MUSIC MAJOR WITH BUSINESS EMPHASIS
GOALS OF THE MAJOR
The curriculum for the music major is aligned with the standards for the National
Association of Schools of Music and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
The comprehensive degree offerings challenge students to reach their highest potential.
The development of performing skills, critical thinking and music literacy are the
goals of each area of private and class instruction, music appreciation, music theory,
music history and performing ensembles. Each semester, the music faculty assesses
student achievement using standard test formats, portfolio reviews, Likert scale
rubrics, and juried performance reviews.
Non-majors may elect to take music courses for which they qualify and have the necessary prerequisites; some ensembles and upper-division courses require an audition. Performing ensembles, too, are available to all students regardless of major. Some of the assessment strategies outlined above are also used for non-majors.
POLICIES
Computer Competency
Majors must be adept at word processing and Finale software. They must also be
familiar with computer-accessed sources and web page development. Skills for these
proficiencies are addressed in the music theory and music history/appreciation
courses, as well as the in the required MUS 191 Computer Applications in Music,
which satisfies the Foundations computer competency requirement.
Foundations F3 Studio Arts Requirement in Music
Students wishing to fulfill the Foundations F3 Studio Arts requirement through
the Music Department must earn a minimum of 2 credits by completing one of the following:
- MUS 101F3 Introductory Class Piano
- MUS 106F3 Introductory Class Guitar
- MUS 110F3 Band (two semesters totaling 2 credits)
- MUS 122F3 Techniques of Singing/Speaking Voice
- MUS 130F3 Women’s Chorus (two semesters totaling 2 credits)
- MUS 141AF3 Music Structures
- MUS 141BF3 Music Structures (Accelerated)
Applied Music Private Study
Additional fees are assessed for private lessons. Contact the college Business
Office for current rates.
Contact the Department Chair for current information regarding subsidization of lesson fees for music majors, minors, and members of designated performing ensembles.
Credits for applied music are granted on the basis of one credit per semester. Lessons falling on days when classes at the college are suspended or lessons canceled by the student, will not be rescheduled. Lessons canceled by the teacher will be rescheduled.
Lesson material is designed to give the student a foundation in technical development and music literature according to course level. Students are to perform in MUS 000 Performance Class and in a juried performance at the end of each semester. To progress from the 200 level to the 300 level, a student must receive a grade of “C” or better in MUS 141B F3 (if a music major/minor), be approved by the appropriate applied instructor, and receive official recommendation from the music faculty following the most recent juried performance. Students must be registered at the 300 or 400 level in order to present a recital and must register for MUS 381 or MUS 481.
Audit Policy
Private lessons and performing groups may not be audited.
Credit for Prior Learning
In extraordinary circumstances, students may apply for credit for prior learning
experiences. These artistic or professional experiences should parallel music
course work and indicate mastery of the knowledge and/or skills in a particular
course of study. Decision to award credit will be made after formal application
and submission of portfolio and audition/ interview. Contact the Music Department
Chair for details.
Temporary Suspension of Studies
To assure a positive learning experience, students returning after a three-year
interruption of studies toward the major must take placement exams to determine
if performance-based skills have been maintained at an appropriate level.
Music Performance Grants and Scholarships
- Fine Arts Grant in Music For first-time freshmen and transfer students. Open to music majors and non-majors. To audition, a student must perform two works in contrasting styles. Award amounts are based on need. The grant is renewable for up to four years based on the recommendation of the Music Department, taking into consideration the student’s contribution to a performing organization.
- Sister E. Blackwell Music Scholarship Offered on a competitive basis to qualified undergraduate students who attain sophomore status or above and who participate in a performing ensemble and are also taking private lessons. Interested students should contact the Financial Aid Office and the Music Department Chair. The Music Department will supply information regarding audition requirements and deadlines. The award is based on leadership, scholarship and performance in music courses as well as audition results.
- Ken and Diane Ballweg Music Scholarship Offered to an undergraduate student who is a declared music major who intends to make music his or her profession. The audition requires the student to perform intermediate through advanced level works (as determined by the Music Department) for a duration of 20 minutes. The scholarship is not automatically renewable, and is not automatically given each year. Interested students should contact the Financial Aid Office and the Chair of the Music Department.
- Battcock Scholarship Awarded to qualified students based on potential as a piano student.
- DeEtte Beilfuss-Eager Scholarship Restricted to a student who is in good academic standing as a music major, and studying advanced piano or is determined by the Music Department to have a high potential as a piano student.
- Malmquist Scholarship Awarded to qualified students based on academic promise, musical leadership, and contribution to the department and respective ensemble.
- Arthur W. Strelow Grant Funds from the Arthur W. Strelow Charitable Trust are awarded annually to a qualified student who is an active member of the Music Department regardless of the student’s academic major. Awards are available to incoming freshmen, as well as returning students.
- Vernon and Anja Sell Choral Scholar Endowment
Awarded each year to one or more qualified students who have been active members
of the Chamber Singers for at least one year; demonstrated continued growth in
choral/chamber singing and musicianship; shown exceptional interpersonal
leadership skills; and are in good academic standing with the appropriate GPA.
The award is based solely on merit rather than financial need and is awarded
yearly. Recipients may receive the award in successive years.