Department of Music and Theatre

TBD (department chair)

(SYMBOLS: MUS, THE)

The mission of the John Brown University Department of Music and Theatre is to facilitate growth toward musical and theatrical excellence as a means of glorifying God.

For those wishing to follow careers in music and/or worship arts, courses are offered leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Music Education (see Teacher Education for student learning outcomes for Bachelor of Music Education degree). These curricula provide a well-rounded education for those wishing to enter the music profession as artists, teachers, conductors, church worship leaders and tech support, and musicians in other fields. In addition, the Integrated Music Studies Degree is designed to combine the study of music with any other major or minor on campus.

All programs in music are closely aligned with work in Bible, liberal arts, and technological departments, also providing students majoring outside the Department of Music and Theatre the opportunity to study music as a minor or as an elective.

Admission Requirements for the Music Major/Minor

In addition to satisfying the university’s general requirements for admission, all applicants must audition for admission to the Music Program. During the audition, each candidate must demonstrate musical ability and potential, including a good sense of rhythm and the ability to sing in tune. Applicants are strongly advised to develop familiarity with both bass and treble clef before university study.

Vocal major/minor audition:
1. Performance of two prepared selections: at least one art song from traditional repertoire (foreign language preferred) and a second contrasting selection (musical theatre and contemporary commercial styles are permitted). For Worship Arts majors, one selection may be a praise and worship song.
2. Demonstration of skills at the keyboard or other instrument, as applicable. (Lack of piano skills will not preclude admittance to a music degree program. However, all majors must demonstrate specific piano skills before degree completion. Appropriate classes or private study will be required of all students based on keyboard proficiency.)
3. Ear-training/aural skill assessment.
Piano or Organ major/minor audition:
1. Performance of two prepared selections from traditional literature, representing contrasting style periods. For Worship Arts majors, one of the prepared selections may be an arrangement of a praise and worship song or traditional hymn.
2. Prepare four major and four harmonic minor scales.
3. Sight-reading a short excerpt.
4. Ear-training/aural skill assessment.
Instrumental major/minor audition:
1. Performance of two contrasting selections demonstrating lyrical playing and technical proficiency. Repertoire may include studies, etudes, and sonata or concerto literature, classical in nature. Repertoire should be comparable to that of state solo and ensemble competitions.
2. Playing of major scales through four sharps and four flats demonstrating the full range of the instrument.
3. Sight-reading a short excerpt.
4. Ear-training/aural skill assessment.

Audition forms are available online at www.jbu.edu/music.

An on-campus audition is preferable both for the student and for the faculty. When on-campus auditions are not possible, a recorded audition incorporating the specified requirements will suffice. Students accepted on the basis of a recorded audition will need to complete the remainder of the process during Freshman Orientation prior to registration. They may be asked to present part of their audition at that time.

Students are encouraged to complete the audition process as early as possible. Audition dates can be set starting the junior year of high school. Those with significant weaknesses in one or several skill areas may be permitted to begin course work as a music minor. Progress in the noted skill areas will be assessed near the end of the first academic term, at which time the student may be invited to repeat the audition with hopes of declaring a music major. These students will be advised in the appropriate applied lesson registration by the applied studio faculty. Students who begin music degree programs with significant weaknesses in one or several skill areas may take longer than eight semesters to complete the bachelor’s degree program. Courses will be repeated as necessary to reach sufficient mastery. B.Mus.Ed. Students are required to complete an internship in the public school system during the final semester. All other course work must be completed before this internship begins.

Transfer students are required to audition for admittance into the music program (see Admission Requirements for the Major/Minor). Skills in the areas of theory, musicianship, piano/voice, and the applied emphasis will be assessed at the time of the audition. Repeating previous course work may be required.

Music and Theatre Scholarships

The awarding of a music major scholarship is based primarily on performance ability as determined in the audition for admission described above or on ability demonstrated in ongoing applied instruction. After receiving a scholarship, the student must earn a GPA of 2.0 each semester, a 3.0 GPA in the major applied area, and a 2.5 cumulative GPA to retain the scholarship. Scholarships are reviewed annually and may be adjusted higher or lower based upon the merit of the recipient’s academic and applied work.

A student majoring in a music program may expect to retain a scholarship for eight semesters providing the above criteria are met. Exceptions are made for Music Education students completing internships and for other students upon appeal to the department chair of Music & Theatre. If a student fails to meet any portion of the applied scholarship requirements, that student will be placed on probation, but will retain the applied music scholarship for the following semester. At the end of the probationary period, the progress of the student will be reassessed. At such time, the applied music scholarship will either be continued or discontinued.

Scholarships are available to students not majoring in music (ensemble members, theatre minors, music minors, etc.). These scholarships are subject to specific stipulations set by individual conductors, directors, or program leaders.

General Requirements for Music Degrees

Demonstrated potential. Each candidate must select a primary performance medium (voice, piano, organ, or instrument), meet yearly requirements as set by the music faculty, and fulfill all stated degree requirements. The B.A. with an emphasis in Voice, Piano, or Organ requires that students demonstrate adequate potential in performance before being allowed to pursue this degree program. Official admittance occurs at the end of the second semester of the sophomore year, only upon recommendation of the faculty, after the student has passed the Upper Division Applied Admittance Exam. Students desiring to pursue the performance degree must enroll each term in two-credit applied lessons in the major area.
Ensemble participation requirements. Each major is required to participate satisfactorily in at least one ensemble per semester at JBU. (The faculty will grant exceptions to B.Mus.Ed. students during the semester of their internship or to students taking fewer than six hours.) Up to four hours of Accompanying Practicum (after meeting the specified prerequisites) may count as ensemble credit for those whose major instrument is piano. Students may choose music theatre, choral, or instrumental groups. Qualified non-majors are encouraged to participate.
Recital attendance. Satisfactory completion of MUS 1000 Recital Attendance is required every semester that majors are full-time students at JBU. Students in B.Mus.Ed. are exempted the semester of their internship. Two semesters are required of minors.
Recital participation. All majors enrolled in applied lessons are required to perform in a departmental recital in their area of applied emphasis once during the first year of study and at least once each semester thereafter, or at the discretion of the teacher.
Jury exams. Counterparts to final exams in lecture courses, juries are scheduled at the end of each semester of applied study. Jury grades assigned by the adjudicators have an impact on the applied course grade, although the final grade is assigned at the discretion of the instructor.
Piano Proficiency. Incoming students will be assessed in the area of piano skills, and placed in an appropriate level piano course. A Piano Proficiency Exam will be administered at the end of Class Piano IV or after the first semester of Applied Piano, whichever occurs first. All music majors, regardless of degree, must pass each section of the Piano Proficiency Exam. Students who do not pass the Piano Proficiency will be required to either: (1) repeat Class Piano IV; or (2) enroll in MUS 1881 Applied Piano as an Elective and attempt to pass the proficiency at the end of each semester enrolled. Students who do not pass all sections of the Piano Proficiency Exam will not be awarded a music degree.

The Piano Proficiency Exam is given in seven sections, as follows:

(1) Sight-read a 4-part hymn/chorale;
(2) Sight-read a solo piece of early-intermediate level;
(3) Play all major scales 4 octaves in eighth notes at a minimum tempo of MM=120 per quarter note, hands together;
(4) Play I-IV-I-V65-I chord progression in all keys, major and minor, at a minimum tempo of MM=100 (one chord per beat);
(5) Harmonize a melody at sight;
(6) Play prepared accompaniment of early intermediate level with soloist;
(7) Perform a solo piece of early intermediate level (score may be used).

Qualified non-keyboard majors may enroll in piano and organ lessons with an upper-division number (3000+) only after taking four semesters of keyboard and passing the Upper-Division Applied Admittance Exam.

Upper-Division Applied Admittance Exam. The Upper-Division Applied Admittance Exam is taken by all majors. The exam is taken instead of the jury at the end of the fourth semester of degree credit in the major applied performance medium, and it is twice the length of a usual jury.

The student must pass section “a” of the exam in the respective applied area (see below) before earning upper-division credit in applied music; if the student does not pass the “a” requirement, the next semester of study is taken for additional lower-division credit.

A student who does not pass the remaining portions of the exam in the respective applied area may earn upper-division credit in the applied area for the next semester, but will re-take those other parts of the exam at the end of the next semester of study. If the student fails a second time, subsequent applied study will be for lower-division credit until the student passes all remaining parts of the exam.

The same policy applies to transfer students. They must pass section “a” of the exam in the respective applied area in order to register for upper-division credit for the next semester. If they fail any other parts of the exam not passed on the first attempt, they must re-take those parts of the exam at the end of that semester in order to continue to earn upper-division credit. Otherwise, subsequent applied study will be for lower-division credit until they pass all remaining parts of the exam.

Voice expectations:

perform repertoire specific to standards set by voice studio faculty for each degree program;
demonstrate sight-reading proficiency as assessed by corresponding faculty; and
submit a scholastic work specific to your academic focus within the disciplines of music and theatre (worship arts, integrated music studies, music education).

Piano expectations:

play advanced literature from three of the following style periods: (1) Baroque (Bach WTC or comparable-more difficult than Two-part Inventions); (2) Classical (Beethoven or Mozart sonata or comparable literature); (3) Romantic (Chopin, Brahms); and (4) Impressionistic /20th century (Debussy, Prokofieff). At least one piece or movement is to be completely memorized. The performance of these requirements should be stylistically convincing, and the performer should display a developing sense of musicality and expressiveness;
play major, harmonic, and melodic minor scales for four octaves in sixteenth notes at a minimum tempo of MM=120 per quarter note, hands together;
play major and minor arpeggios in all inversions for four octaves in sixteenth notes at a minimum tempo of MM=100 per quarter note, hands together;
play major and minor cadences (I-IV-I64-V7-I) with right hand in all inversions and left hand in octaves;
sight-read (1) a hymn having three or more sharps or flats in the key signature with intermediate rhythmic complexity and (2) a vocal accompaniment of an early-intermediate level; and
submit a scholastic work specific to your academic focus within the disciplines of music and theatre (worship arts, integrated music studies, music education).

Worship Arts Piano expectations:

play advanced literature from two of the following style periods: (1) Baroque (Bach WTC or comparable - more difficult than Two-part Interventions); (2) Classical (Beethoven or Mozart sonata or comparable literature); (3) Romantic (Chopin, Brahms); and (4) Impressionistic/20th century (Debussy, Prokofieff). At least one piece or movement is to be completely memorized. The performance of these requirements should be stylistically convincing, and the performer should display a developing sense of musicality and expressiveness;
play major, harmonic, and melodic minor scales for four octaves in sixteenth notes at a minimum tempo of MM=100 per quarter note, hands together;
play major and minor arpeggios in all inversions for four octaves in sixteenth notes at a minimum tempo of MM=80 per quarter note, hands together;
play major and minor cadences (I-IV-I64-V7-I) with right hand in all inversions and left hand in octaves;
sight-read (1) a hymn having three or more sharps or flats in the key signature with intermediate rhythmic complexity; (2) a vocal accompaniment of an early-intermediate level; and (3) a contemporary worship song written on a lead sheet; and
submit a scholastic work specific to your academic focus within the disciplines of music and theatre (worship arts, integrated music studies, music education).

Organ expectations:

play one work from each of these style periods: (1) Baroque, (2) Romantic, and (3) 20th century. The performance of these requirements should be stylistically convincing and the performer should display a developing sense of musicality and expressiveness;
play an introduction and two stanzas of a hymn. The stanzas must be played in a contrasting manner, as appropriate for the text;
play a hymn transposed up or down a half-step and whole step; and
sight-read (1) a hymn having three or more sharps or flats in the key signature with intermediate rhythmic complexity and (2) a simple work in trio texture.

Each candidate for the B.A. degree with an emphasis in organ is also required to earn the Service Playing Certificate (SPC) of the American Guild of Organists before entering upper-division work.

Instrumental expectations:

perform literature from three stylistic periods. The performances should be stylistically convincing and the performer should display a developing sense of musicality and expressiveness;
play scales and other technical exercises as appropriate;
demonstrate sight-reading proficiency, as determined by the instructor; and
submit a scholastic work specific to your academic focus within the disciplines of music and theatre (worship arts, integrated music studies, music education).

Recital or Presentation.
A candidate for the B.A. degree in Applied Music (specialization in Organ, Piano, or Voice) is required to present a half recital during the junior year (MUS 3900 ) and a full recital during the senior year (MUS 4900 ). These recitals may not take place during consecutive semesters.

A candidate for the B.S. degree in Integrated Music Studies has the choice between a half recital during the senior year (MUS 4900 ) or a Senior Presentation (MUS 4910 ). Four hours of upper-division credit in the applied emphasis is necessary in order to perform a senior recital.

A candidate for the B.Mus.Ed. degree is required to perform a half recital during the senior year (MUS 4900 ).

A candidate for the B.S. degree in Worship Arts is required to design and execute a multimedia presentation pertinent to student expertise or professional goals (Senior Multimedia Presentation MUS 4920).

If a full recital in a degree program requires significant audio/visual/lighting support the student will enroll is

Print Course (opens a new window)

MUS 4920 Senior Multimedia Presentation
No credit (On Campus)
Senior Presentation that involves significant support in audio, visual, and lighting. Examples of presentations include corporate worship services, musical theatre presentations, and commercial voice recitals. Other presentations may also be included at the discretion of applied teacher or presentation advisor. The student is responsible for assembling a team of people to help execute the planned service (musicians, speakers, other artists). Presentation must be approved by the department chair, and faculty mentor. Program notes must be written to accompany the presentation. These notes must be approved by and submitted to the faculty mentor prior to the presentation hearing. Hearing must be held at least two weeks before the scheduled presentation. An additional fee may be associated with this course.

Prerequisite or corequisite: MUS 4191
Offered on campus Fall and Spring semesters
(Senior Multimedia Presentation).

All recitalists must enroll in Senior Presentation Preparation MUS 4191 for faculty mentoring.

Students enrolled in MUS 3900 or MUS 4900 must also enroll in applied lessons.

Major Field Test in Music. All majors (except those majoring in Worship Arts) are required to take the Major Field Test in Music as a condition of graduation after completing MUS 4113 and MUS 3223 . If one of these courses is taken in the last semester of study, the Major Field Test should be taken as late in the semester as practical.
Certification for Organists. All candidates for the B.A. with emphasis in Organ must take the examination for the Colleague Certificate of the American Guild of Organists (CAGO) no later than the beginning of the last semester of study.