2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Music
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Jennifer Amox, Chair and Associate Professor of Music (Fain Fine Arts Center C117K)
Professors: Morrow
Associate Professors: Amox, Harvey, Luttrell, Vivio
Assistant Professors: Dunbar, Robinson, Wininger
Professors Emeriti: Archambo, Black, Crews, Hough, Maxwell, Schuppener
Mission Statement for the Music Program
The mission of the Department of Music at Midwestern State University is to provide a comprehensive music curriculum and a wide range of performance opportunities which will equip students for a variety of music careers while enabling them also to become well-rounded persons through involvement in diverse liberal arts courses. The Department of Music endeavors to help students develop aesthetic sensibility, cultural awareness, and social responsibility. Not only are students taught to create within their disciplines, they are challenged to evaluate the quality of what they have created. Central to the mission is to empower students to use their talents to enrich and advance society. The Department of Music also serves as a catalyst between the university and the community in promoting artistic activities.
The following degree programs are offered for music majors:
Bachelor of Musical Arts
Bachelor of Music (Performance)
Bachelor of Music (with Teacher Certification), see Music, B.M. with All-Level, Vocal Emphasis Teacher Certification and Music, B.M. with All-Level, Instrumental Emphasis Teacher Certification .
Bachelor of Arts with a major in Music
Midwestern State University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music through its Commission on Accreditation.
General Information
All freshmen and transfer students needing music theory shall take the Music Theory Proficiency Exam, which will determine placement of the student into Basic Music and/or the appropriate section of Music Theory I-IV. The exam should be taken prior to course registration. It is administered by one of the music theory professors who report results to advisors so that the student can register for the correct class and be successful in their first term at MSU.
All entering students are expected to acquire fundamental keyboard skills to be able to function in theory and sight-singing classes as well as in their own applied area. All music majors except keyboard majors are required to demonstrate these basic skills through either 1) an entrance audition consisting of the proficiency requirement or 2) continuous enrollment in piano classes until the proficiency is passed.
All music majors are required to maintain continuous enrollment in their primary performance area until successfully completing the senior recital.
All music majors are required to make a grade of “C” or better in every music course required for the degree and/or major in music.
Additional information regarding Music Department policies and procedures is available in the Department of Music Student Handbook.
Recital Requirements
All candidates for the Bachelor of Music and the Bachelor of Musical Arts degree must prove satisfactory performance ability by performing publicly in recital. Students taking the performance degree will perform a half recital in the junior year, and a full recital in the senior year. Students with teacher certification and all candidates for the Bachelor of Musical Arts degree will perform a half recital in the senior year.
All music majors, with the exception of keyboard majors, must pass the keyboard proficiency examination prior to the performance of their senior recital.
Before a recital is performed publicly, the student will be required to demonstrate to the faculty in his/her performance area that the program is ready for public performance. The time for this preview will be at least three weeks prior to the public performance date.
Recital Attendance Requirements
Each student will be required to enroll in Recital Attendance (MUSC 1000 ) until eight semesters have been completed (seven semesters for students with teacher certification). This course is required for graduation but will carry no semester-hours credit toward a degree. The number of required semesters of Recital Attendance for transfer students will be determined by the Music Department Chair upon the student’s entrance into the music program.
Grading will be by pass/fail. Attending a specified number of recitals will be required each semester for a passing grade. Failure to attend the requisite number of recitals will result in a failing grade for the semester.
Music performance Bachelor of Musical Arts majors must pass a minimum of eight semesters, and students with teacher certification must pass seven semesters. Students will not be cleared for graduation until these requirements are met.
Upper Level Barrier Exam
The Upper Level Barrier Exam is an enhanced jury used by the faculty of the Department of Music to determine if a student is sufficiently prepared to continue applied study at the 3000 level and complete the degree recital(s). Successful completion of the Upper Level Barrier Exam is required before the student may enroll in 3000 level applied study. The barrier exam takes place during jury week the semester preceding anticipated promotion. Transfer students with two previous years of applied study will be allowed to register for upper level study with the approval of the applied instructor following an audition at which two faculty from their applied area are present.
Major Ensemble
The term “major ensemble” as used in the curricula includes: University Symphonic Band, University Wind Ensemble, and University Marching Band for students concentrating in instrumental music; Midwestern Singers and University Choir for students concentrating in vocal music; and University Orchestra for students concentrating in string music. Students concentrating in keyboard or guitar may select from any major ensemble. Other ensembles are considered “secondary ensembles,” with exception that students may enroll in Oratorio Chorus as a major ensemble at the discretion of the Director of Choral Activities. All music majors must participate in at least one major ensemble for credit (minimum of 7 semester credit hours for teacher certification and 8 semester hours for performance majors).
Bachelor of Music with Teacher Certification Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Music degree with teacher certification focuses on preparing students for careers in music education and certification by the Texas Board of Education (K-12, all area). Academic Foundations, Music requirements, and Professional Education requirements are found Music, B.M. with All-Level, Vocal Emphasis Teacher Certification and Music, B.M. with All-Level, Instrumental Emphasis Teacher Certification .
Dolores P. Bolin Distinguished Chair of Piano
The Dolores P., D. Phil, and Aurora S. Bolin Distinguished Chair of Piano was established in 1981 through the generous gift of Mrs. Bolin in memory of her husband, Wichita Falls oilman, D. Houston Bolin. In the 1999-2000 academic year D. Phil and Aurora S. Bolin formally established a second fund in further support of the Chair. The Chair was endowed to allow Midwestern State University to enhance its high level of pianistic and musical excellence. Past holders of the Bolin chair were Dr. Peter Armstrong, Julie Bees, and Dr. Nancy Boston. Dr. Ruth Morrow, NCTM, is the current Dolores P. Bolin and D. Phil and Aurora S. Bolin Distinguished Chair of Piano. She holds degrees from Indiana University (D.M., Piano Performance and Pedagogy), Eastman School of Music (M.M., Piano; M.A., Musicology), and Whitman College (B.A., Music, Philosophy).
Programs and Courses
ProgramsMajorMinorCoursesApplied Music
Courses in performance (private lessons) are available for one or two semester hours credit. Performance course numbers have a first digit of 1, 2, 3, or 4 corresponding to the level of study as a music major/minor. The last digit corresponds to the number of semester hours in which a student is enrolled. The central digits show the area of performance study (piano, voice, non-major voice, etc.) according to the table below. Senior recital is AMUS 4962 for performance majors and AMUS 4961 for the Bachelor of Musical Arts degree and teacher certification.
Students majoring in performance as candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree may enroll for no more than two semester hours in their primary performance area each semester. Candidates for the Bachelor of Musical Arts, Bachelor of Music degree with Teacher Certification, music minors, and non-majors/non-minors may enroll for no more than one semester hour each semester in their primary area.
Voice, piano, or instrumental lessons for non-majors may be taken only with consent of instructor and Department of Music Chair. Music majors who wish to study in an applied area which is not the primary performance area may do so only when all the following conditions apply:
- After careful consideration by his/her primary performance faculty member and advisor.
- The student is taking all required course work in proper sequence.
- The full-time faculty member’s load can handle the additional load and with the approval of the full-time faculty member.
- With the approval of the Department of Music Chair.
| Performance Area: |
Central Digits for Performance Area |
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Voice |
20 |
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Voice for non-majors/non-minors |
70 |
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Keyboard |
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Piano |
22 |
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Piano Proficiency (repeat once only-two semesters total) |
23 |
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Organ |
24 |
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Harpsichord |
28 |
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Keyboard for non-majors/non-minors |
72 |
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Percussion |
26 |
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Strings |
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Violin |
34 |
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Viola |
35 |
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Cello |
36 |
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Double Bass |
37 |
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Guitar |
38 |
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Winds |
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Flute |
40 |
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Oboe |
42 |
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Clarinet |
44 |
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Saxophone |
46 |
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Bassoon |
48 |
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Brasses |
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French Horn |
50 |
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Trumpet (Cornet) |
52 |
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Trombone |
54 |
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Baritone (Euphonium) |
56 |
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Tuba |
58 |
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Instrumental for non-majors/non-minors |
74 |
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Conducting |
60 |
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Composition |
69 |
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Junior Recital, Performance |
86 |
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Senior Recital, Performance, Education, B.M.A. or B.A. music majors |
96 |
Voice, piano, or instrumental for non-majors may be taken only with consent of instructor and department chair.
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