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2020-2021 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Music — Performance Concentration, BMus
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 Return to: College of Fine and Performing Arts
Department of Music, College of Fine and Performing Arts
88-90 credits minimum
Introduction
With an emphasis on high-level performance and pedagogy, students receive comprehensive instruction on their primary instrument, gain a variety of solo and ensemble experiences, and perform two recitals in addition to completing a core set of courses in music theory, aural skills, keyboarding, and music history.
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University/College Professor | Studio Musician | Orchestra Musician | Arts Administrator/Manager | Member of Professional Opera | Church Music Director | Private Teacher | Composer | Member of a Professional Orchestra and/or Band | Applied Instrumental or Voice Instructor
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Admission and Declaration Process
General WWU vs. Music Admissions: Acceptance to the Music Department does not guarantee admission to the university. Decisions related to general admissions are completed independently by the university. Students may request and complete a music audition regardless if they have received their admissions decision by the WWU admissions office.
Admissions/Audition: All students must successfully complete an Entrance Audition on their primary instrument or voice. Please visit our website for priority audition dates. Students who audition after these priority dates will be considered on a space available basis. Due to the sequential nature of our curriculum, mid-year applicants are not recommended or guaranteed to be granted an audition. Students electing to begin in a quarter other than Fall should seek advisement through the program coordinator before requesting an audition. cfpa.wwu.edu/music/auditions
Declaration and Advising: All incoming music students will receive advising and curriculum planning with the program coordinator during orientation sessions and/or by appointment. Declaring a music major or minor is required to access all academic coursework. Overrides will be entered prior to orientation and/or by appointment to obtain access to all program restricted courses before declarations have been processed. Please see below for more details.
- Freshman: Freshman will declare their music major during Fall Advising & Orientation. Students who intend to double major may be placed into another advising session if deemed appropriate by the program coordinator. Students intending to double major will be asked to notify the program coordinator before Fall Advising & Orientation. These students will receive an email prior to Fall A&O with specific instructions for music registration and declaration.
- Transfer: Transfer students will declare their music major during Transitions, or by appointment with the program coordinator. Declaring a music major or minor is required to obtain access to all major-restricted courses. Overrides will be entered prior to Transitions, or by appointment to give preliminary access to major restricted courses before major declarations are processed.
- Returning Students: Returning students will declare their music major by appointment with the program coordinator. Returning students should contact the program coordinator prior to registration in order to obtain access to major-restricted courses.
Graduation Timeline: Due to the sequential nature of our core curriculum, we strongly recommend that all students considering a Bachelor of Music degree (BMus) in Performance, Composition, History & Literature, and Music Education begin our basic core sequences the fall quarter of their first year. These majors are designed around a curriculum that takes approximately four years to complete. Additionally, the Music Education degree has an approximate graduation timeline between year four and five. Please note, the approximate graduation timeline does not apply to all students, and is dependent on each student’s incoming status, eligibility for course equivalency assessments, and academic progress within the department.
Course Equivalency Assessments: We offer three separate assessments to determine equivalency and placement in our two-year core sequence of music theory, aural skills, and keyboarding skills for those who have successfully completed an entrance audition into our program. After assessments are complete the program coordinator will adjust course equivalency on each students’ TER (Transfer Equivalency Report), if required. All other music course equivalency will be determined by the admissions office and will not require an assessment, e.g. music ensembles, applied lessons, survey courses, etc.
- Eligibility: Transfer students and freshman are eligible for corresponding assessments if they have transferable credits in music theory, aural skills/ear training, and keyboarding skills/class piano. Combined courses with multiple topics will qualify for separate corresponding assessments. Incoming transfer students and freshman who achieved a 3 or higher on the AP Theory Exam are eligible for the music theory and aural skills assessments only. Students without transferable credits in keyboarding will be required to complete all keyboarding courses. Those with extensive piano lesson experience will enroll in an accelerated advanced keyboarding section along with piano majors and minors.
- Scheduling: Fall quarter assessments in music theory and aural skills will be scheduled online in July each year, keyboarding assessments will be scheduled online in the summer and in person directly before the academic year begins. Further details will be sent individually to students after the fall enrollment confirmation deadline for the university. Students attempting to begin in winter and spring quarters should contact the program coordinator to determine eligibility.
- Course Equivalency Assessment Advising: Students are encouraged to use study materials from previous institutions or exams to prepare for the assessments. Students will be sent a series of assessment topics but will not be supplied with study materials. Students should be advised that they are not guaranteed to enter at their expected level and may be required to repeat courses previously taken at another institution. All credits received in music theory, aural skills, and keyboard skills will be transferred as general credit, and will apply towards total graduation requirements, and/or major requirements contingent on assessment results.
Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required for all music major or minor courses. A minimum GPA of 2.5 in music courses is required for graduation with a degree in music.
Juries
Students enrolled in applied lessons must complete a jury up to three times during the academic year. Students within the BMus Performance program must complete two upper-division juries as a partial fulfillment of their degree program. It is recommended that students pass an upper-division jury for achieving upper-division instruction (300) level by the end of their second year in the program. Jury schedules, including frequency and repertoire, are determined by each area of study. Students should refer all questions regarding juries to their area coordinator and applied instructor.
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Music Non-Course Requirements
❑ Concert Attendance: Attendance of at least five pre-approved concerts every quarter until all degree requirements are fulfilled. Approved music department events only, including mainstage operas, and performances in PAC 16. Students must bring their Western ID card to check in and out to receive credit. Those without a Western ID card will not receive credit.
❑ Upper-division Jury: Performance students must complete two upper-division juries as partial fulfillment of the degree program. The first is a 300-level upper-division jury, which is required before a student may schedule a junior recital. It is recommended that students pass this upper-division jury to advance to the 300 upper-division instruction level by the end of their second year. The second is a 400-level upper-division jury which is required before a student may schedule a senior recital (MUS 499). Students will schedule both upper-division juries according to area policies, and under the advisement of their applied instructor.
❑ Junior Recital: A junior recital must be completed as partial fulfillment of the degree program. A successful junior recital is required before a student may schedule a 400-level upper-division jury. Students will plan their junior recital according to area policies, and under the advisement of their applied instructor.
❑ Keyboarding Proficiency Exam (KPE): All music majors must successfully complete the Keyboarding Proficiency Exam (KPE) as partial fulfillment of the degree program. The exam is administered at the conclusion of the two-year keyboarding sequence (MUS 121B-221B). Students placed into the advanced keyboarding section will complete the exam after the first year of keyboarding courses (MUS 121B-125B).
Music Core Sequences
The music core sequence is comprised of courses in aural skills, keyboarding skills, theoretical and analytical skills, and music history that progress in a three-year sequence. Core music sequences begin fall quarter and will not repeat until the next academic year. In the first two years, students must concurrently enroll in one course each of aural skills, keyboarding skills, and theoretical and analytical skills each quarter. If a student does not meet the university prerequisite grade requirement of a C- or higher, they may continue to enroll in the other core sequence courses they have successfully passed. Students who are eligible for course equivalency assessments will enroll in core sequences under the advisement of the music advisor. Students will be placed into a beginning, intermediate, or advanced section of keyboarding skills according to their piano experience. Those with significant piano experience and piano major/minors will be placed into the advanced keyboarding section and will not be required to complete the second year keyboarding skills sequence along with remaining core music courses (MUS 221B, MUS 223B, MUS 225B). Students may enroll in the music history sequence (MUS 341, MUS 342, MUS 343) after successfully completing all theoretical and analytical skills courses (MUS 122-226) with a C- or higher. Please see our example PDF for course planning.
Music Performance Core Requirements
Please see below for specific primary instrument and voice requirements.
In addition to the music core requirements, music performance students must complete additional courses in conducting, upper-division music theory, upper-division music history, and culminate their degree with a senior recital. Students may enroll in MUS 351 Basic Conducting after successfully completing all music core sequences in theory, aural skills, and keyboarding with a C- or higher. Students may enroll in any upper-division theory course after successfully completing all music theory core requirements with a C- or higher (MUS 122-226). Students may enroll in any upper-division history course after successfully completing the history sequence with a C- or higher (MUS 341-343).
Upper-Division Music Theory
Upper-Division Music History
Chamber Music
Performance students must complete a minimum of four courses of chamber music as partial fulfillment of the degree program. Students may choose to register for multiple groups or the same chamber course to fulfill this requirement. Students may participate in a chamber music ensemble not associated with their primary instrument. Some ensembles may require an audition and may not be available every quarter. Students should use Classfinder to plan their courses accordingly.
Primary Instrument Requirements
In addition to the core requirements, performance students must complete the following courses in an instrument area as partial fulfillment of the degree program.
Pedagogy (minimum of 4 credits)
MUS 466 may be completed any quarter during the final year in the program. Students must enroll twice for a minimum of 4 credits in total.
Electives (minimum of 8 credits)
Any additional music courses apply towards electives including additional chamber ensemble, lessons, history, theory, conducting and survey courses.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 12 credits)
Brass students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until all degree requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Brass students will register for applied lessons on their primary instrument. Instrument sections are indicated F-J. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 414F-J. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits)
Brass students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until all degree requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble.
Pedagogy (minimum of 4 credits)
MUS 466 may be completed any quarter during the final year in the program. Students must enroll twice for a minimum of 4 credits total.
Fretboard Harmony/Guitar History (6 credits)
Fretboard Harmony is offered every other year rotation with Guitar History & Repertory.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 12 credits)
Guitar students must enroll in applied lessons every quarter until degree requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. At least three credits must be completed in 416. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits)
Students must enroll in major ensemble and guitar ensemble according to the following schedule each quarter until all degree requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Guitar students enroll in an instrumental or choral major ensemble each fall quarter, followed by enrollment in Guitar Ensemble, MUS 282, winter, and spring quarter.
Major Ensemble Courses (minimum of 6 credits)
Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble. Students who do not audition into an ensemble must enroll in MUS 271, University Tenor/Bass or University Treble Choir. Guitar students may continue to enroll in a major ensemble alongside guitar ensemble winter and spring quarter.
Guitar Ensemble (minimum of 12 credits)
Pedagogy (minimum of 4 credits)
MUS 466 may be completed any quarter during the final year in the program. Students must enroll twice for a minimum of 4 credits in total.
Electives (minimum of 8 credits)
Any additional music courses apply towards electives including additional chamber ensemble, lessons, history, theory, conducting and survey courses.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 12 credits)
Percussion students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until all degree requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in 414K. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits)
Percussion students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until all degree requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble.
Applied Music Literature (minimum of 6 credits)
Offered every other year in rotation with Applied Music Pedagogy: Piano. 6 credit minimum. Students should plan to enroll a minimum of two quarters.
Advanced Piano Pedagogy (4 credits)
Offered every other year in rotation with MUS 467- Applied Music Literature.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 12 credits)
Piano students must register for applied lessons each quarter until all degree requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 412. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits)
Piano students must enroll in a major ensemble or piano accompanying according to the following schedule each quarter until all degree requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Piano students will enroll in three consecutive quarters of a major ensemble, with the remainder of their major ensemble requirements fulfilled with Piano Accompanying. (MUS 276/476)
Major Ensemble Courses (minimum of 6 credits)
Students who do not audition into an ensemble must enroll in MUS 271, University Tenor/Bass or University Treble Choir.
Piano Accompanying (minimum of 12 credits)
Students will register for MUS 276 until receiving permission to enroll in MUS 476.
Pedagogy (minimum of 4 credits)
MUS 466 may be completed any quarter during the final year in the program. Students must enroll twice for a minimum of 4 credits in total.
Electives (minimum of 8 credits)
Any additional music courses apply towards electives including additional chamber ensemble, lessons, history, theory, conducting and survey courses.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 12 credits)
String must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until all degree requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Strings students will register for applied lessons on their primary instrument. Instrument sections are indicated A-E. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 413A-E. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits)
String must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until all degree requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate Major Ensemble.
Intro to Voice Studies (4 credits)
Voice Performance students will register for MUS 166A their first quarter in the program.
Vocal Diction (3 credits)
Offered every other year in rotation with MUS 466B - Applied Pedagogy: Voice.
Advanced Applied Pedagogy Voice (4 credits)
Offered every other year in rotation with MUS 366A-366C.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 12 credits)
Voice students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until all degree requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in 415. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits)
Voice students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until all degree requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble.
Pedagogy (minimum of 4 credits)
MUS 466 may be completed any quarter during the final year in the program. Students must enroll twice for a minimum of 4 credits in total.
Electives (minimum of 8 credits)
Any additional music courses apply towards electives including additional chamber ensemble, lessons, history, theory, conducting and survey courses.
Applied Lessons (minimum of 12 credits)
Woodwind students must enroll in applied lessons and a major ensemble each quarter until all degree requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Students will register for applied lessons on their primary instrument. Instrument sections are indicated A-E. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 414A-E. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.
Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits)
Woodwind students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until all degree requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble.
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Return to: College of Fine and Performing Arts
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