2016-2017 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Music - Program Description
For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section in this catalog.
Website: www.gvsu.edu/music
The Department of Music and Dance offers curricula leading to the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, and Bachelor of Music Education degrees, as well as the B.A. with a major in Dance. These degree programs present professional training in music in the context of a broad liberal education. They provide courses of study for gifted students who are interested in performance, composition, preparing for advanced study in graduate school, and vocal and instrumental music education, for those who seek careers in elementary and secondary school teaching. Additionally, in the tradition of liberal education, the department is committed to providing the experience of music for students in all departments and to serving the university community by providing appropriate musical support for all facets of academic life.
Grand Valley State University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
Admission
In addition to formal admission to Grand Valley, each applicant wanting to major or minor in music is required to arrange for a personal audition with the music department. When considerable geographical distance or extreme hardship prevents a personal audition, the applicant may, with the permission of the department, submit an audio recording of an appropriate performance. Arrangements for auditions may be completed only after the applicant has been admitted to Grand Valley. Audition appointments should be made at least 3 weeks in advance. Entering freshmen and transfer students will be required to take a theory placement exam and a keyboard placement exam. Recommended audition repertoire and an application can be found at www.gvsu.edu/music/.
In addition to completion of a successful audition prior to admission, a second screening occurs before admission to upper-division courses. This evaluation includes performance, faculty recommendations, a brief essay, an interview, and, for music education majors, a profile of teaching competencies.
Requirements for Major and Minor Programs
In addition to requirements outlined in the programs, all music majors must fulfill the department recital and Music Major Seminar attendance requirements, fulfill the keyboard musicianship requirements, and perform one or two faculty-approved recitals, as appropriate to the degree program selected. Music majors and minors should consult the music department student handbook for additional information and helpful suggestions.
Transfer students are required to complete a minimum of 30 hours at Grand Valley, which includes at least eight hours in applied music, three hours in major ensembles, and nine additional hours in music to be determined by the advisor. Any exceptions to these requirements are left to the discretion of the music department.
The following programs are available: