Music Division

Go to Undergraduate Music | Go to Graduate Music | Go to Programs and Course Listings | Go to Ensemble Requirements by Major

Faculty

Joseph Hopkins, Dean, Professor
Kathryn Fouse, Associate Dean of Music, Professor
Demondrae Thurman, Director, Graduate Studies, Associate Professor
Moya L. Nordlund, Chair, Academic Studies, Professor
W. Randall Richardson, Chair, Performance Studies, Professor
Donald C. Sanders, Research Professor
Sharon L. Lawhon, Professor
Ronald R. Shinn, Professor
Philip L. Copeland, Associate Professor
Grant B. Dalton, Associate Professor
Joel Davis, Assistant Professor
Jeffrey Z. Flaniken, Assistant Professor
Kristin Kenning, Assistant Professor
Mark Lackey, Assistant Professor
Eric L. Mathis, Assistant Professor
James J. Smisek, Assistant Professor
Brian B. Viliunas, Assistant Professor
Christina Villaverde-Camara, Assistant Professor
Jaroslaw P. Szurek, Instructor, Assistant Librarian
Kenneth D. Berg, Jr., Lecturer
Richard Cassarino, Lecturer
William J. Dorroh, Lecturer, University Organist
Laura H. Doss, Lecturer
Angela M. Flaniken, Lecturer
Larry Hardin, Lecturer
Barbara Harrington, Lecturer
Kely Hatley, Lecturer
Judith S. Hicks, Lecturer
Stephen B. Knight, Lecturer, University Carillonneur
Kevin J. Kozak, Lecturer
Daniel E. Lawhon, Lecturer
Rachel E. Lim, Lecturer
Connie Macon, Lecturer
Tariq M. Masri, Lecturer
Margaret E. McGinnis, Lecturer
Michael Myers, Lecturer
Caroline Nordlund, Lecturer
Samuel Nordlund, Lecturer
Vicki L. Portis, Lecturer
Karlo Senasi, Lecturer
Barbara A. Shinn, Lecturer
James B. Sullivan, Lecturer
Sallie White, Lecturer

Mission

The mission of the Division of Music at Samford University is to nurture persons by developing musical skills, knowledge, and understanding appropriate to their vocational objectives and personal needs, within the framework of curricula and extra-curricular activities provided at this institution, and to contribute to the fulfillment of the broader mission of the University.

General Information

Music study at Samford University is essentially a threefold program, including training in basic musicianship, training in specialized professional areas, and studies in the liberal arts. The core of the program is musicianship-continuous study in music performance, including solo and ensemble experiences, along with extensive work in music theory. In specialized areas, such as teacher training, composition, and church music, requirements include training and experiences in the special skills and knowledge appropriate to the respective degree program to equip the graduate to function effectively on the professional level. The liberal arts requirements contribute to the breadth of knowledge appropriate for the professional musician.

The Division of Music of the School of the Arts is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music, and the teacher education program is accredited by the Alabama State Department of Education. In addition to the academic program, a wide variety of ensembles offer opportunities to both music and non-music majors for meaningful experiences in music making. University ensembles include A Cappella Choir, Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Samford Opera, Opera Workshop, University Chorale, Orchestra, Musical Theatre Ensemble, and numerous chamber ensembles.

Undergraduate Programs and Requirements

Majors

Composition Major, B.M. 

Music Major, B.A.   
Music Major, B.S. 

Music Major with a Concentration in Instrumental Music, B.M.E. 
Music Major with a Concentration in Vocal/Choral Music, B.M.E. 

Music and Worship Major, B.M. 

Performance: Instrumental Music Major, B.M. 
Performance: Organ Major, B.M. 
Performance: Piano Major, B.M. 
Performance: Piano Major with Pedagogy Emphasis, B.M. 
Performance: Voice Major, B.M. 

Minors

Music Minor 
Minor in the Arts (Music)  *
Worship Leadership Minor  *

The Division of Music offers undergraduate programs that meet requirements for the bachelor of arts, the bachelor of science, the bachelor of music education, and the bachelor of music degrees. Majors include composition, music (stand alone or with concentrations in instrumental music and vocal/choral), music and worship, and performance (instrumental music, organ, piano, piano with emphasis in piano pedagogy, and voice). Degrees offered through the graduate program include the master of music and the master of music education. The music division also offers minors in music, the arts*, and worship leadership*.

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*The minor in the arts is interdisciplinary, offered in cooperation with the Department of Art and the Department of Theatre and Dance. The worship leadership minor is also interdisciplinary, offered in cooperation with the Department of Religion.

Student Objectives

Bachelor of Arts in Music: This degree is designed for students desiring to major in music within the framework of a liberal arts degree. The degree is intended to serve the needs of undergraduate students who are interested in a broad program of general studies and who wish also to develop their musical skills and knowledge.

Bachelor of Music in Composition: This degree is designed for students pursuing a career in the field of music theory and/or composition. Most students in this field continue their study with graduate-level work in the discipline.

Bachelor of Music in Music and Worship: This degree is designed for students committed to vocational music and worship ministry. The program includes coursework in music, worship, ministry, and religion, and a supervised experience in a congregational setting.

Bachelor of Music in Performance: These degrees (instrumental music, organ, piano, and voice) are designed for students highly motivated toward excellence in performance. The student combines studies in basic musicianship and music history with concentrated emphasis in the major performance area.

Bachelor of Music in Performance: Piano with Emphasis in Piano Pedagogy: This degree is designed for piano majors who have a strong interest in teaching as well as performance.

Bachelor of Music Education in Music: This degree (with concentration options of instrumental music and vocal/choral music) is designed for students who wish to prepare for a career as a K-12 music educator. Practical experiences in teaching music are provided in the greater Birmingham area.

Bachelor of Science in Music: This degree is designed for students who would like to combine premedical studies with concentrated studies in music.

Admission Policies

Students desiring to major or minor in music must be admitted to the Division of Music in addition to gaining admission to the University. All prospective music majors and music minors must audition in their principal performance area(s) and take a music placement examination. A maximum of two (2) auditions is allowed in a single performance area.

Appointments for auditions and placement examinations will be scheduled upon receipt of the School of the Arts application materials, which can be obtained by contacting the Arts Recruiter, School of the Arts, Samford University, Birmingham, AL, 35229. Students will be notified by mail of the results of the auditions and will be admitted for registration as music majors only if they have acceptance notices sent by the dean of the School of the Arts.

Transfer students desiring to major in music must audition in the principal performance area(s) and take a placement examination in music theory and piano to determine both acceptance and transfer of credit. Transfer of credit for other music courses is determined by either placement examinations or review of the student’s previous work in an equivalent course.

Non-music majors desiring instruction in applied music may register for private or group instruction only with the permission of the associate dean.

Progression Policy for Bachelor of Music Education

Once admitted into the bachelor of music education program with a major in music, a 3.00 GPA requirement must be maintained in all areas: cumulative, major courses, and education courses. These GPA requirements also pertain to graduation and certification.

Certification/Proficiencies

Recital Attendance. All music majors and minors are required to attend student, guest artist, and faculty recitals. Weekly attendance at Music Activity Hour (MUSC 0999 ) is also required. Music majors must complete seven semesters of MUSC 0999 . Music minors must complete four semesters of MUSC 0999 . (See the Division of Music Handbook for details.)

Performance. One of the most important aspects of a music major’s educational experience is the area of performance. The requirements for number of credits in performance appear in the curricular tables for the various degrees in music. The minimum recital requirements are listed in the table below.

Piano Proficiency. All non-keyboard majors must pass a piano proficiency examination before graduating. Such students must enroll for piano study each semester until the piano proficiency examination has been passed. All degree candidates must complete piano proficiency requirements before enrolling in a senior recital. Music education majors must complete all piano proficiency requirements before enrolling for student teaching.

Student Accompanying. All keyboard principals are required to complete a minimum of two semesters of supervised accompanying. One credit will be given in ensemble for each semester of accompanying completed.

Grade Restrictions. No grade below C- in music courses which are required for a degree with a major or a minor in music will count toward fulfillment of degree requirements. Any grade below C- in sequenced courses (such as Theory and Class Piano) requires that the class be successfully repeated in order for the student to advance to the next course in the series.

Upper Level Standing

Each music major will be evaluated for approval for upper level status at the end of two years of music study. Upper level standing application forms are available in the music office. Each student should apply no later than April 1 in the spring semester of the sophomore year. Consult the manual for undergraduate studies for more details.

Ensembles

Students with an undergraduate major in music must register for at least one major ensemble each semester in residence. At Samford University the following groups are defined as major ensembles: A Cappella Choir, Marching Band, Musical Theatre Ensemble, Samford Opera, Opera Workshop, Orchestra, Symphonic Band, University Chorale, and Wind Ensemble. See the table below.

The following guidelines apply to participation by music division majors:

1. Music education students should participate in ensembles in the area in which they plan to student-teach.
2. Vocal/choral music education majors may substitute two credits in Samford Opera, Opera Workshop, or Music Theatre Ensemble for two credits in a major choral ensemble. Music and worship majors with vocal emphasis may complete their required eight ensemble credits in any major vocal ensemble.
3. Vocal performance majors must take a minimum of two semesters of Samford Opera or Opera Workshop, and four semesters of a choral ensemble (either A Cappella Choir or University Chorale). The other two credits may be chosen from any of these ensembles.
4. Organ performance majors, piano performance majors, and music education and music and worship majors with keyboard emphasis must fulfill two of the eight credits of ensemble requirements by taking MUSC 1740 - Accompanying  for two semesters. Organ performance majors and piano performance majors may fulfill two additional credits of ensemble requirements by taking two additional credits of MUSC 1740 .
5. Students with keyboard emphasis pursuing the B.M. degree with a major in composition, the B.A. degree with a major in music, or the B.S. degree with a major in music may fulfill two of the eight credits of ensemble requirements by taking MUSC 1740 (Accompanying) for two semesters.
6. Music and worship majors with instrumental performance emphasis must take at least two semesters of choral ensemble (either A Cappella Choir or University Chorale).
7. Instrumental music performance majors must complete two credits in Chamber Ensembles.

Ensembles: MUSC 1720 , MUSC 1721 , MUSC 1722 , MUSC 1723 , MUSC 1724 ; MUSC 1730 , MUSC 1731 , MUSC 1732 , MUSC 1733 ; MUSC 1739 , MUSC 1740 ; MUSC 3720 , MUSC 3721 , MUSC 3722 , MUSC 3723 , MUSC 3724 ; MUSC 3730 , MUSC 3731 ; MUSC 3733 , MUSC 3739 .

University Core Curriculum and General Education Requirements

See University Core Curriculum and General Education Requirements  in the Howard College of Arts and Sciences introductory pages for a list of required and applicable courses. General Education Requirements are detailed in the individual degree tables, with some exceptions. In those cases where a requirement is not specified, consult the University Core Curriculum and General Education Requirements  section for a list of applicable courses.

Graduate Programs and Requirements

Degrees/Majors

Master of Music (M.M.)

Church Music, M.M. 
Piano Performance and Pedagogy, M.M. 

Master of Music Education (M.M.E.)

Music: Pattern 1: Traditional Program, M.M.E. 
Music: Pattern 2: Fifth Year Non-Traditional Program, M.M.E. 
Music Education (National Board Cohort), M.M.E. 

Joint-Degree

Master of Music/Master of Divinity (M.M./M.Div.)

Graduate programs in music are offered in several areas: church music and piano performance/pedagogy, both leading to a master of music degree, and music (traditional and fifth-year non-traditional) and music education (national board cohort), all leading to a master of music education degree. In cooperation with the Beeson School of Divinity , the School of the Arts also offers a joint degree in music and divinity (M.M./M.D.Div.)

Admission

For admission to a graduate degree program in the Music Division of the School of the Arts, a bachelor of music (B.M.), a bachelor of music education (B.M.E.), or an equivalent degree from a regionally accredited institution, is required. Unconditional admission requires an undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 in music courses and 2.50 in the program as a whole. Students entering the M.M.E.-MNBC program must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 for admission.

A complete application includes:

1. The application form and fee ($35).
2. An official transcript from each institution attended since high school.
3. An acceptable score, not more than five years old, on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants whose native language is not English may substitute the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT), on which a minimum score of 90 is required.
4. An audition in the solo performance area.
5. An interview with the director of graduate studies in music and/or faculty from the area of study.
6. A copy of an Alabama Class B teaching certificate in music education or an acceptable score on the Alabama Basic Skills Test for those applying for music education.

Programs

• Composition Major, B.M.
• Music and Worship Major, B.M.
• Music Major with a Concentration in Instrumental Music, B.M.E.
• Music Major with a Concentration in Vocal/Choral Music, B.M.E.
• Music Major, B.A.
• Music Major, B.S.
• Performance: Instrumental Music Major, B.M.
• Performance: Organ Major, B.M.
• Performance: Piano Major with Pedagogy Emphasis, B.M.
• Performance: Piano Major, B.M.
• Performance: Voice Major, B.M.

• Music Minor
• Worship Leadership Minor

• Church Music, M.M.
• Music Education (National Board Cohort), M.M.E.
• Music: Pattern 1: Traditional Program, M.M.E.
• Music: Pattern 2: Fifth Year Non-Traditional Program, M.M.E.
• Piano Performance and Pedagogy, M.M.

• Minor in the Arts (Music)

Courses

For performance courses offered for graduate credit, the 5000 level will be used, with the amount of credit varying according to study requirements.

• MUSA 5121 - Trumpet
• MUSA 5123 - Trombone
• MUSA 5125 - French Horn
• MUSA 5127 - Tuba
• MUSA 5129 - Euphonium
• MUSA 5131 - Saxophone
• MUSA 5133 - Flute
• MUSA 5135 - Oboe
• MUSA 5137 - Bassoon
• MUSA 5139 - Clarinet
• MUSA 5151 - Piano
• MUSA 5153 - Organ
• MUSA 5157 - Voice
• MUSA 5179 - Classical Guitar

All class instruction courses earn 1 credit.

• MUSC 5931 - Class Strings
• MUSC 5932 - Class Woodwinds
• MUSC 5933 - Class Brass
• MUSC 5934 - Class Percussion