2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Music
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146 Robert A. DuFresne Performing Arts Center
507.457.5250
Music website
Eric Brisson and Deanne Mohr, Co-Chairpersons
Faculty
Eric Brisson, Professor; BS, McGill University; BM, MM, DMA, Université de Montreal; 2005 -
Melanie Brooks Dinh, Assistant Professor; BA, St. Olaf College; MM, DMA, Arizona State University; 2018 -
Alan Dunbar, Associate Professor; BA, St. Olaf College; MM, DM, Indiana University; 2014 -
Aaron Lohmeyer, Assistant Professor; BA, Davidson College; MM, MEd, PhD, Florida State University; 2019 -
Deanne Mohr, Professor; BMus, University of Regina; MMus; Université de Montreal; DMA, Université de Montreal; 2002 -
Gregory Neidhart, Professor; BS, Ball State University; MA, University of Wisconsin-Madison; MFA, University of Arizona; 2011 -
Daniel Sheridan, Professor; BME, Oklahoma State University; MM, University of Akron; DMA, State University of New York at Stony Brook; 2008 -
Purpose
The Department of Music offers courses of study leading to a BA, BMus, BS or BT degree with a major in music. The department is committed to providing music degree programs that foster creativity, skill development, critical thinking, independent learning, and understanding of and respect for multiple perspectives.
For students majoring in other fields, the department offers a program leading to a minor as well as a variety of courses and activities for the general student. Musical organizations are open to all students. The department also offers private study of instruments and voice for credit with members of the music faculty. WSU is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
Private Instruction
The courses denoted as “Private Instruction” in the program requirements may be repeated at various levels of instruction. Students must pass an audition to be permitted to enroll in courses designated as “Private Instruction.”
Pass/No Credit (P/NC) Courses
Except for the internship, students must take all courses in the major or minor on a grade-only basis. The P/NC option is available to non-majors unless otherwise noted. Courses offered on a pass/no credit-only or grade-only basis are so designated in the course descriptions.
Additional Requirements
- Students must achieve a C grade or better in all required music courses within a music degree program in order to count the courses for graduation. (For a checklist of the University graduation requirements, see the Academic Policies & University Requirements section of this catalog.)
- Students majoring in music education (teaching) must have a 2.75 overall GPA and a 2.75 GPA in the major.
- All majors are required to register for MUS 001 - Concert Attendance each semester-maximum 8 semesters. Minors are required to complete four semesters.
Ensemble Requirements
All music majors must participate in the large ensemble related to their major performing medium each semester they are enrolled as music majors. The major performing ensemble for wind and percussion players is MUS 241 - Symphonic Wind Ensemble ; the major performing ensemble for string players is MUS 242 - Orchestra ; and the major performing ensemble for vocalists is MUS 243 - Concert Choir . Piano and guitar majors should work with their advisor to determine the appropriate ensemble for their program, skills, and interests.
Piano Proficiency Examination
All music majors must pass a piano proficiency examination. Students may enroll in piano classes to help prepare for passing the proficiency examination; however, these piano classes do not count towards a degree.
Entrance Auditions
All entering music majors are required to audition for the appropriate studio instructor in their primary performing medium. (These auditions can be in conjunction with scholarship auditions.)
Admission Requirements for Majors
All incoming students who wish to major in music must perform an audition and have a personal interview with professors in their major field. Students will receive a letter confirming their status. If admitted, the student will enter either as a music major or as a major with probationary status. (Admission status is at the discretion of performing area full-time faculty and is dependent upon having sufficient room available in the applied studio.)
Students electing a performance major (BMus Performance) must pass a performance review at the end of the first year to receive full acceptance into the performance degree program. Methods of assessment include juries, recitals, and written examinations.
Admission Requirements for Minors
All incoming students who wish to minor in music must perform an audition. Students will receive a letter confirming their status. If admitted, the student will enter either as a music minor or as a minor with probationary status. (Admission status is at the discretion of performing area full-time faculty and is dependent upon having sufficient room available in the applied studio.)
Departments of Music Retention Policies
- Music majors and minors may enroll in each music theory, music history, or music methods course twice only. A third time may be granted on appeal to the music faculty.
- Declared (probationary) music majors and minors must attain 100-level lessons no later than the end of their third semester. After that time, registration as a major or minor will be denied.
- Music majors and minors may enroll in each level of lessons for a maximum of three semesters. After that time, registration as a major or minor will be denied.
- Music majors must satisfactorily complete both the theory sequence and the piano proficiency by the end of the third year of classes taken as an admitted WSU music major.
- Students seeking to transfer to WSU as a music major or minor must:
- Perform an entrance audition to determine level of lesson registration.
- Take a music theory and aural skills assessment exam to determine skill level (regardless of whether theory credits are transferred).
- Take a music history assessment exam to determine level of knowledge (only if music history credits are transferred).
- Complete a minimum of one year of applied study at WSU at the level required for the individual degree program.
- Complete a minimum of one year in the large ensemble appropriate to the performance medium at WSU and satisfy ensemble requirements as stated in the WSU catalog.
- Perform all recitals required for the degree program at WSU (after at least one year of study with a WSU instructor).
General Education Intensive Requirements
Students may use intensive courses to satisfy both General Education Program (GEP) and major requirements. Intensive courses will usually be in the student’s major or minor program. The following are offered as GEP intensive courses in the Music Department:
Intensives
Oral (◎)
Math/Critical Analysis (◆)
Writing (△)
Intensive courses that can be used to satisfy major/minor requirements are identified in the lists of required courses and electives.
ProgramsBachelor of ArtsBachelor of MusicBachelor of ScienceBachelor of Science - TeachingMinor
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