Music Department

• TeRoy Betton
• Larry Braggs
• Garnett Brown
• Chris Johnson
• James Leary
• James Henry “Jimmy” McKissic
• Smokie Norful
• Art Porter
• Benjamin L. Pruitt, Sr.
• Benjamin “Skip” Pruitt
• Henry Wallace Shead
• Sonelius Smith
• DeVaughn Watts

While still embracing its land grant-mission and programs “responsive to the needs of a racially, culturally and economically diverse student population”, the UAPB mission statement stresses “academically deserving students and leadership in a 21st century national and global community.” The Music Department has a mission that is in alignment with that of the University and is dedicated to: offering experiences and curricula that lead to professional licensure in music education, preparing students for graduate and professional studies in music, providing internship opportunities to provide real-world educational experiences and bolster student marketability, developing performing opportunities that enrich both students and community, producing technologically experienced music professionals, and training students to become leaders and advocates for the music profession.

The Music Department’s respect for its tradition and history does not come at the expense of embracing change. The department aspires to be an agent of change that enhances both the individual’s quality of life and that of the community by: providing life-long learning experiences via distance learning and other emerging technologies; being a center and resource for teacher excellence in music education; improving the quality of life by producing concerts, master classes and other music activities open to the public; becoming the first choice of students regionally and nationally desiring to enroll in an exceptional program with exceptional opportunities for musical growth. In essence, the department seeks to create a greater appreciation of music’s power to inform, enrich, and inspire.

Goal 1. Prepare students to become licensed professional music educators by:

• Objective 1.1 Providing curricula and field experiences to prepare students to become teachers;
• Objective 1.2 Providing performance and laboratory experiences to prepare students to lead an ensemble;
• Objective 1.3 Developing general teaching competencies in curriculum development, methodology, pedagogy, selecting instructional materials, and assessment; and
• Objective 1.4 Introducing students to computer assisted software available for music instruction.

Goal 2.  Prepare sound recording technology professionals by:

• Objective 2.1 Offering a curriculum that provides the knowledge base and skill sets to adapt to a changing professional environment;
• Objective 2.2 Providing pre-professional experiences and internships with area professionals; and
• Objective 2.3 Offering workshops, clinics, and seminars led by industry professional that address current technological changes.

Goal 3. Prepare students for graduate and professional studies in music by:

• Objective 3.1 Providing students with a broad liberal arts education that will prepare them to conduct research in music;
• Objective 3.2 Preparing students to perform at a level expected of independent music professionals; and
• Objective 3.3 Preparing students to be computer literate.

Goal 4. Provide future music professionals with basic skills in music technology by:

• Objective 4.1 Providing practical experiences utilizing technologies available in the typical classroom;
• Objective 4.2 Requiring students to become familiar with age-appropriate music software; and
• Objective 4.3 Providing workshops, tutorials, and seminars in various technologies.

Goal 5. Create an environment that fosters a culture of excellence among a heterogeneous clientele by:

• Objective 5.1 Encouraging and supporting professional development of faculty;
• Objective 5.2 Encouraging and supporting professional development of students; and
• Objective 5.3 Establishing standards for excellence through assessment and using results to improve instruction.

Goal 6. Make our faculty, ensembles, and facilities available as a resource for the community by:

• Objective 6.1 Offering workshops, master classes, lectures, concerts, and recitals to the public;
• Objective 6.2 Providing access to library holdings.

Piano Proficiency

All students (with the exception of piano majors who have passed the audition requirement) must take four semesters of class piano. After completing the fourth semester, all students are required to take and pass the Piano Proficiency Exam. The requirements for the Piano Proficiency Exam can be found in the departmental handbook and on the Music Department website.

Applied Music

All entering students intending to major in music must perform and pass an audition on their applied instrument/voice and must complete the “Intent to Major in Music” Form. Entrance auditions will be held prior to the beginning of the fall semester. Information regarding this requirement is available in the Music Office. The department requires proficiency in one of the following areas of applied music for graduation: piano, voice, percussion, or any of the standard band and orchestral instruments. In order to satisfy the applied music requirement, students must complete a minimum of five to seven semesters in one applied area. Additionally, all majors must register for applied instruction each semester of their residency or until they satisfactorily perform their graduating recital.

Applied Jury

Students are required to play an applied jury at the end of each semester of applied music study. Applied juries assess students’ progress in their chosen applied area. These examinations are scheduled immediately before final semester examinations. Students who fail to play an applied jury will receive an “F” in their applied music course and must repeat the applied course.

Sophomore Barrier Examination

All students enrolled in applied MUSI 2103 must pass the Sophomore Barrier Exam. The Sophomore Barrier Exam assesses students’ satisfactory progress in their chosen applied area. The student performs from a required repertoire list (consult the applied music instructor or see website) before the entire music faculty. Students who do not pass the Sophomore Barrier Exam must repeat MUSI 2103. Students will not be allowed to continue taking upper level courses in their major until this requirement is met.

Graduating Recital

All music majors must perform a public solo recital as partial fulfillment of their graduation requirements. Students must satisfy established requirements regarding the recital content (music literature), length and performance level. Additionally, all students must adhere to the following policy concerning graduating recitals:

The graduating recital must be performed the semester before student teaching, internships, senior projects, or internship in the designated outside field.

During the semester in which the graduating recital is to be performed, the student must register for MUSI 4010, MUSI 3010, or MUSI 4020 (depending on the student’s curriculum). Then the student should schedule the jury date and recital date by the fourth week of the semester. The student is responsible for completing all necessary paperwork related to the graduating recital and submitting this paperwork to his/her applied instructor. The instructor will submit the paperwork with all the necessary signatures and other information to the Music Office. Failure to follow the established protocol will prevent the student from performing the recital during the intended semester.

The student must pass the jury no later than two weeks before the scheduled recital date. At least three faculty members, including the applied teacher (and when appropriate, the “lead teacher”), must be present at this jury. Additionally, everyone who will perform on the recital (accompanist, accompanying musicians, narrators, etc.) must also be present at this jury.

Recital Attendance

The department schedules student recitals, ensemble concerts, and other performances throughout the school year. All students must register for the non-credit “Recital Attendance” class. The department requires all music majors and minors to attend all departmental concerts and recitals. A grade “pass” or “fail” is awarded to the student, depending on whether or not the student satisfies attendance requirements established for the course. Students must register for and pass at least six semesters of Recital Attendance as a requirement for graduation.

Music Ensembles

Performance ensembles in the Music Department include: Marching Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, String Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Wind Symphony, University Singers, Opera Workshop, and Vesper Choir. Membership in these ensembles is based upon audition and is not limited to music majors. Excluding the semester the student is registered for student teaching, senior project, internship, or special problems, students seeking the B.S. in Music (Teaching or Non-Teaching) degree are required to register for an ensemble each semester depending on their degree. Students must pass a minimum of seven semesters of ensemble to meet graduation requirements. Students seeking a B.S. in Music Sound Recording Technology must enroll in a minimum of four semesters of ensemble.

Applied Music-Piano

Students who wish to elect piano as an applied major may do so only after satisfactory performance of an audition with the applied teacher. The audition covers sight-reading, scales, and the performance of a short composition by J.S. Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang A. Mozart, Frederic Chopin, or other classical composers. If the audition is not satisfactory, the department encourages students to enroll in the appropriate piano class for one or two semesters, or MUSI 1170 and MUSI 1171. These two classes will not substitute for MUSI 1104 and MUSI 1105. By the end of the second semester of study, if students demonstrate acceptable keyboard proficiency, they will be permitted to elect piano as their applied instrument and will be allowed to register for MUSI 1104.

Applied Music-Voice

Students who wish to elect voice as an applied major may do so only after satisfactory performance of an audition with the applied teacher. While many voice majors do not enter the university with a background in classical music, music reading, theory, or foreign languages, they will be expected to develop mastery in all these areas during their tenure at UAPB.