Music

Students wishing to major in music must complete the standard undergraduate application for admission and return it to the Office of Admissions. A student cannot be formally admitted to the School of Music until admitted to the University.

To be accepted as a music major, both freshmen and transfer students must successfully complete an audition on their major applied instrument. Once students have matriculated, they are required to complete The Undergraduate Placement Examination in Music Theory and be evaluated in keyboard skills. Prospective students should contact the School of Music for information on specialized programs.

A student receiving a grade below C- in a required music course must repeat the course. Music Education majors receiving a grade below C in a required music course must repeat the course.

Changing Major Instruments

A student may later change their declared major instrument after being admitted to the School of Music, but must then audition and satisfy all requirements for the new area as an entering student.

Applied Music Requirements

Studio Study (Private Lessons) - Skill in at least one major area of performance must be progressively developed to the highest level appropriate to the student’s major. All students majoring in music are required to enroll in applied music on their declared major instrument every semester. A performance major in the Bachelor of Music program must enroll for four credits in applied music each semester which equates to a one-hour lesson or two half-hour lessons each week. All other students enroll for two credits in applied music on their declared major instrument each semester which equates to a half-hour lesson each week.

Because of the tutorial nature of applied music study, there is an additional fee for applied music registration beyond the normal credit-hour tuition and general service fee.

The offering of applied music instruction is dependent upon the availability of instructors. Although students may request study with a given instructor, the audition does not guarantee study with a particular member of the faculty. The priority for assignment is as follows:

1. collegiate music majors;
2. music minors;
3. non-music majors who are members of University performing ensembles;
4. pre-college students in the high school/college program of the School of Music; and,
5. all others.

Students will not be eligible for applied music study if:

1. they fail to pass the entrance audition;
2. a particular instructor’s studio is full;
3. the quality of work demonstrated is judged unacceptable by the applied instructor; or
4. faculty in the student’s applied area conclude on the basis of a jury that a continuation of applied study is not merited.

Students in the studio are expected to exhibit a mature attitude and productive behavior.

Levels of Applied Music Study

The study of applied music is divided into five course levels. These conform to levels of proficiency and the requirements of the various degree programs. Entrance to applied music is by audition. Advancement in level is by promotional jury examination only.

MUSAP 000 Level for elective credit in non-music programs, pre-college adults, preparatory program enrollment, and for correcting deficiencies before permission is granted to enroll at the 100 level. Credits in applied music at this level cannot be counted toward any degree requirements in music.

Music majors may apply a maximum of eight credits from any of the following levels to their degree program. A maximum of 32 credits may be counted toward degree requirements.

MUSAP 100 - Freshman level
MUSAP 200 - Sophomore level
MUSAP 300 - Junior level
MUSAP 400 - Senior level

Minimum Performance Levels Required by Degree Program

• Bachelor of Arts - Eight credits and completion of the 200 level in the primary applied performance area. No recital is required.
• Bachelor of Music in Performance Major — Thirty-two credits and completion of the 400 level in the primary applied performance area. A junior recital is required at the 300 level. A full senior recital is also required.
• Bachelor of Music in Composition Major — Sixteen credits and completion of the 200 level in the primary applied performance area. A full senior composition recital is required.
• Bachelor of Music in Music Education — Sixteen credits and completion of the 300 level in the primary applied performance area. A half senior recital is required.
• Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies — Sixteen credits and completion of the 200 level in the primary applied performance area; additional completion of the 100 level in flute and clarinet for saxophone majors and the 200 level in classical guitar for electric guitar majors. A full senior recital is required.

Jury System in Applied Music

A promotional jury is the only way in which a student may advance from one course level to another. Each music major may take a promotional jury in his/her primary applied performance area once each year, after two semesters of study, and/or after the minimum number of credits is attained. However, a faculty member may require a student to take additional semesters of study prior to a promotional jury.

Each applied area is empowered to terminate applied study, and applied study will be terminated after three attempts at the same promotional jury level. A promotional jury may be used by a student studying applied music at the 000 level as an audition to the 100 level.

Applied Repertory of Study

Each applied music section (brass, composition, guitar, keyboard, percussion, piano, strings, voice, and woodwinds) has a published repertory of study requirements for each of the course levels. These requirements are available from the Applied Area Coordinator, individual applied instructors, and the School of Music office.

Studio Classes

Each music major is required to attend the weekly 50-minute class taught by his applied instructor. Attendance at studio class is part of the requirement for applied music study, and reflects in the student’s grade in applied music. Performances in studio class are determined by the student’s applied instructor.

Sectional Recitals

Each applied section holds a sectional recital each week. Attendance by students studying in the section is required. Performances in sectionals are determined by the student’s applied instructor and area coordinator.

Applied Study for Non-music Majors

Non-music majors may enroll for applied music with the permission of the individual applied instructor or the area coordinator, whichever is appropriate to the area of study. Acceptance for studio study is based upon an audition, usually given the first week of classes. Only students who meet applied studio standards will be accepted for applied instruction. Non-music majors may be prohibited from enrolling in applied lessons if their instructor is not a full-time faculty member.  

Recital Attendance Requirements

Bachelor of Music majors are required to enroll and receive credit for eight semesters of MUSIC 157 School of Music Performance Seminar. Bachelor of Arts music majors are required to enroll and receive credit for four semesters. MUSIC 157 School of Music Performance Seminar carries no academic credit and has no fee. Further information on the attendance requirement is available in the School of Music office.

Ensemble Requirement

Enrollment in all ensembles requires permission of the instructor.

Major Conducted Ensemble Requirement

Students who are music majors must enroll for eight semesters in a major conducted performance ensemble on their declared major instrument. Guitar and keyboard majors should refer to the Memo of Agreement for specific ensemble requirements. Auditions for membership are held each year and occasionally each semester. All music majors are required to enroll in the major conducted ensemble as assigned by faculty and appropriate to their primary performance area every fall and spring semester.

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Music major in Performance, Theory, Composition, and Music Education must complete a minimum of eight semesters. However, keyboard majors in Music Education may substitute one year of a major choral ensemble in place of a Keyboard Ensemble. Four semesters are required for Jazz Studies majors, music minors, and those pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in music. Students who do not complete degree requirements within eight semesters must continue to enroll in a major conducted ensemble each semester until all graduation requirements are met, except during the semester when student teaching.

Major conducted Ensembles include: Concert Choir, Guitar Ensemble, Keyboard Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and University Symphony Orchestra.

Non-major Conducted Ensemble Requirement

Non-major conducted ensembles may be taken in addition to, but not instead of, major conducted ensembles. Jazz Studies majors are required to complete eight credits in jazz ensembles in addition to four semesters of major conducted ensembles. Non-major conducted Ensembles include: the Akron Symphony Chorus, Brass Choir, Chamber Orchestra, Instrumental Ensembles, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, Marching Band, New Music Ensemble, Steel Drum Band, Blue and Gold Brass (Basketball Band), and Opera/Lyric Theatre.

Unconducted Ensembles

Unconducted ensembles may be taken in addition to, but not instead of, major conducted ensembles. Unconducted ensembles include: Brass Ensembles, Jazz Combos, Mixed Ensembles, Percussion Ensembles, String Ensembles, Vocal Ensembles, and Woodwind Ensembles.

Ensemble credit is repeatable.

Minimum Proficiency Requirements in Keyboard and Voice

All music majors must meet minimum proficiencies in keyboard and voice. Keyboard proficiency is met by successfully completing keyboard Harmony I and II and passing a final keyboard examination. Vocal proficiency is met by successfully completing required Theory and Musicianship courses.

Music - School of (MUSIC)

Music Organizations (MUSEN)

Applied Music (MUSAP)