Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2017 Catalogue 
    
2016-2017 Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music, Education In Public School Teaching, B.M.E.


FACULTY:
Shirley Huston-Findley, Chair
Carrie Culver
Nancy Ditmer
Timothy Freeze
Jack Gallagher
Jonathan Guez
Jeffrey Lindberg
Peter Mowrey
Lisa Wong
Thomas Wood
Josephine Wright

The College of Wooster has been an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music since 1947. The requirements for entrance and for graduation as set forth in this catalogue are in accordance with the published standards of the National Association of Schools of Music.

The Department of Music provides students with comprehensive training in performance, composition, music theory, music education, music therapy, and music history and literature. The successful Wooster Music major will graduate with greatly enhanced musicality and technique, a deeper understanding of musical structure and style, and thorough preparation for a lifetime of musicianship. Depending on the degree, the Music major will be well prepared to seek a career as a professional musician; to teach music in public and private schools or in private studios; to utilize music as a therapeutic tool; and/or to continue study at the graduate level.

The Department of Music has the following learning goals. By the completion of their studies, Wooster’s music graduates should be able:

  • to grow significantly as performers, through intensive study of technical craft, expressive musicianship, musical structure, and the stylistic practices of diverse historical periods and genres, with the end goal of creating performances of artistic beauty and mature musicality;
  • to practice and learn music effectively independent of a teacher;
  • to become valuable, significant participants in music ensembles of various sizes and musical styles;
  • to speak and write effectively about music, perform quality research, and develop the skills of musical scholarship;
  • to broaden understanding of the intricacies of musical structure-harmony, melody, rhythm, texture, form, counterpoint, dynamics, articulation, and timbre-and how they interact to generate musical experience;
  • to learn about and research the historical context and stylistic evolution of music of various cultures throughout history and around the world, and to become better and more broadly acquainted with significant musical works;
  • to gain a working knowledge of electronic music technology applications and the principles that underlie them ;
  • with the B.M. degree in performance and the B.M.E. degree in public school teaching, to be able to teach vocal or instrumental music-making to students at elementary and intermediate levels;
  • with the B.M.E. Degree in public school teaching, to possess the knowledge and teaching skills to design and implement effectively a comprehensive music program in a public or private school, grades Pre-K-12;
  • with the B.M.T. degree in music therapy, to possess the knowledge and skills to design and implement effectively a comprehensive music therapy program for a variety of populations.

Major in Music


The Department of Music offers the following six degree programs in Music:

The liberal arts degree: Bachelor of Arts in Music
   
Pre-professional degrees: Bachelor of Music in Music History and Literature
  Bachelor of Music in Performance*
  Bachelor of Music in Composition *
  Bachelor of Music Therapy*
  Bachelor of Music Education in Public School Teaching*

Degrees marked with an asterisk (*) require a successful audition for entrance into the program. Please see the Handbook for Music Students and Faculty for further details.

Copies of the Handbook for Music Students and Faculty are available at the Administrative Coordinator’s office, Scheide Music Center, Room 112. They are also distributed during the first few days of classes to all students taking MUSC 10000  and MUSC 10100 . The Handbook contains thorough information on the following topics:

  • Music Department mission statement and learning goals
  • Music facilities and policies for their use
  • Descriptions and requirements of the six degree programs in Music
  • Selecting and declaring the appropriate Music major
  • Entrance auditions for the pre-professional degree programs in Music
  • Student recitals
  • Recital and concert attendance requirements for Music majors
  • Staff accompanists
  • Applied music study (private lessons)
  • Independent Study in Music
  • Piano Proficiency Exam, required of all Music majors
  • Student employment in Music
  • College-owned instruments
  • Music Department faculty members

The descriptions below provide only an “at-a-glance” summary of requirements for the six degree programs in Music. Please see the Degree Requirements  section of this Catalogue and the Handbook for Music Students and Faculty for complete information.

Required of all Music majors, regardless of degree:

  • Recital attendance requirement: 10 events per semester (see Handbook for details)
  • Successful performance on the Piano Proficiency Examination (see Handbook for details)
  • Specific course requirements (see individual degree listings in Degree Requirements  section of this Catalogue)

Bachelor of Music Education in Public School Teaching


Consists of 22.50 course credits inside the Music Department (36 to 38.25 credits total):

Special Notes


  1. Required courses outside the major differ from those of the B.A. degree (including EDUC 10000 , EDUC 12000 , and EDUC 30000 ; and PSYC 11000 ); see Degree Requirements  for details.
  2. Music Theory MUSC 10100  and MUSC 10200  require concurrent enrollment in a quarter-credit Class Piano course (MUSC 18100 /MUSC 18200 ) unless the student places out of this requirement; for many students, then, the half-credit of “music electives” will be in Class Piano.

Special Notes for All Music Students


  • Only grades of C- or better are accepted for the major or minor.
  • Advanced Placement: The advanced placement policy of the College is explained in the section on Admissions .
  • Gateway Courses/Non Majors Courses: Many students have found music courses to be a valuable supplement to their major in the natural and social sciences and other humanities departments. Any student may take these courses, regardless of prior musical background. The 200-level courses below may also be taken as Music electives by Music majors. Students who wish to take upper-level music history courses and advanced music theory courses are strongly encouraged, given appropriate background, to take MUSC 10100  (Music Theory I) and co-requisite MUSC 18100  (Class Piano) as first courses in music. All courses below earn one course credit.