Degree Programs & Audition Information

Fall 2014 & Spring 2015 Audition Dates

Please check in for your audition by 9:30am.

December 13, 2014*
January 10, 2015*
February 7, 2015*
February 21, 2015
March 7, 2015

*Scholarship audtion date

For more information or to schedule an audition, please click here to submit an online application or call Debbie Pontelandolfo at 203-837-8350

Admission Auditions for all Music Degree Programs

Students wishing to pursue degree programs in the Department of Music must adhere to the following criteria for admission:

1. Fulfill general admission guidelines found in this catalog for the university, school and department.
2. Perform and pass an audition, in person or through electronic media, for members of the faculty. The student, through this audition, must exhibit the standards and skill sets required for entry into the Department of Music, including:
   1. The ability to read and interpret standard musical notation.
   2. The ability to produce an acceptable tone quality on one’s instrument or voice commensurate with entrance into the liberal arts program, the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or one of two professional degree programs, the Bachelor of Music (B.M.) or the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) at the collegiate level.
   3. The ability to accurately perform basic fundamentals associated with one’s instrument or voice, such as:
      1. clear and focused tone quality;
      2. a clear and precise rhythmic concept
      3. an understanding of the interpretation of musical line;
      4. acceptable intonation;
      5. an understanding of the appropriate style of the selection; and,
      6. clear and precise articulation/diction.
   4. The ability to accurately perform repertoire on one’s instrument or voice commensurate with entrance into a liberal arts (B.A.) or professional degree program (B.M. or B.S.) at the collegiate level.
3. Take and receive a passing score on a sight singing/ear training examination. (This examination will be used for entrance.)
4. Take a music theory placement examination. (This examination is for placement only.)

Transfer Students

All students wishing to transfer into any degree program in music at WCSU must meet the criteria listed above, including those currently attending institutions holding articulation agreements with WCSU. All transfer applicants will be assessed in the areas of applied music, keyboard competency, music history, music theory, and sight-singing/ear-training to determine eligibility for matriculation as well as for transfer credits that may be accepted in individual coursework. Please click here for more information regarding credit-transfer to WCSU.

Click on any of the degree programs below to view specific audition requirements by instrument:

Bachelor of Arts in Music

The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree is appropriate for students who wish to study music within the broader context of a liberal arts education. Goals for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music include the following:

1. To prepare students for careers in music and arts-related professions.
2. To increase students’ understanding and appreciation of the arts in relation to society, thus encouraging their lifelong advocacy of the arts.
3. To allow students to maintain an emphasis on music while further exploring other academic interests.
4. To foster intellectual curiosity.
5. To encourage students to seek breadth and variety in their educational pursuits to aid them in securing employment in the ever-changing global economy.

Students wishing to pursue this degree program must first be admitted by audition.

Bachelor of Science in Music Education

The Bachelor of Science in Music Education degree leads to provisional PK-12 certification in the State of Connecticut. The program is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in music education.
The program goals include:

1. To prepare students to become highly skilled teaching professionals.
2. To prepare students to become highly skilled performers on their principal instrument.
3. To give students a comprehensive musical education which includes experiences in traditional, jazz and contemporary ensembles, conducting, form & analysis, music history, music of diverse cultures, pedagogy, music technology, composition, and improvisation.
4. To increase students’ understanding and awareness of the arts in relation to society, in particular the education system, thereby developing life-long advocates of the arts.

Students wishing to pursue this degree must first be admitted by audition.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Bachelor of Science in Music Education Degree Program

Bachelor of Music in Performance (Vocal and Instrumental)

This degree option is designed for students who wish to pursue a performing and/or teaching career in music. Many students who choose this option continue their studies at the graduate level and participate in various professional programs in their specific area. Specific goals for the Bachelor of Music in Performance degree option include:

1. To prepare students to become highly skilled performers on their principal instrument, thus giving them the tools necessary to succeed in a highly competitive field.
2. To give students a comprehensive musical education which includes experiences in traditional ensembles, conducting, analysis, music history, music of diverse cultures, pedagogy, music technology, composition, and improvisation.
3. To prepare students for careers as private music teachers.
4. To prepare students for advanced study at the graduate level.
5. To increase students' understanding and awareness of the arts in relation to society, thus developing lifelong advocates of the arts.

Students wishing to pursue this degree must first be admitted by audition.

 

Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies

This degree option is designed for students wishing to pursue a performing and/or teaching career in jazz and commercial music. Many students who choose this option continue their studies at the graduate level and in various professional programs in their specific area. Specific goals for the Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies degree option include:

1. To prepare students to become highly skilled performers on their principal instrument, thus giving them the tools necessary to succeed in a highly competitive field.
2. To give students the requisite skills in history, arranging, composition, and jazz improvisation necessary to succeed in the industry.
3. To give students a comprehensive musical education which includes experiences in traditional, jazz and contemporary ensembles, conducting, analysis, music history, music of diverse cultures, pedagogy, music technology, composition, and improvisation.
4. To prepare students for careers as private music teachers.
5. To prepare students for advanced study at the graduate level.
6. To increase students' understanding and awareness of the arts in relation to society, thus developing lifelong advocates of the arts.

Students wishing to pursue this degree must first be admitted by audition.

 

Bachelor of Music in Audio and Music Production

Note: The BM in Audio and Music Production degree program will be submitted for plan approval by the National Association of Schools of Music in May, 2012.

This degree option is designed for students wishing to pursue a career in audio production. Many students who choose this option continue their studies at the graduate level and in various professional programs in their specific area. Specific goals for the Bachelor of Music in Audio and Music Production degree option include:

1. To prepare students to become highly skilled performers on their principal instrument, thus giving them the tools necessary to succeed in a highly competitive field.
2. To give students the requisite skills in acoustics, audio recording and mixing, copyright law, music theory, arranging, composition, and improvisation necessary to succeed in the industry.
3. To give students a comprehensive musical education which includes experiences in traditional ensembles, jazz and contemporary ensembles, conducting, form & analysis, music history, music of diverse cultures, pedagogy, music technology, composition, improvisation and professional development.
4. To prepare students for careers as private music teachers.
5. To prepare students for advanced study at the graduate level.
6. To increase students' understanding and awareness of the arts in relation to society, thus developing lifelong advocates of the arts.

Students wishing to pursue this degree must first be admitted by audition. Students will be accepted into the BM-Performance or the BM-Jazz Studies program until final NASM approval of the BM-Audio & Music Production degree.

 

Master of Science in Music Education

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Music Education program at WestConn is designed to further develop the student's cultural, musical and professional growth and to provide graduate course-work necessary for permanent teaching certification.

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