Bachelor of Music

Program Description

The Bachelor of Music in Performance degree is for students who aspire to become professional performers. Students study privately under the direction of our artist-faculty and are held to the highest performance expectations, and classroom instruction with low student-to-teacher ratios in the core areas of music theory, ear training, and music history provide the fundamental background necessary for success as a well-rounded musician.

Students perform in our large ensembles (symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, choir, jazz band) as well as have the opportunity to grow through the chamber music experience each semester. These ensembles are coached by faculty and include multiple performance opportunities in our world-class facilities and throughout Columbus and the surrounding region. Celebrated guest artists from around the world come to the Schwob School of Music to teach and perform with and for our students. Students can also elect to take courses in areas that supplement their performing skills such as music business, audio technology, and body mapping, creating well-equipped performers for the 21st century marketplace.

Career Opportunities

The Bachelor of Music in Performance degree is for students who aspire to become professional performers.

• music performance
• production
• studio instruction and related areas

Admission Requirements

Prospective music majors must demonstrate basic aptitude in a performance medium through a placement audition and interview. Transfer students should call the Schwob School for additional audition requirements.

Piano
Any Prelude and Fugue by J.S. Bach from WTC, Allegro (I movement) from sonata by J. Hadyn, W.A. Mozart, or L. van Beethoven, one virtuoso étude by F. Chopin, F. Liszt, or S. Rachmaninoff. Any work from the romantic era by F. Chopin, R. Schumann, J. Brahms, or F. Liszt.

Organ
One Hymn written in four-part chorale style, presented with an introduction, one stanza employing standard part-playing techniques, and an (optional) second stanza, which employs a re-harmonization or descant or other appropriate treatment. One work by J. S. Bach, which was originally conceived for the organ. One work contrasting in style to the J. S. Bach work presented, from the 19th or 20th Centuries, originally conceived for the organ. Sight-reading and manual and pedal scales will be examined.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate proficiency in piano or organ performance through the preparation for and performance of a senior recital that exhibits effective artistic expression.

• Demonstrate competency in the application of knowledge of music theory through analysis and composition.

• Demonstrate competency in fundamental musical knowledge and skills through analytical listening, sight-singing conducting, and functional piano skills.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the history of western music and the ability to place music in historical/cultural/stylistic contexts through the purposeful use of evidence, insightful reasoning, and supporting details. 

Additional Program Requirements

In order to be accepted as a music major, each student must demonstrate aptitude in his/her major instrument or voice through a placement audition and interview with a member of the music faculty. All newly admitted music majors also must take placement examinations in music theory and piano. Music majors who take time off before completing degree requirements will be required to re-audition if they have missed a full academic year (fall and spring, or spring and fall).

Transfer students: Please note that placement in music courses is based on audition and testing results and not necessarily on previous college credit.

General Requirements

All music majors are required to attend all master classes in their major instrument and must perform at least once each semester in a recital or master class. All students enrolled in applied music must be concurrently enrolled in the major music ensemble activity that corresponds to their major instrument (Strings-Orchestra, Winds/Percussion – Wind Ensemble, Voice-Choral Ensemble).

Additional Requirements

Students must consult the Schwob School of Music Student Handbook for additional information on requirements for graduation.  The handbook may be found at https://music.columbusstate.edu/students/student_handbook_2015-16.pdf

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
Select one of the following courses:

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4-5
COMM 1110
Select two of the following courses:

OR
Select one of the following courses: Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the extra hour may be used as an elective.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

Select one of the following fine arts courses:*ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 10-11
Select two science courses from the list below, one of which must include a lab.

Select one of the following courses or a science course from above:

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 6
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3
PHED 1205
Select any one MUSC 1206 Body Mapping

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 24
A minimum grade of "C" is required in each of the following courses:

Take the appropriate course four times:
MUSP 1070 Orchestral Ensemble Activities
MUSP 1080 Wind Ensemble Activities
MUSP 1090 Vocal Ensemble Activiti

Area G Program Requirements Required Hours: 51
A minimum grade of "C" is required in each of the following courses:

Take one of the following:
FREN 1001(For students with fewer than two years of high school French)
FREN 1002(For students with two years of high school French)
Note: Student may substitute two semester hours in music electives if one of the above foreign languages is used for Area B.
Take one of the following:
GERM 1001(for students with fewer than two years of high school German)
GERM 1002(for students with two years of high school German)
Note: Student may substitute two semester hours in music electives if one of the above foreign languages is used for Area B.

Area H Program Electives Required Hours: 9
Select nine hours of MUSA, MUSC, MUSE, MUSP courses. At least 1 hour must be at the 3000 level or above.

Total Hours Required: 123