Competencies

Performance

At the completion of the music degree, all music majors will:

  1. Demonstrate competencies at the 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 level as described in the progress and skills exam guidelines in an area of primary specialization.
  2. Perform solo and chamber repertoire appropriate to each level of instruction in an area of primary specialization.
  3. Perform etudes and technical studies appropriate to each level of instruction in an area of primary specialization.
  4. Demonstrate proper stage deportment, communication, and musicality.
  5. Demonstrate ensemble leadership.

Music Theory

At the completion of the music degree, all music majors will:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of the materials of music, including melody, harmony, rhythm, timbre, and formal structure.
  2. Complete competencies required for each level of music theory as detailed in course syllabi.
  3. Demonstrate command of aural skills in music, including sight-singing, melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic dictation, scale, interval and triad identification and formal listening.
  4. Complete competences required for each level of aural skills as detailed in course syllabi.
  5. Demonstrate command of the materials of music through compositions and arrangements as required in the music theory and aural skills course sequence.
  6. Demonstrate formal and harmonic analytical skills.

Music History

At the completion of the music degree, all music majors will:

  1. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of historical periods in the musical, visual, and performing arts and their relationship with cultural, sociological, and philosophical ideas.
  2. Demonstrate a breadth of knowledge regarding significant music genres, styles, forms, performance practices, composers, and specific works from antiquity to the present through written assessment and aural identification.
  3. Complete competencies in music history as detailed in the course syllabi.
  4. Demonstrate collaborative peer work through small group presentation.
  5. Demonstrate understanding of research methods and materials in music through the completion of research papers in music history courses.

Musicianship

At the completion of the music degree, all music majors will:

  1. Demonstrate the ability to harmonize, transpose, and improvise through experiences in class piano, music theory, and in applied studio instruction on their principal instrument.
  2. Demonstrate competency in conducting and leading ensembles.
  3. Demonstrate ability in comprehensive score preparation including historical perspective, detailed analysis, procedure, and conducting techniques.
  4. Demonstrate ability to effectively communicate music through performance experiences.

Professional Education

At the completion of the music degree, students pursuing the emphasis in music education will:

  1. Be familiar with music curricular materials at the elementary and secondary level.
  2. Prepare and present effective lesson plans aligned with state and national music standards.
  3. Demonstrate understanding of teaching strategies and various learning styles through documentation of adaptations for special learners, cross-curricular connections, and use of technology.
  4. Demonstrate understanding of classroom management, curriculum development, program-building, and strategies for teaching success through written and oral assessments.
  5. Formulate a teaching philosophy based on the USAO effective teacher model and mission statement.

Music Technology

At the completion of the music degree, students will:

  1. Demonstrate a general knowledge of music notation software.
  2. Understand the basics of digital audio, audio editing software, and how to edit digital audio files.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding on copyright and fair use.
  4. Demonstrate use of slide show presentation software and interactive whiteboard hardware/software, and supporting educational materials for the music education classroom.
  5. Use and manage a variety of music sharing tools.
  6. Create, save, retrieve, edit, and refine their original musical ideas.
  7. Understand how advances in music technology influence traditional careers in music and produce new creative opportunities.
  8. Understand the pedagogical and practical applications of technology to their musical activities.
  9. Understand how to use technological resources for research and information-gathering in the field of music (databases, professional organizations, music-related resources).