Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Academic Catalogue 
    
2018-2019 Academic Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOGUE]

Music Performance, B.Mus.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs of Instruction

General Requirements for the Bachelor of Music Degree


Lisa Hearne (chair), Martin Hearne, James Martin, Jama Stilwell, Aaron Perrine

Cornell offers two majors leading to the degree of Bachelor of Music: a major in Performance and a major in Music Education. The first is designed to emphasize the study of music performance within the framework of the liberal arts and is the first step in the extensive professional preparation in performance that leads to a concert career or to teaching applied music in a college, university, conservatory, or private studio. The second generally leads to the profession of pre-collegiate school music teaching. For students interested in fields such as music therapy, music ministry, or community music, a major in Music Education is strongly recommended by some graduate schools and required by others. Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music will find these requirements listed under “Music,” in the Courses of Study.

Note: Students are not allowed to earn both a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Arts with a Music major. Students are also not allowed to earn a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music will find these requirments listed under ‘Music’, in Programs of Instruction.

1. A Minimum of 31 Course Credits


No more than two 100-level courses may be taken in the senior year without the permission of the Academic Standing Committee. No more than four All-College Independent Study course credits may be counted toward satisfying the minimum credit requirement for this degree. No more than two full credit in 500-level adjunct courses may be counted toward satisfying the minimum 31 credits.

2. A Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.0 or Higher


3. A Minimum of 10 Courses from Outside the Music Department:


To include a First Year Seminar (FYS), a writing-designated course (W) and three humanities courses (not counting the W course) from at least two of the following groupings: (1) English and Foreign Language; (2) History; (3) Philosophy; (4) Religion; (5) Art or Theatre; and (6) Education.

6. One Elective Course Credit in Music History or Theory


Selected from

7. Receive a Passing Grade (P) in MUS 701 for a Minimum of Five Semesters


(see “Music Performance Seminar ”)

8. A Grade of “Pass” on All Parts of the Piano Proficiency Requirement


All Music majors, regardless of degree or program, must pass the Piano Proficiency Requirement by the end of the sophomore year. If this requirement is not passed by this time, the student must take applied piano (MUS 761 or MUS 762) until the requirement has been passed. The requirement consists of six components: performance of three prepared works; scales; arpeggios; sight reading; and melody harmonization. Also, as part of the requirement, Music Education majors must demonstrate their ability to perform an accompaniment with a singer or instrumentalist. A student may pass the requirement in segments. Music Education majors must pass the Piano Proficiency Requirement before applying for Student Teaching Placement.

9. A Grade of “Pass” on All Parts of the Aural Skills Proficiency Requirement


All BA and BM Music majors must pass the Aural Skills Proficiency Requirement in order to complete the Music Major. These students must pass each of a series of graduated exams (3 levels required for the BA; 4 levels required for the BM) that test in the following Aural Skills areas: intervals, chords, scales, melodic dictation, harmonic dictation, and sight singing. These topics will be taught both within the four required Music Theory courses, as well as in a longer-term self-paced, computer-program-assisted, proficiency-based mode. Music Education majors must pass the Aural Skills Proficiency Requirement before applying for Student Teaching Placement.

10. Music Ensemble


At least one music ensemble each semester for eight semesters, as arranged by the student, the faculty advisor, and the ensemble conductor (see Ensemble Participation ).

11. Completion of a Senior Capstone Experience


There are Three Categories from Which to Choose:


Note:


Students may choose more than one of these options. Students who plan to complete MUS 485  as their capstone must submit a description of the proposed project for departmental approval by October 1 of their senior year.

Specific Requirements for the Major in Music Performance


Students who intend to major in Performance must audition before the Department of Music by the second semester of their sophomore year.

a. Four Course Credits in a Primary Performance Medium


Either voice or a keyboard, string, percussion, or wind instrument.

b. One Course Credit in Piano


Or another secondary performance medium selected in consultation with the department.

d. Junior and Senior Recitals


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs of Instruction