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Department of Music

Chair and Associate Professor: Dr. Jarvis, 450-3163
Professors: Dr. Anthony, Dr. Brooks, Dr. Brown, Dr. Holden, Dr. Hsu, Dr. Lamar, Dr. Rutman
Associate Professors: Dr. P. Dickinson, Dr. Duso, Mr. Erwin, Dr. Feldman, Dr. Johnson, Dr. Oeste, Dr. Rose, Dr. Tyson
Assistant Professors: Mr. Carichner, Dr. Dahlenburg, Ms. Donahue, Mr. Douglas, Dr. Fisher, Mr. Getzov, Mr. Jones, Dr. B. Shires, Dr. Young
Visiting Assistant Professor: Mr. Bledsoe
Lecturers: Dr. Antolik, , Dr. S. Dickinson, Ms. Franklin, Dr. Murakami, Ms. T. Shires
Instructor: Ms. Bryant
Adjunct: Ms. Banister, Dr. Biebesheimer, Mr. Emerson, Ms. Kotcherguina, Ms. Loerch, Ms. Reynolds, Ms. Stanley

[1] Mission

The human spirit is enlightened and elevated through the creation, presentation and transmission of our common musical culture. To this goal, and in consonance with the mission of the University and of the College of Fine Arts and Communication, the Department of Music prepares tomorrow’s performers, music teachers, entrepreneurs and professionals in and through the discipline of music, and brings performances of national prominence to Arkansas and the region. The Department of Music also provides music education experiences for children and adults through the Community School of Music, opportunities for university students from all disciplines to enrich their own general education by taking courses in music and performing in ensembles, and service and outreach to Arkansas public schools.

[2] The Honors Program in Music

The Department of Music’s Honors Program provides outstanding music students the opportunity to do additional creative projects and research. To be eligible for admission, a student must have a 3.0 GPA overall and a 3.0 GPA in music courses. This program will include successful completion of MUS 4310 Special Studies in Music.

Students who are interested in the honors program should petition to participate by writing a letter to the departmental Honors Committee (1) stating that he/she meets the GPA qualifications for the honors program; (2) describing the proposed project (research, composition, lecture/recital, etc.); and (3) listing proposed committee members for his/her project.

Students should discuss projects with their proposed committee members prior to writing their petition and secure the commitment of one faculty member to serve as chair of the committee and supervise the project. The department Honors Committee will review the petition and inform the student of approval.

[3] Baccalaureate Degrees

[3.1] Bachelor of Music

[3.1.1] Music Education

The BM degree with a concentration in music education requires successful completion of 120-121 semester credit hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 credit hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) degree/licensure requirements in the College of Education; (3) degree requirements in music as listed below; and (4) ensemble experiences as required. Keyboard majors must pursue a choral or an instrumental degree track. A minor is not required.

[3.1.1.1] Major in Music Education

Applied Music (12-14 credit hours): Major applied: 10 credit hours (instrumental) or 12 credit hours (vocal); recital or project: 1 credit hour; minor applied: 2 credit hours.

Theory (18 credit hours): MUS 1230, 1231, 1232, 1233, 2430, 2431, 3210 or 3230 or 4210 or 4215.

History and Literature (9 credit hours): MUS 1340, 3302, 3303.

Pedagogy (9-11 credit hours): Vocal majors: MUS 1141, 1142, 3201, 3305, 3306, 4160. Keyboard majors: MUS 2150, 3201, 3305, 3306, 4202. Instrumental majors: MUS 2150, 2170/2171, 2180/2181, 2199, 3201, 3305, 3304 or 3308. (Instrumental majors must have 1 credit hour of string class, 1-2 credit hours of brass class, and 1-2 credit hours of woodwind class. Brass majors will take 2 hours of woodwinds. Woodwind majors must have 2 credit hours of brasses. Percussion majors will take 2 credit hours of woodwinds and 2 credit hours of brasses.)

Technology (2 credit hours): MUS 2210.

Internships (13 credit hours): MUS 4340, MUS 4690, MUS 4691

Professional Education (12 or 15 credit hours): EDUC 1300, MSIT 3310, MSIT 4305, EDUC 3322, EDUC 3309, EDUC 3321.

[3.1.2] Performance

The degree of Bachelor of Music with a concentration in performance requires successful completion of 120 credit hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 credit hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) degree requirements as listed below; and (3) ensemble experience as required.

[3.1.2.1] Major in Performance

Applied Music (26 credit hours): Major applied: 23 credit hours; minor applied: 2 credit hours; recital: 1 credit hour; piano: 2 credit hours.

Theory (24 credit hours): MUS 1230, 1231, 1232, 1233, 2430, 2431, 3210, 3230, 3233, 4210 or 4215.

History and Literature (11 credit hours): MUS 1340, 3302, 3303; keyboard majors: MUS 4203; vocal majors: MUS 4205.

Pedagogy (2-4 credit hours): MUS 3201; instrumental majors: MUS 4204; keyboard majors: MUS 4202; vocal majors: MUS 4160. Vocal majors must take MUS 1141 and 1142. Note: Vocal majors under the BM Performance program must have one year of a foreign language, either French or German.

Electives: Vocal emphasis: 4 credit hours; instrumental emphasis: 12 credit hours; keyboard emphasis: 11 credit hours. (Electives may be music courses or courses from other disciplines. Students should consider the university graduation requirement of 40 hours of upper-division credit for graduation when choosing electives.)

[3.1.3] Composition

The degree of Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Composition requires successful completion of 120 credit hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 credit hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) degree requirements as listed below.

[3.1.3.1] Major in Composition

Applied Music (29 credit hours): Major applied (20 credit hours): minor applied (8 credit hours); recital (1 credit hour)

Theory (30 credit hours): MUS 1230, 1231, 1232, 1233, 2210, 2233, 2430, 2431, 3201, 3210, 3230, 4210, 4215

History and Literature (9 credit hours): MUS 1340, 3302, 3303

Ensembles and Piano (8 credit hours): Ensembles (6 credit hours); piano class (2 credit hours: MUS 2133, 2134)

Electives (12 credit hours)

Students interested in pursuing the concentration in Composition should notify the Composition faculty during the first semester of the freshman year, take MUS 2233 Composition Class in the spring of the freshman year, and submit an audition portfolio of two or three pieces for different media at the end of the freshman year. Successful completion of MUS 2233 with a grade of A or B, and a satisfactory audition are required for admission to the program.

[3.2] Bachelor of Arts

The degree of Bachelor of Arts with a major in Music requires the completion of 120 credit hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 credit hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) BA special degree requirements; (3) major requirements as listed below; (4) ensemble experience as required; and (5) a minor in another field of up to 24 credit hours as worked out with the minor advisor.

[3.2.1] Major in Music

Theory (16 credit hours): MUS 1230, 1231, 1232, 1233, 2430, 2431

History and Literature (9 credit hours): MUS 1340, 3302, 3303

Applied Music (8 credit hours)

Secondary Applied (2 credit hours)

Ensembles (8 credit hours)

Music Technology (2 credit hours): MUS 2210

Upper-Division Electives (13 credit hours)

[3.2.2] Minor in Music (non-teaching) (24 credit hours)

This minor is designed for students who wish to develop their competence in music, but who do not desire a professional preparation. Twenty-four credit hours are required to complete a minor in music.

Music theory (8 credit hours): MUS 1230, 1231, 1232, 1233. Admission to Harmony I and Ear Training I is contingent upon the successful completion of a placement test or the successful completion of MUS 1300 Fundamentals of Music.

Music Literature (3 credit hours): MUS 1340

Applied Music (6-7 credit hours). For those who need piano for theory keyboard, 2 hours of piano class may be a part of the 6 hours in applied music. Up to two hours per semester may be used to complete this requirement.

Ensemble (6-7 credit hours). Only one credit hour per semester may be used to fulfill this requirement.

[4] Master’s Degree

See Graduate Bulletin.

[5] Accreditation

The University of Central Arkansas is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music, 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, Virginia 20190. Telephone: (703) 437-0700.

[6] Departmental Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Students may apply for admission to undergraduate music study at the University of Central Arkansas for the fall, spring, or summer terms. Applicants are encouraged to begin the application process late in their junior year or early in their senior year of high school.

In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to the University of Central Arkansas, students desiring to pursue a major or minor in music must submit an additional application and supporting materials to the Department of Music. No student is allowed to declare any major in music without receiving a letter of acceptance from the Department of Music.

[6.1] Admission from High School

  1. Submit all general materials to the UCA admissions office.
  2. Submit music application to Department of Music (forms available from the music office or online).
  3. Audition in the principal applied area. A satisfactory audition is essential to determine acceptability to the department. For additional information regarding audition requirements, please refer to the Department of Music website, Degrees and Programs, Areas of Study or contact the appropriate applied instructor.

[6.2] Admission as a Transfer from Another College

  1. Same as admission from high school.
  2. Examinations in theory and music literature/history are required for placement or verification of transfer credits in music courses.

[6.3] Diagnostic Exams for Incoming Music Majors

  1. Piano Placement Evaluation: While piano proficiency is not required for admission, all music majors must achieve the required level of proficiency. The Piano Placement evaluation will assist in placing each student in an appropriate level of piano instruction.
  2. Basic Musicianship Evaluation: While not required for admission, all music majors must achieve a required level of proficiency in basic musicianship. this evaluation is a brief test of rudimentary music skills which is necessary for placement in music theory and musicianship courses.

Students will be notified by the department of the time and date of these evaluations.

[7] Performance Requirement

[7.1] Ensemble Requirements

Every student registered for applied instruction and every music major will participate in one appropriate large conducted ensemble each semester, as assigned by the faculty. The chair, in consultation with the appropriate applied faculty member and ensemble director and with the student, may substitute a small conducted ensemble or waive the requirement.

[7.2] Specific Requirements

[7.2.1] BM, Music Education

  • Woodwind, brass, and percussion majors must participate in the university ensemble combination (Fall: Bear Marching Band and either a concert band or orchestra; Spring: a concert band or orchestra) to fulfill large ensemble credit up until the Internship II semester.
  • String majors must participate in the university orchestra to fulfill large ensemble credit up until the Internship II semester.
  • Vocalists must participate in a choir to fulfill the large ensemble credit up until the Internship II semester.
  • Piano majors may participate in any large ensemble to fulfill credit up until the Internship II semester; however, they may substitute up to three semesters of accompanying as large ensemble credit.
  • During the course of the degree program, it is expected that students will take an appropriate mix of small conducted ensembles and/or chamber music, in addition to the large ensembles, as assigned by the major professor and the advisor.
  • Exceptions to this policy require application to the department chair.

[7.2.2] BM, Performance

  • Woodwind, brass, and percussion majors must participate in the university band combination (Fall: Bear Marching Band and a concert band; Spring: a concert band or orchestra) each semester to fulfill a large ensemble requirement. Participation in Wind Ensemble through successful audition may be substituted for the university band combination in the fall.
  • String majors must participate in the university orchestra each semester to fulfill the large ensemble requirement.
  • Vocalists must participate in a choir each semester to fulfill the large ensemble requirement; in addition, they must participate in two contiguous semesters of Opera Workshop. Other equivalent stage experiences may be substituted for the Opera Workshop requirement if approved by the applied instructor.
  • Piano majors must participate in a large ensemble each semester in residence. This may include collaborative activity with a university ensemble. Students may substitute up to six semesters of solo accompanying for the large ensemble requirement.
  • Guitar majors must participate in a large ensemble each semester to fulfill the large ensemble requirement and may substitute up to two semesters of conducted jazz ensemble as large ensemble credit. In addition, they are required to participate in guitar ensemble as their small ensemble each semester.
  • During the course of the degree program, it is expected that students will take an appropriate mix of small conducted ensembles and/or chamber music, in addition to the large ensembles, as assigned by the major professor and the advisor.
  • Exceptions to this policy require application to the chairman.

[7.2.3] BA in Music

  • During the course of the degree program, it is expected that students will take an appropriate mix of small conducted ensembles in addition to the large ensembles, as assigned by the major professor and the advisor.

Recital Attendance: All music majors are required to attend 20 recital programs per semester (ten general recitals plus ten additional events). Attendance at these recitals is required for six semesters. Failure to meet minimum attendance requirements in any given semester will result in attendance at the additional required number in a subsequent semester.

[7.3] Piano Skills Development

Piano Classes I and II are remedial in nature and do not count toward music degrees. An entering student with adequate preparation will normally enter into Piano Class III. All students enrolled as music majors are required to demonstrate their competence in keyboard skills. This requirement may be met by choosing one of the following options:

  1. Completion of Piano Class IV with a grade of C or higher will demonstrate achievement of the skills guidelines. (The final exam for Piano IV will be equivalent to the respective guideline statement for each area of emphasis. Piano IV may be repeated until the requirement is satisfied.)
  2. Any student may be exempted from Piano Class III and/or IV by successfully demonstrating the skills contained in the guidelines for each level for which exemption is sought in a specially scheduled hearing before the piano proficiency committee.
  3. All keyboard majors will complete requirements contained in the guidelines through participation in a weekly lab session during the freshman year. Non-keyboard majors with sufficient keyboard background to qualify may also complete the requirements through the lab session (admittance for non-keyboard majors is by a screening audition at the beginning of the school year).

[7.4] Jury Examinations

At the end of each semester all music majors and minors are required to perform a jury examination in the major and minor applied area of study. Juniors and seniors who have given a satisfactory recital may be exempted from the jury. Examination requirements for persons enrolled in applied music on an elective basis are determined by the individual teacher. The specific jury repertoire requirements are determined by the individual teachers or general areas such as voice or piano.

[7.5] Recitals

All music majors, except first-semester freshmen, are required to appear in a general recital at least once each semester. During the senior year, an individual, full-length recital is required. However, at the discretion of the major professor, and after consulting with the department chair, BA music majors and music education majors may give this recital jointly with another music major or may substitute an alternative project. A bachelor of music performance candidate must, in addition to the senior recital, give a half recital during the junior year. Students planning recitals must confer early in the semester with the department chair.

[8] Music Fees

For individual instruction in piano, guitar, voice, band, orchestral instruments, and piano class:

$40.00 per semester for two credit hours (two half-hour lessons or one full-hour lesson per week); $25.00 per semester for one credit hour (one half-hour lesson or two class lessons per week).

For practice facilities:

Piano, voice, guitar: $4.00 per semester for the first daily practice hour, $2.00 for each additional hour; $2.00 per summer term of five weeks for the first 2 daily practice hours, $2.00 for each additional hour.

Orchestra and band instruments: $3.00 per semester for the first daily hour of practice, $1.00 for each additional hour; $2.00 per summer term of five weeks for 2 hours of daily practice, $1.00 for each additional hour.

[9] Credit Hours in Applied Music

Credit in applied music is computed as follows (SCH = semester credit hour[s]):

1 SCH: one half-hour lesson per week, 6 hours of practice per week.
2 SCH: one full-hour lesson or two half-hour lessons per week, 12 hours of practice per week.
4 SCH: one full-hour lesson or two half-hour lessons per week, 18 hours of practice per week (applicable to BM in performance students).

Music Course Links

[10.1] Music Theory (MUS)

Follow this link for MUS – Theory course descriptions: course link.

[10.2] Music History and Literature (MUS)

Follow this link for MUS – History and Literature course descriptions: course link.

[10.3] Pedagogy

Follow this link for MUS – Pedagogy course descriptions: course link.

[10.4] Special Courses

Follow this link for MUS – Special Courses course descriptions: course link.

[10.5] Applied Classes (group instruction)

Follow this link for MUS – Applied Classes descriptions: course link.

[10.6] Courses in Music – Applied (MUSA)

Follow this link for MUSA course descriptions: course link.

[10.7] Courses in Music – Ensemble (MUSE)

Follow this link for MUSE course descriptions: course link.