Music

Curriculum

As a music major at the University of Mount Union, you will study the history, theory, basic musicianship and practical skills in the field of music. As you pursue your Bachelor's in Arts degree in music, you will be provided with the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of courses and ensembles, from jazz band to keyboard ensemble, as well as participate in a musical performance group such as Wind Ensemble, Orchestra or Choir.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Composition and Improvisation: Students will acquire the ability to compose and/or improvise at a basic level in one or more musical languages.
• Cultural and Historical Awareness and Context: Students will become aware of diverse culture, develop curiosity about American society and about other societies and the art, and will acquire the ability to place music, including music of various cultures of the world, repertoires beyond the area of specialization, and music of their own time, in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts.
• Elements and Organizational Patterns of Music: Students will acquire an understanding of the common elements and organizational patterns of music and their interaction, and the ability to demonstrate this understanding in aural, verbal, and visual analysis.
• Historic and Stylistic Performance Practices: Student will demonstrate a working knowledge of appropriate historical and stylistic performance practices.
• Independent and Cooperative Problem Solving: Students will work independently and cooperatively on a variety of musical problems by combining their capabilities in performance; aural, verbal, and visual analysis; composition and improvisation; and history and repertoire.
• Keyboard Competency: Students will acquire keyboard competency.
• Knowledge of the Profession: Students will understand basic interrelationships and interdependencies among the various professions and activities that constitute the musical enterprise.
• Leadership and Collaborative Work: Students will acquire knowledge and skills sufficient to work as leaders and in collaboration on matters of musical interpretation, including rehearsal and conducting skills as appropriate to the particular music specialization and degree program.
• Lifelong Learning: Students will develop skills to become lifelong learners in the musical art, both as participants and as audience members.
• Musical Form, Processes, and Structures: Students will acquire sufficient understanding of musical forms, processes, and structures to use this knowledge in compositional, performance, scholarly, pedagogical, and historical contexts, as appropriate to their specialization and degree program.
• Musical Value Judgments: Students will form and defend value judgments about music.
• Secondary Performance Area: Students will acquire experience in a secondary performance area.
• Technical and Musical Skill: Students will acquire technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression in at least one primary performance area at a level appropriate for the particular music specialization and degree program, including an overview understanding of the repertoire in the primary performance area, an ability to perform from a cross-section of that repertoire, the ability to read at sight with fluency, and the ability to perform in a variety of solo and ensemble settings.
• Technology: Students will acquire a basic overview understanding of how technology serves in the field of music as a whole and a working knowledge of the technological developments applicable to their area of specialization and degree program.

Experiential Learning

Students who choose to major in music at the University Mount Union have ample opportunities to showcase their talents outside of the classroom. By getting involved in our many student ensembles (multiple bands and choirs as well as orchestral and small ensembles) extracurricular opportunities (such as the Gospel Choir and theater productions) and student organizations (Kappa Kappa Psi and Mu Phi Epsilon), you can strengthen your musical abilities and gain valuable performance experience, both of which are critical to successful careers in music and/or as a musician. All majors and minors are encouraged to participate actively in extracurricular activities and performance groups.

Student showcases are held on designated Thursdays at 11:15 a.m. and give students a chance to perform in front of an audience filled with faculty members, students and other members of the Mount Union community.

Careers

If you seek to combine your study of music with academic excellence in a broader liberal arts education, then a bachelor of arts in music degree at the University of Mount Union may be for you. The flexibility of the music major requirements and curriculum provides for additional exploration outside of the music classroom. The program may also be paired with an additional major, minor or coursework tailored to your interests and future aspirations.

Whether you dream of being a performer, composer, director, hope to work on the business and promotional end of the industry or have aspirations of exploring a future in music technology, our music major curriculum and liberal arts foundation provide the flexibility you need. You’ll be able to fine tune your music skills through numerous performance opportunities while studying the history and theory of the field.

Through electives, a chosen minor, possible concentrations, and double-majoring the B.A. in Music provides the ultimate choice to fit your career aspirations.  The possibilities are nearly limitless.  Some common options include:

Wellness for Musicians

Performing with correct technique is a rigorous experience. You need good physical, mental and spiritual strength and concentration. Begin now to assess your personal habits. Focus on being as strong as you can be. Work toward establishing good habits that will allow you to be a good performer. To reach this goal, please see the various links below.

Performing Arts Medicine Association 

Vocal Wellness Links

• National Association of Teachers of Singing
• Classical Singer
• The Voice Teacher
• Singers Health