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Traditional Music Studies Major – Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in Traditional Music Studies provides for the study of traditional music within a liberal arts curriculum. The program is suitable for preparing students for careers in traditional music.

As it relates to the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music at Morehead State University, "traditional" music includes bluegrass, old time, country, western swing, blues, Celtic, ballad singing, and many other forms. The music with which we are most involved stems from, or is influenced by, the music that is identified with our southern Appalachian mountain region.

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

General Education Courses(See GNED Course Listings)

33
Total Credit Hours:33

Refer to the General Education section for a complete listing of general education requirements for the University. Program requirements that are also general education requirements will count in both places (as applicable).

Major Requirements

History

MUSH 171Global Perspectives in Music

3
MUSH 338Traditional Music History I

3
MUSH 339Traditional Music History II

3
MUSH 340Traditional Music History III

3
Total Credit Hours:12

Private Applied

MUSP 238 -Take eight hours
MUSP 238APrivate Bluegrass Banjo

1-4
MUSP 238BPrivate Old Time Banjo

1-4
MUSP 238CPrivate Mandolin

1-4
MUSP 238DPrivate Traditional Guitar

1-4
MUSP 238EPrivate Country Electric Guitar

1-4
MUSP 238FPrivate Upright Traditional Bass

1-4
MUSP 238GPrivate Dobro

1-4
MUSP 238HPrivate Mountain Dulcimer

1-4
MUSP 238IPrivate Bluegrass and Country Fiddle

1-4
MUSP 238JPrivate Old Time Fiddle

1-4
MUSP 238KPrivate Celtic Fiddle

1-4
MUSP 238VPrivate Traditional Voice

1-4
Total Credit Hours:8

Note: MUSP 238: (taken concurrent with MUSP 200)

MUSP 438 - Take six hours
MUSP 438APrivate Bluegrass Banjo

1-4
MUSP 438BPrivate Old Time Banjo

1-4
MUSP 438CPrivate Mandolin

1-4
MUSP 438DPrivate Traditional Guitar

1-4
MUSP 438EPrivate Country Electric Guitar

1-4
MUSP 438FPrivate Upright Traditional Bass

1-4
MUSP 438GPrivate Dobro

1-4
MUSP 438HPrivate Mountain Dulcimer

1-4
MUSP 438IPrivate Bluegrass and Country Fiddle

1-4
MUSP 438JPrivate Old Time Fiddle

1-4
MUSP 438KPrivate Celtic Fiddle

1-4
MUSP 438VPrivate Traditional Voice

1-4
Total Credit Hours:6

Note: MUSP 438: (taken concurrently with MUSP 400)

Ensembles - Take eight hours

MUSM 383Traditional Music Ensemble

1
MUSM 200Student Recital

0
MUSM 400Student Recital

0
Total Credit Hours:8

MUSM 383: (student must take Private Applied concurrent with Ensemble)

MUSM 200, MUSM 400: (four semesters each)

Theory

MUST 103Practical Theory for Traditional Music

2
MUST 120Aural Skills

2
MUST 355Traditional Vocal Harmony

2
MUST 445Chart Writing and Application

3
Total Credit Hours:9

Music Business

MUSW 310Music Business

2
Total Credit Hours:2

Recording and Production

MUSW 325Music Recording and Sound Reinforcement

3
Total Credit Hours:3

Capstone

MUSW 499CSenior Project

3
Total Credit Hours:3

Minor

All majors must also include a minor or additional major. See Terms to Know.
Total Credit Hours:21

Free Electives

 
Free Electives (chosen by student)

variable

Total Credit Hours: 120