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Music (B.A.)

Description of Major: An Overview

Music majors choose to specialize in one of three tracks:

• Music Education Certification K-12, Audio-Video Recording, and Liberal Arts. Majors in all tracks develop musical skills through courses in music theory, music history, applied study, and performing ensembles. The Music Education K-12 track provides ample opportunity for students to participate in experiential studies through observations and teaching in local schools throughout their studies here.
• The Audio-Video Recording Track, designed for musicians with a career interest in the technical aspects of studio sound recording and/or sound enhancement in the sound lab or concert hall, provides sound equipment for hands-on use, and internship experiences in the field. A modern audio recording studio is updated on a regular basis.
• The Liberal Arts track is a general track to suit a multitude of career interests. Music facilities for all include faculty studios, classrooms, music libraries, a new innovative music lab using a computer/keyboard/software combination for Music Theory composition, and two auditoriums.

The Bachelor of Arts in Music program also affords students the opportunity, through General Education elections and free electives, to study other forms of artistic expression (theater and art), as well as selected subjects from other major academic disciplines.

Career Opportunities for the music major

The music degree is a degree that stresses broad-based areas of knowledge. Students find employment as public school teachers or private teachers of voice or instruments, serve as music resource consultants, are church organists and choir directors, become professional vocal/instrumental performers in a variety of settings, become music library assistants and consultants, are mass media contributors (such as radio music programmers, recording specialists, and newspaper music columnists), find and develop allied opportunities with small businesses and large firms, are employed in many areas of the multi-million dollar music and recording industry, and become arrangers, computer music copyists, and composers.

Students who participate in internship programs (by working as a music apprentice off-campus during summer months or within the academic semester), may well be offered employment as a result of that experience. Internships are required for the Audio-Video Recording Track.

The Bachelor of Arts in Music Education K-12 degree results in receipt of a Pennsylvania public school teaching certificate. Teaching opportunities are also available in private schools. "The music profession is experiencing teacher shortages at crisis proportions. It is estimated that the United States must recruit more than 11,000 qualified music teachers each year just to replace individuals who retire or leave." (Music Educators Journal) An open letter from the National Association of Schools of Music urges all music faculty in higher education to encourage students to enter the field of teaching as the future of many music programs depends on available teachers. Graduate level music study is encouraged as a follow-up.

Initial Procedures for the Prospective Music Major

Prospective students should initially contact the Office of Admissions (570) 389-4316, Student Services Center, regarding admission procedures, indicating music background as requested in the admission application.

Upon notification of acceptance by the University, students contemplating the music major program should contact the Department of Music chairperson for an interview/audition. For fall semester, interviews and evaluation should occur before May 1, if possible, but no later than the student's summer orientation. For spring semester, interview/audition by November 30. It is the prospective major's responsibility to initiate arrangements for an interview/audition, so that sufficient time exists in which to prepare the initial semester schedule.

Contact the Department of Music early to set a date for an audition with the studio instructor and an interview with the chairperson. A theory placement exam will be given at the interview.

When a prospective student determines interest in the B.A. in Music degree program, he or she should request and carefully review both the undergraduate catalogue (now in the University web pages) and the Department of Music informational "Music Major Booklet" concerning the specific description of the music degree program and tracks.

When coming to the Department of Music of Bloomsburg University for an interview/audition, the student should be prepared as follows:

For all majors:

1. An audition with the instructor of the student's primary instrument will be necessary to enter that studio. Contact the department secretary to arrange a time for the audition. Audition requirements are on the website of Bloomsburg University.

2. At the interview with the department chairperson, prospective students will summarize on the "Musical Experience Background" form, their background and understanding of music appreciation, theory, music history, keyboard, and applied ensemble experiences from high school or thereafter.

Ensembles

The majority of the ensembles consist of students who are not music majors or minors, but who have previously performed in ensembles and would like to continue their experience at the collegiate level. Auditions or screenings are necessary for several of them. If a student has a full schedule (18 credits) and would like to be in an ensemble, it may be scheduled for zero credit.

Concert Band

The Bloomsburg University Concert Band is active during the spring semester only. It performs a varied repertoire in the annual Spring Concert and in the Knoebel's Grove Amusement Park Concert at the end of the semester. Guest conductor/composers in recent years have included Robert W. Smith, Jack Stamp, Bruce Yurko, and John Zdechlik. The Concert Band recorded a CD in 1995, and members participate annually in the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band. Auditions are not necessary for students with previous band experience.

Chamber Singers

A select vocal group of 16 members, the singers perform a variety of music suitable for a small ensemble. In addition to standard repertoire, they prepare selections from other entertainment sources, such as musicals and popular song literature. The group performs for high schools, conventions, club meetings, television, radio, and campus concerts. They have toured London, Scotland, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, and Japan. Membership is determined by audition. Students participating must also carry a high academic average in addition to being outstanding singers and actors.

Chamber Orchestra

The University Chamber Orchestra is an intimate group comprised mainly of string instruments with the occasional use of wind and percussion instruments. The Chamber Orchestra's repertoire focuses on literature indigenous to this type of ensemble. The group performs twice a year in a variety of settings. At least one concert a year will feature a guest soloist. Membership is open to interested musicians.

Husky Singers

This is Bloomsburg University's male chorus. Performances consist of light selections of popular, folk and occasionally more serious works. The singers present several performances each year; one combined concert with the Women's Choral Ensemble, one "Homecoming Pops" concert, and one spring concert. Requirements for membership are a desire to sing, enjoy music and perform.

Orchestra

The symphony orchestra is comprised of student and area musicians. Repertoire ranges from serious classics to popular. Performances include annual Fall and Spring concerts, an educational concert for school children, the Pointsettia Pops, and the Columbia Mall concert. Serious concerts feature a guest artist. Notable soloists have included: Edgar Meyer, Vincent Price, Bob McGrath, David Hickman, Leslie Parnas, James Buswell, David Wetherill and Donald Portnoy. (Wind players must audition.)

Concert Choir

Concert Choir is the University's mixed chorus. It performs in a wide variety of styles, singing music from the sixteenth through the twentieth centuries as well as popular and folk pieces. The Concert Choir has sung with the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, and often performs with other area universities. The ensemble has performed for the Pennsylvania Music Educator's State Conference, and has given concerts at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall in New York City, and took 1st place in the National Collegiate Choral Competition at Georgetown University. The choir tours regularly throughout the United States and Canada.

Jazz Ensemble

The Jazz Ensemble is the university's "big band", reflecting the many styles written for this size group throughout the twentieth century. From the swing era to bebop and beyond, the ensemble presents an eclectic array of repertoire. With a standard instrumentation of four trumpets, four trombones, five saxophones, piano, bass, drums and guitar, the ensemble provides these students the opportunity to interpret the diverse styles. The Jazz Ensemble performs concerts on campus, run-out concerts, and exchange concerts with other universities.

Women's Choral Ensemble

The Women's Choral Ensemble repertoire spans time and style from ancient to contemporary, popular to serious. Three campus concerts are performed each year, as well as high school and community programs. A tour highlights the spring activities. Membership is open to all female students and includes a short voice placement audition.

Maroon and Gold Marching Band

The Maroon and Gold Band invites any student with previous instrumental band experience to be a member. We are a field-parade unit of instrumentalists, silk flags, and twirlers. Our selections include both contemporary, popular, and march favorites. We are active from late August through mid-November. A band camp is held prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

Courses

Music courses for all students include Music Listening, Fundamental Musicianship, Jazz in America, and Class Piano I. Music courses provide credits that satisfy the "Humanities" Group A General Education requirement necessary for students at Bloomsburg University. All of the ensembles can be used (at one credit per semester), as well applied music (private lessons) in piano, voice, woodwind, brass, percussion, and orchestral string instruments. Applied study is possible at any level of proficiency, with students being accepted on a "space available" basis in each studio. (There is no applied study fee if 18 or fewer credits are selected in a given semester.)

Music Minors

The minor provides an emphasis in areas designated applied voice, applied instrumental music, applied keyboard, music history and literature, theory (harmony and application), music skills (general music development) and audio recording techniques.

The minor in music is a 22-semester hour emphasis that may be selected by students who major in a program other than the Bachelor of Arts in Music. The minor, which may be completed in eight or fewer semesters, is built from courses that include music theory, ear training, music history and style, applied study and performing ensembles.

All audio-video minors are required to act as recording technician for events sponsored by the Music Department as specified by the adviser. The requirement is for a minimum of three events each semester. Additionally, audio-video minors must complete three internships.