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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 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 hours)
MU 236 Music Theory II (3 hours)
MU 336 Music Theory III (3 hours)
MU 436 Music Theory IV (3 hours)
MU 159 Sight Singing and Ear Training I (1 hour)
MU 259 Sight Singing and Ear Training II (1 hour)
MU 359 Sight Singing and Ear Training III (1 hour)
MU 459 Sight Singing and Ear Training IV (1 hour)
MU 345 Conducting (1 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 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
G-MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
G-MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
G-MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
G-MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
G-MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
G-MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
G-MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
G-MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
MU 375 Junior Recital (1 hour)
MU 475 Senior Recital (2 hours)
MU 150 Music Major Lab (0 hours)

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

Total: 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 hours)
MU 371 Methods for Teaching Choral Music (3 hours)
MU 372 Methods for Teaching General Music (3 hours)
MU 465 Advanced Conducting and Rehearsal Techniques (1 hour)

and
Specialized Emphasis for Choral Studies
MU 274 Instrumental Techniques Lab (1 hour)
MU 378 Vocal Pedagogy and Diction (3 hours)

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

Total additional hours for teacher licensure: 14 hours

Music Minor

Musicianship
MU 136 Music Theory I (3 hours)

Performance Study – Private lessons are required for four semesters.
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 hour)
MU 330 Private Lessons (1 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 hour) and/or
G-MU 134 College Band (1 hour)

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

Total: 16 hours