School of Music

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Director: Dr. Paul Bro
School Office: Landini Center for Performing and Fine Arts, room 113
Web site: http://www.indstate.edu/music
E-mail: music@indstate.edu

The mission of the School of Music at Indiana State University is to prepare students for careers and continued study in music education, music business, performance, and music as a liberal art.   Recognized for its long history of training music educators and members of the music business community, the school offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in a personalized environment.   The school provides experiential learning opportunities, develops life-long learning skills, and fosters cultural engagement and international exchange. In addition, the school promotes awareness and appreciation of the musical arts through courses for all Indiana State University students and serves as a cultural resource for the University, the local community, and the state through outreach, special events, and public performances.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Degrees Offered

Students majoring in the School 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 120 credits, including Foundational Studies course work, as well as the requirements for the school major. Candidates for a bachelor of arts degree must also complete two years, or the equivalent, of a non-native 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 and music business administration. The bachelor of music degree in performance prepares students for graduate study and performing careers. The bachelor of music degree in composition prepares students for graduate study and composition 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 school offers a music minor and a music - general music teaching minor. Certificate programs are available in piano pedagogy  at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

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 Foundational Studies courses.

School Opportunities

The School of Music provides students with numerous opportunities to enhance their musical education through private study and performance in groups such as the Wind Orchestra, University Symphony, Concert Choir, Symphonic Band, Sycamore Singers, Jazz Ensemble, and Marching Sycamores. Students are also offered a broad range of academic music courses to explore other dimensions of music outside performance. School of Music facilities include the Landini Center for Performing and Fine Arts, which houses a Recital Hall seating 175; faculty studios and offices; rehearsal rooms for band, choral, orchestral, jazz, and percussion ensembles; and administrative offices. The adjacent Fine Arts Building houses classrooms, two digital keyboard laboratories, 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, University 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 Schol 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 school, or their Degree Audit Tools.

SCHOOL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Entering music majors, minors, or transfer students must complete the school 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 placement tool 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 in the school’s Performance Study Handbook. 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 two music faculty members and, if possible, before a committee of music faculty members.  Information about audition preparation is available from the schools Web site, www.indstate.edu/music.

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). Music majors studying a secondary instrument register for 270.

Prospective music majors who, through auditions, have received only conditional approval on the declared principal instrument must enroll in Music 100. Students must earn a grade of 75 percent or better on their 100 jury, to enroll in 272, 274, or 276. The hour of credit earned for 100 counts toward graduation but does not count toward a music major. Students may not repeat 100 for the purpose of declaring a music major. Specific repertoire and skill requirements for the 100 jury are available from the instructor.  

Music majors and minors receive one lesson which is at least 50 minutes long 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 up to $120 is charged for each individual performance study credit per semester.

ENSEMBLES

The school 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 Director of the School 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 on the schools Web site.

Event Attendance

A large number of 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, and Contemporary Music Festival events before graduation. Information concerning this requirement is available in the school office.

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