music Credit Hour(s): 3

V. Electives: 20-24 Hours

Total: 120 Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.

• Music (GPS)

• Music (3 yr) (GPS)