Music

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Chairperson: Dr. Nancy Cobb Lippens
Department Office: Center for Performing and Fine Arts, room 113
Web site: http://www.indstate.edu/music
E-mail: music@indstate.edu

Undergraduate programs in the Department of Music prepare students for professional work or continued study, for teaching in elementary and secondary schools, for entering the music industry, and for general cultural attainment. A solid foundation in comprehensive, integrated musicianship results from participation in performing ensembles, private lessons, and concert attendance, and from the study of music theory, history and literature, piano, music technology, scoring, and conducting.

In support of the liberal arts and sciences mission of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Music participates in the General Education Program and maintains cross-listed courses with the Department of African and African American Studies. Music education degree programs are a component of the University’s Teacher Education Program, through collaboration between faculty of the Department of Music and the College of Education.

The Department of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The Music Education Program holds accreditation with the National  Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, and the Music Business Program is affiliated with NAMM (International Music Products Association).

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Degrees Offered

Students majoring in the Department of Music may earn a bachelor of science, bachelor of arts, bachelor of music, or bachelor of music education degree. Candidates for these degrees must successfully complete the University requirement of a minimum of 124 credit hours, including General Education course work, as well as the requirements for the departmental major. Candidates for a bachelor of arts degree must also complete two years, or the equivalent, of a foreign language.

The bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees offer students flexible programs designed for diverse career opportunities, including positions in the music industry or admission to graduate school. Concentrations are available in music merchandising, music business administration, composition, music history and literature, and music theory. The bachelor of music degree in performance prepares students for graduate study and performing careers. The bachelor of music education degree prepares students for licensure in choral/general or instrumental/general music, with the possible addition of instrumental or choral options.

In addition, the department offers a music minor and a general music teaching minor. Certificate programs are available in piano pedagogy and jazz studies.

Music for Non-Majors

All music ensembles are open to all University students by audition. Ensembles maintain a regular schedule of concert preparation and performance. For more information, refer to course descriptions and prerequisites in the list of courses. Students interested in auditioning should contact the ensemble director.

Other courses of general interest and value to non-majors include piano classes and voice classes, individual performance study, and numerous General Education courses. Elementary education majors may expand their musical skills by completing the general music teaching minor, or by enrolling in Introduction to Music Education (201), Instrumental Techniques for the General Music Classroom (324), Music in the Education of Children (325), General Music Procedures in the Middle School (393), or individual performance study in voice or an instrument (270/470).

Departmental Opportunities

The Department of Music provides students with numerous opportunities to enhance their musical education through private study and performance in groups such as the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, University Symphony, Concert Choir, and Marching Sycamores. Students are also offered a broad range of academic music courses to explore other dimensions of music outside performance. Department of Music facilities include the $7.25 million Center for Performing and Fine Arts, which houses a Recital Hall seating 175, administrative offices, faculty studios and offices, and rehearsal rooms for band, choral, orchestral, jazz, and percussion ensembles. The adjacent Fine Arts Building houses classrooms, a digital keyboard laboratory, a MIDI laboratory, a music computer laboratory, additional teaching studios and offices, the departmental listening library and its collection of over 25,000 recordings, and air-conditioned practice rooms. Over 20,000 music books, scores, and music periodicals are available in Cunningham Memorial Library. Students have access to more than $1.5 million in University-owned instruments. Performances take place in the visually and acoustically attractive Recital Hall and Tilson Music Hall, an historic art-deco space.

The college, in consultation with the departments, assigns each student a faculty academic advisor who has expertise in their degree program. Majors and minors in the Department of Music are encouraged to maintain close contact with their advisor, and are expected to work with their advisor prior to registration each semester. Students who do so are more likely to meet their goals and achieve academic success. Students can find their assigned advisor by consulting the college, the department, or their DARS.

DEPARTMENTAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Entering music majors, minors, or transfer students must complete the departmental application form, submit at least one recommendation from a music instructor, and successfully complete an audition on their principal instrument or voice. A piano conference and a music theory examination are administered to all entering students to determine appropriate placements.

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE STUDY

All music majors must select a principal instrument for their most intensive study in which they will receive at least six semesters of private instruction. Detailed information about semester-by-semester requirements for each instrument is available from the department office. Musical and technical progress is demonstrated by recitals and in examinations before the faculty at the end of each semester. Formal junior and senior recitals are required of majors in performance degrees but are optional for others.

Prior to registering for individual performance study for the first time, students must audition before at least one music faculty member and, if possible, before a committee of music faculty members. This includes students majoring in other areas who desire to take performance instruction courses as electives. If audition requirements are met and staffing is available, any University student may enroll for individual performance study in voice, piano, woodwind, brass, percussion, or strings. Information about audition preparation is available from the department office. Class instruction in voice and piano also is available.

After a successful audition, music majors and minors are placed in individual performance study courses according to degree program: 272 (bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, or music minors), 274 (bachelor of music education), or 276 (bachelor of music). Non-music majors and music majors studying a secondary instrument register for 270.

Prospective music majors or minors who, through auditions, have received only conditional approval on the declared principal instrument should enroll in 100, designating the principal instrument they wish to study. Students who earn a grade of C+ or better for 100 and attain a sufficient degree of technical skill as ascertained by the faculty members hearing the final examination may subsequently enroll in 272, 274, or 276. The hour of credit earned for 100 counts toward graduation but may not substitute for any hour required under another performance instruction course number. Students may not repeat 100 for the purpose of qualifying for 272, 274, or 276. The following letters identify the instrument being studied:

Music majors and minors receive one hour-long lesson per week in the fall and spring semesters. During a five‑week summer term, students receive two 45-minute lessons per week.

All performance courses require a final examination. During a summer term, a recital appearance may be an accepted substitute for the final examination.

A fee of $100 is charged for hour-long individual performance study courses per semester, and $50 for 30-minute individual performance study courses.

ENSEMBLES

The department offers a variety of both vocal and instrumental ensembles. All music majors must participate in ensembles for at least seven semesters. Students who participate in ensembles have the option of registering for zero or one credit. In order to promote a smooth transition into a challenging academic environment, first-year music majors and declared music minors may not participate in more than two performing ensembles until they have accumulated a minimum of 12 credit hours. This rule applies to all ensembles; any exceptions must be approved by the Chairperson of the Department of Music. Transfer students must complete a minimum of two credit hours of ensemble participation at Indiana State University before graduation. All music students should refer to curricula for specific information concerning ensemble requirements.

ADDITIONAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL MAJORS AND MINORS

Keyboard Proficiency

All music majors must pass a keyboard proficiency examination before graduation. Music education majors must pass the keyboard proficiency examination before student teaching. Further information about this requirement is available in the department office.

Event Attendance

More than 75 concerts and recitals representing a broad spectrum of musical styles and genres occur every semester. This resource of musical events is an integral part of a musician’s training. All music majors and minors must attend a specified number of concerts, recitals, department convocations, and Contemporary Music Festival events before graduation. Information concerning this requirement is available in the department office.

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