School of Music

The University of Southern Mississippi School of Music is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music. Requirements are in accordance with the published regulations of this association.

There are three undergraduate degrees available to students in the School of Music: the Bachelor of Music (BM), Bachelor of Music Education (BME), and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in music. Emphasis areas in music are jazz studies, music history and literature, and performance (percussion, piano, strings, voice, and wind instruments). Music education emphasis areas are instrumental and choral.

The Bachelor of Music degrees provide education and training for those who seek careers in music performance, in jazz, or in music history. Each curricular emphasis presents a variety of courses, performances and presentations that each student must complete during their undergraduate career at our university. Students in these courses try new things, test their creative limits, engage with the current state of knowledge in their field, and encounter topics they have never explored before. Experiences such as these help to develop the skills our students will need to compete in their chosen specializations while they also encourage our students to keep their curiosity alive and to practice lifelong learning. Our Bachelor of Music degrees are fully certified by the National Association of Schools of Music.

Majors

Music BA

Music (History and Literature) BM

Music (Jazz Studies) BM

Music (Performance-Percussion) BM

Music (Performance-Piano) BM

Music (Performance-Strings) BM

Music (Performance-Voice) BM

Music (Performance-Wind Instrument) BM

Music Education (Choral Licensure) BMEd

Music Education (Choral Pedagogy) BMEd

Music Education (Instrumental Licensure) BMEd

Music Education (Instrumental Pedagogy) BMEd

Minors

Applied Music Minor

History and Music History Minor

School of Music Admission Policies

Auditions

All prospective music majors must audition regardless of their choice of degree plan. To be admitted to the School of Music, applicants must meet minimum standards in applied music through the Admission Audition and meet the academic requirements of the university.

Placement Exams

Every potential music major is required to take a placement examination in piano and music theory.

Piano Competency

All BM and BME students must pass a piano competency. There are two protocols through which this can be accomplished. Completion of the Piano Class course curriculum (MED 101, 102, 201, and 202) will constitute completion of the Piano Competency Exam. Students who opt not to enroll in class piano may take the Piano Competency Exam in its entirety during the five times it is offered throughout the year (mid-term and final exams week during the fall and spring semesters, and end of July).

School of Music Academic Policies and Requirements

Fee: Students taking applied lessons are required to pay an additional fee.

Major Instrument Requirement

Major instrument credit hour requirements vary based on degree sought. They are as follows:

	Bachelor of Music (Performance)	three credit hour lessons for no less than eight semesters
	Bachelor of Music (Jazz Studies)	three credit hour lessons for no less than eight semesters
	Bachelor of Music Education (Licensure)	two credit hour lessons for no less than six semesters
	Bachelor of Music Education (Pedagogy)	two credit hour lessons for no less than eight semesters
	Bachelor of Arts	two credit hour lessons for no less than six semesters
	Upper Divisional Exam - To enroll in upper division (400-level) applied lessons, students must pass the Upper Divisional Exam, as prescribed by their applied studio. Students are permitted a maximum of two attempts to successfully complete this exam. Failure to pass the Upper Divisional Exam will necessitate a change of degree plan, per the recommendation of the applied area faculty. BME and BA majors must take at least one semester at the 400-level. BM majors must take at least three semesters at the 400-level.

Major Ensemble Requirement

The BM, BME and BA degrees require participation in the same major ensemble, excluding summers. Requirements are as follows:

	Bachelor of Music (Performance)	eight semesters of the same major ensemble
	Bachelor of Music (Jazz Studies)	eight semesters of jazz ensemble
	Bachelor of Music Education (Licensure)	six semesters of the same major ensemble
	Bachelor of Music Education (Pedagogy)	eight semesters of the same major ensemble
	Instrumental BME students must participate in marching band a minimum of three semesters.
	Bachelor of Arts	six semesters of the same major ensemble
**	Transfer students will receive one semester of ensemble credit (maximum of four) for each semester of full-time work in an ensemble at their previous institution.

Recital Attendance Requirements

The term “recital class” refers collectively to the weekly student recital hour (department and general), as well as the 12 formal recitals attended each semester. Course number assigned is MUP 499 . All majors are required to successfully complete recital class. The requirements are as follows:

	Bachelor of Music (Performance)	seven semesters of recital class (MUP 499 )
	Bachelor of Music Education (Licensure)	six semesters of recital class (MUP 499 )
	Bachelor of Music Education (Pedagogy)	seven semesters of recital class (MUP 499 )
	Bachelor of Arts	three semesters of recital class (MUP 499 )
**	Transfer students receive up to four semesters of credit for recital class for each semester of full-time work earned at another college or university.

Jury Policy

Music majors enrolled in MUP private lessons in their principal applied area must perform a jury for appropriate applied faculty. All others enrolled in MUP private lessons must perform a final examination for the applied teacher. At the finish of each semester, the applied teacher must complete a Final Jury/Examination form for each student and file it with the School of Music office Students enrolled in applied music who do not take a final examination or a jury will receive the grade of F or Incomplete, depending upon the circumstances (see the Bulletin section on grades for policy governing the award of Incompletes). The applied teacher must record and submit any exception to this policy to the academic advisor; signatures of all appropriate area faculty must be included on this form.

Non-major Enrollment in Private Instrument/Voice Lessons

Non-majors who enroll in private lessons may be unable to take the course due to lack of available instructors. Non-majors should consult the office of the Director of the School of Music before Wednesday of the first week of school to obtain instructor availability.