Bluffton University

Music

We believe that music represents a basic need and desire of all peoples; study of the musical arts involves and develops perceptual, cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills, while fostering creativity. Whereas musical experiences must enable a person to respond, act and understand in a responsible and meaningful manner, we believe that music is an integral part of the total liberal arts experience and is an emphatic expression of that which makes education worthwhile.

As a department within a church-related liberal arts university, the music department hopes to meet students at their current musical levels and push them to a new understanding of music and its importance in a balanced lifestyle. Goals for our students include maximum development of their academic and musical abilities; recognition of the importance of meaning and faith in relation to music, as either vocation or avocation; cultivation of a spirit of cooperation, rather than competition; and preparation for success and continued learning in contemporary society.

We believe that performance is central to the musical experience. It is our goal to motivate students to achieve the highest levels of proficiency in performance through the presentation of a wide variety of musical events including recitals, departmental performances and concerts, and through recital/concert attendance and performance requirements.

For the general student it is our objective to provide opportunities to study music as one of the representative arts in world culture and the global community; to provide opportunities to develop performance skills for use throughout life; to provide ensemble settings in which to use the skills and knowledge while in the university; and to understand and appreciate a variety of musical styles with a continued desire to broaden their musical horizons throughout their lives.

Bluffton University, an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music and an all Steinway institution, offers two majors in music: music (liberal arts) and music education. A minor in music is offered for students who major in another discipline.

Credit hour

The music department uses the university's credit hour definition as a guiding principle in its academic courses. However, due to the complex nature of the department's course structure, it is necessary to further explain credit hours from the perspective of certain classifications of the department's courses.

a. Applied lessons. Applied lessons may be taken for either 1 or 2 credit hours. 1 hour credit = 30 minute lesson per week plus one 15 minute coaching with our staff collaborative pianist, 6 hours of practice required per week; 2 hours credit = 60-minute lesson per week with one 30 minute coaching with our staff collaborative pianist, 12 hours of practice required each week. Each major taking applied lessons is required to attend departmental recitals and studio classes held regularly throughout the semester as part of their private study.

b. Ensemble classes. Large ensembles are variable credit: either 0 or .5. The amount of credit that the student enrolls in is dependent upon the student's total credit load for a particular semester. Students registered for under 17 hours in a semester will automatically be registered in the "credit" section of an ensemble. Chamber ensembles are variable credit: either 0 or .5 and the amount chosen is the student's prerogative. Note: Students at Bluffton University are charged an additional fee for any credit amount over 17 credits per semester and the variable credit option is intended to assist them with their financial need to stay below the cap as well as have multiple varied ensemble experiences.

c. Academic courses. Bluffton University's definition of a credit hour is the rule that the department follows for its academic courses. Examples of academic courses in the department are courses which can come from music theory, music education, and musicology.

d. Other skill-based courses. Many other courses in the department that focus on developing a skill on a secondary instrument, like keyboard skills, meet two or three times per week for 1 credit. 

Majors

For music majors, it is our objective to provide a broad-based foundation in music, including theoretical, historical and performance studies. The liberal arts music major provides preparation for further study at the graduate level, as well as for various careers in which a liberal arts degree is appropriate.

Music majors may choose to focus their studies in one of the following concentration areas: business, music ministry, performance studies or piano pedagogy.

Designed to help prepare students for careers in music retailing/arts administration, music ministry, music performance, music in a healthcare-related field and piano instruction, each concentration maintains a common curricular core of music theory and history, piano and applied area study.

Although most students will choose one area of concentration, up to two areas of concentration may be completed. Music education majors may also elect to add one of the above areas of concentration to their degree program.

Students who are awarded music scholarships are required to declare a major in music by the end of their first year in order to receive their scholarships the following year.

Music

(total 25 hours + piano proficiency + concentration)

The following courses are required:  (22 hours)
MUS 135 Intro to Music (3) satisfies Critical Analysis competency
MUS 147 Aural Skills 1 (2)
MUS 148 Music Theory 1 (2)
MUS 205 Aural Skills 2 (2)
MUS 206 Music Theory 2 (2)
MUS 207 Music Theory 3 (3)
MUS 321 Music History 1 (3) satisfies Exploring the Past competency
MUS 322 Music History 2 (3)
MUS 401 Music Seminar (2)

Ensembles: (3 hours)
Music majors must participate in at least one of the following ensembles each semester for a total of 3 hours for credit.
MUS 021 Concert Band (.5)
MUS 022 Jazz Ensemble (.5)
MUS 023 Lima Symphony Orchestra (.5)
MUS 024 University Chorale (.5)
MUS 033 Camerata Singers (.5)
MUS 034 Choral Society (.5)

Piano proficiency:
MUS 101 Applied Piano (up to 4 hours) satisfies Creative Expression competency
or  MUS 121 Functional Piano 1 (1 hour) and MUS 122 Functional Piano 2 (1 hour)

Recitals:
All majors are required to enroll in MUS 100 Music Recital/Lab each semester and must pass 6 semesters of the course for graduation.
MUS 300 Junior Recital is taken during the second semester of the junior year.

Concentration
All majors must choose one of the following:

General studies: (18-20 hours)
Senior recital is waived
Music electives (10-12 hours)
MUS 116 Voice Methods (2) (required for voice principals, in addition to 10 hours electives)

Major applied area (8 hours including piano, at least 6 hours must be with major instrument): 
MUS 101 Applied Piano
MUS 103 Applied Strings
MUS 105 Applied Voice
MUS 106 Applied Organ
MUS 107 Applied Brass
MUS 108 Applied Percussion
MUS 109 Applied Woodwinds
MUS 110 Applied Guitar
*All these satisfy the Creative Expression competency

Concentration in Business: (24-26 hours)
Senior recital is waived

MUS 116 Voice Methods (2) (required for voice principals)
MUS 161 Digital Music (3)
MUS 402 Music Practicum (1)
ECN 141 Principles of Macroeconomics (3) satisfies Understanding Self and Society competency
ACT 151 Principles of Accounting 1 (3)
MGT 354 Principles of Management (3)
MKT 356 Principles of Marketing (3)

Applied music (8 hours, up to 4 hours for piano proficiency, then choice of major area):
MUS 101 Applied Piano
MUS 103 Applied Strings
MUS 105 Applied Voice
MUS 106 Applied Organ
MUS 107 Applied Brass
MUS 108 Applied Percussion
MUS 109 Applied Woodwinds
MUS 110 Applied Guitar

  Concentration in Music Ministry: (27-29 hours)
MUS 116 Voice Methods (2) (required for voice principals)
MUS 141 Beginning Conducting (2)
MUS 161 Digital Music (3)
MUS 231 Music Ministry (2)
MUS 400 Senior Recital
MUS 402 Music Practicum (1)
REL 230 Christian Worship (3)
REL 334 Foundations of Christian Ministry (3) satisfies Religious Understanding Competency

One of the following:
THE 224 Drama in Education (3)
THE 257 Performance Studies (3)

Applied music (10 hours up to 4 hours for piano proficiency):
Must include a minimum of two hours in two of the following areas:
MUS 101 Applied Piano (2)
MUS 105 Applied Voice (2)
MUS 106 Applied Organ (2)
MUS 110 Applied Guitar (2)
An additional four hours required in major applied area (4)

 Concentration in Performance Studies:  (20-21 hours) 
MUS 395 Music Literature (2)
MUS 400 Senior Recital

One of the following as related to major applied area: (2-3)
MUS 113 String Methods (2)
MUS 116 Voice Methods (2)
MUS 117 Brass Methods (3)
MUS 118 Percussion Methods (2)
MUS 119 Woodwind Methods (3)

Applied music (16 hours, up to 2 hours for piano proficiency):
MUS 101 Applied Piano
MUS 103 Applied Strings
MUS 105 Applied Voice
MUS 106 Applied Organ
MUS 107 Applied Brass
MUS 108 Applied Percussion
MUS 109 Applied Woodwinds
MUS 110 Applied Guitar

Concentration in Piano Pedagogy:  (22-23 hours) 
MUS 311 Piano Pedagogy Elem Methods (2)
MUS 312 Piano Pedagogy Int, Adv Methods (2)
MUS 395 Music Literature (2)
MUS 400 Senior Recital 
MUS 402 Music Practicum (1-2)
PSY 110 Introduction to Psychology (3) satisfies Understanding Self and Society competency

Applied music (may include piano proficiency)
MUS 101 Applied Piano (12)

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  Music Education

For music education majors it is our objective to provide the extensive and specialized training needed to become a competent and successful teacher of vocal and instrumental music in public and private schools, grades pre-school through 12. This training includes that expected of all liberal arts music majors, as well as specialized study in music pedagogy, educational philosophy and methodology.

The music education major meets Ohio licensure requirements for vocal/instrumental music, Pre-K 12.

(62 hours, plus piano proficiency and 36 hours for education licensure)
MUS 113 String Methods (2)
MUS 116 Voice Methods (2)
MUS 117 Brass Methods (3)
MUS 118 Percussion Methods (2)
MUS 119 Woodwind Methods (3)
MUS 135 Intro to Music (3) satisfies Critical Analysis competency
MUS 147 Aural Skills 1 (2)
MUS 148 Music Theory 1 (2)
MUS 205 Aural Skills 2 (2)
MUS 206 Music Theory 2 (2)
MUS 207 Music Theory 3 (3)
MUS 321 Music History 1 (3) 
MUS 322 Music History 2 (3)
MUS 141 Beginning Conducting (2)
MUS 241 Advanced Conducting (3)
MUS 212 Arranging (2)
MUS 329 Music Teaching Methods: Early Childhood (3)
MUS 340 Marching Band Methods (2) - optional
MUS 350 Music Teaching Methods: Instrumental(3)
MUS 352 Music Teaching Methods: Choral and General Music(3)
MUS 401 Music Seminar (2)

Ensembles (3 hours)
Music education majors are required to participate in at least two ensembles each semester, one choral and one instrumental.
MUS 021 Concert Band (.5)
MUS 022 Jazz Ensemble (.5)
MUS 023 Lima Symphony Orchestra (.5)
MUS 024 University Chorale (.5)
MUS 033 Camerata Singers (.5)
MUS 034 Choral Society (.5)
MUS 035 Gospel Choir (.5)

Piano proficiency
Must register for the following each semester until piano proficiency requirements are completed:
MUS 101 Applied Piano (2 hours) 
  or  MUS 121 Functional Piano 1 (1 hour) and MUS 122 Functional Piano 2 (1 hour)

Applied music (9 hours up to 2 hours for piano proficiency)
MUS 101 Applied Piano
MUS 103 Applied Strings
MUS 105 Applied Voice
MUS 106 Applied Organ
MUS 107 Applied Brass
MUS 108 Applied Percussion
MUS 109 Applied Woodwinds
MUS 110 Applied Guitar

Recitals
All majors are required to enroll in MUS 100 Music Recital/Lab each semester and must pass 6 semesters of the course for graduation.
MUS 300 Junior Recital is taken during the second semester of the junior year.

Professional education courses (36 hours)
EDU 200 Introduction to Teaching in a Diverse Society (3)
EDU 205 Field Experience (1)
EDU 220 Curriculum & Assessment (2)
EDU 353 Educational Psychology & Instructional Practices (3)
EDU 332 Social and Philosophical Issues in Education (3)
EDU 333 Urban Education Seminar (1)
EDU 305 Content Area Literacy (3)
PSY 110 Introduction to Psychology (3) satisfies Understanding Self and Society competency
SED 228 Introduction to Education of Students with Mild and Moderate Educational Needs (3)
EDU 415 Special Methods 2 (2)
EDU 425 Leadership Seminar (2)
EDU 452 Student Teaching: Multi-age (10)

ALL MUSIC AND MUSIC EDUCATION MAJORS
Performance Requirements
All music and music education majors must successfully complete the following performance requirements:

• Ensembles: Music majors must participate in at least one ensemble each semester. Music education majors must participate in two ensembles each semester, one choral and one instrumental.
• Piano proficiency: Satisfactory performance on the piano proficiency examination is a graduation requirement in both majors. Music education majors must complete the examination prior to student teaching. Students must register for piano study each semester until the examination is passed.
• Degree recital: All students must present a public junior and senior recital under the direction of their major applied professor, demonstrating competence in an applied performance area. The senior recital serves as part of the departmental senior comprehensive examination. (In special situations the music faculty may approve an alternative senior project.)

Please consult the Music Department Handbook for details of these and other departmental requirements. 

 Music minor

(20 hours)
Music theory  (9 hours)
MUS 135 Intro to Music (3)
MUS 147 Aural Skills 1 (2)
MUS 148 Music Theory 1 (2)
MUS 205 Aural Skills 2 (2)

Music history  (3 hours required; 6 hours maximum)
MUS 321 Music History 1 (3)
MUS 322 Music History 2 (3)

Performance studies  (2 hours required; 6 hours maximum)
MUS 101 Piano (1-2)
MUS 103 Strings (1-2)
MUS 105 Voice (1-2)
MUS 106 Organ (1-2)
MUS 107 Brass (1-2)
MUS 108 Percussion (1-2)
MUS 109 Woodwinds (1-2)
MUS 110 Guitar (1-2)

Music ensembles/performance studies (1 hour required; 3 hours maximum)
MUS 005 Music Theatre Workshop (.5)
MUS 010 Chamber Music (.5)
MUS 021 Concert Band (.5)
MUS 022 Jazz Ensemble (.5)
MUS 023 Lima Symphony Orchestra (.5)
MUS 024 University Chorale (.5)
MUS 033 Camerata Singers (.5)
MUS 034 Choral Society (.5)

Electives in Music (0-5 hours)
Any music courses not included in the above categories to total the required 20 hours in music.

June 2022