Traditional Music Studies Major – Bachelor of Arts

Special Admission Requirements

Entrance Auditions and Placement Assessment

All new and transfer students planning to major or minor in music must audition before the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music faculty on their principal performing instrument or voice prior to enrollment. The audition process is used to determine the student's readiness for entry into a music degree program. A scholarship audition may serve as a student's admission audition.

Transfer Student Admission

The music major entering the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance by transfer must submit an official transcript of all previous college work. The applicant should be prepared to validate achievements in the area of applied music, music theory, ear training and the history and literature of traditional music. Resolution of any deficiency must be initiated during the first registration period.

Goals

To provide students:

1. The resources and opportunity to learn about traditional music forms and culture from both a historical and contemporary perspective using methods which encourage quality learning through discovery and inspiration.
2. Extensive performance experience.
3. The opportunity to interact with musical artists and professionals in the traditional music industry.
4. Mentoring and preparation to become well-rounded, creative, productive traditional music artists.
5. Materials and resources for research and study through the unique collections that are housed in the Traditional Music Archives, which is part of the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music.

   And:

6. To simultaneously preserve and develop our art form.
7. To engage and educate the public, positively representing Kentucky's rich cultural heritage, the Appalachian region and Morehead State University through performance and interaction with the community in the MSU service region and beyond.

Program Competencies

Competencies required for successful completion of this program include:

1. The ability to hear, identify and work conceptually with the elements of music such as rhythm, melody, harmony, structure, timbre and texture;
2. An understanding of and the ability to read and realize musical notation as appropriate to traditional music;
3. An understanding of composition processes, aesthetic properties of style, and the ways these shape and are shaped by artistic and cultural forces;
4. An acquaintance with a wide selection of musical literature, the principal eras, genres and cultural sources;
5. The ability to develop and defend musical judgments;
6. Ability in performing areas at levels consistent with the goals and objectives of the Bachelor of Arts in Traditional Music Studies;
7. Understanding of procedures for realizing a variety of musical styles; and
8. Knowledge and/or skills in one or more areas of music beyond basic musicianship appropriate to the individual's needs and interests, and consistent with the purposes of the Bachelor of Arts in Traditional Music Studies.

Assessment

1. Capstone
2. Survey of graduates
3. Performance recitals
4. Exit interview

Program Requirements

General Education

Major Requirements

History

Private Applied

MUSP 238 -Take eight hours

MUSP 438 - Take six hours

Ensembles - Take eight hours

Theory

Music Business

Recording and Production

Capstone

Minor

Free Electives