Music

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Mission

The Department of Music at North Carolina Central University is dedicated to preparing students, through innovative teaching methods, individual attention and excellent facilities to excel as leaders in the music professions. Our undergraduate and graduate programs are designed to cultivating complete musicians, able to think critically, compete in the professional marketplace, and creatively enrich a wide spectrum of artistic and educational environments. We strive to help our students embrace technology and comprehend the evolving roles of music in society. We also seek to promote greater understanding of the history and traditions of American music and the rich diversity of all world music.

Introduction

The Department of Music offers a strong, diversified curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees. The Bachelor of Music is offered with concentrations in Music Education (with North Carolina licensure), Jazz, Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, and Music Industry (Business and Media Communications tracks). The Master of Music is offered in Jazz Studies with concentrations in Performance or Composition & Arranging tracks, and the Master of Music, Jazz Studies is also offered fully online. The curriculum provides a major in music that emphasizes thorough musical preparation, professionalism, and the development of appreciation of aesthetic diversity. Music studies at NCCU include research opportunities and internships with business and professional organizations.  Such opportunities help build the foundation for the student’s practical knowledge, employment prospects, and graduate study.

Auditions

In additional to undergraduate and graduate admissions requirements, students who intend to major in any music degree program must audition for acceptance by the Department of Music. Undergraduate students who express music as in interest area during the admissions process will be considered “pre-music” until such time as they pass an audition.

Applied Performance and Ensemble Requirements

Bachelor of Music students are required to take applied instrumental or vocal instructions, MUSL 1600 Workshops and Recitals, and perform as a member of a registered NCCU ensemble as follows;

Bachelor of Music: Jazz, Instrumental and Vocal Performance Concentrations: 8 semesters

Bachelor of Music: Music Education Concentration: 7 semesters

Senior Recital/Project Requirements

Bachelor of Music students are required to perform a Senior Recital on the primary instrument or voice, with the recital program approved in a hearing before a panel of music faculty. Music Industry majors must produce a significant project in lieu of the Senior Recital, but they may elect to present a Senior Recital in addition to the required project.

Music Education Requirements

In additional to course requirements as listed, Bachelor of Music/Music Education Concentration students must apply for the Teacher Education Program (TEP), administered by the NCCU School of Education. Application and program for Music Education TEP is administered by Department of Music, and should be completed for junior year of study. TEP program application includes successful completion of PRAXIS II exam. Music methods courses (MUSL 3530 and MUSL 3560) require TEP acceptance for enrollment. All academic requirements, including Senior Recital requirement, must be completed prior to enrolling for student teaching credits (EDU 4118 and EDU 4218). For more information on the Music Education TEP program, please contact Department of Music at (919) 530-6319.

The Minor in Music

Students who desire to minor in an applied-intensive music program are required to audition before the music faculty to demonstrate the extent of their music proficiency.

Students who elect a minor in music must complete a minimum of twenty-two (22) semester hours in music.

Minor requirements: MUSL 1010, (MUSL 1050, MUSL 1060 for instrumentalists and vocalists), MUSL 1220, (1270 for keyboardists), MUSL 2110, and MUSL 2405.

Additional courses may be selected with the consent of the student’s music advisor on the basis of the student’s interest and needs.

Four (4) semesters of participation in ensemble courses (vocal or instrumental) and four (4) semesters of participation in applied music primary courses and workshop/recital courses are required.

Additional electives may be selected from among the other music courses upon consultation with consultation from the music advisor.

Music Industry Minor

Students from any academic major may take the following Department of Music industry courses as minor concentration:

MUSL 1000 Survey of Music

MUSL 3000 Commercial Music

MUSL 3860 Acoustics and Introduction to Music Technology

MUSL 3870 Production I

MUSL 4860 Production II

MUSL 4870 Post-Production 

Either:  MUSL 4210 Music and Arts Management or MUSL 3800 The Music Industry

Ensembles

All NCCU students, regardless of major, are welcome to register for, and participate as a member of any NCCU ensemble:

MUSL 1510 Marching/Symphonic Band 

(NCCU Band Program includes Sound Machine Marching Band, Symphonic Band, and Athletic Pep Band)

MUSL 1520 University Choir 

MUSL 1540 String Ensemble 

MUSL 1546 Guitar Ensemble 

MUSL 1590 Percussion Ensemble 

JAZZ 1570 Jazz Ensemble

JAZZ 1571 Vocal Jazz Ensemble

JAZZ 2020 Jazz Combo 

For information on performing with any NCCU student ensemble, please contact Department of Music at (919) 530-6319.

Degree/Concentrations

Bachelor of Music (BM)

NC Licensure-Only Program     Teacher Education Program Courses Only

BM Core Curriculum:  43/45 credits

Keyboard Sequence

Music Theory/Harmony Sequence

Aural Skills Sequence

Applied/Workshop and Recital Sequence (4 semesters)

Musicology/Music History Sequence

Conducting

Music Technology

BM/Instrumental Performance Upper Level Courses:  44 credits

Applied Instruction (4 semesters)

Music Electives

BM/Vocal Performance Upper Level Courses:  44 credits

Applied Instruction (4 credits)

Diction

Vocal Pedagogy

Music Electives

BM/Jazz Upper Level Courses:  46 credits

Applied Instruction (4 semesters)

Ensembles (4 semesters)

Jazz Combo (6 semesters)

Jazz Theory

Jazz Improvisation

Jazz Arranging

Jazz Composition

Jazz History

Musical Instrument Classes (4 credits)

BM/Music Education Upper Level/Teacher Education Program (TEP) Courses

Applied Instruction (3 semesters)

TEP Courses

Musical Instrument Classes

Voice Class

Methods Classes (Requires acceptance in TEP by School of Education)

Arranging

School of Education Required Courses

Music Electives

BM/Music Industry:  Business Track Upper Level:  46 credits

Music Business and Technology Courses

School of Business Courses

BM/Music Industry:  Media Communications Upper Level:  46 credits

Music Business and Technology Courses

Department of Mass Communications Courses

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