Department of Music
Through the Bachelor of Music degree, Bachelor of Arts degree and the Master of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, the Music Department offers challenging instruction and performance opportunities to prepare music majors for careers and/or advanced study in any of a number of music specializations. Students in other major fields may also pursue a minor in music. Music students have many opportunities to perform in the Braithwaite recital Hall and the Vaughn Auditorium. The Braithwaite Recital Hall is an impressive 166-seat hall which features oak paneling throughout, a magnificent stage for solo, chamber, or student recitals, and a state-of-the-art digital recording studio. The Vaughn Auditorium is a magnificent 2000-seat hall with a Broadway-sized stage, full cast and solo dressing rooms, and full orchestra pit. The Music Department also features a computer/digital keyboard lab and excellent theory/aural skills rooms.
Specifically, the Music Department provides academic and performance training leading to:
- all-level teacher certification and careers in music education in both public and private elementary and secondary schools
- music careers in private studio teaching or church programs
- graduate study in music, in preparation for careers in music performance, composition, music theory or musicology
The Department serves students from within a broad liberal arts curriculum. In this role, it provides:
- a core of basic courses and musical experiences to meet University Core Curriculum requirements in music for the general university student population
- an awareness of the interrelationship between the arts and other academic disciplines
- opportunities for individuals to develop an articulate aesthetic sense and to become discerning consumers and patrons of the arts
- performance experiences for musicians of various skill levels, through ensembles open to membership without audition and ensembles designed to meet the needs of pre-professional musicians
The music faculty holds a strong belief in the value of music and the fine arts as essential components of the human spirit, necessary to a well-rounded, fulfilling existence, and in the academic worth of music as a discipline of study. Music Program faculty work to infuse these beliefs into both classroom teaching and performance instruction.
Lower Division and Transfer Student Requirements
Incoming freshman music majors should be aware that, unlike certain disciplines, specialized music study begins in the first year. These courses are taken concurrently with the freshman and sophomore general education core courses.
In addition to meeting all general requirements for admission to the University, all incoming students intending to major in music must perform an entrance audition in their principal performing medium before a faculty committee, or submit a portfolio of compositions, as appropriate. Transfer students must also supply a complete list of repertoire previously studied. Unless approved for upper division instruction through audition, transfer students will enroll in lower division applied music. Audition dates must be arranged through the Music Department.
To ensure appropriate course placement, theory and keyboard assessments will be administered to all incoming music majors, whether freshmen or transfer students. Contact the music office for administration dates. Transfer students must complete the lower division Field of Study requirements in music with grades of "C" or better.
The music curriculum is designed to ensure reasonable scope and competence in all graduates. Any music degree is demanding in both academic studies and performance. Most students, especially those seeking teacher certification, will need to complete some of the coursework in summers or plan to allow five years to complete the program. Careful consultation with a faculty advisor is required throughout the program to ensure timely progress toward the degree.
Music Program Policies
Space limitations prevent the inclusion of all Music Department policies and requirements in this catalog. Additional policies and requirements are published in the Music Department Student Handbook, available at www.uttyler.edu/music, and in print form in the Music Department office.
A grade of C or higher is required for all course work in all music degree programs.