Undergraduate Programs

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Bachelor of Arts

The music department offers a major within the framework of a Bachelor of Arts degree.  The overarching goal of the program is to provide a solid foundation in music history, theory and performance within a liberal arts context, and by so doing to prepare students who wish to pursue a variety of interests, including further study in music and Massachusetts Teacher Licensure.

In addition, the Music Department offers a minor for those students pursuing a BA or BS degree in other majors, as well as courses that satisfy the university-wide Core Curriculum Requirements.  Private instruction is given in piano, guitar, voice and orchestral and band instruments; a performance study fee is charged for these lessons.  Performing organizations are also available for both singers and instrumentalists.

A student wishing to major or minor in music should consult with the department chairperson as early as possible.  Certain courses may be waived pending consultation with the music department chairperson and/or completion of proficiency tests.

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Music Major

A formal audition is required for acceptance into the music major.  There is no audition requirement for acceptance into the music minor.  Auditions are held in February, March and November.  For further details please consult the auditions page.

A student majoring in music must earn 49 credits by combining required courses and electives.  In addition, a piano proficiency examination, which addresses basic competencies, must be passed.  Specific musical examples and guidelines are available from the music department chair.  Alternatively, the proficiency requirements may be met by successful completion of MUSC 440.

The Department of Music will permit its majors to use only one passing grade below C- to satisfy requirements in the music major (including both the required core courses and electives).  An additional grade below C- will require the student to take another music course, chosen in consultation with his or her adviser.  The required core courses are designed to develop competence in theory, history, musicianship and performance:

Required Courses: CREDITS
     MUSC 162 Music in African Culture 3
     or
     MUSC 163 Music of the Non-Western World 3
     MUSC 270 Sight-Singing and Ear-Training I 3
     MUSC 271 Music Theory I 3
     MUSC 272 Sight-Singing and Ear-Training II 3
     MUSC 273 Music Theory II 3
     MUSC 281 Music History I 3
     MUSC 282 Music History II 3
     MUSC 351 Conducting 3
     MUSC 372 Form and Analysis I: 1700-1900 3
     MUSC 472 Form and Analysis II: The Twentieth Century 3
 
Ensembles: 7
     MUSC 109
Beginning African Drumming Ensemble
 
     MUSC 111 Marching Band  
     MUSC 112 Wind Ensemble  
     MUSC 113 Jazz Band  
     MUSC 115 Instrumental Ensemble  
     MUSC 118 Chorale  
     MUSC 119 Vocal Ensemble  
     MUSC 183 String Ensemble  

Note: Students may apply only one ensemble credit per semester toward the major.  No more than 3 credits may be taken in MUSC 111 and no more than 2 credits can be taken in MUSC 109 or MUSC 115.

Students are expected to meet music technology requirements by either demonstrating proficiency in music technology or by taking MUSC 191 Introduction to Music Technology prior to taking MUSC 271 Music Theory I.

  CREDITS
Performance Studies (6 credits, including at least one semester at the 300 level): 6
     MUSC 121,
     221, 321,
     421
Brass  
     MUSC 122,
     222, 322,
     422
Percussion  
     MUSC 123,
     223, 323,
     423
Strings (Violin,Viola)  
     MUSC 124,
     224, 324,
     424
Woodwinds  
     MUSC 125
     225, 325,
     425
Guitar  
     MUSC 126,
     226, 326,
     426
Strings (Cello, Bass)  
     MUSC 131,
     231, 331,
     431
Voice (Singing)  
     MUSC 141,
     241, 341,
     441
Piano  
     
Music History Elective from: 3
     MUSC 363 Music of Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi (Writing Intensive in the Major Core Curriculum Requirement-CWRM)  
     MUSC 364 Music of the Classical and Romantic Periods (Writing Intensive in the Major Core Curriculum Requirement-CWRM)  
     MUSC 367 Music by Women Composers (Writing Intensive in the Major Core Curriculum Requirement-CWRM)  
     MUSC 369 Music of the Twentieth Century  
 
Elective:  The remaining history electives above, or 3
     MUSC 371 Counterpoint  
     MUSC 373 Composition I  
     MUSC 374 Composition II  
     MUSC 399 Special Topics in Music  
     MUSC 456 Methods in Music Education  
     MUSC 499 Directed Study in Music  

Piano Proficiency Requirement: Completion of MUSC 440 Advanced Keyboard Skills with a grade of “C” or above.

Recital Requirement:

All music majors must attend a specific, assigned number of on-campus recitals every semester they are registered as music majors (Recitals in which the student is performing will not be counted toward this requirement).  Specifics concerning these recitals (which will generally include First Friday recitals, Faculty Artist Series recitals, and student recitals), along with the minimum number required, will be posted in the Music Department at the start of each semester.  A student who fails to meet the minimum requirement for every semester he or she is enrolled as a music major will not be permitted to graduate as a music major.

Total minimum credits: 49

Core Curriculum Requirements

A minimum of 120 earned hours is required for graduation.  These earned hours include Core Curriculum Requirements as specified in the “Undergraduate Academic Programs” section of the catalog.  For additional graduation requirements, see the “Undergraduate Academic Policies” section of the catalog.

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Music Education Concentration

The music department offers a music education concentration, which allows prospective music educators to earn a bachelor of arts degree in music with a concentration in music education.  This program is designed for students who wish to earn Massachusetts state licensure for teaching Music (all levels) within their undergraduate experience.  Students should review the requirements for the music major, listed above, especially as regards ensemble credits and music technology proficiency.

For a complete description of the Music Education program at Bridgewater State University, please visit the Music Education Program page.

The following courses are required to complete the music education concentration:

Required Courses: CREDITS
     MUSC 270 Sight-Singing and Ear-Training I 3
     MUSC 271 Music Theory I 3
     MUSC 273 Music Theory II 3
     MUSC 281 Music History I 3
     MUSC 282 Music History II 3
     MUSC 372 Form and Analysis I: 1700-1900 3
    
Cognate Requirements
     MUSC 166 Survey of American Jazz 3
     PSYC 227 Development through the Life Cycle 3
     SPED 203 Cultural Diversity Issues in School and Society 3
    
Ensembles*: 5
     MUSC 112
Wind Ensemble
 
     MUSC 113 Jazz Band  
     MUSC 115 Instrumental Ensemble  
     MUSC 118 Chorale  
     MUSC 119 Vocal Ensemble  
     MUSC 183 String Ensemble  

Note: Some of the required courses listed above also fulfill certain Core Curriculum Requirements.

* Students seeking Initial Licensure in music will be required to participate in a large ensemble (Wind Ensemble or Chorale) for a minimum of 6 semesters of which only 5 semesters must be for credit.

  CREDITS
Performance Studies: (4 credits.  At least one semester at the 300 level and at least one semester in a secondary performance medium (voice for an instrumentalist; instrument for vocalist) must be completed: 4
     MUSC 121,
     221, 321,
     421
Brass  
     MUSC 122,
     222, 322,
     422
Percussion  
     MUSC 123,
     223, 323,
     423
Strings (Violin,Viola)  
     MUSC 124,
     224, 324,
     424
Woodwinds  
     MUSC 125
     225, 325,
     425
Guitar  
     MUSC 126,
     226, 326,
     426
Strings (Cello, Bass)  
     MUSC 131,
     231, 331,
     431
Voice (Singing)  
     MUSC 141,
     241, 341,
     441
Piano  
      
Additional Required Courses:
     MUSC 351 Conducting 3
     MUSC 375 Orchestration and Arranging (instrumental emphasis) 3
     or
     MUSC 455 Creative Activities in Elementary School Music (vocal emphasis) 3
     MUSC 388 Instrumental Techniques 3
     MUSC 456 Methods in Music Education 3
     MUSC 483 Choral Techniques 3
     MUSC --- Music History Elective 3

Students seeking Initial Licensure must also declare a minor in secondary education and complete the following courses (See the “Secondary Education and Preprofessional Programs” section of the catalog):

  CREDITS
     EDHM 210 Introduction to Teaching 3
     EDHM 235 Learning and Motivation 3
     EDHM 335 Assessment and Planning 3
     EDHM 413 Strategies for Teaching Music 3
     EDHM 445 Content Area Reading, Writing and Study Skills 3
     EDHM 490 Student Teaching** 3

** As a minimum prerequisite to student teaching, students will be required to pass a Music Education Piano Proficiency Exam, which may necessitate private lessons.

Total minimum credits: 87

Core Curriculum Requirements

A minimum of 120 earned hours is required for graduation.  These earned hours include Core Curriculum Requirements as specified in the “Undergraduate Academic Programs” section of the catalog.  For additional graduation requirements, see the “Undergraduate Academic Policies” section of the catalog.

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Double Major with Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education or Special Education

Students may choose a double major in Music and Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education or Special Education for certification purposes. Appropriate advising materials with suggested course sequences are available.

 

Minor in Education (All Levels)

Students minoring in education must refer to the “Department of Secondary Education and Professional Programs” for specific requirements, and consult with the Music Department for additional information.

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Music Minor

Students should review the requirements for the music major, listed above, especially as regards ensemble credits, music technology proficiency and keyboard proficiency.

Required Courses: CREDITS
     MUSC 140 Class Piano I 3
     MUSC 270 Sight-Singing and Ear-Training I 3
     or
     MUSC 272 Sight-Singing and Ear-Training II 3
     MUSC 271 Music Theory I 3
     MUSC 281 Music Theory II 3
     MUSC 281 Music History I 3
     or
     MUSC 282 Music History II 3
Ensembles: 3
     MUSC 112 Wind Ensemble  
     MUSC 113 Jazz Band  
     MUSC 115 Instrumental Ensemble  
     MUSC 118 Chorale  
     MUSC 119 Vocal Ensemble  
     MUSC 183 String Ensemble  
Elective Courses: 6
     Performance Studies (maximum of 4 credits):  
     MUSC 121,
     221, 321,
     421
Brass  
     MUSC 122,
     222, 322,
     422
Percussion  
     MUSC 123,
     223, 323,
     423
Strings (Violin,Viola)  
     MUSC 124,
     224, 324,
     424
Woodwinds  
     MUSC 125
     225, 325,
     425
Guitar  
     MUSC 126,
     226, 326,
     426
Strings (Cello, Bass)  
     MUSC 131,
     231, 331,
     431
Voice (Singing)  
     MUSC 141,
     241, 341,
     441
Piano  
     Additional Electives:  
     MUSC 130 Voice Class I  
     or
     MUSC 230 Voice Class II  
     MUSC 162 Music in African Culture  
     MUSC 166 Survey of American Jazz  
     MUSC 167 The Music of Black Americans  
     MUSC 272 Sight-Singing and Ear-Training II  
     MUSC 273 Music Theory II  
     MUSC 274 Creating Music  
     MUSC 281 Music History I  
     or
     MUSC 282 Music History II  
     MUSC 364 Music of the Classical and Romantic Periods  
     MUSC 366 American Music of the Twentieth Century  
     MUSC 367 Music by Women Composers  
     MUSC 371 Counterpoint  
     MUSC 372 Form and Analysis I: 1700-1900  
     MUSC 399 Special Topics in Music  
     MUSC 499 Directed Study in Music  

Total minimum credits: 18

Last Modified: December 14, 2011