Piano Proficiency
All students (with the exception of piano majors who have passed the audition requirement) must take four semesters of class piano. After completing the fourth semester, all students are required to take and pass the Piano Proficiency Exam. The requirements for the Piano Proficiency Exam can be found in the departmental handbook and on the Music Department website.
Applied Music
All entering students intending to major in music must perform and pass an audition on their applied instrument/voice and must complete the 鈥淚ntent to Major in Music鈥 Form. Entrance auditions will be held prior to the beginning of the fall semester. Information regarding this requirement is available in the Music Office. The department requires proficiency in one of the following areas of applied music for graduation: piano, voice, percussion, or any of the standard band and orchestral instruments. In order to satisfy the applied music requirement, students must complete a minimum of five to seven semesters in one applied area. Additionally, all majors must register for applied instruction each semester of their residency or until they satisfactorily perform their graduating recital.
Applied Jury
Students are required to play an applied jury at the end of each semester of applied music study. Applied juries assess students鈥 progress in their chosen applied area. These examinations are scheduled immediately before final semester examinations. Students who fail to play an applied jury will receive an 鈥淔鈥 in their applied music course and must repeat the applied course.
Sophomore Barrier Examination
All students enrolled in applied MUSI 2103 must pass the Sophomore Barrier Exam. The Sophomore Barrier Exam assesses students鈥 satisfactory progress in their chosen applied area. The student performs from a required repertoire list (consult the applied music instructor or see website) before the entire music faculty. Students who do not pass the Sophomore Barrier Exam must repeat MUSI 2103. Students will not be allowed to continue taking upper level courses in their major until this requirement is met.
Graduating Recital
All music majors must perform a public solo recital as partial fulfillment of their graduation requirements. Students must satisfy established requirements regarding the recital content (music literature), length and performance level. Additionally, all students must adhere to the following policy concerning graduating recitals:
The graduating recital must be performed the semester before student teaching, internships, senior projects, or internship in the designated outside field.
During the semester in which the graduating recital is to be performed, the student must register for MUSI 4010, MUSI 3010, or MUSI 4020 (depending on the student鈥檚 curriculum). Then the student should schedule the jury date and recital date by the fourth week of the semester. The student is responsible for completing all necessary paperwork related to the graduating recital and submitting this paperwork to his/her applied instructor. The instructor will submit the paperwork with all the necessary signatures and other information to the Music Office. Failure to follow the established protocol will prevent the student from performing the recital during the intended semester.
The student must pass the jury no later than two weeks before the scheduled recital date. At least three faculty members, including the applied teacher (and when appropriate, the 鈥渓ead teacher鈥), must be present at this jury. Additionally, everyone who will perform on the recital (accompanist, accompanying musicians, narrators, etc.) must also be present at this jury.
Recital Attendance
The department schedules student recitals, ensemble concerts, and other performances throughout the school year. All students must register for the non-credit 鈥淩ecital Attendance鈥 class. The department requires all music majors and minors to attend all departmental concerts and recitals. A grade 鈥減ass鈥 or 鈥渇ail鈥 is awarded to the student, depending on whether or not the student satisfies attendance requirements established for the course. Students must register for and pass at least six semesters of Recital Attendance as a requirement for graduation.
Music Ensembles
Performance ensembles in the Music Department include: Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, String Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Wind Symphony, University Singers, Opera Workshop, and Vesper Choir. Membership in these ensembles is based upon audition and is not limited to music majors. Excluding the semester the student is registered for student teaching, senior project, internship, or special problems, students seeking the B.S. in Music (Teaching or Non-Teaching) degree are required to register for an ensemble each semester depending on their degree. Students must pass a minimum of seven semesters of ensemble to meet graduation requirements. Students seeking a B.S. in Music Sound Recording Technology must enroll in a minimum of four semesters of ensemble.
Applied Music-Piano
Students who wish to elect piano as an applied major may do so only after satisfactory performance of an audition with the applied teacher. The audition covers sight-reading, scales, and the performance of a short composition by J.S. Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang A. Mozart, Frederic Chopin, or other classical composers. If the audition is not satisfactory, the department encourages students to enroll in the appropriate piano class for one or two semesters, or MUSI 1170 and MUSI 1171. These two classes will not substitute for MUSI 1104 and MUSI 1105. By the end of the second semester of study, if students demonstrate acceptable keyboard proficiency, they will be permitted to elect piano as their applied instrument and will be allowed to register for MUSI 1104.
Applied Music-Voice
Students who wish to elect voice as an applied major may do so only after satisfactory performance of an audition with the applied teacher. While many voice majors do not enter the university with a background in classical music, music reading, theory, or foreign languages, they will be expected to develop mastery in all these areas during their tenure at UAPB.