Department of Music

General Information

The Department of Music, a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music, offers programs of study for students who wish to pursue professional training in music education or liberal arts, with a strong emphasis in instrumental, keyboard, or vocal music. Opportunities also exist for non-music majors to enrich their campus lives through participation in a variety of performing organizations. Students who successfully complete degree requirements are awarded the Bachelor of Music Education (in coordination with the College of Education) or the Bachelor of Arts degree.

Department Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Music at Alabama State University is to prepare undergraduate and graduate students for careers as professional performers and music educators by providing the theoretical and performance skills necessary for a successful career in music. As a fully accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music, the Department of Music offers programs of study for students who wish to pursue professional training in music education or music performance, with a strong emphasis in instrumental, keyboard, and vocal music.

Purposes, Objectives, and Goals of the Department

The chief purpose of the Department of Music is to train students to become skilled music educators and professional’s musicians. The goals of the Department of Music are (1) to prepare students to become music professionals in their respective fields; (2) to provide music students with training of the highest caliber; (3) to provide all students of the university with opportunities to enrich themselves through music; and (4) to promote opportunities that enrich the university’s cultural life and foster community service and engagement. Guided by the specific measures for each major described in the National Association of Schools of Music and the goals described above, the Alabama State University Department of Music has the following objectives (1) to provide music students with the required training in music theory, aural skills, keyboard, music history and literature, music technology, sight reading, and performance skills according to their degree program requirements; (2) to provide students interested in teaching careers with the professional knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary for success in the field; (3) to provide students with broad and diverse musical experiences that expand their artistic and intellectual horizons, and (4) to provide students and community with activities and events that will allow for opportunities to serve and engage.

Facility

The department of music is housed in Tullibody Music Hall (1974). The primary performance area is the recital hall located on the first floor. It is complete with non-parallel walls and a curved ceiling to control reverberation. Seating is tiered above the stage area, providing excellent viewing. The ceiling of the band rehearsal room is two stories high and has non-parallel wall treatment for acoustical control. With 2,000 square feet of floor space, the band rehearsal room can accommodate a band of more than 150 players. Adjacent to the rehearsal hall are facilities for instrument and uniform storage. The choir rehearsal room, located on the second floor, has non-parallel walls, storage space for robes and music, and a pipe organ with 439 pipes. Because of its large floor space (2,000 square feet), the choir room is also used for workshop classes. Also located on the second floor are practice rooms of various sizes. Faculty offices and classrooms are located on the second, third and fourth floors. The computer and keyboard labs are located on the third floor of the music building. The labs are uniquely designed for group instruction and tutoring.

Workstations are equipped with standard music technology applications, productivity software, and network access. The fourth floor houses the Department of Communication’s recording studio. Also located on this floor is a jazz combo/small ensemble rehearsal room and percussion studio.

Transfer Students: Applied Music and Ensemble Credits

Transfer students from NASM-accredited institutions may receive the equivalent of one semester hour per semester for applied music in the Bachelor of Arts curriculum or in the Bachelor of Music Education curriculum with a maximum of four semester hours being transferable. To receive transfer credit for previous course work, students must achieve and/or demonstrate the level of knowledge and skills that is consistent with course offerings and standards at Alabama State University. Students transferring from Alabama public higher education institutions may have specific approved transfer agreements with Alabama State University. Please consult with the office of admissions. Transfer students entering the Department of Music must declare their major area in one applied performance medium and participate in one large ensemble activity per semester. Students transferring course work in music areas from non-accredited music programs or schools may receive transfer credit on the basis of subject examination. A passing score on the examination will warrant transfer credit being counted toward degree requirements if approved by the Chair of the Department of Music and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Curricular Offerings

In an effort to meet the needs of music majors who have different career objectives and special interests, the Department of Music provides two general curricula: the Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.) and the Bachelor of Arts in Music (B.A.). The B.M.E. curriculum is designed to meet the requirements of the Alabama State Department of Education, and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. The B.A. and B.M.E. curricula meet the accreditation standards of NASM.

The Bachelor of Music Education degree is designed for students who desire public school music teaching as a career. This degree program has two areas of specialization: vocal/choral music and instrumental music. The B.M.E. curricula are offered in cooperation with the College of Education and lead to certification for teaching in preschool-12th grade music programs. Admission to this program is specified in the College of Education guidelines for admission to Educator Preparation Programs. The Bachelor of Arts in Music is a liberal arts degree providing basic studies in music with electives designed to broaden and enrich the students’ learning experience

General Admission Procedures

In addition to the university requirements for general admission, each prospective student must meet entrance requirements for the Department of Music. These include a performance audition and a diagnostic examination in the fundamentals of music. These entrance requirements assist the music faculty in assessing the student’s musical background, level of proficiency and individual strengths and weaknesses. Students who enter the Department of Music with deficiencies will be required to take remedial courses based on the results of these assessments and therefore, will be required to take more than the minimum number of hours indicated to complete degree requirements.

Specific Admission Procedures

After completing the general admission requirements of the university, the prospective music student must report to the Department of Music to complete the performance audition and the diagnostic examination in music theory. Officially, all freshmen are admitted to University College and must complete that college’s requirements before entering a degree- granting program. However, students who plan to major in music must begin taking music courses in their first semester. All students admitted into University College planning to declare a major in music must complete a performance and diagnostic examination, and must be advised jointly by University College counselors and music faculty advisers.

The performance audition should demonstrate the student’s current and highest possible level of proficiency in voice or on a standard musical instrument. The auditioning student should prepare and perform compositions appropriate to their skill level and degree interest. While considerable latitude in the choice of performance selections is given, students are encouraged to prepare carefully for the audition so that an accurate assessment of potential and talent may be rendered. For fall acceptance, prospective students must contact the department for spring audition dates.

For spring acceptance, prospective students must contact the department for fall auditions. Students that have not completed the formal audition upon arrival will be required to complete the audition process by the end of the first week of classes. For additional information, please contact the chair of the Department of Music. Current ASU students who wish to become music majors must undergo, in addition to the university’s change of major process, the audition and diagnostic examination procedures as outlined in this section.

The diagnostic examination in music fundamentals tests the students’ written and aural skills in the following areas (1) major and minor key signatures; (2) major scales; (3) minor scales in the natural, harmonic and melodic forms; (4) intervals and triads; (5) rhythm; and (6) aural identification of intervals, major and minor scales, triads, and rhythmic and melodic fragments.

Those who pass the performance audition and have completed the diagnostic examination are accepted into the Department of Music. Students who do not satisfy either of these requirements may be admitted conditionally for two semesters, at the end of which time the student will be advised concerning continuation in the music program. The Department of Music has the prerogative to deny continuation in the music program to a student in conditional status who, after two semesters of conditional status, fails to demonstrate, at the department’s sole discretion that he/she meets the criteria to be moved to full admission.

Students should review the Department of Music’s website for more detailed audition and admission criteria and procedures.

Applied Music

Applied music is an individual instruction on a student’s major instrument or in voice, usually one one-hour lesson per week. Applied lessons culminate in a required end-of-the semester jury examination for all students enrolled in these courses. Such instruction is critical to a student’s musical development. All students are required to enroll in applied lessons each semester of enrollment. Applied music courses are numbered so that each successive level represents a higher degree of proficiency. Remedial applied lessons (0-level) are required for those students that do not meet the entry-level proficiency required to be a music major, as indicated by the entrance performance audition or based upon an evaluation by the applied instructor. Remedial applied lessons do not count towards music major degree requirements and therefore students enrolled in these courses will be required to take more than the minimum number of hours indicated to complete degree requirements. Students will be admitted into 100-level lessons after demonstrating entry-level proficiency required for 100-level applied music students as required by faculty. Students who do not satisfy 100-level applied requirements will be admitted conditionally for two semesters, at the end of which time a determination and recommendation will be made by the applied faculty as to the student’s proposed continuation in the program. A passing grade in remedial applied lessons (0-level) does not imply nor guarantee full admittance as a music major. Students may use the end of semester jury as an audition to be moved to 100-level status. Students may choose from the following areas for applied study: piano, percussion, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and voice.

Ensemble Requirements

The Department of Music encourages students to participate in a variety of performing organizations. A rich ensemble experience is basic to the professional preparation of all musicians. For this reason, music majors are required to enroll in at least one of the following large performing ensembles during each semester of residency, except during internship: Symphonic Band, or Wind Ensemble (instrumental tract); University Choir or Chamber Singers (vocal/choral tract). Selection of a performing ensemble is governed by the student’s major and result of an ensemble audition. Students are also encouraged to participate in a variety of small ensembles. Non-majors are welcome to participate in ensembles at the discretion of the director.

Student Evaluation

Students are regularly advised and reviewed on their performance and academic progress. Music majors are required to attend student interviews, performance reviews, and other as required by the Department of Music. The Department of Music publishes an annual Student Handbook which specifies other requirements for music majors.

Senior Recitals

All music majors will be required to pass a Senior Recital according to their degree program in order to qualify for graduation:

• Bachelor of Music Education - Senior Recital Hearing and the Senior Recital
• Bachelor of Arts - Senior Recital Hearing and the Senior Recital.
• The Recital Hearings for all degree concentrations must be passed at least two weeks before a student presents the junior/senior recital/project. The senior recital/project is the culminating public presentation which demonstrates the student’s proficiency in the major applied area.

Departmental Awards

The Presser Scholarship is a prestigious national award presented to a rising senior who is an outstanding music major possessing a high academic average and demonstrating excellence in performance. The student will be identified as a Presser Scholar and is expected to exhibit high standards in personal character and academic citizenship. Other awards are presented to students as the opportunities arise. Awards are given for performance on Honors Recital Competition as well as community awards. Criteria for these awards are available from the chair of the Department of Music.

Scholarship Awards and Criteria

The Department of Music offers scholarships to music majors whose auditions or qualifications are judged meritorious by faculty. Final scholarship recommendations will be made by the scholarship committee. Scholarships vary in their amounts and are awarded on the basis of availability, scholastic, and musical ability. Scholarship awards have specific terms, requirements, and conditions to which the students must adhere. Awards are renewable annually based on availability, student’s fulfillment of the requirements and conditions listed on previous scholarships awarded, as well as the student’s ability and potential to continue meeting those requirements and conditions in the future. If a student fails to meet any criteria listed on the scholarship award, the Department of Music reserves the right to revoke, modify, or reduce the amount of the award.

Lectures, Concerts, and Recitals

Faculty, students and Department of Music ensembles regularly provide a number of performances. A series of Lyceum programs featuring noted lecturers, artists, and a variety of programs of general interest and cultural value are often presented by the Department of Music and the university. The Montgomery community provides many cultural opportunities, including those of the M o n t g o m e r y Chamber Music Series, Clefworks Montgomery, the Frederick D. Hall Community Choir, the Montgomery Chorale, the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, the Montgomery Music Project, and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Other opportunities for enrichment exist through national and regional organizations, other local universities, churches, and community programs. Surrounding communities also provide many additional opportunities for musical and cultural enrichment. Music students are required to attend many of these cultural activities presented on the campus and are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the variety of cultural opportunities provided by the community.