Department of Music

Faculty

J Brabban, Interim Chair
Michael Butrico
James M. Guthrie
Paula Pressnell
Aaron Rice
Agnes Wan

Mission Statement

The Department of Music prepares musicians to pursue graduate studies or careers in music by providing quality instruction in the areas of music theory, performance, music history, ensembles, keyboard, and music technology, and by requiring the completion of the University’s liberal arts curriculum. The Department provides the university community and the public with performance and study opportunities as well as exposure to a variety of musical events.

Educational Outcomes

All music majors will develop musical performance skills through the pursuit of a primary applied concentration, piano proficiency, and ensemble experiences.
All music majors will develop an understanding of the function and structure of music through the study of music theory.
All music majors will develop a general understanding of the cultural and historical contexts of music of Western and non-Western traditions.
All music majors will understand how to use technology applications that are appropriate for music.
All music majors will develop ethical values to guide their personal and professional lives.
Music education majors will develop:
1. the ability to teach musical concepts.
2. the ability to advocate for music education.
3. the ability to organize a music classroom and curriculum
Music majors with an emphasis in music industry will develop:
1. a general understanding of music business.
2. the ability to record and master recordings.
3. an understanding of live sound reinforcement.

Admission Policies

All students must meet the general admission standards of Chowan University. Students who wish to major in music should indicate that on their admission application. The Department of Music will provide specific information on procedures for the prospective music major to follow, including how to arrange an audition in the principal performance area. The prospective music major is formally admitted to the Department of Music only after he or she has passed an entrance audition/interview.

Students must audition in one of the following primary applied areas: voice, piano, organ, guitar, woodwind, brass, percussion, or string instruments. Students who wish to pursue Applied Composition/Music Production as their primary applied area should present a portfolio containing at least two examples of original musical creations. Upon acceptance of the portfolio by the composition faculty, the candidate will be invited to an interview with the music faculty. The candidate should be prepared to demonstrate performance ability on an instrument or voice as a component of the interview. Candidates are required to pass the theory/aural skills placement exam for Fundamentals of Music and must pass a basic hearing cognition test. In addition to primary applied studies in composition/music production, it is recommended that candidates complete a minimum of four hours of study in a secondary applied area.

Entering students should audition in person, although video recordings may be submitted in cases where a visit to the campus poses a hardship. Complete information on the audition/interview process is available from the Department of Music.

Prospective students should plan to audition early in the spring semester before their entrance the following fall. Although auditions may be held as late as registration for the first semester the student is on campus, no student is guaranteed acceptance to music curricula before the audition. Conditional acceptance may be granted to a student who shows promise in the field of music, but whose audition did not meet acceptable standards for beginning applied music study. Students granted conditional acceptance will take applied music study during the first year, meeting all required Performance Lab and applied jury requirements. Only those students who are approved by the faculty advance to the second year of study as music majors.

During registration, each new music major or minor will be tested to determine his or her level of proficiency in music theory. Each entering transfer student will be tested to determine his or her level of proficiency in applied music and music theory. Both of these tests will be used to guide the student into the appropriate sequence of courses.

Students scoring less than 70% on the music theory placement examination will be required to take MUSI 051 - Music Fundamentals This course will not count toward requirements for the degree. Students who score 70 or better may enroll in MUSI 152 - Theory I in the spring semester.

The faculty of the Department of Music will review the academic progress of all music majors at the end of their second year of study. Only those students who are approved by the faculty may continue as music majors. Students who are not approved to continue in the program will be required to choose another major. Students whose primary applied concentration is piano will substitute two credit hours of music electives for the two credit hours of Class Piano.

Programs

Major

Minor

Music Minor

Courses

Music Theory

Music Laboratories

Music Education

Music Literature

Applied Music

The following courses in applied music are open to any student (music major or non-music major) in the university. Work in applied music is regarded not merely as technical training in performance, but also as a study of the standard literature. For each of the courses, the student receives a one-hour lesson per week and must complete a minimum of seven (7) practice hours per week. The same course numbers are used for all instruments studied. The specific instrument is indicated by the following abbreviations placed after the course number:

A - Voice
B - Piano
C - Organ
D - Woodwind
E - Brass
F - Percussion
G - Strings
H - Guitar
J - Composition/Music Production

Applied Music for the Music Major

The following courses in applied music are open to music majors only. Work in applied music is regarded not merely as technical training in performance, but also as a study of the standard literature. For each of the courses, the student receives a one-hour lesson per week and must complete a minimum of seven (7) practice hours per week. The same course numbers are used for all instruments studied. The specific instrument is indicated by the following abbreviations placed after the course number:

A - Voice
B - Piano
C - Organ
D - Woodwind
E - Brass
F - Percussion
G - Strings
H - Guitar
J - Composition/Music Production

Performing Ensembles

NOTE: Other performing ensembles (no credit) may be organized from time to time for student participation.

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