Northern Michigan University...Michigan's ThinkPad University


 

Music Department Office
C-130 Thomas Fine Arts Bldg.
Phone: 906-227-2563
Fax: 906-227-2165

Web page
http://www.nmu.edu/music/

 

Department Head
Donald R. Grant

dgrant@nmu.edu
 

Faculty

June E. Ackroyd

Robert J. Engelhart

Mark R. Flaherty

Donald R. Grant

Stephen D. Grugin

Brian X. Kubin

Nancy A. Redfern

Barbara Rhyneer

Floyd H. Slotterback

James A. Strain

Elda A. Tate

 

Student OrganizationsUniversity Orchestra
• Lake Effect (show choir)
• Jazz Band
• Pep Band
• Marching Band
• Symphonic Band
• University Choir
• Chamber Groups
• Madrigal Choir
• MENC (Music Educators National Conference) Student Organization
• Friends of Jazz
 
Accreditation
The Music Department is a full member of the National Association of Schools of Music; its degree programs are approved by the association.
 
 
 2002-2003
Undergraduate Bulletin

 
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Music Department

 

Music at NMU

The Music Department assumes responsibility for educating students, the university community, and the general public in music of many different kinds. The department offers teachers and other community members the opportunity to refine their musicality and increase their musical skill and understanding. Currently the department supports a wide variety of ensemble programs that are open to all students. The varied ensembles serve a wide array of functions, including the laboratory experience for music majors. Musical enrichment for the university community takes a high priority for the department. Recitals by both faculty and students enhance the area’s cultural environment throughout the academic year.

 

Music Programs

The department offers a music major which is designed to make available a general education in music performance, music history and theory. In addition it provides education leading to certification as a secondary education teacher with either a vocal or instrumental specialization. Non-music majors are encouraged to minor in music and to take part in any of the department’s ensemble programs. When space is available, non-music majors may take private lessons from department faculty.

 

Department/Program Policies

Performance Requirements

A classification system defines four performance levels. All entering students, freshmen, and transfers who have had no previous university level performance study are assigned to the 100 performance level. All transfer students with previous university level performance study are auditioned and assigned the 100 performance level until completing the departmental proficiency exams.

 

The performance regulations are as follows:

  1. Each student in the bachelor of music education program must complete seven credits of performance study and must be promoted to the 300 level before enrolling in MU 490 Senior Recital; each student in the bachelor of arts or bachelor of science program must complete a minimum of four credits of performance study and must be promoted to the 300 level in order to graduate.

  2. For the bachelor of music education, five of the seven credits in performance must be on one instrument; for the bachelor of arts/bachelor of science, four hours must be on one instrument.

  3. Students seeking the bachelor of music education must achieve the 300 level (decision rendered by full faculty) before they are permitted to schedule their senior recital; students seeking the bachelor of arts or bachelor of science must achieve the 300 level in order to graduate and to take MU 491 Senior Project if the project is a performance. All recitalists must pre-audition before area faculty two weeks before a recital.

  4. Proficiency assessment from the 100 to 200 level, the 200 to 300 level, and 300 to 400 level is rendered by the full faculty.

  5. Any performance level may be repeated for credit any number of times.

Double performance classes in a single instrument or voice may be necessary for transfer students to make up deficiencies or to qualify for requirements. (See the Music Department Student Handbook.)

Generally, students study in their major performing area to satisfy the performance requirement. Students electing a double major must meet the requirements of areas they select, including ensemble requirements.

Grade Point Average Requirements

All music curriculum core courses must be passed with a grade of "C" or higher. A student can have no more than five repeats of "failed" courses in the music major or minor. The required grade point average of 2.70 is required for all major degree programs (bachelor of science, bachelor of arts and bachelor of music education). In addition to the aforementioned requirements, bachelor of music education degree candidates are required to satisfy the Teacher Selection and Retention Standards published in the School of Education section of this bulletin.

 

Piano Level Requirements

Instrumental majors, including pianists, must complete the level of Piano III (MU 140) with a grade of "C" or higher, or test out of this requirement (equivalent to the final in Piano III). Piano I (MU 103) and Piano II (MU 106) may be taken as electives if the student has no previous experience. Choral majors must pass Piano IV or test out of this requirement. Piano I, II, III may be taken as electives if the student has no previous experience.

 

Large and Small Ensemble Requirements

Music majors are urged to audition for the ensemble of their choice; however, the faculty reserves the right to assign students to particular ensembles in order to obtain balance within the ensemble or to broaden the student’s performance experience. All music majors shall participate in a large ensemble from their first semester of enrollment and should continue to participate in consecutive semesters until the ensemble requirement is completed. Normally, two semesters of large ensemble participation will be required to perform the proficiency exam for promotion to the 200 level.

 

University Choir is highly recommended as an elective for all entering music majors, both instrumental and vocal. The large ensemble requirement for instrumental wind and percussion majors in the bachelor of music education program is Marching Band (or an elective ensemble) in the fall and the Symphonic Band in the winter.

 

Large ensemble requirement for vocal majors in the bachelor of music education program is the University Choir. The Marquette Choral Society may be substituted only with the written approval of vocal area faculty.

 

Large ensembles are Marching Band, Symphonic Band, University Choir and University Orchestra.

 

Instrumental wind, string and percussion liberal arts majors (bachelor of arts, bachelor of science degrees) must complete two credits of large and/or small ensembles. The vocal non-teaching majors must complete four credits of ensemble, of which three semesters must be large ensemble (University Choir) and one semester can be chamber music or University Choir.

Additional Requirements

The piano major who elects the choral specialization must take Class Voice (MU 170) or performance lessons for a minimum of one semester.

Music majors must attend a specified number of concerts each semester or the performance grade is lowered.

 

Music Department Programs


Registrar's Office, 301 Cohodas Administration Center
1401 Presque Isle Ave | Marquette, MI 49855 | 1-800-682-9797
Technical questions? E-mail webhelp@nmu.edu
Admissions questions? E-mail admiss@nmu.edu

©2003 by the Board of Trustees of Northern Michigan University
Page created by: Kimber Olli of Northern Michigan University
Northern Michigan University is an AA/EO Institution.

Northern is Michigan's only participant in IBM's ThinkPad University Program. ThinkPad is a registered trademark of IBM Corporation.

Last Updated: Thursday, March 27, 2003