Music Department Information
Mission of the Department of Music
The primary objective of the Department of Music is to prepare students to participate as listeners, performers, conductors, teachers, or composers, which are required by the art of music. This education is best effected when the student is immersed in musical performance, the study of music theory, the study of teaching methods in music, and the study of the history of musical styles. The faculty assumes that students in the department share these goals, the standards established by the faculty, and their commitment to the art of music. The faculty also assumes that study springs from this commitment, and that student work will reflect it.
Degree Programs
GENERAL INFORMATION
All degree programs in music require that each graduate be a competent musician possessing skill in performing on an orchestral instrument, the voice, or a keyboard instrument. All degree programs require that the student can listen to music in both critical and aesthetic modes and can identify and correct rehearsal mistakes. All degree programs require that the student has skills in writing and performing musical notation, and that the student has knowledge of the history of musical styles adequate to support work as a musician and teacher. All other specialized skills needed for specialized music degree programs are secondary to the requirement that the undergraduate student develop basic musicianship.
All degree programs in music carry the requirement that students must develop and display basic musical skills. The development of these skills is measured by means of “Proficiency Exams” in applied music.
DEGREE PROGRAMS
Bachelor of Music Education (Instrumental/General)
This degree prepares students to teach band, orchestra, and/or general music in public school, kindergarten through twelfth grade. Students, who satisfactorily complete this degree, their competency exams, and a successful Resident Year of teaching, will be certified by the state of Oklahoma.
Bachelor of Music Education (Vocal/General)
This degree prepares students to teach choral and/or general music in public schools, kindergarten through twelfth grade. Students, who satisfactorily complete this degree, their competency exams, and a successful Resident Year of teaching, will be certified by the state of Oklahoma.
Students who wish to earn a public school teaching certificate, but whose major area of performance is keyboard, must choose one of the above programs. A keyboard instrument cannot serve as the principal or secondary performing instrument for the Instrumental/General degree program. Keyboard may be chosen as the principal area of performance in the Vocal/General program.
The degree programs listed below do not lead to certification in public school teaching.
Bachelor of Music Therapy
This degree prepares students to be registered Music Therapists. Students may pursue either Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy or Equivalency/Registration in Music Therapy at SWOSU, both will satisfy the required eligibility for taking the national Certification Examination for Music Therapists for the credential of Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC).
Bachelor of Music in Performance (Piano, Organ, Voice, or an Orchestral Instrument)
This degree prepares students for a career as a performer or private studio teacher in one principal area of musical performance. The student entering this program must show potential for achieving performance skills equal to those of professional musicians. Admission to the degree is only by permission of the faculty.
Bachelor of Music with Elective Studies in Business
This degree prepares students for a career in those businesses related to music and music education.
Enrollment
Each student must enroll each semester in a course of study which will systematically advance him toward his chosen degree. Degree programs and requirements are listed in the University catalog and in material given to each student by the department.
Students should plan degree work and schedules far in advance. Your advisor will help you obtain necessary information, but he/she is not responsible for the final accuracy of your enrollment. (A list of undergraduate classes that are not scheduled each semester are listed below.)
Class Attendance
The instructor determines the attendance policy for each class. Each student, especially those who enroll late, must ask for a written copy of the attendance policy.
Students who, because of apparent or medically diagnosed physical or mental challenges require special materials, visual or aural help, special seating, or any special arrangements for test procedures or timing must provide documentation of this need to the office of the Dean of Students.
Performing Organizations
Participation in the many fine musical organizations at Southwestern is one of the most important educational experiences for a student musician. All full-time music majors in all music degree programs are required to participate EACH SEMESTER in the principal performing organization appropriate to their study.
The principal performing organization for wind and percussion majors is the Marching Band in the fall and the Wind Ensemble or the Symphonic Band in the spring. The principal performing organization for string majors is the University Orchestra. The principal performing organizations for vocal majors is Southwestern Singers.
A complete listing of ensembles is available in the university catalog and in the semester class schedule. You may obtain information and audition requirements for each organization from the appropriate conductors or division coordinators.
Students working toward a BM in keyboard performance may choose either instrumental
or vocal groups. Bachelor of Music degree candidates in Music Therapy must enroll
according to their degree emphasis.
Students working toward the BME in Vocal/General Music as a keyboard principal must
enroll in choral organizations.