Bachelor of Arts in Music (BA in Music)
Program Competencies
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 "Standards for the Liberal Arts Degree with a Major in Music" (NASM Handbook) define the program competencies for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music at MSU.
A. General Education
The principal goals of general education in undergraduate liberal arts programs with a major in music are:
1. The ability to think, speak, and write clearly and effectively. Students who earn liberal arts degrees must be able to
communicate with precision, cogency, and force.
2. An informed acquaintance with the mathematical and experimental methods of the physical and biological sciences;
with the main forms of analysis and the historical and quantitative techniques needed for investigating the workings and developments of modern society.
3. An ability to address culture and history from a variety of perspectives.
4. Understanding of, and experience in thinking about, moral and ethical problems.
5. The ability to respect, understand, and evaluate work in a variety of disciplines.
6. The capacity to explain and defend one's views effectively and rationally.
7. Understanding of and experience in art forms other than music.
B. Musicianship
Musicianship studies appropriate to the liberal arts degree must produce:
1. The ability to hear, identify, and work conceptually with the elements of music rhythm, melody, harmony, and structure.
2. An understanding of compositional processes, aesthetic properties of style, and the ways these shape and are shaped by artistic and cultural forces.
3. An acquaintance with a wide selection of musical literature, the principal eras, genres, and cultural sources.
4. The ability to develop and defend musical judgments.
C. Performance and Music Electives Instruction in the performing medium, participation in large and small ensembles, and experience in solo performance develop these competencies.
Performance studies appropriate to the liberal arts degree should produce:
1. Ability in performing areas appropriate to the student's needs and interests.
2. Ability to sight-read music.
3. An understanding for procedures for realizing a variety of musical styles.
Assessment Procedures
Survey of Graduates, Major Field Exam, Performance Recitals
Exit Interview
Program Requirements
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Music provides for the study of music within a liberal arts curriculum. The program is suitable for preparing for careers in music other than performance and certified teaching in the schools. Bachelor of Arts degree in Music majors are required to enroll in and participate in activities of the University Chorus, Concert Choir, Concert Band, Symphony Band, Marching Band, or Orchestra (enrollment in a concert or choral ensemble is determined by audition). Voice majors are required, upon successful audition, to enroll in and participate in all activities of the Concert Choir. Students with an unsuccessful audition for Concert Choir enroll in the University Chorus. Woodwind, brasswind, and percussion majors are required to enroll in and participate in all activities of the Concert Band, Symphony Band, or Marching Band. Those students who perform in the Marching Band on an instrument other than their principal applied instrument must also participate in the Concert or Symphony Band each fall semester (enrollment in a concert band is determined by audition).
General Education
*+MUSW 499C — Senior Project (Capstone) |
3 |
General Education Total |
36 |
Refer to the General Education section for a complete listing of general education requirements for the University.
* Successful completion of Private Applied Upper-Division Assessment required to register for MUSP 400 level courses.
+ The Senior Project course is an option for music BA students only. This course involves a performance component as well as a component involving the student's academic interests. This project is required to have writing and presentation activities. The performance and academic components can be related. The project is to be developed by the student and his/her private applied teacher. Approval required from appropriate area performance faculty.
Program Requirements
MUSE 215 — Microcomputers and Music
|
3 |
**MUSG 123 — Class Piano I, **MUSG 124 — Class Piano II, **MUSG 223 — Class Piano III, or MUSG 224 — Class Piano IV |
4 |
MUSH 171 — Global Perspectives in Music |
3 |
MUSH 361 — History of Western Music I |
3 |
MUSH 362 — History of Western Music II |
3
|
#MUSM 3XX (Choose one area) 4 credits Bands, 4 credits Choirs, 4 credits Traditional Music/Guitar, 4 credits Orchestras, 4 credits Keyboard Ensembles, or 4 credits Jazz Ensembles |
4 |
MUSM 200 — Student Recital |
0 |
MUSM 400 — Student Recital |
0 |
MUSP 200 — Class Performance |
0 |
*MUSP 400 — Class Performance |
0 |
MUSP 2XX — Private Applied |
8 |
*MUSP 4XX — Private Applied |
6 |
MUST 131 — Music Theory I |
3 |
MUST 132 — Music Theory II |
3 |
MUST 133 — Music Reading I |
1 |
MUST 135 — Music Reading II |
1 |
MUST 233 — Music Reading III |
1 |
MUST 234 — Music Reading IV |
1 |
MUST 236 — Music Theory III |
2 |
MUST 237 — Music Theory IV |
2 |
Program Requirements Total |
48 |
|
|
General Electives - chosen from 300+ level |
15 |
Minor Area - curriculum required by minor area |
21 |
* Successful completion of Private Applied Upper-Division Assessment required to register for MUSP 400 level courses.
** All students take Class Piano Proficiency Exam upon entering in this program. A recommendation for Class Piano placement is given by the screening faculty. If any student is recommended for placement in any section of Class Piano other than MUSG 123 Class Piano I, they must complete the Examination(s) for Credit coordinated by the MSU Testing Center. Students successfully completing the exam will be given a passing grade of "K" for each level that they test out of. The completion of the courses by exam will also appear on the student's official check sheet and transcripts.
# To fulfill the MUSM Ensemble Requirements above, the student must choose the area most applicable to the primary instrument and fulfill all four credits from that area.
+ The Senior Project course is an option for music BA students only. This course involves a performance component as well as a component involving the student's academic interests. This project is required to have writing and presentation activities. The performance and academic components can be related. The project is to be developed by the student and his/her private applied teacher. Approval required from appropriate area performance faculty.
Components of Degree Requirement
General Education Requirements |
36 |
Program Requirements |
48 |
Minor Area |
21 |
General Electives |
15 |
Degree Requirement Total |
120 |