Department of Music and Theatre

(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 theatre, courses are offered leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music Education (see Teacher Education for student learning outcomes for Bachelor of Music Education degree). These curricula embrace the cross-disciplinary educational values of the liberal arts, fully integrate spiritual development and formation, and rigorously prepare our graduates for professional life in performing arts, music education, music ministry, arts administration, and beyond..

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 and theatre as a minor or as an elective.

Music and Theatre Scholarships

Music and Theatre major scholarships are available to all who major in Music Education, Integrated Music Studies, and Performing Arts. Scholarships are offered upon successful completion of an audition. The amount awarded is based primarily upon demonstrated skills and potential. Specific audition requirements for each area of study are outlined on the Music and Theatre website, https://www.jbu.edu/academics/music/auditions.

Scholarships are renewed annually and may be adjusted higher based upon the merit of the recipient’s academic and applied work.

A student majoring in a Music and Theatre program may expect to retain a scholarship for eight semesters. Exceptions can be made for students upon appeal to the department chair of Music and 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 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 and Theatre Degrees

1. Demonstrated potential. Each candidate must select a primary performance medium (voice, piano, instrument, or theatre), meet yearly requirements as set by the Music and Theatre faculty, and fulfill all stated degree requirements. 
    
2. Ensemble participation requirements. Each major is required to participate satisfactorily in at least one ensemble per semester, for at least four semesters at JBU. Students may choose from choirs, theatre, music theatre, and chapel bands. Qualified non-majors are encouraged to participate.
    
3. Recital attendance. Satisfactory completion of Recital Attendance (MUS 1000 ) 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.
    
4. 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.
    
5. 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.
    
6. 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 Applied Music as an Elective (MUS 1881 ) 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. Repertoire/Performance: Students prepare one piece of selected repertoire with approval of faculty member and plays for faculty examiners focusing on all elements of musicality necessitated by the piece.

    2. Harmonization: Students prepare harmonization of assigned pieces and provide any accompaniment pattern other than blocked chords

    3. Skills and Technique: 

Scales

Arpeggios

   4. Chord progressions: Students prepare the following chord progressions in all tested Major and minor scales: I-vi-IV-ii-V^6/4 -V7-I (and appropriate harmonies for minors)

   5. Sight Reading: Play one musical excerpt provided by faculty examiner and perform following two minutes of inaudible preparation.

   6. Transposition: Prepare transpositions (minimum of 2) provided by faculty examiner. Play in original key and transposed key with no more than 2 sharps or 2 flats.

   7. Score Reading: Students prepare a chorale with 4-part harmony (SATB).

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

7. 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:

1. perform repertoire specific to standards set by voice studio faculty for each degree program, and
2. demonstrate sight-reading proficiency as assessed by corresponding faculty.

Piano expectations:

1. 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; and (4) Impressionistic/20th century. 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;
2. play major and harmonic minor scales for four octaves in sixteenth notes at a minimum tempo of MM=120 per quarter note, hands together;
3. 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;
4. play major and minor cadences (I-IV-I64-V7-I) with right hand in all inversions and left hand in octaves; and
5. 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.

Guitar expectations:

1. perform literature from three stylistic periods. The performances should be stylistically convincing and the performer should display a developing sense of musicality and expressiveness;
2. play scales and other technical exercises as appropriate; and
3. demonstrate sight-reading proficiency, as determined by the instructor.

     8. Recital or Presentation.

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.A. degree in Integrated Music Studies has the choice between a half recital during the senior year (MUS 4900 ) or a Senior Presentation (MUS 4910 ).

If a full recital in a degree program requires significant audio/visual/lighting support the student will enroll in Senior Multimedia Presentation (MUS 4920  ).

All those enrolled in Senior Recital, Senior Presentation, or Senior Multimedia Presentation must also enroll in Senior Presentation Preparation (MUS 4191  ) for faculty mentoring.

         Students enrolled in MUS 3213  must also enroll in applied lessons.

9. Major Field Test in Music. All majors are required to take the Major Field Test in Music as a condition of graduation after completing MUS 3213  and MUS 3433 . 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.
    
10. All majors are reqired to complete an internship involving field experience in an environment related to their degree emphasis. Performing Arts and Integrated Music Studies majors must enroll in MUS 4560  and Music Education majors must enroll in ED 4890 . The internship must be approved by the major advisor prior to start.