Opportunities in Music

The Department of Music offers the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education, Jazz Studies, and Performance, and the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. The Master of Music degree is offered in Music Education and Performance. The department also offers a Minor in Music, Minor in Traditional Music Studies, and Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Certificate Program.

Music performance opportunities for all Morehead State University students are virtually unlimited. Regardless of the major area of study, students may continue to make music at MSU by becoming active in one of the department's many large and small ensembles. Some of the groups available include the MSU Marching Band, Symphony Band, Concert Band, Orchestra, Jazz Ensembles I & II, Concert Choir, University Chorus, Chamber Singers, OperaWorks, Black Gospel Ensemble, Traditional Music Ensemble, and numerous other small ensembles. All departmental ensembles and private lessons are scheduled classes that earn university credit.

Entrance Auditions and Placement Assessment

All new and transfer students planning to major or minor in music must audition before the music faculty on their principal performing instrument or voice prior to enrollment. The audition process is used to determine the student's readiness for entry into a music degree program. A scholarship audition may serve as a student's admission audition.

Placement examinations are given in piano prior to enrollment. The results are used for advisement as to course and program enrollment. Credit by examination for certain courses in the Music Theory and Class Piano sequences must be validated by the faculty and processed through the Department of Music and the Office of the Registrar.

Transfer Student Admission

The music major entering the Department of Music, Theatre & Dance by transfer must submit an official transcript of all previous college work. The applicant should be prepared to validate achievements in the area of applied music, music theory, ear training and sight singing, keyboard proficiency, and the history and literature of music. Resolution of any deficiency must be initiated during the first registration period.

Advising and Program of Study

Students who are approved for entry into a music major or minor degree program must declare their intended program of study. A student who is not ready for entry into a music program may enroll in the prescribed music courses on a probationary basis until performance standards are met. These performance standards must be met by the end of the first academic year of enrollment. Students receive their initial program advising by the chair of the Department of Music, Theatre & Dance and thereafter by their private applied instructor. Students wishing to choose a different music degree program or principal applied area of study must receive departmental approval. The appropriate members of the music faculty, in consultation with the department chair, determine the student's eligibility and suitability for the change and which previously earned credits, if any, apply to the new program of study.

Music Scholarships

Music scholarship awards are available to qualified students as determined through a scholarship audition. These awards serve numerous students annually. All awards are contingent upon admission to the University.

The Music Scholarship Committee considers many criteria before recommending a candidate for a scholarship award including the candidate's performance ability, potential for academic success, anticipated contribution to the program and the needs within the department. Music scholarship awards are renewable for up to four years provided that the student meets the expectations of the scholarship agreement.

Program Competencies for the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education Degree

As an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), Morehead State University adheres to and complies with the standards of the association. NASM "Competencies Common to All Professional Baccalaureate Degrees in Music and to All Undergraduate Degrees Leading to Teacher Certification" (NASM Handbook) define the program competencies for the Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Music degree programs at MSU.

A. Performance

Students must acquire:

  1. Technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression in at least one major performance area at a level appropriate for the particular music concentration.
  2. An overview understanding of the repertory in their major performance area and the ability to perform from a cross-section of that repertory.
  3. The ability to read music at sight with fluency.
  4. Knowledge and skills sufficient to work as a leader and in collaboration on matters of musical interpretation. Rehearsal and conducting skills are required as appropriate to the particular music concentration.
  5. Keyboard competency. Experiences in secondary performance areas are recommended.
  6. Growth in artistry, technical skills, collaborative competence, and knowledge of repertory through regular ensemble experiences. Ensembles should be varied both in size and nature.
  7. Performance study and ensemble experiences that normally continue throughout the baccalaureate program.

B. Aural Skills and Analysis

Students must acquire:

  1. An understanding of the common elements and organizational patterns of music and their interaction, and the ability to employ this understanding in aural, verbal, and visual analyses.
  2. Sufficient understanding of musical forms, processes, and structures to use this knowledge in compositional, performance, scholarly, pedagogical, and historical contexts, according to the requisites of their specialization.
  3. The ability to place music in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts.

C. Composition and Improvisation

Students must acquire:

  1. Rudimentary capacity to create derivative or original music both extemporaneously and in written form.
  2. The ability to compose, improvise, or both at a basic level in one or more musical languages; for example, the imitation of various musical styles, improvisation on pre-existing materials, the creation of original compositions, experimentation with various sound sources, and manipulating the common elements in nontraditional ways.

D. History and Repertory

Students must acquire:

  1. A basic knowledge of music history through the present time.
  2. An acquaintance with repertories beyond the area of specialization. All students must be exposed to a large and varied body of music through study and attendance at recitals, concerts, opera and musical theatre productions, and other performances.

E. Technology

Students must acquire:

  1. A basic overview understanding of how technology serves the field of music as a whole.
  2. Working knowledge of the technological developments applicable to their area of specialization.

F. Synthesis

While synthesis is a lifetime process, by the end of undergraduate study students should be:

  1. Working independently on a variety of musical problems by combining their capabilities in performance; aural, verbal, and visual analysis; composition and improvisation; and history and repertory.
  2. Forming and defending value judgments about music.
  3. Acquiring the tools to work with a comprehensive repertory, including music from various cultures of the world and music of their own time.
  4. Understanding basic interrelationships and interdependencies among the various professions and activities that constitute the musical enterprise.

Assessment Procedures

Survey of Graduates

Performance Recitals

Exit Interview

Senior Capstone Course

Up one level:

Department of Music, Theatre, & Dance