Department of Music
Through the Bachelor of Music degree and Bachelor of Arts degree, 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 majors may pursue a double major or a minor in music. Music students have many opportunities to perform in the Braithwaite Recital Hall and Vaughn Auditorium. 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. Vaughn Auditorium is a magnificent 2,000-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 in Texas and careers in music education in both elementary and secondary schools
- music careers in private studio teaching or church programs
- undergraduate 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 both with and 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 Core Curriculum courses.
In addition to meeting all general requirements for admission to the University, all incoming students intending to major in music must perform and pass an entrance audition in their principal performing medium before a faculty committee, and composition students must submit a portfolio of compositions. Transfer students must also supply a complete list of repertoire previously studied.
Transfer students must demonstrate technical and expressive performance ability sufficient to begin upper division applied instruction by passing the Primary Applied Proficiency Barrier (MUAP 2002). Those who are not approved at the time of audition into the program must enroll in lower division applied music lessons (MUAP 2xxx or 1xxx). Requirements for admission to upper-division study may be found in the Music Student handbook at www.uttyler.edu/music. Audition dates must be arranged through the Music Department.
Transfer students must demonstrate piano proficiency by enrolling in MUAP 2001 and passing the proficiency exam; they may also wish to enroll in or audit MUAP 2111 and/or 2112 to help them prepare for the exam. 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
Additional policies and requirements, including required ensemble and lessons for music majors, are published in the Music Department Student Handbook, available at www.uttyler.edu/music.
A grade of C or higher for all course work in the major is required for graduation in all music degree programs.