image_pdfimage_print

Purpose Statement

The McPherson College Music Department develops life-long musicians. The department provides an educational experience that unites the artistic standards of a professional music program and the academic breadth of the liberal arts.

The department achieves this purpose when its students successfully

  • analyze and perform music
  • develop musicianship skills through applied lessons, culminating in the senior recital
  • classify and interpret a common body of Western and non-Western music literature
  • meet Kansas State Department of Education and National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education standards for licensure in the area of music (education emphasis only).

Expectations for All Music Majors

  1. Students will be required to pass the Piano Proficiency Exam upon entrance to the program or enroll in MU330 Private Lessons (Piano) until such time as the requirement is satisfied.
  2. Students will be required to enroll in one large ensemble (as assigned by the music faculty) per semester of residence.
  3. Students will be required to enroll in the Music Major Lab each semester of residence.
  4. Students must audition for entrance into any music degree program.
  5. The Junior Recital (seminar) will serve to prepare the music major for a half recital (25 minutes) at the end of two semesters of junior-level private lessons.
  6. The Senior Recital (senior project) will serve to prepare the music major for a full recital (50 minutes) at the end of two semesters of senior-level private lessons.
  7. Music majors are required to be active members in music-related professional organization student chapters, such as the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).

Expectations for All Music Minors

  1. Students are required to participate in one large ensemble (as assigned by the music faculty) per semester of residence.
  2. Students must pass a basic audition to pursue the music minor.

Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance

Musicianship
MU 136 Music Theory I (3 credit hours)
MU 236 Music Theory II (3 credit hours)
MU 336 Music Theory III (3 credit hours)
MU 436 Music Theory IV (3 credit hours)
MU 159 Sight Singing and Ear Training I (1 credit hour)
MU 259 Sight Singing and Ear Training II (1 credit hour)
MU 359 Sight Singing and Ear Training III (1 credit hour)
MU 459 Sight Singing and Ear Training IV (1 credit hour)
MU 345 Conducting (1 credit hour)

Performance Study
Private lessons in one’s major instrument are required for eight semesters. Additional semesters may be required to complete the Senior Recital.
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 credit hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 credit hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 credit hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 credit hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 credit hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 credit hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 credit hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 credit hour)
G-MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 credit hour)
G-MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 credit hour)
G-MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 credit hour)
G-MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 credit hour)
G-MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 credit hour)
G-MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 credit hour)
G-MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 credit hour)
G-MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 credit hour)
MU 375 Junior Recital (1 credit hour)
MU 475 Senior Recital (2 credit hours)
MU 150 Music Major Lab (0 credit hours)

History and Literature of Music
G-MU 161 Music Appreciation (3 credit hours)
G-MU 355 Music History & Literature I (3 credit hours)
G-MU 360 Music History & Literature II (3 credit hours)

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS:  45 hours

Bachelor of Arts in Music Education

To earn the Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, students must:

  1. Meet all of the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance,
  2. Meet all of the requirements for the Teacher Education program, and
  3. Complete specific courses for music teacher licensure.

Methods for Music Teaching and Learning
MU 370 Methods for Teaching Instrumental Music (3 credit hours)
MU 371 Methods for Teaching Choral Music (3 credit hours)
MU 372 Methods for Teaching General Music (3 credit hours)
MU 465 Advanced Conducting and Rehearsal Techniques (1 credit  hour)

and
Specialized Emphasis for Choral Studies
MU 274 Instrumental Techniques Lab (1 credit hour)
MU Vocal Pedagogy and Diction (3 credit hours)

or
Specialized Emphasis for Instrumental Studies
MU 309 Woodwind Techniques (1 credit hour)
MU 310 Brass Techniques (1 credit hour)
MU 311 Strings Techniques (1 credit hour)
MU 312 Percussion Techniques (1 credit hour)

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS FOR MUSIC TEACHER LICENSURE:  14 hours

Music Minor

Musicianship
MU 136 Music Theory I (3 credit hours)

Performance Study – Private lessons are required for four semesters.
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 credit hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 credit hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 credit hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 credit hour)

Enrollment in a large ensemble is required for six separate semesters. (Participation in one large ensemble per semester of residence is also required, even if not enrolled.)
G-MU 132 College Choir (1 credit hour) and/or
G-MU 134 College Band (1 credit hour)

History and Literature of Music
G-MU 161 Music Appreciation (3 credit hours)

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS FOR MINOR:  16 hours