College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences

Music (School of the Arts)

www.music.vt.edu John S. Husser, Jr., Head Professors: A. H. Bachelder; C. V. Burnsed; K. A. Holliday; J. R. Sochinski; D. R. Widder Associate Professors: R. C. Cole; W. J. Crone; W. E. Easter; S. C. Fields; J. M. Floyd; W. J. Glazebrook; M. L. Hallauer; J. R. Howell; J. S. Husser; D. C. Jacobsen; P. L. Simpson Assistant Professors: N. B. McDuffie; P. F. Casey; T. Cowden Instructors: M. E. Dunston; D. M. McKee; G. R. McNeill; J. L. Shew Career Advisor: 231-5685 Overview Satisfactory Progress Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Overview

The Virginia Tech Department of Music provides high-quality training to a select number of music majors, as well as ensembles and courses for large numbers of non-music majors. Instruction takes place in a handsome new facility which has superb rehearsal rooms, well-designed practice rooms and music teaching studios, a beautiful acoustically engineered Recital Salon, and laboratories with state-of-the-art electronic equipment for music study, recording, and digital music.

The curriculum offers an excellent liberal arts education with a low professor/student ratio combined with the library, computer facilities, and cultural interaction which only a major comprehensive university can provide. Learning is enhanced by the use of music technology across the curriculum and innovative programs such as laboratory ensembles and extensive teaching experiences in the music education program. Together with traditional degree programs in Performance, Music Education, and Theory/Composition, students may design a degree plan combining music with virtually all other majors offered by the university.

Virginia Tech faculty artists and scholars have performed and lectured at conventions, in music festivals, and on concert series throughout the United States and in Canada, Europe, Asia, and South America. Each year, internationally known guest artists join forces with our faculty to perform world calibre performances on campus.

Prospective music majors must successfully complete an audition/interview. Contact the chairperson of the Scholarship and Audition Committee, the Department of Music, 241 Squires Student Center, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-0240 to receive information concerning auditions and scholarship opportunities. Scholarship support is available. Please also refer to the School of the Arts general information section for details.

The major in music, leading to a B.A., emphasizes four areas of music: music education; performance; theory/composition and designed option. This designed option area is provided as a means for a student to tailor music and non-music courses into a curriculum that best meets the interests of the student. In addition to fulfilling the core curricula requirements of the university and the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, the music major must pursue a concentration in one of the above areas of emphasis.

There are five primary options available to music majors. These are:

• 78-Credit Music Education Option (see website for details)
• 78-Credit Performance Option
• 78-Credit Composition Option
• 50-Credit Designed Option – Liberal Arts
• 78-Credit Designed Option – Professional

There are pre-approved curricula in both of the designed options in the area of music technology. Pre-approved curricula also are available in the 50-credit Designed Option in performance and composition.

In addition, all music majors must meet a minimum level of piano proficiency no later than two semesters prior to graduation. Music majors are expected to participate in an ensemble or as an accompanist every semester of residence and attend a minimum number of concerts and recitals. Additional curriculum and policy information is available in the Handbook for Music Majors available on the department website.

The minor in music consists of 18 semester hours selected from performance, history/literature, and theory/composition. Interested students should contact Dr. John M. Floyd, Virginia Tech, Department of Music, 247 Squires Student Center, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-0240 or at (540) 231-5604 for the exact requirements.

The department follows the university core except in Area 4 - Scientific Reasoning and Discovery, of which two credits of laboratory science are not required. Both the Music Department and the university foreign language requirement are the same.

Satisfactory Progress

University policy requires that students who are making satisfactory progress toward a degree meet minimum criteria toward the University Core (see "Academics"), toward the Liberal Arts and Human Sciences College Core, and toward the degree in music.

Satisfactory progress toward the B.A. in Music requires that:

1. Upon having attempted 72 semester credits (including transfer, advanced placement, advanced standing, credit by examination, freshman rule), students must have completed:

MUS 2025, 2026: Theory/Harmony	6
MUS 2045, 2046: Harmony/sightsinging Lab	2
MUS 3135, 3136: History and Analysis of Musical Styles	6
MUS 3145, 3146: Styles Lab	2
MUS 3314: Instrumental Ensemble Music or MUS 3414: Choral Ensemble Music	2
MUS 2514: Individual Applied Voice	2
Credits	(20)

2. Upon having attempted 96 semester credits, students must have an in-major grade point average of 2.0 or above.

Undergraduate Courses (MUS)

TOP