Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Music Major, B.A. (Performance Concentration)


Department Information


Department of Music
PO Box 70661
Phone (423) 439-4270
Web Address: www.etsu.edu/cas/music

The Department of Music at East Tennessee State University was established in 1946. The University is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The Department offers the Bachelor of Music with concentrations in performance and music education and the Bachelor of Arts with concentrations in Contemporary Music Performance, Composition, Music History, and Performance. The Department of Music is a vibrant community of students and faculty committed to the highest level of musical artistry and academic achievement.

Admission Requirements

Any student applying to major or minor in music at both the undergraduate and graduate levels must first meet the general university admission requirements. Once admitted to the university, the student must audition for admission to the music degree program. Auditions are held on announced dates during the academic year and may also be scheduled by appointment. Undergraduate auditions may be performed via recording if the student lives more than 150 miles from campus. 

Students will be notified of their acceptance or denial to be a music major in the Department of Music within ten business days of the audition. If accepted, an academic advisor will assist the student in determining courses to be taken to begin the program of study. Students who are denied acceptance may still register for applied music lessons and for ensembles. Students who are denied acceptance may audition again, but no more than once per calendar year. A student who is denied acceptance three times is no longer eligible to audition.

Students who are accepted for admission to the music or jazz studies minor programs must declare that minor prior to reaching 60 credits of coursework to ensure that the program of study can be completed before graduation.

For complete information about auditions see the department web page: www.etsu.edu/cas/music

Undergraduate Music Theory and Aural Skills Diagnostic Exam

All undergraduate students majoring in music must take the Music Theory and Aural Skills diagnostic exam prior to enrolling in classes with an academic advisor. Students who do not meet the minimum required score on the exam must take MUSC 1100 - Music Fundamentals  prior to taking MUSC 1300 - Theory & Aural Skills I . This is required for all undergraduate music concentrations. The diagnostic exam will typically be administered during the audition visit. MUSC 1100 - Music Fundamentals  is considered a remedial course and not part of the program of study. It is therefore not covered under standard financial aid, but may be used to fulfill an elective requirement as needed. 

Applied Music

Music majors must register for applied music (private instruction) in their major area of performance; Lessons must be taken with a member of the department faculty. Students may register for either one or two credits per semester. Each credit represents a minimum of one half-hour lesson and six hours of practice per week. A fee of $200 per credit is assessed.  For more information (Click here)

Ensemble

Performing experience in ensembles is a vital part of the training of all musicians. Thus, all music majors are required to participate in a major ensemble every semester of full-time enrollment. Students are not limited to a specific number of ensembles, but music majors must enroll for a minimum of ten (10) non-ensemble credits each semester of full-time attendance. For more information visit the Music Department catalog page .

Transfer Students
Students transferring to East Tennessee State University from another college or university are required to take an audition. Student transcripts will be reviewed prior to acceptance into the Department of Music.

Advising
Students wishing more information regarding the Department of Music or wanting to be advised, can contact us at:
(423) 439-4270
or email us at music@etsu.edu
or visit www.etsu.edu/music

Degree Requirements: 120 credits


General Education 41-42 credits
Major Total Requirements 52 credits
     Major Core    27 credits
     Concentration    25 credits
     Recital   
     Recital Attendance  
Free Electives 26-27 credits
TOTAL 120 credits

Suggested Four-Year Program of Study: MUSC-BA (APMU)  


College of Arts and Sciences : Visit link to view the complete list of B.A. degree requirements.

  • Completion of a foreign language course numbered 2020 or above with a grade of C- or better. Students may be required to take courses numbered 1010, 1020 and/or 2010 based on a placement test or equivalent.
  • Non-U.S. History (3 credits)
  • MATH 1530  or MATH 1910  

 

General Education Requirements  

These requirements include earning 41-42 credits in Communication, Humanities and Fine Arts, Social and Behavior Sciences, History, Natural Sciences and Mathematics categories.

Major Specific courses listed in General Education Requirements:

Grade Requirements: Students must earn a minimum of C or better in the core and concentration courses.

Total Requirements for Music Major: 52 credits


Music Major Core Requirements: 27 credits


Performance Concentration: 25 credits


Non-Course Requirements


Sight Reading

Students in the B.A. music concentrations must successfully pass a sight reading proficiency examination. The examination will be administered by the applied faculty as a part of the requirements for applied level advancement from applied level I to II. The examination may be administered at the time of the level advancement performance jury or scheduled separately.

Recital

All music majors must perform a solo work in public each semester. Freshman music majors are expected to perform once during the year. “In public” includes studio class or recital, department recital, half or full recital, and other public events as approved by the applied instructor.

All music majors, regardless of concentration, must perform a 30-minute half recital.

Music performance majors must also perform an hour-long full recital. A student must be admitted to Level III prior to presenting a half or full recital. 

*Recital Attendance

As a music major it is important to experience a variety of musical performances in different genres, styles, and forces. In order to ensure this occurs during the student’s program of study, the ETSU Department of Music requires all music majors to attend the following music recitals (concerts/performances). This is a standard requirement for universities accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. To track attendance at these events, music majors are required to enroll in MUSC 1111 - Recital Attendance  every semester. This is a zero credit class graded as pass/fail. 

Program Notes

Students giving their recital must write and submit program notes to the Department of Music faculty program committee. These notes must meet the requirements for program notes (provided by the applied faculty). If the submitted program notes are not of the quality necessary for publication, students are required to revise the program notes as requested by the faculty program committee until the program notes meet the required standard. 

Free Electives: 26-27 credits


No Minor Required


Additional Information


Click here to view Degree and Graduation Requirements  for all ETSU students.

CSCI 1100  or Proficiency exam: Must be completed to meet Bachelor’s Degree Requirements. 

Most minors range from 18-24 credits. Those few minors with more than 24 credits may affect the number of free electives allowed.