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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 and non-Western music literature
  • meet Kansas State Department of Education and Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation 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 pass the Sight-Singing/Ear-Training Proficiency Exam after completion of MU 259, or continue working on those skills until such time as the requirement is satisfied.
  3. Students will be required to enroll in one large ensemble (as assigned by the music faculty) per semester of residence, and in a secondary ensemble (as assigned by the music faculty) for 2 semesters.
  4. Students will be required to enroll in the Music Major Lab each semester of residence.
  5. Before being allowed to enroll in junior level music courses, music faculty will formally review all music majors halfway through their sophomore years taking into account their progress in music courses and performance studies.
  6. Students will perform at a minimum of one studio class per semester.
  7. The Senior Recital course will serve to prepare all music majors for a full recital (50 minutes) after a minimum of six semesters of private lessons.
  8. Music licensure majors are required to be active members in music-related professional organization student chapters, such as the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).
  9. One solo public performance will be required of all music majors every year. This could take the form of a collaborative recital, a solo with a college ensemble, or as part of a student-run chamber group. Music faculty must be present or be provided with a recording of the performance.

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. Approval from a Music Faculty member to pursue the music minor.
  3. One public performance during their time at McPherson College. This could take the form of a collaborative recital, a solo with a college ensemble, or as part of a student-run chamber group. Music faculty must be present or be provided with a  recording of the performance.

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Musicianship
MU 136 Music Theory I (3 hours)
MU 236 Music Theory II (3 hours)
MU 336 Arranging and Orchestration (3 hours)
MU 159 Sight Singing and Ear Training I (1 hour)
MU 259 Sight Singing and Ear Training II (1 hour)
MU 345 Conducting (1 hour)

Performance Study
Private lessons in a student’s major instrument are required for seven semesters (six for music licensure students). Additional semesters may be required to complete the Senior Recital. Ensemble participation is required unless a music licensure student is student teaching.
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) – Music (non-licensure) majors only
MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour)
MU 132/134 Ensemble (1 hour) – Music (non-licensure) majors only
Secondary Ensemble (2 hours)
MU 475 Senior Recital (2 hours)
MU 150 Music Major Lab (0 hours)

History and Literature of Music
MU 210 Introduction to World Music (3 hours)
MU 356 Western Music History & Literature (3 hours)

Total: 38 hours (35 hours for music licensure students due to their semester off campus during student teaching)

Bachelor of Arts in Music Licensure

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

  1. Meet all of the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Music,
  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 376 Methods for Teaching Music at the Secondary Level 7-12 (3 hours)
MU 372 Methods for Teaching Music at the Elementary Level K-6 (3 hours)
MU 465 Advanced Conducting and Rehearsal Techniques (3 hours)

Instrumental Techniques Courses
MU 324 Woodwind and Percussion Techniques (1 hour)
MU 323 Brass and Strings Techniques (1 hour)

Specialized Emphasis Courses
MU 378 Vocal Pedagogy and Diction (1 hour)
or
MU 374 Marching and Jazz Band Methods (1 hour)

Total: 12 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.)
MU 132 College Choir (1 hour) and/or
MU 134 College Band (1 hour)

History and Literature of Music
MU 161 Music Appreciation (3 hours)
or
MU 210 Intro to World Music (3 hours)
or
MU 355 Western Music History and Literature

Total: 16 hours