Professors Gamso, Griffin, Roden

Associate Professors Chiou, Edwards, Hiester

Assistant Professor Whitehead

The mission of the Department of Music is threefold: to impart knowledge as transmitted through the study and performance of music, which is one of the essential fine arts in the undergraduate liberal arts curriculum; to develop and enhance the creative and academic musical talents of those students who aspire for various professional careers in the field of music; and to place the study of music in the context of social, cultural and educational values. This mission statement is directly related to the Statement of Aims of Ohio Wesleyan University, which is found in the University section.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

GOAL:

1) Students develop a background in music and musicianship that prepares them for a wide range of further educational and vocational activities that include music as a component.

2) Students develop musical and pedagogical skills that prepare them for professional careers as music teachers in public, private, and parochial schools on the primary and secondary levels, and are certified as music specialists in the State of Ohio.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Students will gain skills in and understanding of analysis and composition of music in the style of the Common-Practice Period (1600-1900).
2. Students will gain musicianship skills in both aural perception and sight singing relative to music in the style of the Common-Practice Period (1600-1900).
3. Students will gain knowledge and understanding of historical musical styles, compositional techniques, and performance practices of various style periods.
4. Students will gain skills in basic keyboard techniques.
5. Students will gain skills and learn representative repertoire in a specific musical performance medium.
6. Students will gain advanced skills in and understanding of analysis of music in the style of the Common-Practice and Post-Common-Practice Periods.
7. Students will gain knowledge and understanding of historical musical styles, compositional techniques, and performance practices of the Post Common-Practice Period.
8. Students will learn ensemble techniques and representative repertoire in both large and small musical ensembles appropriate to their specific performance mediums.
9. Students will gain knowledge of the characteristics of musical instruments and their use in compositions and arrangements.
10. Students will gain skills in conducting both instrumental and choral ensembles, as well as knowledge and understanding of scores and techniques of score reading.
11. Students will gain skills in intermediate keyboard techniques, leading to the passing of the Piano Proficiency Exam.
12. Students will gain basic performance skills and knowledge of pedagogical techniques in specific performance mediums.
13. Students will gain a basic understanding of the use of technology in music and music education.
14. Students will gain knowledge and understanding of pedagogical methods and techniques applied to a variety of musical classes and ensembles found in school settings ranging from kindergarten to 12th grade, as well as practical knowledge and skills in teaching music in the field.
15. Students will gain skills preparatory to the art of teaching, as well as knowledge and understanding of principles and philosophies of education.

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The work of the Department of Music works toward dual objectives. First, for the music major, several programs are offered:

• The Bachelor of Music in Performance program prepares for graduate study and/or the pursuit of one of the various professional areas of music
• The Bachelor of Music in Music Education program prepares students to teach general, vocal and instrumental music in PreK–12 schools
• The Bachelor of Music in Music Composition fosters the original voice of young composers, preparing them for graduate study and/or independent activity in their field
• The Bachelor of Arts with a major in music provides for a non-professional concentration within the context of a liberal arts education.

Secondly, the department offers courses for the non-major that count toward University Distribution requirements, as well as applied music instruction, performance opportunities and other musical experiences (both as participants and as audience members), so that the non-music major can develop an understanding and appreciation of music as one of the components of a liberal education. Courses in music history/literature and in music theory are available to non-majors. Non-majors can fulfill the Group IV distribution requirement by successfully completing one of the following:

• MUS 105 (Appreciation of Music Literature);
• MUS 110 (Fundamentals of Music Theory) and MUS 155 (Music Theory 1);
• MUS 229 (Intro to Electronic Music Composition);
• MUS 347 (History of Jazz);
• MUS 348 (Music in World Cultures).

Non-music majors may enroll for applied music study for 0.25 units per semester. One unit in the same applied area may be credited to the total courses required for graduation.

An audition is required prior to entering the Bachelor of Music degree or the Bachelor of Arts Music major. An Exploratory Start option provides students an opportunity to audition at the conclusion of the first semester of study. Majors should begin their work in the freshman year. They must, however, plan their coursework in applied music so that it will continue through the junior and senior years. Performance requirements vary according to each program. For specific requirements, please see under “Programs” on the main Music page of the OWU Catalog or the Music Department Student Handbook. Music majors are responsible for the recital and jury accompanying fees as listed in the Music Department Student Handbook. Recital attendance is required of all music majors. The Recital Attendance Policy is described in the Music Department Student Handbook. All curricula for each degree program are listed in the Department of Music Handbook. Each music major, whether B.M. or B.A., is required to participate and enroll for credit in at least one primary ensemble each semester in the area of major applied study. (Jazz Band may not be elected as the only major ensemble.) The music department reserves the right to assign majors to the appropriate ensembles as the needs of the department dictate. Music majors may not take music department courses on a credit/no entry basis. 

Music majors will be evaluated at the end of every semester and must attain the status of junior standing at the end of the sophomore year in order to continue in the program.

Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree must meet the same residence and scholastic requirements as those required for the Bachelor of Arts degree.

Applied Music 

• Enrollment in applied music will not be accepted after the end of the second week of the semester.
• Applied music cannot be taken credit/no entry or without credit.
• Music composition is offered under applied music numbers for majors and others who meet requirements.
• Fees listed below apply to non-music candidates studying applied music. There will be no refund of fees for applied music courses dropped after the end of the second week of the semester.
• B.A. candidates may enroll in any area of applied music and, upon completion of one unit of credit, will receive elective credit toward graduation. If all the work is completed in one area of applied music, this unit may be counted as a semester course.

Applied Music Credit, Lesson Time, and Non-Major Fee:

100 level/0.25 Unit: One 30-minute lesson per week; $250 per semester.

200 level/0.25 Unit: One 60-minute lesson per week; $375 per semester.

300 level/0.50 Unit: One 60-minute lesson per week; music performance majors only.

Primary Ensembles

For Bachelor of Music degree candidates, two units of credit in the primary ensemble must be completed before graduation. Non-music majors may audition for any Music Ensemble. Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester. F, S. Please see The Bachelor of Arts Degree – Unit Courses section for restrictions on the number of music ensemble units that B.A. candidates may count toward graduation.

Lists of Music Ensemble MUSP courses are in the Music section of Courses of Instruction. 

Secondary Ensembles  

Study and performance of small ensemble and chamber music literature. F, S.

Programs

• Music Major

• Music Composition, Bachelor of Music
• Music Education (Choral), Bachelor of Music
• Music Education (Instrumental), Bachelor of Music
• Music Education (Keyboard), Bachelor of Music
• Music Performance Major (Instrumental), Bachelor of Music
• Music Performance Major (Keyboard), Bachelor of Music
• Music Performance Major (Vocal), Bachelor of Music

• Music Minor