Bachelor of Arts in Music

Four Year Degree Program - 120 credit hours


Specializations in:
Church Music,
Performance or
Contemporary Music






The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree program is open to students majoring in:

• voice
• piano and/or keyboard
• drums
• electric bass
• guitar
• saxophone
• and orchestral instruments

The Bachelor of Arts in Music program develops excellence in musicianship and leadership with an emphasis on theoretical, experiential and practical learning. It is designed to provide students with skills that can be applied in either a professional music or church music setting.

Course Requirements

Common First Year

Music majors will take a common first year program and elect one of three areas of specialization at the beginning of their second year:

• Church Music
• Performance
• Contemporary Music

Field Education

Field Education requirements ensure practical experience in the student’s area of study. Music majors engage in numerous individual and large & small group ensemble performance opportunities throughout their degree program. Collectively, these activities will fulfill the Field Education component required for graduation.

Profile of a Graduating Student

A graduating student will be able to:

• give evidence of increasing knowledge of the Bible and theology
• articulate a Biblical philosophy of music within the local church
• plan a comprehensive program of music for both secular and church settings
• lead and perform with appropriate confidence and competence
• understand and perform the responsibilities of a professional musician
• understand leadership styles

Career Path Options

This degree can lead to employment as:

• a minister of music
• a professional musician
• a private music teacher
• a missionary in a music–related position.
  
  Future Education Possibilities
  
  This degree program will provide students with a foundation for graduate studies in music.

Course Requirements

Biblical and Theological Studies (30 credit hours)

• BBL100 Introduction to the Bible (3)
• BBL211 Synoptic Gospels (3)
• BBL310 Biblical Hermeneutics (3)
• BBLxxx Biblical Electives (6)
• CSP130 Introduction to Spiritual Formation (3)
• CSPxxx Christian Spirituality Elective (3)
• THO100 Christian Theology (3)
• THOxxx Theology Elective (3)
• BBL/CSP/THO Elective (3)

General Arts (24 credit hours)

• HTH180 Christian Mind (3)
• HTH182 Christian Ethics (3)
• HTH272 Introduction to World Civilizations (3)
• HTH 274 Leadership Principles (3)
• HTH283 Principles of Philosophy (3)
• LNG180 Introduction to Academic Writing & Research (3)
• SSC193 Principles of Psychology (3)
• One of:
      SSC194 Principles of Sociology (3) or
      SSC195 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3)

Professional Studies (3 credit hours)

• ICS150 Global Christian Citizenship

Music Studies Core Music Courses
(31 credit hours)

All music majors are required to take these courses:

• MUS131 to 135 Private Lessons (1) x 2 semesters *
• MUS223 Musicianship I (1)
• MUS224 Musicianship II (1)
• MUS198 Contemporary Theory (3)
• MUS238 Worship and Music (3)
• MUS293 Music Theory I (3)
• MUS294 Music Theory II (3)
• MUS395 Music History I (3)
• MUS396 Music History II (3)
• MUS397 Music History III (3)
• MUSxxx Large Group Ensemble (1) x 6 semesters

Electives (6 credit hours) (may be music or non-music electives)

• *Students entering the Music program who already know that they will choose either the Performance or Contemporary Music specializations at the beginning of their 2nd year, are strongly encouraged to take MUS231-235 Private Lessons (2) instead of MUS131-135 Private Lessons (1) during each semester of their first year. The additional 2 credit hours may be counted as Music Electives.

Additional Requirements

All Music majors must participate in a Large Group Ensemble (i.e. MUS138 Choir & Orchestra) each semester except for Contemporary Music Specialists who require only 6 semesters of participation in a Large Group Ensemble. Music majors registered in MUS138 Choir & Orchestra are required to take private music lessons, either through RMC or privately. Music majors who are orchestra members must take private lessons on their orchestral instrument.
(Note: Piano majors may elect to take the accompanying courses MUS271 (1) and MUS371 (1) in lieu of a maximum of 2 credit hours of Large Group Ensemble).

• Music majors must pass a piano proficiency test prior to graduation. See the Music Department for details. If a student does not have a sufficient background in piano upon admission to the program, it is recommended that the student register for MUS126 Piano Class or private lessons in piano until the piano proficiency requirement is fulfilled. (These piano lesson credits may be used as music electives). 
   
• All students applying to the Bachelor of Arts in Music program are required to pass a diagnostic theory placement test. Students who are unable to fulfill this requirement must register in MUS197 Rudiments of Music Theory. This course is not considered a Core Music course, but may be counted in the Music Elective category.
• Music majors are required to attend two Music Department-sponsored on-campus recitals or concerts per semester. See the Music Department for further details.
• Music majors must obtain a minimum of a C grade in each performance-based music course or repeat the course to obtain course credit. (Performance-base courses: MUS131-138/231-235/239/271/321/337/339/371/381/385/398/421/437/485/498) Music majors must obtain a 2.30 GPA in all other music courses both before admission to third year and prior to graduation.

In addition to the Core Music courses listed on the previous page, Music majors are required to take the following courses, according to the area of specialization selected at the beginning of the second year:

Music Specializations (26 credit hours)

Church Music

• MUS131-135 Private Lessons (1) x 6 semesters (6)
• MUS239 Conducting I (2)
• MUS339 Conducting II (2)
• MUS391 Arranging (2)
• MUS392 Introduction to Music Technology (2)
• MUS393 Modern Band (2)
• MUS394 Orchestration (2) 
• MUS492 Songwriting (2
• MUS499 Music Practicum (2)
• MUSxxx Large Group Ensemble (2)
• MUSxxx Music Electives (2)  

Performance

• MUS231-235 Private Lessons (2) x 6 semesters (12)
• MUS324 Advanced Musicianship (1)
• MUS239 Conducting I (2)
• MUS271/371 Accompanying I/II (2)
  or
• MUS321/421 Chamber Music I/II(2) or MUS422 Opera Workshop may replace MUS421
• MUS398 Junior Recital (1)
• MUS498 Senior Recital (1)
• One of:
      MUS495 Vocal Pedagogy (2) or
      MUS496 Piano Pedagogy (2) or
      MUS497 Orchestral Instrument Pedagogy (2)

• MUSxxx Large Group Ensemble (2)
• MUSxxx Music Electives (3)

Contemporary Music

• MUS131-135 Private Lessons (2) x 6 semesters (12)
• MUS324 Advanced Musicianship (1)
• MUS337-437 Performance Lab I/II (2)
• MUS381 Improvisation (2)
• MUS391 Arranging (2)
• MUS392 Introduction to Music Technology (2)
• MUS492 Songwriting (2)
• MUS494 The Music Business (1)
• MUS499 Music Practicum (2)
  or
• MUS385 Third Year Concert (1) and MUS485 Graduation Concert (1)