College Catalog 2024-2025
Liberal Arts and Sciences, Music Major, B.A.
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 Return to: Department of Visual and Performing Arts
Coordinator: Peter Ryan
The major in music is a program that provides a foundation of music studies in music theory, music history/literature, applied music, ensemble performance, orchestration, and conducting and from which a student may pursue specific interests through the completion of additional advanced music course work. The degree culminates in the presentation of a forty-minute capstone recital typically given during the Junior or Senior year. The University of Virginia’s College at Wise is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
ADMISSION TO THE MUSIC MAJOR
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences Music Major must be admitted by an audition for the Division of Music faculty. Please consult the audition requirements for your instrument. Pianists for the audtion are provided by the College, although the student may audition with recorded accompaniment. The Division of Music will arrange specific audition dates each spring semester, but students may also be permitted to audition via pre-recorded video audition. Live auditions are preferred, but in instances where a live audition is not possible, a recorded audition will be accepted.
Students with exceptional experience in the areas of music theory, piano, and music literature may be exempted, upon examination, from certain courses within the Music major curriculum. Students who exempt required courses by examination will be permitted to substitute elective courses in music in fulfillment of their degree requirements.
CAPSTONE RECITAL
The Capstone Recital serves as the “capstone” for the Music major. The Capstone Recital is a minimum forty-minute performance of repertoire of an appropriate degree of difficulty for senior-level undergraduate music majors. Detailed program notes that include the historical and analytical information about the repertoire must be included via physical or digital presentation to the audience. The lecture component of the recital must present a clear thesis explored by the student’s historical and analytical comments and reinforced by the student’s musical performance. The exact expectations of the Capstone Recital are outlined in the Division of Music Capstone Recital syllabus.
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Required Applied Music Courses
- MUS 14XX - Applied Music: Principal Instrument Credit(s): 4 (2-2)
- MUS 24XX - Applied Music: Principal Instrument Credit(s): 4 (2-2)
- MUS 34XX - Applied Music: Principal Instrument Credit(s): 4 (2-2)
- MUS 3900 - Capstone Recital Credit(s): 2 (2)
Required Music Theory Courses
Required Applied Music Secondary/Piano Courses
A passing grade in Class Piano courses is contingent upon successful completion of the Division of Music Piano Proficiency Exam administered in each Class Piano course. Music majors who study piano as their principal instrument must complete two hours of Applied Music study on a secondary instrument in lieu of the required Class piano courses. Students may choose from MUS 1231 , MUS 1265 , MUS 1311 - MUS 1371 . Required Music History Courses
Required Ensemble Participation
Ensemble participation each semester is made in consultation with and discretion of the Division of Music faculty. A minimum of 7 credit hours in ensemble participation is required. Two hours of ensemble credit must be earned in small ensembles. Enrollment in a minimum of one large ensemble is required each term of residence. Vocal principals are to participate in Concert Choir every semester in residence. Instrumental majors in the Teacher Education Program are to participate in Marching Highland Cavaliers every fall semester in residence. Large Ensemble
- Highland Winds, Concert Choir, Marching Band, Highland Chorale, Jazz Ensemble (minimum of one enrollment per term of residence) Credit(s): 5 Total Required, Ensembles are 1 credit hour each.
Small Ensemble
- Wind Ensemble, Highland Cavalier Pep Band, Bluegrass Ensemble, Highland Chorale, Madrigal Choir, Jazz Combo, Guitar Ensemble, String Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble Credit(s): 2 Total Required, Ensembles are 1 credit hour each.
Required Professional Sequence – Orchestration and Conducting Courses
Required Music Elective Hours
Students must select from MUS 3000 or 4000 level courses (lower division music electives accepted with Division of Music approval); or elect the Teacher Education Program (TEP) or Professional Studies Curriculum in lieu of upper division music electives. - MUS XXXX - MUS 3000- or 4000-level courses Credit(s): 3
- MUS XXXX - MUS 3000- or 4000-level courses Credit(s): 3
Additional Requirements
Attendance at weekly Music Department meetings is required for all music majors. Seven semesters of successful completion of this course is required for graduation. Total Credit Hours: 58
Note: six hours of MUS course work may be used to fulfill the liberal arts core area IX: Arts and area X: Humanities. Music Major - Teaching Licensure
Music majors interested in teaching licensure will be required to take the following coursework. Required Applied Music Courses
Applied music course numbers are determines by the instrument studied. See course listings below for specific course numbers. - MUS 14XX - Applied Music: Principal Instrument Credit(s): 4 (2-2)
- MUS 24XX - Applied Music: Principal Instrument Credit(s): 4 (2-2)
- MUS 34XX - Applied Music: Principal Instrument Credit(s): 4 (2-2)
- MUS 3900 - Capstone Recital Credit(s): 2
Required Music Theory Courses
Required Applied Music Secondary/Piano Courses
A passing grade in Class Piano courses is contingent upon successful completion of the Division of Music Piano Proficiency Exam administered in each Class Piano course. Music majors who study piano as their principal instrument must complete two hours of Applied Music study on a secondary instrument in lieu of the required Class piano courses. Students may choose from MUS 1231 , MUS 1265 , MUS 1311 -MUS 1371 . Required Music History Courses
Required Ensemble Participation
Ensemble participation each semester is made in consultation with and discretion of the Division of Music faculty. A minimum of 7 credit hours in ensemble participation is required. Two hours of ensemble credit must be earned in small ensembles. Enrollment in a minimum of one large ensemble is required each term of residence. Vocal principals are to participate in Concert Choir every semester in residence. Instrumental majors in the Teacher Education Program are to participate in Marching Highland Cavaliers every fall semester in residence. Large Ensemble
- Highland Winds, Concert Choir, Marching Band, Highland Chorale, Jazz Ensemble (minimum of one enrollment per term of residence) Credit(s): 5 total Required, Ensembles are 1 credit hour each.
Small Ensemble
- Wind Ensemble, Highland Cavalier Pep Band, Bluegrass Ensemble, Highland Singers, Madrigal Choir, Men’s Vocal Ensemble, Jazz Combo, Women’s Vocal Ensemble, Chamber Music Ensemble, Clarinet Choir, Guitar Ensemble Credit(s): 2 Total Required, Ensembles are 1 credit hour each.
Required Professional Sequence – Orchestration and Conducting Courses
Required Music Education Hours
Students must take the following music education courses to fulfill the Teacher Education Program (TEP) requirements. Education Course Requirements
Additional Requirement
Attendance at weekly Music Department meetings is required for all music majors. Seven semesters of successful completion of this course is required for graduation. |
Return to: Department of Visual and Performing Arts
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