2016-2017 Samford University Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2017 Samford University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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, Voice
Kathryn Fouse, Associate Dean for the Division of Music, Professor, Piano
Eric L. Mathis, Chair, Academic Studies in Music, Assistant Professor, Music and Worship
W. Randall Richardson, Chair, Performance Studies in Music, Professor, Voice
Demondrae Thurman, Director, Graduate Studies, Professor, Low Brass
Donald C. Sanders, Research Professor, Piano, Musicology
Philip L. Copeland, Professor, Choral Music
Sharon L. Lawhon, Professor, Voice
Ronald R. Shinn, Professor, Piano
Susanne Finch Burgess, Associate Professor, Music Education
Grant B. Dalton, Associate Professor, Percussion
Brad Diamond, Associate Professor, Voice
Jeffrey Z. Flaniken, Associate Professor, Violin
Joel Scott Davis, Assistant Professor, Music Theory, Composition
Timothy Heath, Assistant Professor, Music Education
Kristin Kenning, Assistant Professor, Voice
Mark A. Lackey, Assistant Professor, Music Theory, Composition
Brian B. Viliunas, Assistant Professor, Clarinet
Emily Snider Andrews, Instructor, Music and Worship
Kimberly A. Bain, Lecturer
Ryan A. Beach, Lecturer, Trumpet
Kenneth D. Berg, Jr., Lecturer, Choral Arranging
Jennifer Bryant, Lecturer, Class Voice
Allison Clough, Lecturer, Class Piano
William J. Dorroh, Lecturer, University Organist
Laura H. Doss, Lecturer, Voice
Angela M. Flaniken, Lecturer, Viola
Larry E. Hardin, Lecturer, Music Education
Barbara K. Harrington, Lecturer, Flute
Judith S. Hicks, Lecturer, Harp
W. Michael Huebner, Lecturer, Music Theory
Stephen B. Knight, Lecturer, University Carillonneur
Kevin J. Kozak, Lecturer, Horn
Sarah J. Lanclos, Lecturer, Class Piano
Tariq M. Masri, Lecturer, Bassoon
Margaret E. McGinnis, Lecturer, Class Piano, Musicology
Caroline J. Nordlund, Lecturer, Violin
Samuel Nordlund, Lecturer, Cello
Anthony P. Pattin, Lecturer
Vicki L. Portis, Lecturer, Music Education
John Robertson, Lecturer, Staff Accompanist
Karlo Senasi, Lecturer, Guitar
Barbara A. Shinn, Lecturer, Class Piano
Brandon S. Slocumb, Lecturer, Marching Band
Christopher Smith, Lecturer, Guitar
James B. Sullivan, Lecturer, Oboe
Jaroslaw P. Szurek, Lecturer, Music Appreciation, Assistant Librarian
Sallie V. White, Lecturer, Saxophone

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 curricular 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 program involves study in music performance, solo and ensemble experience, and extensive work in music theory and history. Specialized areas include training in skills and knowledge appropriate to the respective degree program. This equips the graduate to function effectively on the professional level. Liberal arts requirements contribute to the breadth of knowledge needed by the developing musician.

The Division of Music in 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 programs, 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, University Chorale, Musical Theatre Ensemble, Samford Opera, Opera Workshop, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, and numerous chamber ensembles.


Undergraduate Programs and Requirements

Majors

Composition Major (B.M.)  

Music Major (B.A.)   
Music Major (B.S.)  

Music Major: Instrumental Music Concentration (B.M.E.) 
Music Major: Vocal/Choral Music Concentration (B.M.E.)  

Music & Worship Major (B.M.)  

Performance: Instrumental Music Major (B.M.) 
Performance: Organ Major (B.M.) 
Performance: Piano Major (B.M.) 
Performance: Piano Major w/Pedagogy Emphasis (B.M.) 
Performance: Voice Major (B.M.)  

 

Minors

Music Minor 
Minor in the Arts (MUSC)  *
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. 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 Division of Visual Arts 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 and leads to the Alabama Class B teaching certificate. 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. Non-keyboard majors must also complete a piano placement.

Appointments for auditions and placement examinations will be scheduled upon receipt of 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 Seminar (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.)

Degree and Major Minimum Recital Requirements
Bachelor of Arts in Music 1/2 hour degree recital
Bachelor of Music in Composition 1/2 hour composition recital
1/2 hour performance recital
Bachelor of Music in Music and Worship 1/2 hour degree recital
Bachelor of Music in Performance 1/2 hour degree recital
1 hour performance recital
Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance/Pedagogy 1 hour degree recital
Bachelor of Music Education in Music 1/2 hour degree recital
Bachelor of Science in Music 1/2 hour degree recital

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 above.

Piano Proficiency. All non-keyboard majors must pass a piano proficiency examination before graduating. Such students must enroll for piano study each long 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.

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. 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, University Chorale, Musical Theatre Ensemble, Samford Opera, Opera Workshop, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Marching Band. See the table below for specific ensemble requirements by degree.

The following guidelines apply to ensemble 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 (0-1)  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 a choral ensemble (either A Cappella Choir or University Chorale).
  7. Instrumental music performance majors must complete two credits in Chamber Ensembles.

Ensemble Requirements by Major

Major Performance Emphasis/Concentration Overall Ensemble Credits Specific Ensemble Credits Specific Ensemble Detail
        Course - Title Notes
Composition Keyboard 8 2 MUSC 1740 - Accompanying (0-1)   Optional substitution for two semesters
Music (B.A. or B.S.) Keyboard 8 2 MUSC 1740 - Accompanying (0-1)   Optional substitution for two semesters
Music (B.A. or B.S.) All others 8     Any ensemble
Music and Worship Instrumental 8 2 MUSC 1720 - University Chorale (0-1) /MUSC 3720 - University Chorale (0-1) 
MUSC 1721 - A Cappella Choir (0-1) /MUSC 3721 - A Cappella Choir (0-1)  
Must take at least two semesters of a choral ensemble from the four course options at left
Music and Worship Keyboard 8 2 MUSC 1740 - Accompanying (0-1)   Must take twice
Music and Worship Vocal 8     Any major vocal ensemble
Performance: Instrumental Music   10 2 MUSC 1732 - Chamber Ensemble (0-1)   Must take twice
Performance: Organ   8 2-4 MUSC 1740 - Accompanying (0-1)   Must take twice, but can take four times
Performance: Piano   8 2-4 MUSC 1740 - Accompanying (0-1)   Must take twice, but can take four times
Performance: Piano w/Pedagogy Emphasis   8 2-4 MUSC 1740 - Accompanying (0-1)   Must take twice, but can take four times
Performance: Voice   8 2 MUSC 1723 - Samford Opera (0-1) /MUSC 3723 - Samford Opera (0-1) 
MUSC 1724 - Opera Workshop (0-1) /MUSC 3724 - Opera Workshop (0-1)  
Must take two times, any combo of the four course options at left
4 MUSC 1720 - University Chorale (0-1) /MUSC 3720 - University Chorale (0-1) 
MUSC 1721 - A Cappella Choir (0-1) /MUSC 3721 - A Cappella Choir (0-1)  
Must take four times, any combo of the four course options at left
Music: Instr Music Conc (B.M.E.) Keyboard 7 2 MUSC 1740 - Accompanying (0-1)   Must take twice
Music: Instrumental Concentration (B.M.E.) All others 7 see note   Any major instrumental ensemble
Music: Vocal/Choral Concentration (B.M.E.)   7 2 MUSC 1722 - Music Theatre Ensemble (0-1) /MUSC 3722 - Music Theatre Ensemble (0-1) 
MUSC 1723 - Samford Opera (0-1) /MUSC 3723 - Samford Opera (0-1) 
MUSC 1724 - Opera Workshop (0-1) /MUSC 3724 - Opera Workshop (0-1)  
Optional substitution for a major choral ensemble
 

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 & 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 & General Education Requirements  section for a list of applicable courses.


 

Programs

    MajorMinorInterdisciplinary Minor

    Courses

      Music - Undergraduate - CompositionMusic - Undergraduate - ConductingMusic - Undergraduate - Music & WorshipMusic - Undergraduate - Music EducationMusic - Undergraduate - Music History & LiteratureMusic - Undergraduate - Music TheoryMusic - Undergraduate - Performance-RelatedMusic - Undergraduate - Ensembles

      The 1000-level courses are designated for freshman and sophomore music majors and all non-music majors.

      The 3000-level courses are designated for junior and senior music majors only.

      Music - Undergraduate - Performance Instruction

      Credit for performance study is consistent with the National Association of Schools of Music minimum standard of three hours of practice per week for each credit. For undergraduate performance study, the first number of the course indicates classification level (1000-Freshman, 2000-Sophomore, 3000-Junior, 4000-Senior) while the second number indicates the amount of course credits: [i.e., MUSA 1151  (1); MUSA 2251 Piano (2); 3251 Piano (2); 4351 Piano (3)].

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