Department of Music

Professor Kenyon Wilson, Head

The Department of Music seeks to cultivate a passion for musical excellence by providing the highest quality education. The department serves the entire University community by offering General Education music courses, opportunities for group musical performance, individual lessons, and minors in Music. The Bachelor of Music degree is designed to prepare students for the professional life of a musician. Graduates of the program will be able to: 1) effectively read musical scores and detect errors in performance; 2) analyze and identify key elements in musical scores and performances; 3) present a stylistically appropriate performance from standard musical literature.

The requirements for entrance to and graduation from the Department of Music are in accordance with the published regulations of the National Association of Schools of Music and Tennessee regulations for teacher licensure.

The Department of Music offers two degree programs at the undergraduate level: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a major in Music, the Bachelor of Music (B.M.), with a major in Music. The B.M. degree provides seven concentrations: composition; instrumental performance; vocal performance; instrumental music education; vocal music education; music therapy; piano performance and pedagogy.

The B.A. degree is offered for students who desire a strong liberal arts background with a major in music. Approximately one third of the four-year B.A. program is in music, and numerous elective hours outside the department permit study in other academic areas. It integrates intellectual and practical training, and is inherently interdisciplinary, reaching out to students from across the arts and sciences. Analytical, critical, and practical training in music have transferable applications, because they foster strong communication skills, aesthetic sophistication, critical acumen, and cross-cultural understanding. The Bachelor of Arts in Music looks outward, towards the cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance of music in our contemporary, globalized world.

The B.M. degree is a more concentrated course of study in the major area. Approximately two thirds of the four-year program is in music. It is focused primarily on training professional musicians and educators. The program streams students into specific sub-disciplinary areas (music therapy, performance, music education, or composition), and offers fewer options for courses outside of music. Students must audition for entrance and most courses are not accessible to students from other disciplines.

The B.M. degree in music education is appropriate for students who plan to teach music in elementary, middle, or high schools. It combines general education with music content and teaching methodology in a highly structured course of study. Students who successfully complete the program are awarded teaching certification upon graduation. All music degree programs represent appropriate preparation for graduate study.