Curriculum Change for Bachelor of Music Degree—Strings Track
1) Summary of Changes:
A specific course for string literature (1 credit) is proposed to fulfill the generic Bachelor of Music
literature requirement (3 credits). A proposal for this new course, MUSC446 String Literature, is
being submitted separately at this time. The total credits required for the degree track is reduced
from 122 to 120.
2) Rationale:
This course fulfills accreditation requirements for the B.M. degree in performance.
VII. Competencies, Standards, Guidelines, and Recommendations for Specific Baccalaureate
Degrees in Music
A. Bachelor of Music in Performance
3. Essential Competencies, Experiences, and Opportunities
a) Comprehensive capabilities in the major performing medium including
the ability to work independently to prepare performances at the highest
possible level; knowledge of applicable solo and ensemble literature..."
- p.87, National Association of Schools of Music, 2003-2004 Handbook
In response to a accreditation review, the School of Music instituted a generic, three-credit music
literature requirement. The Piano Division and Voice/Opera Division both have three-credit
courses that fulfill this requirement: MUSC 492 Keyboard Music I and MUSC 443 Solo Vocal
Literature. A three-credit course is necessary to cover the extensive repertoire in piano or voice.
Any instructor in the Piano Division can teach undergraduate piano literature. The same is true in
the Voice/Opera Division. Almost all piano and voice instructors are full-time faculty members.
By contrast, the literature for individual instruments, such as viola, double bass, and harp, is too
small to merit three credits. The Strings Division is comprised of a variety of instruments, each
with a unique repertoire. The individual instructors in viola, double bass, harp, etc. are best
qualified to teach the music written for their instruments. Most string instructors are part-time
adjuncts. Therefore, a single lecture course encompassing all string literature is neither appropriate
nor feasible.
The proposed course provides a means by which the principal studio teacher can cover the
appropriate amount of commonly performed repertoire for each instrument. Because the written
projects are included as a part of the student's weekly individual studio lesson, no additional
resources are needed. See number 5) below for further course details.
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3) Proposed requirements for the B.M. Degree in Performance — Strings
See change at bottom of MAJOR ACADEMIC AREA.
MAJOR PERFORMANCE AREA
Term Course
MUSP 1191
Lessons
MUSP 120
Lessons
MUSP 217
Lessons
MUSP 2182
Lessons
MUSP 315
Lessons
MUSP 316
Lessons
MUSP 419
Lessons
MUSP 4203
Lessons
Ensembles
MUSC 229A
Orchestra
MUSC 229A
Orchestra
MUSC 229A
Orchestra
MUSC 229A
Orchestra
MUSC 229A
Orchestra
MUSC 229A
Orchestra
MUSC 229A
Orchestra
MUSC 229A
Orchestra
MUSC 129A
Chamber Music
MUSC 129A
Chamber Music
MUSC 129A
Chamber Music
MUSC 129A
Chamber Music
MUSC 129A
Chamber Music
MUSC 129A
Chamber Music
(32 crs.)
Grade Crs
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
MAJOR ACADEMIC AREA
(36 credits) — change (was 38 credits)
Grade Crs
Term Course
MUSC 102
Class Piano I
2
MUSC 103
Class Piano II
2
MUSC 150
Theory I
3
MUSC 151
Theory II
3
MUSC 250
Adv Theory I
4
MUSC 251
Adv Theory II
4
MUSC 230
Music History I
3
MUSC 330
Music History II
3
MUSC 331
Music History III
3
MUSC 450
Musical Form
3
MUSC 490
Conducting I
2
MUSC 4xx
Pedagogy
3
MUSC 446
String Literature
1 — change (was 3 credits)
MUSIC ELECTIVES
Choose from MUSC/MUSP/MUED/MUET
(6 credits)
.
.
.
1
MUSP 119, 218 and 419 are courses that a student may be required to repeat upon recommendation of a faculty jury examination.
Students must demonstrate, in lessons and the jury, readiness for Junior Standing.
3
Senior Recital.
2
2
4) Current requirements for the B.M. Degree in Performance — Strings
MAJOR PERFORMANCE AREA
Term Course
MUSP 1194
Lessons
MUSP 120
Lessons
MUSP 217
Lessons
MUSP 2185
Lessons
MUSP 315
Lessons
MUSP 316
Lessons
MUSP 419
Lessons
MUSP 4206
Lessons
Ensembles
MUSC 229A
Orchestra
MUSC 229A
Orchestra
MUSC 229A
Orchestra
MUSC 229A
Orchestra
MUSC 229A
Orchestra
MUSC 229A
Orchestra
MUSC 229A
Orchestra
MUSC 229A
Orchestra
MUSC 129A
Chamber Music
MUSC 129A
Chamber Music
MUSC 129A
Chamber Music
MUSC 129A
Chamber Music
MUSC 129A
Chamber Music
MUSC 129A
Chamber Music
(32 crs.)
Grade Crs
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
(38 credits) — change
MAJOR ACADEMIC AREA
Term Course
Grade Crs
MUSC 102
Class Piano I
2
MUSC 103
Class Piano II
2
MUSC 150
Theory I
3
MUSC 151
Theory II
3
MUSC 250
Adv Theory I
4
MUSC 251
Adv Theory II
4
MUSC 230
Music History I
3
MUSC 330
Music History II
3
MUSC 331
Music History III
3
MUSC 450
Musical Form
3
MUSC 490
Conducting I
2
MUSC 4xx
Pedagogy
3
MUSC 4xx
Literature
3 — change
MUSIC ELECTIVES
Choose from MUSC/MUSP/MUED/MUET
(6 credits)
.
.
.
4
MUSP 119, 218 and 419 are courses that a student may be required to repeat upon recommendation of a faculty jury examination.
Students must demonstrate, in lessons and the jury, readiness for Junior Standing.
6
Senior Recital.
5
3
5) Proposed course (submitted separately to VPAC), MUSC 446 String Literature
Number/Title: MUSC 446 String Literature
Credits: 1
Prerequisite: MUSP 316
Course Description: Recital program notes and written projects in string literature.
The course consists of two major projects as outlined below. Both projects will be completed by
the student in consultation with her/his applied studio teacher. With the studio teacher’s approval,
the projects are submitted to the Division Chair, who determines the final grade in consultation with
the full-time faculty and the student’s applied studio teacher. The Division Chair submits the final
grade. In cases where the student’s private studio teacher is an adjunct, the Division Chair will
assign one of the full-time string faculty to supervise the work.
I. Program Notes
The student will write a program note on each composition presented in the senior degree recital (a
group of short pieces may be treated in a single program note).
These program notes may be presented to the full-time faculty of the String Division at any time
during the semester, but at least one month before the last day of classes. Each program note should
be a minimum of 800 words, and be presented in double-spaced format. They should demonstrate
an awareness of the historical context of the works, the importance of the works to the genre, and
research from a rich variety of sources.
II. Written Project(s)
This assignment will be determined by the studio teacher as appropriate for that instrument with the
following criteria:
(a) The project should demonstrate the student’s knowledge of the standard solo, chamber, and
orchestral repertoire for that instrument.
(b) The project should demonstrate the student’s knowledge of the major written works, periodicals
and pedagogical treatises for their instrument.
(c) The project should demonstrate the student’s ability to construct balanced and well-conceived
concert programs.
Possible projects may include such topics as the construction of a series of recital programs,
annotated lists of standard repertoire, or recording reviews. Due to the wide variety of the
characteristics of the repertoire of the instruments represented in the String Division, the details of
each project will vary from studio to studio, but each project should reflect the expectations of a one
credit course.
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