Summary of Proposed SOM Curriculum Changes
Spring 2010
The Curriculum Committee of the School of Music undergoes an extensive
program review each year. In the year 2007-08, the Music Education Program completed
a major revision process. In keeping with the goal of curricular excellence by the School
of Music, some revisions become necessary each year, due to growth and continued
program improvement.
Audition and Admission Policy:
As a result of the review process the following changes are requested for approval
by the TEC and the UPCC. The Curriculum Committee along with the Assistant Dean
for Admissions and Student Services of the College of the Arts has found it necessary to
streamline the audition and admission policy for the School of Music. It was concluded
that two opportunities for audition were sufficient to determine the musical proficiency
necessary for entrance. In addition, it was determined that a specified minimum GPA of
2.0 was necessary for audition permission by transfer students or KSU students wishing
to change majors.
GENERAL OVERVIEW of specific changes to the BM in Music Education
courses and requirements include:
A. New course: MUSI 1143/3343 large Jazz Ensembles I, II. These additional large
ensembles will increase the choices for Music Majors, which will now include two bands,
two orchestras, two choral groups and now two large jazz ensembles.
B. Change in Prerequsite: MUED 3302 (3-0-3) Choral Methods, Materials and
Curriculum will now require an additional prerequsite of MUSI 4434 Vocal Pedagogy for
Ensemble Singing, in order to be more fully prepared for the content of the Choral
Methods course.
C. Changes in Requirements:
1. Pianists in the General and Choral Concentrations need concentrated vocal
skill development. Therefore, it was determined that they now be required to take four
semesters of applied voice lessons. It was also determined that a semester of
MUSI 3333 Accompanying would be of great benefit. The decision was made to
substitute the above requirements for previous requirements of Piano Literature, Piano
Pedagogy and a semester of Class Piano III or IV.
2. Pianists in the Orchestra and Band Concentrations need additional
requirements in piano accompanying, therefore the decision was made to require two
semesters of MUSI 3333 Accompanying to substitute for previous requirements of Piano
Literature or Piano Pedagogy.
3. Students in General Music Education who are not vocalists or pianists must
take three semesters of applied voice lessons. These credits will substitute for Voice
Techniques, Italian/English Diction, and one instrumental techniques choice.
4. All students in General and Choral Concentrations may now elect to take a
full semester of Guitar Techniques, (giving a total choice of three--Brass/Woodwind or
Strings/Guitar.)
5. All students in General and Choral Concentrations must now take a minimum
of four (4) semesters in a large choral ensemble.
6. All students in Band Concentration may now elect to take a semester of
MUED 3372 Strings/Guitar, (giving a total choice of three—String Techniques II or
Voice Techniques.)
SPECIFIC CHANGES IN POLICIES, COURSES, AND REQUIREMENTS:
I. General Policy:
Admission into the School of Music
Admission to all degree programs in the School of Music is contingent upon admission to
Kennesaw State University, completion of a supplemental application and successful
audition with the School of Music, and demonstration of successful academic
performance. All prospective music majors and minors are required to audition for the
faculty on their principal instrument or voice. If the student is not accepted based on their
first audition, they may complete a second audition for admission in a later term. If,
however, they are not accepted after the second audition, the student may not audition
again. In order to be eligible for admission to the School of Music, prospective transfer
students and current KSU students interested in becoming a music major or minor must
have a minimum adjusted GPA of 2.0 to audition/apply for entrance into a music degree
program.
Applied music study may not be initiated until the student has been fully accepted as a
major or minor by the School of Music. All students enrolling at KSU for a second
degree in music must meet the same departmental audition requirements required of all
incoming students. Prior to admission to a music degree program, the prospective music
major/minor is required to submit an application form to the College of the Arts and
present an audition in the principal area of applied concentration. Applicants may also
elect to audition on more than one instrument and/or an instrument and voice. Auditions,
conducted by the music faculty are held on the Kennesaw State University campus on
specific dates. Applicants may schedule auditions by making arrangements with the
College of the Arts Office of Admissions and Student Services.
New Courses:
MUSI 1143 Jazz Ensemble I and II (0-4-1): This course may be repeated for lowerdivision credit. The School of Music offers two large jazz ensembles that perform both
on and off campus in concert. The ensembles perform a variety of styles with the jazz
idiom including traditional swing, bop, Latin, Afro-Cuban, and funk.
MUSI 3343 Jazz Ensemble I and II: This course may be repeated for upper-division
credit. The School of Music offers two large jazz ensembles that perform both on and off
campus in concert. The ensembles perform a variety of styles with the jazz idiom
including traditional swing, bop, Latin, Afro-Cuban, and funk.
Footnote: (Under all concentrations)
Jazz Ensemble (MUSI 1143/3343) may be used for up to four (4) large ensemble credits
only by permission of the Director of Jazz Studies.
(Jazz Ensemble 1143/3343 will also be referenced in the footnote reading:
“Placement of students in large ensembles is determined by the appropriate large
ensemble director. Students will repeat one large ensemble four times”)
II. Changes to Music Education Degree Requirements:
(All areas: Jazz Ensemble footnote—see above)
General Music Concentration (Pianists):
Delete statement in footnote: “Pianists in the General Music Concentration must take
either MUSI 3165 Class Piano III or MUSI 3166 Class Piano IV(1).” Also delete
statement “Pianists [in this concentration] must elect MUSI 4413 Piano Literature I (2)
and MUSI 4430 Piano Pedagogy I (2).”
Add statement: “Pianists in the General Music Concentration must take four (4)
semesters of applied voice lessons MUAP 3311, 3312, 4411, 4412 (4) and one (1)
semester of MUSI 3333 Accompanying (1).”
Add statement: “Pianists in the General Music Concentration must take either MUED
3371 Brass/Woodwind Techniques, MUED 3372 Strings/Guitar Techniques, OR MUED
3353 Guitar Techniques.”
General Music Concentration:
Add footnote: “General Music Education majors who are not vocalists or pianists will
be required to take 3 semesters of applied voice lessons MUAP 3311, 3312, 4411 (3).
They will not be required to take MUED 3355 Voice Techniques (1) or MUSI 3334
Italian/English Diction (1).
In addition, they will choose either MUED 3353 Guitar Techniques, MUED 3371
Brass/Woodwind Techniques, OR MUED 3372 Strings/Guitar Techniques.
Add statement: “All General Music Education majors must take a minimum of four
semesters of a large choral ensemble.”
Choral Concentration (Pianists):
Delete statement in footnote: “Pianists in the Choral Concentration must take either
MUSI Class Piano III or MUSI 3166 Class Piano IV. (1)” Also delete statement
“Pianists [in this concentration] must elect MUSI 4413 Piano Literature I (2) and MUSI
4430 Piano Pedagogy I (2).”
Add statement in footnote: “Pianists in the Choral Concentration must take four (4)
semesters of applied voice lessons MUAP 3311. 3312, 4411, 4412, (4) and one (1)
semester of MUSI 3333 Accompanying (1).”
Add statement in footnote: “Pianists in the Choral Concentration must take either
MUED 3371 Brass/Woodwind Techniques, MUED 3372 Strings/Guitar Techniques, OR
MUED 3353 Guitar Techniques.”
Choral Concentration:
Add statement in footnote: All Choral Music Education Majors will choose either
MUED 3353 Guitar Techniques, MUED 3371 Brass/Woodwind Techniques, OR MUED
3372 Strings/Guitar Techniques.
Add statement in footnote: “All Choral Music Education majors must take a minimum
of four semesters of a large choral ensemble.”
Orchestra Concentration (Pianists):
Delete statement in footnote: “Pianists in the Orchestra Concentration must elect either
MUSI 4413 Piano Literature OR MUSI 4430 Piano Pedagogy (2)
Add statement in footnote: “Pianists in the Orchestra Concentration must take two (2)
semesters of MUSI 3333 Accompanying.”
Band Concentration (Pianists):
Delete statement in footnote: “Pianists in the Band Concentration must elect either
MUSI 4413 Piano Literature OR MUSI 4430 Piano Pedagogy (2)
Add statement in footnote: “Pianists in the Band Concentration must take two (2)
semesters of MUSI 3333 Accompanying.”
Add choice:
All students in Band Concentration must choose MUED 3352 String Techniques II,
MUED 3355 Voice Techniques, OR MUED 3372 Strings/Guitar (1).
Pre-Requsite Change:
MUED 3302 Choral Methods, Materials and Curriculum (3-0-3): Prerequsite:
MUSI 2222, EDUC 2110, MUSI 4434 and Admission to Teacher Education.