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Music Areas of Study

General Information and Requirements For All Music Majors and Minors

  1. A Student Handbook outlining Music Department procedures and policies is available in the Music Department Office, Bangsberg 201.
  2. All new majors and minors (including transfer students) are required to arrange for a personal interview with the Department Chair during the first week of classes. An advisor from the department will be assigned at that time.
  3. All new music majors and minors must take the Music Theory and Ear training placement examination.
  4. All music majors are required to register for a major performing organization each semester they are on campus.
  5. A student may be required to validate course work that was completed more than seven (7) years prior to graduation and is to be included in the music major or minor. Only courses with grades of C or better may be validated. The student may be required to repeat such courses or take additional course work.
  6. All B.A. music majors and minors are encouraged to pursue the study of a foreign language.
  7. All music majors are required to give a Senior Recital during an academic term when they are enrolled at an appropriate 4000 level of applied instruction.

Music Major, B.S. (Teaching Licensure)

This program is designed for students who plan on teaching in the elementary and secondary schools. It is a combination of courses in music and professional education which meets the State of Minnesota requirements. All students in this major must complete a core course requirement and one of the two areas of specialization. Some students may elect to complete an additional specialization, including a second senior recital and additional student teaching experience. Students should contact the Department Chair for specific information about acceptance into this program.

Areas of specialization include: vocal and classroom music (kindergarten through grade 12) and instrumental classroom music (kindergarten through grade 12). Professional Education courses are required for licensure. For current curriculum guidelines, check with the Music Department Office.

Alert: New State of Minnesota teacher licensure rules may go into effect Fall 1998. Before registering for classes, please consult the revised Handbook for Teacher Education Students, available in the office of the Department of Education.

For requirements for entry into and completion of teacher licensure programs, see Professional Education, this catalog.

Note: With proper student planing and in consultation with academic advisors a student may complete his or her academic degree in 128 semester credits. It is possible, in some circumstances, that courses in a student's Liberal Educaton program may be used in her or his academic major.

* All students must pass MUS 2312 Piano Proficiency II before registering for MUS 3601 Conducting Fundamentals and Student Teaching. Specific information is outlined in a syllabus available from the Department Chair. Note: Prerequisite for Methods Courses and Music Administration.

I. Required Music Core Courses

MUS 2101 Sight Singing and Ear Training I (1 credit)
MUS 2102 Sight Singing and Ear Training II (1 credit)
MUS 2201 Music Theory I (3 credits)
MUS 2202 Music Theory II (3 credits)
MUS 2301 Piano Fundamentals I (1 credit)
MUS 2302 Piano Fundamentals II (1 credit)
*MUS 2311 Piano Proficiency I (0 credits)
*MUS 2312 Piano Proficiency II (0 credits)
MUS 3101 Sight Singing and Ear Training III (1 credit)
MUS 3102 Sight Singing and Ear Training IV (1 credit)
MUS 3201 Music Theory III (3 credits)
MUS 3202 Music Theory IV (3 credits)
MUS 3618 Conducting Fundamentals (2 credits)
MUS 3628 Instrumental Conducting (2 credits)
or MUS 3638 Choral Conducting (2 credits)
MUS 3604 Music Methods and Materials Pre-K to 5th Grade (3 credits)
MUS 3605 Music Methods and Materials Grades 6-12 (3 credits)
MUS 3801 History and Literature of Music I (3 credits)
MUS 3802 History and Literature of Music II (3 credits)
MUS 4828 Music Administration (1 credit)
MUS 4898 Senior Recital (0 credits)

Subtotal 35 Credits

II. Required Professional Education Courses

Note: For specific courses, see Professional Education: Secondary, this catalog. Professional Education Core (34 credits)

Subtotal 34 Credits

III. Required Specialization

A. Vocal and Classroom Music, Grades K-12

1. Required Core Courses (9 credits)

MUS 2200 Families of Instruments (1 credit)
MUS 3400 Vocal Techniques (1 credit)
MUS 3410 English and Italian Diction (1 credit)
MUS 3420 French and German Diction (1 credit)
MUS 3430 Survey of Solo Song Literature (1 credit)
MUS 4811 Choral Studies I (2 credits)
MUS 4812 Choral Studies II (2 credits)

2. Required Major Applied Area (8 credits)

See Music Department Handbook and individual applied professors for details on private lessons and the requirements for moving from level II to III to IV.

3. Required Vocal Performing Organizations (6 credits)

Select 6 semester credits in one or more of the following:
Note: All vocal Music Majors are to be enrolled in a performing ensemble each semester of residence.

MUS 3800 Varsity Singers (1-2 credits)
MUS 4800 Bemidji Choir (1-2 credits)
MUS 4810 Chamber Singers (1-2 credits)

Subtotal for Specialization A 23 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Major with Specialization A 92 Credits

B. Instrumental and Classroom Music, Grades K-12

1. Required Core Courses (7 credits)

Updated:
MUS 3100 Jazz Improvisation (2 credits)
MUS 4730 Instrumental Literature (3 credits)
MUS 4738 Instrumental Seminar (2 credits)

2. Required Major Applied Area (4 credits)

Select 4 semester credits (2000 level or above) in one of the following: strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion. See Music Department Handbook and individual applied professors for more details on private lessons and the requirements for moving from level II to III to IV.

3. Required Minor Instrument (7 credits)

Select 7 credits from the following; do not include your major instrument:

Updated:
MUS 1148 Strings: High Strings, Level I (1 credit)
MUS 1248 Strings: Low Strings, Level I (1 credit)
MUS 1158 Woodwinds: Single Reeds, Level I (1 credit)
MUS 1258 Woodwinds: Double Reeds, Level I (1 credit)
MUS 1358 Woodwinds: Flute, Level I (1 credit)
MUS 1168 Brass: High Brass, Level I (1 credit)
MUS 1268 Brass: Low Brass, Level I (1 credit)
MUS 1178 Percussion, Level I (1 credit)

4. Required Secondary Instrument (2000 level) (1 credit)

Registration is at the 2000 level. Brass majors in Band specialization will select a woodwind; woodwind majors will select a brass; percussion, string, and piano majors have a choice of brass or woodwind. The secondary instrument is to be studied in the semesters immediately following completion of the minor instrument courses listed above.

5. Required Instrumental Performing Organizations (4 credits)

Note: All instrumental music majors are to be enrolled in a performing ensemble each semester of residence.

Select 4 credits in one or more of the following:
Updated:
MUS 4500 Bemidji Symphony Orchestra (1-2 credits)
MUS 4600 Jazz Ensemble (1-2 credits)
MUS 4610 Jazz Band (1-2 credits)
MUS 4710 University Band (1-2 credits)

Subtotal for Specialization B 23 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Major with Specialization B 92 Credits

SPECIAL NOTE TO PIANISTS SEEKING TEACHER CERTIFICATION

Pianists may earn a Bachelor of Science degree in one of the two teaching specializations above. To do so, they must reach 3000 level standing in the applied area of teaching specialization and successfully complete a Senior Recital (4898) in Piano. The following courses must also be completed:

MUS 3300 Piano Accompanying (2 credits)
MUS 4107 Piano Literature and Pedagogy (2 credits)

Music Major, B.A.

This is a four-year program for students who do not expect to teach in elementary or secondary schools. Elective courses must be planned in consultation with an advisor and approved by the department faculty. Other specific information regarding acceptance into the major is available from the Department Chair. Students considering graduate study upon completion of this degree should take at least one year of study in a foreign language.

I. Required Core Courses

MUS 2101 Sight Singing and Ear Training I (1 credit)
MUS 2102 Sight Singing and Ear Training II (1 credit)
MUS 2201 Music Theory I (3 credits)
MUS 2202 Music Theory II (3 credits)
MUS 2301 Piano Fundamentals I (1 credit)
MUS 2311 Piano Proficiency I (0 credits)
MUS 3101 Sight Singing and Ear Training III (1 credit)
MUS 3102 Sight Singing and Ear Training IV (1 credit)
MUS 3201 Music Theory III (3 credits)
MUS 3202 Music Theory IV (3 credits)
MUS 3801 History and Literature of Music I (3 credits)
MUS 3802 History and Literature of Music II (3 credits)
MUS 4898 Senior Recital (0 credits)
Select 3 credits of electives from Music Theory or Literature with approval of advisor or Department Chair.

Subtotal 26 Credits

II. Required Applied Area

Select 4 semester credits from MUS 2000 level or higher.

Subtotal 4 Credits

III. Required Electives in Music

Select 12 credits of electives, including 3 credits at 3000 or above, in consultation with advisor and included in a Plan of Study filed in the Music Office. Majors in this program are required to register for Band, Choir, Orchestra, or Jazz Ensemble every term in residence.

Subtotal 12 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Major 42 Credits

SUGGESTED SCHEDULE FOR ALL MUSIC MAJORS

The following is a list of courses arranged approximately by year. This schedule is only a suggestion; it is not recommended that students rely solely on this plan for advising purposes, as the frequency of course offerings cannot be guaranteed. See the Department Chair for specific guidelines. See course descriptions for prerequisites.

Freshman

MUS 1100 Introduction to Music
MUS 3110 World Music
MUS 2301 Piano Fundamentals I
MUS 2311 Piano Proficiency I (Upon successful completion of the Level I Proficiency Examination
MUS 1138 Voice, Level I (voice majors during first semester; instrumental majors during second semester)
MUS 1800 Performance Lab
Major Performing Ensemble (i.e., Bemidji Choir, Bemidji Symphony Orchestra, University Band)
Appropriate Music Theory And Related Classes (as determined by the Music Theory Placement Examination, administered during the first day of registration each semester):
Mus 1920 Fundamentals Of Music Theory
or Mus 2101, 2102, Music Theory I And II
And MUS 2201, 2202 Ear Training And Sight-Singing I And II
Applied Music Study (on major performing instrument, such as voice, piano, trumpet, violin, etc.)
Liberal Education Courses

Sophomore

MUS 2302 Piano Fundamentals II
MUS 2312 Piano Proficiency II (Upon successful completion of the Level II Proficiency Examination)
MUS 1800 Performance Lab
Major Performance Ensemble
Applied Music Study
Appropriate Music Theory And Related Classes, such as:
MUS 3101 Music Theory III and MUS 3201 Ear Training and Sight-Singing IV
Liberal Education Courses

Junior

MUS 1800 Performance Lab
MUS 3801 Music History and Literature I
MUS 3802 Music History and Literature II
MUS 3618 Conducting Fundamentals
MUS 3628 Instrumental Conducting
or MUS 3638 Choral Conducting
MUS 3604 Music Methods
MUS 3605 Music Methods
Applied Music Study
Major Performing Ensemble
Professional Education Courses
Liberal Education Courses

Senior

MUS 1800 Performance Lab
MUS 4507 Readings in Music
MUS 4898 Senior Recital
MUS 4828 Music Administration
Applied Music Study
Major Performing Ensemble
Professional Education Courses
Liberal Education Courses
Student Teaching

Music Minor, B.S.

In addition to noting the General Information and Requirements for All Music Majors and Minors (above), prospective minors should contact the Department Chair for specific information on acceptance into this minor.

I. Required Core Courses

MUS 2101 Sight Singing and Ear Training I (1 credit)
MUS 2102 Sight Singing and Ear Training II (1 credit)
MUS 2201 Music Theory I (3 credits)
MUS 2202 Music Theory II (3 credits)
MUS 2301 Piano Fundamentals I (1 credit)
MUS 2311 Piano Proficiency I (0 credits)
MUS 3801 History and Literature of Music I (3 credits)
or MUS 3802 History and Literature of Music II (3 credits)

Subtotal 12 Credits

II. Required Electives in Music

Music minors must complete a minimum of 4 semesters of study in a major applied area and reach level III. See Department Chair for further information.

Subtotal 10 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Minor 22 Credits

Music Minor, B.A.

I. Required Core Courses

MUS 2101 Sight Singing and Ear Training I (1 credit)
MUS 2102 Sight Singing and Ear Training II (1 credit)
MUS 2201 Music Theory I (3 credits)
MUS 2202 Music Theory II (3 credits)
MUS 2301 Piano Fundamentals I (1 credit)
MUS 2311 Piano Proficiency I (0 credits)
MUS 3801 History and Literature of Music I (3 credits)
or MUS 3802 History and Literature of Music II (3 credits)

Subtotal 12 Credits

II. Required Electives

Music minors must complete a minimum of 4 semesters of study in a major applied area and reach level III. See Department Chair for further information.

Subtotal 10 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Minor 22 Credits

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