Bachelor of Music in Performance

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Music in Performance degree at Townsend School of Music equips students with exceptional technical skills and artistry for a professional music career. Emphasizing performance excellence, the program offers double credit for applied lessons, extensive performance opportunities, and a comprehensive curriculum in music theory, history, and conducting. Graduates are prepared for diverse careers as soloists, ensemble musicians, educators, producers, and therapists.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

The Bachelor of Music in Performance degree is designed to provide students with the technical skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a career as a professional musician. The program emphasizes excellence in performance, with students expected to achieve a high level of technical ability, artistry, and difficulty.

Objectives:

• To develop students' technical skills and knowledge in their chosen instrument or voice
• To foster students' musical artistry and creativity
• To prepare students for a successful career in music performance

Program Description:

The Bachelor of Music in Performance degree requires students to take approximately 65% of their required credits in the major area and in supportive courses in music. The most distinctive feature of this degree is the double credit hours given for applied lessons from the sophomore year. This credit is assigned to compensate students for the double amount of practice time spent to prepare for their weekly applied lessons. The major areas of applied study include voice, piano, organ, harpsichord, orchestral instruments, wind instruments, percussion instruments, and guitar. Individual performance skills are nurtured in weekly private lessons, weekly studio classes, monthly recitals, semester-end juried examinations, junior recitals, and senior recitals. Students are required to participate in at least one ensemble per semester, and most students perform in more than one. Large and small ensemble experiences are available in each applied music area. Other required courses specifically designed for this degree program include pedagogy of the instrument/voice and literature of the instrument/voice. Teaching in a discipline invariably leads to the synthesis of knowledge about the subject area as well as heightened clarity of communication of that knowledge. Other required supportive courses in music for this degree consist of sequences in music theory, musicianship, counterpoint, music history, and conducting. An additional 12 music elective credit hours must be chosen from the array of course offerings within the Townsend School of Music. The General Education requirements are met by enrolling in 39 credits of the Common Core within the College of Liberal Arts.

Outline:

Program Content:

The Bachelor of Music in Performance degree includes the following content areas:

• Applied music (private lessons)
• Music theory
• Musicianship
• Counterpoint
• Music history
• Conducting
• Music electives

Course Schedule:

The course schedule for the Bachelor of Music in Performance degree is typically as follows:

• Freshman Year: Applied music (2 credits per semester), Music Theory I and II (3 credits per semester), Musicianship I and II (2 credits per semester), Music History I and II (3 credits per semester)
• Sophomore Year: Applied music (4 credits per semester), Music Theory III and IV (3 credits per semester), Counterpoint I and II (2 credits per semester), Music History III and IV (3 credits per semester)
• Junior Year: Applied music (4 credits per semester), Conducting I and II (2 credits per semester), Music History V and VI (3 credits per semester), Music Electives (3 credits per semester)
• Senior Year: Applied music (4 credits per semester), Junior Recital (1 credit), Senior Recital (2 credits), Music Electives (6 credits per semester)

Individual Modules:

• Applied Music: Students receive private lessons on their chosen instrument or voice.
Lessons focus on developing students' technical skills, musical artistry, and performance skills.
• Music Theory: Students learn the fundamentals of music theory, including pitch, rhythm, harmony, and form.
• Musicianship: Students develop their musicianship skills through exercises in sight-reading, ear training, and music appreciation.
• Counterpoint: Students learn the principles of counterpoint, the art of combining multiple independent melodic lines.
• Music History: Students study the history of music from the Middle Ages to the present day.
• Conducting: Students learn the principles of conducting, including score study, rehearsal techniques, and performance interpretation.
• Music Electives: Students choose from a variety of music electives to complement their studies.
Electives may include courses in music theory, music history, music performance, and music education.

Assessment:

Students in the Bachelor of Music in Performance degree are assessed through a variety of methods, including:

• Applied Music Lessons: Students are assessed on their technical skills, musical artistry, and performance skills in their weekly applied music lessons.
• Studio Classes: Students are assessed on their participation in studio classes, which focus on developing students' performance skills and musicianship.
• Monthly Recitals: Students are assessed on their performance skills in monthly recitals.
• Semester-End Juried Examinations: Students are assessed on their technical skills, musical artistry, and performance skills in semester-end juried examinations.
• Junior Recitals: Students are assessed on their performance skills in their junior recitals.
• Senior Recitals: Students are assessed on their performance skills in their senior recitals.

Teaching:

The Bachelor of Music in Performance degree is taught by a faculty of experienced music professionals. The faculty are dedicated to providing students with the highest quality of instruction and support.

Unique Approaches:

The Bachelor of Music in Performance degree at Townsend School of Music includes several unique approaches to teaching and learning:

• Double Credit for Applied Lessons: Students receive double credit for applied lessons from the sophomore year.
This credit is assigned to compensate students for the double amount of practice time spent to prepare for their weekly applied lessons.
• Emphasis on Performance: The program emphasizes excellence in performance, with students expected to achieve a high level of technical ability, artistry, and difficulty.
• Extensive Performance Opportunities: Students have numerous opportunities to perform in recitals, concerts, and other musical events.

Careers:

Graduates of the Bachelor of Music in Performance degree are prepared for a variety of careers in music performance, including:

• Soloists: Performers who give solo recitals and concerts.
• Ensemble Musicians: Performers who play in orchestras, bands, and other musical ensembles.
• Music Educators: Teachers who teach music in schools and other educational settings.
• Music Producers: Professionals who record, mix, and produce music for a variety of purposes.
• Music Therapists: Professionals who use music to help people with physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges.