2011-2012 University Catalog 
  
2011-2012 University Catalog

■ School of Music


Performing Arts Building, Room A417
Phone: 703-993-1380
Web: music.gmu.edu

Faculty

Dennis Layendecker, Heritage Chair, Director

Professors: Camphouse (associate director for personnel), Carroll, Engebretson, Gardner, Layendecker (director), Maiello, Miller, Monson (associate director for academic affairs), Smith

Term Professor: Balakerskaia, Hearden, Rendler

Associate Professors: R. Bergman, Billingham, T. Owens

Term Associate Professors: Ker-Hackleman

Assistant Professors: Guessford, Nickens, Robinson

Term Assistant Professor: Wuttke

Adjunct Faculty: Aler, Beach, Beckwith, Berger, M. Bergman, Berkshire-Brown, Bogachek, Bonds, Bonneau, Botelho, Chalifoux, Chao, Codelka, Crabill, Delaney, Dewey, East, Edelbrock, Ferguson, Gau, Gerber, Haase, M. Hackleman, Harbison, Haroutounian, Healey, Hitz, Kilkenny, Kobayashi, Kuebler, Lapple, Lechter, McCarthy, Moore, Nam, Neff, Nickel, Oedemann, M. Owens, Parker, Parrell,  Rittenhouse, Roberts, Sabatino, Sisk, Snedecor, Snitzler, Spirtas, Stephansky, Summey, Taylor, Thayer, Thomas, Watters, Wenner, Whitehead, Williams, Yang

Course Work

The School of Music offers all course work designated MUSI in the Courses  chapter of this catalog.

Undergraduate Programs

The two undergraduate degree programs offered through the School of Music, the bachelor of art (BA) in music and the bachelor of music (BM), prepare students for graduate work in music and music literature; research and professional work in musical activities; and state licensure, or certification, to teach vocal and choral or instrumental music at the elementary and secondary school levels.

Through its strategic plan, Music Outreach and the Teaching Professions, the School of Music enables students to pursue worthwhile vocational goals as teachers, performers, conductors, and composers. The School of Music also seeks to educate its students to reflect a concern for cultural and humanistic values as future ambassadors and advocates of music and other arts. Through innovative learning experiences, the School of Music provides all students in the BA and BM programs with opportunities to become effective musicians, teachers, and advocates of music. Teaching music is the principal area in which students can find employment in private studios, public and private schools, academies, and higher education within the ever-changing workplace. Because of this, all music majors at Mason receive some training in the teaching of music.

The School of Music also recognizes the critical outreach role it provides in serving students from all majors, as well as members of the community who significantly benefit from the values and experiences of an education in music. The School of Music seeks to provide unique educational opportunities through its various course offerings, workshops, presentations, and performances for those seeking music enrichment.

Entrance to all music degree programs is by audition. Arrangements for an audition must be made in advance by contacting the School of Music before the scheduled audition date. Auditions are held approximately once per month. Audition dates and audition application forms are available through the School of Music web site: music.gmu.edu.

A fundamentals of music test is given during the first week of classes to all students enrolled in MUSI 115 Theory I. Call the School of Music at 703-993-1380 for additional information.

Competency placement tests are required of all transfer students who wish to present transfer credit in any of the following areas: sight singing, ear training, and keyboard skills.

Students must earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA in their major or higher, if required by their program.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

Mason requires all students to complete at least one course designated “writing intensive” in their major at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in music may fulfill this requirement by successfully completing MUSI 332. Students who transfer this course into Mason may be required to repeat it or enroll in some other suitable course to fulfill the writing intensive requirement.

Teacher Licensure

Undergraduate students seeking certification to teach vocal and choral or instrumental music at the elementary and secondary levels must earn the BM degree as specified under Concentration in Music Education section in this chapter. Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree and are seeking state licensure to teach music must also complete this sequence of courses, which constitute a state-approved program for teacher education in music.

Graduate Certificates

Instrumental Performance Artist Graduate Certificate

The certificate is a specialized, graduate-level program for advanced musicians who desire to further develop and refine their performance art.  The certificate program is a two-year course of study requiring at least two consecutive semesters of residence.  A total of 32 credits is required.  Advisor’s approval is required for each semester’s enrollment.

Piano Performance Artist Certificate

The certificate is a specialized, graduate-level program for advanced musicians who desire to further develop and refine their performance art.  The certificate program is a two-year course of study requiring at least two consecutive semesters of residence.  A total of 32 credits is required.  Advisor’s approval is required for each semester’s enrollment.

Vocal Performance Artist Graduate Certificate

The certificate is a specialized, graduate-level program for advanced musicians who desire to further develop and refine their performance art.  The certificate program is a two-year course of study requiring at least two consecutive semesters of residence.  A total of 32 credits is required.  Advisor’s approval is required for each semester’s enrollment.

Graduate Programs

The PhD in music education and the doctor of musical arts degree require 60 credits beyond the master’s degree in music.

Music, MM

The expansion of professional education in the arts is paramount for the growth and development of a rich and vital cultural community and a supporting network of individual artists. The dynamics of contemporary society suggest that the influence of the arts on public life will continue to expand well into the 21st century. Each year, opportunities increase for creative work by performers, composers, sculptors, painters, dancers, actors, historians, theoreticians, and musicologists.

The MM degree is offered as an educational channel to meet the intellectual and career needs of qualified students. It is a comprehensive and advanced program of study with a choice of concentrations in performance, music education, composition, conducting, jazz studies, and pedagogy. The MM with a concentration in music education does not provide licensure to teach music in public or private schools. 

PhD in Music Education

The PhD in music education, a research-intensive degree, focuses on the gathering, processing, and interpretation of information. Students in the PhD program take seminars and topics courses in music education, as well as research courses through the College of Education and Human Development. PhD graduates are expected to demonstrate the ability to communicate significant concepts of music education.

Doctor of Music Arts

The doctor of musical arts concentrations are composition, conducting, and performance. While these concentrations share some of the required course work, each is also distinct in course requirements. Professional musicians earn the DMA to enhance and extend their knowledge and practice within their area of specialization. The DMA student focuses on the profession of music performance, as well as the theory and practice of the discipline.

Academic Policies

Please see College of Visual and Performing Arts  academic policies.

Programs

    Undergraduate DegreeUndergraduate Interdisciplinary MinorUndergraduate MinorMaster’s DegreeMaster’s Level CertificateDoctoral Degree