Bachelor of Music

Program Description

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education program prepares students to become professional music educators. It provides skilled musicians the opportunity to develop expertise as a classroom teacher and ensemble director in K-12 music programs. Much like the Music Performance degree program, students also study applied music on a principal instrument or voice with our artist-faculty and perform in our large ensembles. Music Education students are held to the same performance standards as those in other music degree tracks.

The BME degree has two concentrations: Instrumental, and Choral. Coursework is completed at both the CSU College of Education and the Schwob School of Music. Field experiences provide "real-world" experiences for students to transfer directly to music teaching endeavors after graduation. Our music education faculty specialists, along with applied and ensemble faculty, mentor students through this demanding program, a relationship which continues after graduation.

Educator Preparation at Columbus State University is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. The Schwob School of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

 

Career Opportunities

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education leads to licensure in teaching for K-12 instruction in public and private schools

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.

Harp
Two works or movements of works in contrasting styles, preferably from memory. Cadenza from the Tchaikovsky Waltz of the Flowers. One Pozzoli Etude, free choice.

Violin
Technique Three octaves minor and major scales (candidate's choice), including double stops, thirds and octaves.One etude or caprice by Rode, Dont, Dancla, Gavinies, Wieniawski, or Paganini.
Bach: Two contrasting movements from a sonata or partita for unaccompanied violin.
Concerto: One movement from a standard 19th or 20th century concerto (if 1st movement, include cadenza).
Short piece: One short work of the candidate's choice.

Viola, Cello, Contrabass
Scales in 3 octaves.
Two contrasting selections or movements representing two of the following style periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic or Contemporary. A selection from the standard concerto repertoire and a movement of Bach is highly recommended (from 6 Sonatas & Partitas for Violin/Viola solo or from 6 Suites for solo cello/viola/bass).

Etudes: Viola: 2 etudes from Kreutzer, Fiorillo or Rode. Cello: 2 etudes from Popper, Dotzauer, Feulliard or Greutzmacher. Bass: 2 etudes from Bille, Rabbath or Simandl.

Guitar
Three pieces in contrasting style, one arpeggio study (Carulli, Carcassi, Giuliani, etc.) and two-octave scales in four major and harmonic and melodic minor keys.

Brass
One or two solos or concerto movements (or characteristic etudes) that demonstrate both lyrical and technical skills. Chromatic scale, 12 major scales with arpeggios, and sight-reading.

Woodwinds
One or two solos or concerto movements (or characteristic etudes) that demonstrate both lyrical and technical skills. Sight-reading, all major scales and arpeggios, and a full-range chromatic scale.

Percussion

Snare drum: ONE etude from Anthony Cirone's Portraits in Rhythm, or Delécluse 12 Etudes, or Mitchell Peters Intermediate Snare Drum Studies Timpani: ONE etude from Mitchell Peters Fundamental Method for Timpani (from #44, 45, 47, 49), or 3-4 drum etude from Goodman Modern Method for Timpani Keyboards: Choose ONE mallet piece from the following:

1. Any xylophone ragtime solo by G.H. Green
2. One movement from a Bach Cello Suite or Violin Partita
3. One page etude from Goldenberg Modern School

OPTIONAL BUT STRONGLY RECOMMENDED:
ONE short four mallet solo or etude from Burritt, Smadbeck, Bobo, Sammut, Stout, Peters, Tyson, Gomez, Musser,

Sight reading will be required for snare drum and mallets.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able demonstrate proficiency in instrumental performance through thep reparation for and performance of a senior recital that exhibits effective artistic expression.

Students will be able demonstrate competency in the application of knowledge of music theory through analysis and composition.

Students will be able demonstrate competency in fundamental musical knowledge and skills through analytical listening, sight-singing conducting, and functional piano skills.

Students will be able 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 (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

Area G  Required Hours: 46
A minimum grade of "C" is required in each of the following courses:

Satisfy the following requirement:*
Three semester hours of MUSC/MUSE elect (string studies)
Take the appropriate course three times:*
MUSP 3070 Orchestral Ensem Act (string studies)
MUSP 3080 Wind Ensem Act (wind/perc studies)
*Note: Guitar and Keyboard students may take courses designated for either string students or for wind and percussion students.

Area H Required Hours: 23
A grade of "C" is required in each of the following courses:
(Courses in this area require Admission to Teacher Education Program.)

Total Hours Required: 132