Music, BA

Purpose and Objectives

The music program prepares competent musicians for futures in a variety of areas including but not limited to church music, intercultural music, elementary music education, contemporary and pop music, and graduate studies.

Admission and Continuation Requirements

• Meet the university undergraduate admission requirements and pass an audition for entrance into the music program.
• At the end of the sophomore year, students will be evaluated for continuation in the program through private lesson juries for proficiency and grade point average (GPA).

Upon successful completion of the requirements of the University and music program, students will have obtained:

• A working knowledge of music theory.
• Fluency on his or her major instrument.
• An understanding of the place of music in the life of the church and the development of the disciple.
• Appropriate skills for leading worship in the local church.
• The ability to understand, appreciate, and evaluate a variety of musical styles and forms (including those of other cultures and subcultures) through classroom study, field experience, solo and ensemble performance, and chapel services.
• A formulation of a personal philosophy of music formed through a biblical worldview and applied to a broad variety of musical styles and ideas. This includes developing an awareness of historical and contemporary philosophies of music and the ability to evaluate one’s own musical preferences.

In addition to the required in-class music courses, the following are required of all music majors:

• Music Convocation (MUS 1000 ) is required of all students who major or minor in music and is to be taken every semester.
• Internship: Students must take a total of four credits of Internship.
• Private Lessons and Ensembles: Students are required to take six semesters of private lessons in their applied instrument. Students are required to take six credit hours of ensembles, at least two of those credits must be Ambassador Choir.
• Piano Proficiency Exam: Students must take and pass the Piano Proficiency Exam in which they will learn and demonstrate the skill appropriate for a college-level music major.
• Senior Recital: In their final semester, students will register for and perform a 25-35 minute recital of level appropriate literature in which they will demonstrate the skills befitting a graduating college senior.

Completion Requirements

• See Undergraduate Core  for graduation requirements.
• Students must earn a passing mark in all courses required for Bible and Theology, Interdisciplinary Bible-related courses and General Education as well as completing and passing all courses and requirements of the Music Major.
• Students must earn a cumulative average of 2.3 (C+) in Music Theory. Any private lesson grade lower than a 2.7 (B-) will not count towards graduation requirements for music majors or minors.