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Music (B.A.)

The B.A. in Music is designed to prepare the practicing musician for the 21st century cultural economy. Students will learn to capitalize on their artistic product through courses in entrepreneurship and nonprofit management. They will learn to prepare a deliverable for various sectors of the industry through courses in music technology, studio production, song writing, scoring and arranging. The degree also provides ample space for electives, allowing students to tailor the degree to their career goals.
The B.A. in Music has two tracks: performance and production. The performance track includes a choice between two concentrations: classical and commercial. All students will study standard technique through classical repertoire for the first two years. The final two years, students can choose to remain in a classical concentration, or transition to a commercial concentration, where they apply their technical study to various genres ranging from country to R&B to gospel. Consequently, students will acquire an omnicultural musical language that will equip them to move among various cultural marketplaces and serve a rapidly expanding entertainment sector in Georgia. The production track includes courses in studio recording and mixing. When combined with music courses such as piano and music theory, the production majors will have a music-based foundation for superior work in the studio.
Students seeking admission to the performance track will begin applied study in their first semester. At the end of the second semester, students can gain admission to the performance track with a C or better in MUSC 1103, a B or better in MUSA 1112, and the recommendation of their applied instructor. Students seeking admission to the performance track must successfully complete MUSC 1103 and 1104, semester two of the music theory aural skills sequence within the first two attempts. Students seeking admission to the production track must have a B or better in MUSC 1500 and MUSC 2500.
Students who have earned a scholarship via an audition may gain entry to the performance track upon admission to the University.
*Applied music encompasses the areas of instrumental and vocal performance requiring individual studio instruction. Studio instruction is offered in applied music performance courses for two (2) hours of credit. Students must be enrolled in the appropriate ensemble course as well. Students will work toward continued mastery of technique and appropriate literature that meet or exceed standards for current level of study. Students are expected to practice daily and will come prepared for weekly 60-minute lessons. Enrolled students are also expected to attend and participate in music studio programming and performances throughout the semester. A juried performance completes the semester.

 

Core IMPACTS (Credit: 42 Hours)

See listing of requirements for Core IMPACTS

Field of Study: Lower Division Major Requirements (Credit: 18 hours)

Required Courses (Credit: 12 hours)

MUSC 1000Foundations of Music Theory

1
MUSC 1101Elementary Theory I

2
MUSC 1102Sight-singing/Ear-training I

1
MUSC 1103Elementary Theory II

2
MUSC 1104Sight-singing/Ear-training II

1
MUSC 1112Piano Functional Skills and Group Piano I

1
MUSC 1113Piano Functional Skills and Group Piano II

1
MUSC 1500Foundations in Music Technology

3

Students may study different instruments at the 1000-level, but all applied lessons at the 2000-level or higher should be on the same instrument.

*Students who place out of Elementary Music Theory may take an additional hour of lower-level elective credit, which may be applied to a minor.

Ensembles (Credit: 4 hours)

Take three of any of the following ensemble classes.

MUSC 1078Classical Guitar Ensemble

1 credits
MUSC 1080University Band

1 credits
MUSC 1082Jazz Ensemble

1 credits
MUSC 1086Percussion Ensemble

1 credits
MUSC 1090Chamber Singers

1

Applied Study (Credit: 2 Hours)

MUSA 1111Lower Level Applied

2
MUSC 2111Piano Functional Skills III

1
MUSC 2112Piano Functional Skills IV

1
MUSC 1800Class Voice I

1
MUSC 1810Class Voice II

1

To remain in good standing with the program, students must make a C or better in all Field of Study courses. A student may not take a course a third time without permission from the Music Faculty and the Dean.

Total Credit Hours: 18

Major Area Courses - Common Curriculum (Credit: 20 hours)

These courses are required of all music majors regardless of chosen track of study.

Upper Level Core Classes (Credit: 12 hours)

MUSC 4200Arts Entrepreneurship

3
MUSC 4260Arts Nonprofit Management

3
MUSC 4995Effective Communication for the Modern Creative

3
MUSC 4999Senior Capstone

3

Upper Level Ensembles (Credit: 2 hours)

Students should take two ensemble classes at the 3000-level based on area of interest. The same class may be repeated for credit.

MUSC 3070Commercial Combos

1 credit
MUSC 3078Guitar Ensemble

1
MUSC 3080University Band

1 credit
MUSC 3082Jazz Band

1 credit
MUSC 3086Percussion Ensemble

1 credit
MUSC 3090Chamber Singers

1 credit
MUSC 3092Gospel Chorus

1 credit

Music History (Credit: 6 hours)

MUSC 3321Music History I

3
MUSC 3322Music History II

3

Total Credit Hours: 21

Performance Track (Credit: 40 hours)

Please see the program description for details about admission to the performance track. The concentrations for the performance track in the B.A. in Music are delivered in the Upper Level Applied and Upper Level Ensemble courses. There are two concentrations: Classical and Commercial. Students who are accepted into the performance track at the conclusion of MUSA 2111 jury will declare their concentration. Those who opt for the commercial concentration will transition into commercial repertoire during the MUSA 2112 semester, and will have a full immersion in commercial repertoire beginning with MUSA 3111. Students may select a mixed concentration of classical and commercial. Students will consult with their advisor to select upper level ensembles which best support the concentration.

Upper Level Applied: Emphasis (Credit: 14 hours)

Please see the program description for details about admission to the performance track, and the performance track description about the two concentrations: Classical or Commercial.

Students must study the same instrument at the 3000 and 4000 levels.

MUSA 1112Lower Level Applied

2
MUSA 2111Lower Level Applied

2
MUSA 2112Lower Level Applied

2
MUSA 3111Upper Level Applied

2
MUSA 3112Upper Level Applied

2
MUSA 4111Upper Level Applied

2
MUSA 4112Upper Level Applied

2

Upper Level Emphasis Ensemble (Credit: 2 hours)

Choose 2 hours from the following:

MUSC 3070Commercial Combos

1 credit
MUSC 3078Guitar Ensemble

1
MUSC 3080University Band

1 credit
MUSC 3082Jazz Band

1 credit
MUSC 3084Brass Ensemble

1 credit
MUSC 3086Percussion Ensemble

1 credit
MUSC 3088Woodwind Ensemble

1 credit
MUSC 3090Chamber Singers

1 credit
MUSC 3092Gospel Chorus

1 credit

Class Piano (Credit: 2 hours)

MUSC 2111Piano Functional Skills III

1
MUSC 2112Piano Functional Skills IV

1

Theory (Credit: 6 hours)

Students should take these classes during their sophomore year to complete foundational work for success with upper level classes.

MUSC 2201Intermediate Music Theory I

2
MUSC 2202Sight Singing / Ear Training III

1 credit
MUSC 2203Intermediate Music Theory II

2
MUSC 2204Sight Singing / Ear Training IV

1 credit

Scoring & Arranging, Songwriting, Recording, or Sound Reinforcement (Credit: 2-3 hours)

MUSC 3100Contemporary Scoring and Arranging

3
MUSC 3800Contemporary Songwriting

3
MUSC 4100Recording Studio Fundamentals

3
MUSC 4150Sound Reinforcement

2

Open Electives (Credit: 13-14 hours*)

Students should consult with an advisor to select electives that align with career goals. Students are encouraged to take a professional minor or Georgia Film Academy course work.
*Students who have placed out of music 1000 will have an additional hour of lower level credit available here.

Students must complete at least 39 semester hours of upper level classes in their degree program.

Total Credit Hours: 40

Production Track (Credit: 40 Hours)

Students pursuing the Production Track are preparing for careers in the business of music production. This could include recording studios, music distributors, film companies, nonprofit organizations, music travel companies, etc.

Composition Courses (Credit: 6 Hours)

MUSC 3100Contemporary Scoring and Arranging

3
MUSC 3800Contemporary Songwriting

3

Class Piano (Credit: 2 Hours)

 
MUSC 2111Piano Functional Skills III

1
MUSC 2112Piano Functional Skills IV

1

Production Courses (Credit: 14 Hours)

MUSC 2500Commercial Music Lab

3
MUSC 4100Recording Studio Fundamentals

3
MUSC 4110Mixing Philosophy

3
MUSC 4120Advanced Recording Techniques

3
MUSC 4150Sound Reinforcement

2

Open Electives (Credit: 18 Hours*)

Students are encouraged to consider a professional minor in public relations, business, professional writing, information technology or coursework from the Georgia Film Academy.
*Students who have placed out of music 1000 will have an additional hour of lower level credit available here.

Notes: Students must complete at least 39 semester hours of upper level classes.

All MUSA courses are repeatable for credit. All MUSA courses can be taken for 0 or 2 credits.

All ensembles are repeatable for credit. All ensembles can be taken for 0-1 credits.

Special topics courses are repeatable for credit.

Total Semester Credit Hours: 120