Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music — History and Literature Concentration, BMus


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Department of Music, College of Fine and Performing Arts

110-114 credits

Introduction

Aimed at students with a particular interest in musicological research, the History & Literature track offers opportunities for students to pursue in-depth study in a variety of topics related to the history of musical composition. Core studies in music theory, aural skills, keyboarding, and music history are also required.

 Contact Information

Program Coordinator
​Undergraduate Academic Advisor

Lee Anne Frahn
Performing Arts 263
360-650-4091
LeeAnne.Frahn@wwu.edu

History Coordinator
Felicia Youngblood
Performing Arts 139
360-650-6856
Felicia.Youngblood@wwu.edu

Department Chair
Tim Fitzpatrick
Performing Arts 043
360-650-3772
fitzpat@wwu.edu

 Sample Careers

Musicologist | College Music History Faculty | Music Reporter | Music Librarian | Music Critic | Public Relations Specialist | Music Publishing Specialist | Music Promoter

 Major/Career Resources

www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

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 of their admissions decision from t he 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. Declaration 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: Freshmen 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 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 student’s 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 freshmen 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 other institutions. 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 and Minor courses. A minimum GPA of 2.5 in music courses is required for graduation with a degree in music.

Requirements


Music Non-Course Requirements


Upper-division Jury: History & Literature students must complete one upper-division jury as partial fulfillment of the degree program.  It is recommended that students pass an upper-division jury to advance to the upper-division instruction (300-400) level by the end of their second year. Jury schedules, including frequency and repertoire, are determined by each area of study. Students will schedule their upper-division jury 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 for beginning and intermediate players (MUS 121B-221B), and at the conclusion of the one-year keyboarding sequence for advanced pianists (MUS 221C-225C).

Foreign Language: Students must complete research in a language of specialty. Please see music history coordinator for more details. 

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 Program Coordinator.

Students will be placed into a beginning, intermediate, or advanced section of keyboarding skills according to their piano experience. Beginning and intermediate players will complete a two-year sequence (MUS 121B-225B), advanced players will complete a one-year keyboarding sequence (MUS 221C-225C). Students may enroll in the music history sequence (MUS 341, MUS 342, MUS 343) after successfully completing the first year of theoretical and analytical skills courses (MUS 122-126) with a C- or higher. However, most students are advised to wait until completing the full two-year theoretical and analytical skills sequence before beginning the music history sequence. Please see our example PDF for course planning.

Music History & Literature Core Requirements


In addition to the music core requirements, music history & literature students must complete additional courses in collegium musicum, conducting, upper-division music theory, upper-division music history, and culminate their degree with a senior thesis. Students may enroll in MUS 351 Basic Conducting successfully completing all music core sequences in theory, aural skills, and keyboarding with a C- or higher. Students may enroll in any upper-division music 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 music history course after successfully completing the history sequence with a C- or higher (MUS 341-343).

Collegium Musicum


Conducting


Upper-Division Music History


Students must complete 12 credits total of upper-division music history. We offer a music history seminar on various topics each quarter (MUS 442). MUS 443A-F are accepted substitutions.

Senior Thesis


Electives


14 credits selected under advisement. Any additional music courses may apply towards electives, including additional chamber ensembles, major ensemble, lessons, history, theory, conducting, and survey courses.

Chamber Music


History & Literature students must complete two courses of chamber music as partial fulfillment of the degree program. Student 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


Brass


Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)

Brass students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in 314F-J. Brass students will register for applied lessons on their primary instrument. Instrument sections are indicated F-J. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.

Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)

Brass students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled. Students must attend ensemble auditions each year to be placed into the appropriate major ensemble. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.

Guitar


Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)

Guitar students must enroll in applied lessons every quarter until major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. At least three credits must be completed in MUS 316. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.

Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)

Students must enroll in major ensemble and guitar ensemble according to the following schedule each quarter until all major 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. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.

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)

Percussion


Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)

Percussion students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 314K. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.

Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)

Percussion students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until all major 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.

Piano


Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)

Piano students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 312. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.

Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)

Piano students must enroll in a major ensemble or piano accompanying according to the following schedule each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.

Major Ensemble Courses (minimum of 6 credits)

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). Students who do not audition into another ensemble must enroll in MUS 271.

Piano Accompanying (minimum of 12 credits)

Students will register for MUS 276 until receiving permission to enroll in MUS 476.

Strings


Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)

String students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until all major 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 313A-E. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.

Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)

String students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until all major 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. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.

Voice


Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)

Voice students must enroll in applied lessons each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirement. A minimum of three credits for applied lessons must be completed in MUS 315. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.

Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)

Voice students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until all major 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. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.

Woodwinds


Applied Lessons (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)

Woodwind must register for applied lessons each quarter until all major requirements are fulfilled, regardless of completing the minimum credit requirements. 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 314A-E. Students will register for the 200 level of applied lessons until passing an upper-division jury.

Major Ensemble (minimum of 18 credits, maximum of 42 credits)

Woodwind students must enroll in a major ensemble each quarter until all major 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. Advanced students may be asked to perform in more than one ensemble during any given quarter. However, only one ensemble per quarter may apply towards major ensemble degree requirements and the other ensemble will apply towards major or general electives.

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