Music (B.A.)

College of Arts and Letters

Department of Music

Location:  Music/Mass Communication Bldg, Room 139
Phone: 931-221-7818
Website: www.apsu.edu/music

Accreditation

Austin Peay State University is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

Requirements

Audition - All prospective music majors (including TN Promise students who intend music as their academic interest) must audition and be accepted by the Department of Music prior to declaring the major or academic interest. The audition consists of three components:

     1. Performance: Usually two contrasting selections that showcase your abilities. For area specific audition requirements visit the audition
         page on our website.

     2. Interview: An informal conversation with the audition committee so we can learn more about you.

     3. Music Skills Assessment: All incoming music majors (including TN Promise students with a music academic interest) are required to
         take the Music Skills Assessment (MSA). The MSA is usually taken at the time of audition.  If admitted into the department, students
         whose scores do not meet departmental standards are required to pass MUS 1040 (Intro to Music Theory 1) and MUS 1050 (Intro to
         Music Theory 2) with a C or better before beginning the curricular music theory and ear training course sequence. Specific audition
         requirements can be found at the following URL: http://www.apsu.edu/music/auditions

 

Transfer Students - Students transferring from another institution must take the Music Skills Assessment in music theory prior to the start of the first semester at Austin Peay. Placement in music theory will depend upon the results of this examination. The transfer student’s placement in applied music must be approved during the jury examination at the end of the first semester at APSU.

 

Music Minor - All incoming music minors are required to take the Music Skills Assessment (MSA). The MSA should be taken during summer orientation (Gov’s ROW). Students whose scores do not meet departmental standards are required to pass MUS 1040 (Intro to Music Theory 1) and MUS 1050 (Intro to Music Theory 2) with a C or better before beginning the curricular music theory and ear training course sequence. Students who do not take the MSA will be automatically placed in MUS 1040. Contact the music must office at music@apsu.edu for information on the Music Skills Assessment.  A music minor must also pass a proficiency examination in his/her applied area.

 

Specific audition requirements can be found at the following URL: http://www.apsu.edu/music/auditions

 

Ensembles - A student majoring in music should participate satisfactorily every semester in residence in the performing organization deemed appropriate to his or her major performing medium.  A student receiving a performance scholarship majoring in music must participate satisfactorily every semester in residence in the performing organization deemed appropriate to his or her major performing medium.

Area	Appropriate Large Ensemble
Woodwind, Brass & Percussion	Determined by Audition Wind Ensemble [or] Symphonic Band
Orchestral Strings	Orchestra
Guitar	Guitar Ensemble
Voice	Determined by Audition University Choir (Soprano / Alto) Governor’s Singers (Tenor / Bass) [or] Chamber Singers (SATB)
Keyboard	Instrumental/K-12 General Music Concentration (Four semesters of instrumental Ensembles) Two semesters of Marching Band (one credit) Two semesters chosen from Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Combo, or Orchestra Three semesters of Piano Ensemble (currently listed as Chamber Ensemble) Choral/K-12 General Music concentration Four semesters of appropriate choral ensembles chosen from Governor’s Singers, Chamber Singers, or University Choir Three semesters of Piano Ensemble (currently listed as Chamber Ensemble) Performance concentration One semester of vocal or instrumental ensemble Seven semesters of Piano Ensemble (currently listed as Chamber Ensemble) Liberal Studies Concentration One semester of vocal or instrumental ensemble Seven semesters of Piano Ensemble (currently listed as Chamber Ensemble)

 

Marching Band Requirements: Music Education majors (woodwind, percussion & brass) are required to participate in two fall semesters of 0-credit Marching Band (usually in the freshman and sophomore years). Additional (elective) semesters of marching band for music education majors will be 1-credit, and the student will receive an athletic band scholarship for participation. Students in all other music majors, as well as non-music majors, must always enroll in 1-credit marching band, and will receive an athletic band scholarship for participation.

 

Recital Attendance - All music majors are required to accumulate eight semesters of MUS 1060 (Recital Attendance) with a grade of P (Passing) with the exception of for music education majors who are required to obtain seven semesters due to student teaching requirements. A passing grade is earned by attending a predetermined number of recitals and programs sponsored or approved by the Department of Music.

 

Junior Level Exam - Music majors must pass a Junior Level Examination, ordinarily scheduled at the end of the sophomore year, before enrolling in upper division (3xxx level) Applied Instruction and ensembles.  A minimum of three (3) semesters of upper division (3xxx level) instruction are required prior to the Senior Recital.  Students whose background in performance is deficient may be required to take more than the usual amount of credits at the lower division level.  Upper division credit in performance is granted only after the student passes the Junior Level Examination.  See Student Manual for area-specific requirements.

 

Piano Proficiency - The piano proficiency examination is required for all music majors.  Students in a music education concentration must complete the Piano Proficiency before the Clinical Teaching Semester.  In all other concentrations, the piano proficiency must be completed before you will be permitted to register for your Senior Recital.

 

Music Education Majors - Music Education majors with instrumental specialization must pass the following proficiency examinations: Strings; Woodwinds; Brass; and Percussion.

 

Vocal Performance - Students enrolled in the vocal emphasis of the Music Performance concentration must complete two semesters of intermediate foreign language.

 

For information of careers available to students with degrees in music, see our Careers in Music web resource at the following URL:  http://www.apsu.edu/music/careers-music-home