The music program offers a Bachelor of Music degree concentrations in vocal and instrumental music education or vocal and instrumental music performance. Specific graduation requirements are listed in the curricula for each discipline.
All music majors, minors, and other students enrolled in applied music for credit must perform before a faculty jury at the end of each semester. Majors and minors are required to participate in ensembles of the major applied concentration. Voice and piano students fulfill this requirement in concert choir. Students in the Bachelor of Music Education (Instrumental) concentration will enroll in two semesters of marching band and two semesters of concert band in the spring, as well as a minimum of three semesters of a small instrumental ensemble, i.e., brass ensemble or jazz ensemble. Students in the Bachelor of Music (Instrumental) concentration will take two years (four semesters) of concert band and two years of the small ensemble appropriate to their particular instruments. Students must enroll in an ensemble throughout matriculation as music majors or minors with the exception of the student teaching/residency semester(s) for the education concentration. Students in music education may not enroll in student teaching until all core music requirements have been successfully completed and may have no more than six remaining hours of other unfulfilled requirements.
Vocal and Piano Majors enrolled in the education concentration must enroll in concert choir (large ensemble) and opera (small ensemble). Majors in the instrumental education concentration must have 2 semesters of class voice. A grade of “C” or better must be earned in every course in the core music requirement. Music majors and minors must repeat courses in which a grade of “D” or “F” was earned during the semester immediately following the semester during which the failing grade was earned (or in the next semester which the course is offered), and before progressing to the next level of courses in sequence, or to courses for which the failed course is a prerequisite.
Students in voice and instrumental music must pass a piano proficiency examination before graduation. Music majors are required to take the basic music core courses for respective degrees and a core of courses that satisfy the general education requirements set by the University and the Board of Regents. Students must meet the graduation requirements set by the College of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies (Bachelor of Music-Performance) or the School of Education (Bachelor of Music-Education).
The professional teaching degree, Bachelor of Music with a concentration in education (Piano and Voice) or (Instrumental), is awarded through the School of Education. Requirements for this program are listed in the School of Education section. While the professional education component is offered in the degree-granting college, since the music subject content is sequential and skills-intensive, it is mandatory that students be advised in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts Music area, as well as in the School of Education for the duration of their matriculation.
Minors in music must take a minimum of 20 hours in core music courses and applied music, and must participate in an ensemble of the applied discipline. Enrollment in Concert Choir fulfills this requirement for applied piano minors.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the music program must audition in a major area of performance for admittance to one of the music curricula. In addition, entering freshmen are required to take a placement examination testing aural ability and knowledge of elementary theory. Provisional admittance is granted to applicants whose placement results indicate the need for preparatory study in theory and/or performance. All students are encouraged to have pre-college work in basic theory as well as study in performance areas, i.e., piano, voice and instrumental.
Degree Requirements
Majors are required to attend the weekly performance and recital class, which is part of the applied music and departmental requirement. The performance requirement also includes attendance at a stipulated number of faculty and other artist recitals, performances by departmental ensembles, and other specified performances on and off campus. Majors must fulfill the performance requirement for the duration of enrollment in applied music or for a minimum of eight semesters. Minors must fulfill the same requirements for the duration of enrollment in applied music.
Majors are required to be in continuous enrollment in applied music through completion of the senior recital during the last semester in residence, which is a requirement for majors in the Bachelor of Music with a concentration in education may prepare a senior project in lieu of the senior recital.
Basic Music Core Courses
Harmony
MUSC-102
| | 2 |
MUSC-103
| | 2 |
MUSC-202
| | 2 |
MUSC-203
| | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Ear Training and Sight-Singing
MUSC-104
| | 2 |
MUSC-105
| | 2 |
MUSC-204
| | 2 |
MUSC-205
| | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Ensemble
*124, 125, 224, 225, 324, 325, 424, 425
*In class schedules for each semester, ensemble courses will carry the following prefixes:
MUCB-Concert Band; MUCC-Concert Choir; MUBE-Brass Ensemble; MUJE-Jazz Ensemble; MUMB-Marching Band; MUPE-Percussion Ensemble; MUWE-Woodwind Ensemble
Music History and Literature
MUSC-250
| | 3 |
MUSC-251
| | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Applied Music (MAJOR) (2 Hours each) – 16 Hours
Piano
MUSC-112
| | |
MUSC-113
| | |
MUSC-212
| | |
MUSC-213
| | |
MUSC-312
| | |
MUSC-313
| | |
MUSC-412
| | |
MUSC-413
| | |
Instrumental
MUSC-120
| | |
MUSC-121
| | |
MUSC-220
| | |
MUSC-221
| | |
MUSC-320
| | |
MUSC-321
| | |
MUSC-420
| | |
MUSC-421
| | |
Voice
MUSC-136
| | |
MUSC-137
| | |
MUSC-236
| | |
MUSC-237
| | |
MUSC-336
| | |
MUSC-337
| | |
MUSC-436
| | |
MUSC-437
| | |
Applied Music (SECONDARY or MINOR) (1 Hour each) – 4-6 Hours
Secondary Piano
MUSC-108
| | 1 |
MUSC-109
| | 1 |
MUSC-208
| | 1 |
MUSC-209
| | 1 |
MUSC-308
| | |
MUSC-309
| | |
Class Voice
MUSC-134
| | |
MUSC-135
| | |
MUSC-234
| | |
MUSC-235
| | |
MUSC-334
| | |
MUSC-335
| | |
Music Technology
MUSC-114
| | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 2 |
NOTE: These courses also serve as proficiency level for prospective majors and electives for non-majors.
Performance and Recital (non-credit; 7-8 semesters) – 0 Hours
MUSC-130
| | |
MUSC-131
| | |
MUSC-230
| | |
MUSC-231
| | |
MUSC-330
| | |
MUSC-331
| | |
MUSC-430
| | |
MUSC-431
| | |
Conducting
Vocal
MUSC-418
| | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 2 |
Or
Instrumental
MUSC-419
| | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 2 |
Orchestration, Band Arranging
MUSC-432
| | 2 |
MUSC-433
| | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 2-4 |
Form and Analysis
MUSC-302
| | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 2 |
Counterpoint
MUSC-304
| | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 2 |
Course Requirements for Music Minor
Harmony
MUSC-102
| | 2 |
MUSC-103
| | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Ear-Training
MUSC-104
| | 2 |
MUSC-105
| | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 4 |
Music History and Literature
MUSC-250
| | 3 |
-
| Or | |
MUSC-251
| | 3 |
-
| | |
-
| Applied Music (4 semesters) | 8 |
Ensemble
MUSC-124
| | |
MUSC-125
| | |
MUSC-224
| | |
MUSC-225
| | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 4 |
Performance and Recital (non-credit)
MUSC-130
| | |
MUSC-131
| | |
MUSC-230
| | |
MUSC-231
| | |
Electives in Jazz
MUSC-106
| | |
MUSC-116
| | |
MUSC-118
| | |
MUSC-122
| | |
MUSC-241
| | |
MUSC-243
| | |
MUSC-353
| | |
Bachelor of Music
Freshman Year
First Semester
SMAT-130
| | 3 |
SENL-101
| | 3 |
SHIS-201
| | 3 |
MUSC-102
| | 2 |
MUSC-104
| | 2 |
MU-
| Major Applied | 2 |
MUSC-130
| | |
MU-
| Ensemble | 1 |
MUSC-108
| | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
MUSC-108: Piano majors do not have to take Secondary Piano
Second Semester
SMAT-120
| | 3 |
SENL-102
| | 3 |
SHIS-202
| | 3 |
MUSC-103
| | 2 |
MUSC-105
| | 2 |
MU-
| Major Applied | 2 |
MUSC-131
| | |
MU-
| Ensemble | 1 |
MUSC-109
| | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17 |
MUSC-109: Piano majors do not have to take Secondary Piano
Sophomore Year
First Semester
SBIO-101
| | 3 |
MUSC-202
| | 2 |
MUSC-204
| | 2 |
MU-
| Major Applied | 2 |
MUSC-230
| | |
MUSC-208
| | 1 |
MU-
| Ensemble | 1 |
ECON-200
| | 3 |
-
| Concentration Elective | 3-7 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14-18 |
MUSC-208: Piano majors do not have to take Secondary Piano
Second Semester
SBIO-102
| | 3 |
MUSC-203
| | 2 |
MUSC-205
| | 2 |
MU-
| Major Applied | 2 |
MUSC-231
| | |
MUSC-209
| | 1 |
MU-
| Ensemble | 1 |
-
| Concentration Elective | 3-6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 17-19 |
MUSC-209: Piano majors do not have to take Secondary Piano
Junior Year
First Semester
MUSC-250
| | 3 |
MUSC-302
| | 2 |
MU-
| Major Applied | 2 |
MUSC-330
| | |
MU-
| Ensemble | 1 |
SPHY-102
| | 4 |
-
| | |
MUSC-418
| | 2 |
-
| Or | |
MUSC-419
| | 2 |
-
| | |
-
| Concentration Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
Second Semester
MUSC-251
| | 3 |
MUSC-304
| | 2 |
MU-
| Major Applied | 2 |
MUSC-331
| | |
MU-
| Ensemble | 1 |
SPOL-201
| | 3 |
-
| Concentration Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Senior Year
First Semester
MU-
| Major Applied | 2 |
MUSC-430
| | |
MU-
| Ensemble | 1 |
MUSC-114
| | 2 |
-
| Music Elective | 2 |
-
| Concentration Electives | 6-8 |
-
| Concentration Electives | 6-8 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13-15 |
Second Semester
PHIL-200
| | 3 |
-
| Or | |
PHIL-210
| | 3 |
-
| | |
MU-
| Major Applied/Recital | 2 |
-
| Ensemble | 1 |
SVLR-400
| | 3 |
-
| Concentration Elective | 3-9 |
MUSC-431
| | |
-
| Performance only | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12-15 |
Ensemble, MUSC-431, and Performance only: Piano majors do not have to take Secondary Piano
Vocal Performance Concentration Courses
FRMN-110
| | 1 |
-
| Elementary I (World Languages) | 3 |
-
| Elementary II (World Languages) | 3 |
-
| Intermediate I (World Languages) | 3 |
SENL-240
| | 3 |
SPTH-210
| | 3 |
Applied Music (MAJOR)
MUSC-136
| | |
MUSC-137
| | |
MUSC-236
| | |
MUSC-237
| | |
MUSC-336
| | |
MUSC-337
| | |
MUSC-436
| | |
MUSC-437
| | |
Ensemble
MUCC-124
| | |
MUCC-125
| | |
MUCC-224
| | |
MUCC-225
| | |
MUCC-324
| | |
MUCC-325
| | |
MUCC-424
| | |
MUCC-425
| | |
Instrumental/Piano Performance Concentration Courses
FRMN-110
| | 1 |
-
| Elementary I (World Languages) | 3 |
-
| Elementary II (World Languages) | 3 |
-
| Intermediate I (World Languages) | 3 |
| SENL-240B | Intro to African American Lit | 3 |
| SPTH-210B | Techniques of Speech | 3 |
Applied Music (Instrumental)
MUSC-120
| | |
MUSC-121
| | |
MUSC-220
| | |
MUSC-221
| | |
MUSC-320
| | |
MUSC-321
| | |
MUSC-420
| | |
MUSC-421
| | |
Applied Music (Piano)
MUSC-112
| | |
MUSC-113
| | |
MUSC-212
| | |
MUSC-213
| | |
MUSC-312
| | |
MUSC-313
| | |
MUSC-412
| | |
MUSC-413
| | |
Ensemble (Instrumental)
MUMB-124
| | |
-
| Or | |
MUCB-124
| | |
-
| | |
MUMB-125
| | |
-
| Or | |
MUCB-125
| | |
-
| | |
MUMB-224
| | |
-
| Or | |
MUCB-224
| | |
-
| | |
MUMB-225
| | |
-
| Or | |
MUCB-225
| | |
-
| | |
MUMB-324
| | |
-
| Or | |
MUCB-324
| | |
-
| | |
MUMB-325
| | |
-
| Or | |
MUCB-325
| | |
-
| | |
MUMB-424
| | |
-
| Or | |
MUCB-424
| | |
-
| | |
MUMB-425
| | |
-
| Or | |
MUCB-425
| | |
Ensemble (Piano)
MUCC-124
| | |
MUCC-125
| | |
MUCC-224
| | |
MUCC-225
| | |
MUCC-324
| | |
MUCC-325
| | |
MUCC-424
| | |
MUCC-425
| | |
Vocal Music Education Concentration Courses
CRIN-205
| | 2 |
CRIN-211
| | 3 |
MUSC-391
| | 2 |
BHVS-220
| | 3 |
CRIN-328
| | 3 |
CRIN-416
| | 2 |
-
| | |
BHVS-230
| | 3 |
-
| Or | |
BHVS-240
| | 3 |
-
| | |
CRIN-417
| | 2 |
CRIN-494
| | 3 |
MUSC-402
| | 2 |
MUSC-447
| | 9 |
CRIN-416: Elementary
CRIN-417: Secondary
Instrumental/Piano Music Education Concentration Courses
CRIN-205
| | 2 |
CRIN-211
| | 3 |
MUSC-315
| | 2 |
-
| | |
MUSC-316
| | 2 |
-
| Or | |
MUSC-317
| | |
-
| | |
CRIN-416
| | 2 |
BHVS-220
| | 3 |
CRIN-328
| | 3 |
CRIN-417
| | 2 |
-
| | |
MUSC-319
| | 2 |
-
| Or | |
MUSC-134
| | |
-
| Or | |
MUSC-135
| | |
-
| | |
MUSC-435
| | 2 |
-
| Or | |
MUSC-391
| | 2 |
-
| | |
BHVS-230
| | 3 |
-
| Or | |
BHVS-240
| | 3 |
-
| | |
MUSC-447
| | 9 |
CRIN-416: Elementary
CRIN-417: Secondary
MUSC-134/135: For piano
Electives for Performance Concentration
-
| Social Science Elective | 3 |
-
| Social Science Elective | 3 |
-
| English Literature | 3 |
-
| History of Jazz | 3 |
History of Jazz: Optional
Electives for Music Education Concentration
(For instrumental majors only)
MUSC-432: Required
MUSC-433: Optional
Total Hours per concentration
Bachelor of Music Vocal Performance Concentration (120)
Bachelor of Music Instrumental Performance Concentration (120)
Bachelor of Music Vocal Music Education Concentration (130)*
Bachelor of Music Instrumental/Piano Music Education Concentration (130)*
*Includes Student Teaching Hour
Visual Arts Program (Minor)
The Visual Arts Program offers a creative environment for students, faculty, university officials, the local and wider community and visitors to the campus. It provides opportunities for the university community to see and learn about the wonderful world of art.
Students who minor in Visual Arts receive hands-on experience in making and exhibiting works of art and learn about visual artists from around the world. With creativity as the driving force in education, business and industry, Visual Arts minors develop the type of critical thinking skills needed in this ever-changing world through the study of paintings, sculptures, designs, drawings, photography, architecture as well as the many other forms of art.
Minor in Visual Arts – (24 credit hours in total)
Total Hours from Required Courses for Minor in Visual Arts – (15 Hours Required)
ARTS-110
| | 3 |
ARTS-111
| | 3 |
ARTS-130
| | 3 |
ARTS-131
| | 3 |
ARTS-200
| | 3 |
Required
Total Hours Required from Art Course Electives – (Choose 9 Hours)
ARTS-201
| | 3 |
ARTS-210
| | 3 |
-
| | |
ARTS-221
| | 3 |
-
| Or | |
ARTS-332
| | 3 |
-
| Or | |
ARTS-433
| | 3 |
-
| | |
ARTS-222
| | 3 |
ARTS-310
| | 3 |
ARTS-330
| | 3 |
ARTS-370
| | 3 |
ARTS-440
| | 3 |
ARTS-441
| | 3 |
Theater Arts Program (Minor)
The minor in Speech and Theatre provides an opportunity for students to study and learn the fundamental practices of both speech and theatre. The skills gained will provide graduates with discursive skill sets that will be applicable and valuable in many professional fields. Those concentrating in theatre performance have the opportunity to put classroom theory into practice on stage, learn to effectively market themselves professionally, and to grow into successful artistic entrepreneurs. Theater minors will receive focused attention by theater faculty and will learn through the program’s fun, but challenging performance-oriented approach to all aspects of instruction.
The minor requires a minimum of 18 credit-hours of SPTH classes, which must include the following:
STHE 101 (3 hrs.): An introduction to the literature and history of the theatre. A survey and analysis of the crafts of live theatre as an art form. May be taken as a humanities elective.
SPTH 270 (3 hrs.): Stagecraft—detailed introduction to the core areas of technical theatre, especially including set, lighting and sound.
SPTH 271 (1 hr.): Stagecraft Lab—lab focused on hands-on experience with technical theatre, taken concurrently with SPTH 270B.
SPTH 360 (3 hrs.): Theatre History—detailed introduction to the practices and styles of theatre throughout history.
STHE 201 (3 hrs.): Acting—fundamentals of the practical skills involved in live theatrical performance for an audience.
At least two (2) of the following—SPTH 100, 101, 200, or 201 (1 hr. ea.): Departmental Lab—rotating 1-hr. courses, in which the student receives credit for serving a dedicated role in an official Southern University SPTH Program theatre production. Dedicated roles may involve responsibilities as a performer, a technical assistant, or a production assistant.
A 400B-level SPTH class (3 hrs.): Each minor must take a 3-hr. 400-level course, which may include any of the following as they are offered—SPTH 443, SPTH 460, SPTH 470, SPTH 490, or SPTH 495.
Total Credit Hours: 18