Requirements for All Music Majors

1. Audition
2. Ensemble Participation
3. Recital Attendance
4. Recital Participation
5. Jury Exams
6. Piano Proficiency
7. Sophomore Barrier Exam
8. Junior/Senior Recitals
9. Certification (organists only)

1. Audition

Each candidate must select a major subject (organ, piano, or voice), meet yearly requirements as set by the music faculty, and fulfill all stated degree requirements. Since the B.A. with an emphasis in voice, piano, or organ is more performance-intensive than the B.A. with a major in music, students must demonstrate adequate potential in performance before being admitted to this degree program. In preparation for official admittance, which typically occurs during the sophomore year, students desiring to pursue the performance degree should enroll each term in two-credit applied lessons in the major area, so as not to fall behind in the program's specifications. Back To Top

2. Ensemble participation

Each music major is required to participate satisfactorily in at least one ensemble per semester at JBU. (The faculty may grant exceptions to students in directed teaching or to students taking fewer than six hours.) Up to 4 hours of accompanying practicum (after meeting degree requirements) may count as ensemble credit for those whose major instrument is piano. Students may choose choral or instrumental groups. Qualified non-music majors are encouraged to participate. Back To Top

3. Recital attendance

Each student receiving credit in applied music must attend a specified number of recitals. Failure to meet the recital attendance requirements will adversely affect the grade in applied music. Back To Top

4. Recital participation

All music majors and minors must perform in a departmental recital at least once during the freshman year and at least once each semester thereafter. Back To Top

5. Jury exams

Counterparts to final exams in lecture courses, juries are scheduled at the end of each semester of applied study. Although the overall grade is assigned at the discretion of the instructor, a student must pass the exam before advancing in his or her applied area. Back To Top

6. Piano proficiency

Non-keyboard majors are required to enroll in Class Piano beginning the first semester at John Brown University and continuing each semester thereafter until proficiency is established. Based on demonstrated keyboard skill and consent of instructor, some students may take private piano lessons in lieu of Class Piano I.

Proficiency may be established in one of two ways:
a. Successful completion of Class Piano I, II, III, and IV (MUS 1931, 1941, 2931, and 2941) with a minimum of a 3.0 average in Class Piano III and IV; or b. Demonstration of proficiency in the following: i) major scales, 2 octaves, hands together, eighth notes minimum tempo MM=80 per quarter; ii) major and minor arpeggios in all inversions, 4 octaves, eighth notes at minimum tempo MM=60 per quarter; iii) major and minor cadences (I-IV- I64 -V7 -I) in all inversions; iv) three pieces from repertoire of an intermediate level from different stylistic periods (memory of this literature not required although highly desirable for at least one selection); and v) sightreading of one easy hymn and one easy accompaniment.

A student should not schedule the proficiency exam until he or she and the instructor are confident that the student is ready to pass the complete proficiency. If a student does not pass one section, he or she will be permitted to re-take that area of the exam in the following semester(s). If a student does not pass two areas of the exam, the complete exam may be taken following further study.

Enrollment in piano lessons with an upper division number (3000+) is permitted only after taking four semesters of piano and passing the piano proficiency for non-keyboard majors or, for piano majors, the sophomore barrier exam. Back To Top

7. Sophomore Barrier Exam

The Sophomore Barrier Exam is the jury at the end of the second year of degree credit in the major applied area. This mini-recital is twice the length of juries which follow other semesters and must be passed before the student may enter upper division work in applied music. Students who do not pass this exam, must complete at least one additional semester of applied study before re-taking the exam.

Voice majors and concentrates are expected to: a. sight-read a song of medium difficulty; and b. perform from memory repertoire representing three languages, of varying styles, and with a sense of mature musicality and expressiveness, appropriate for the intended career goal.

Piano majors and concentrates are expected to play:
a. major, harmonic, and melodic minor scales for four octaves in sixteenth notes at a minimum tempo of MM=120 per quarter note, hands together; b. major and minor arpeggios in all in versions for four octaves in sixteenth notes at a minimum tempo of MM=100 per quarter note, hands together; c. major and minor cadences (I-IV- I64 -V7-I) in all inversions with left hand in octaves; d. advanced literature from 3 of the 4 contrasting style periods, including Baroque (Bach WTC or comparable-more difficult than Two-part Inventions), Classical (Beethoven or Mozart sonata or comparable literature), Romantic (Chopin, Brahms), and Impressionistic/20th century (Debussy, Prokofieff). At least one piece or movement is to be completely memorized. The performance of these requirements should be stylistically convincing, and the performer should display a developing sense of musicality and expressiveness; and e. sight reading of (1) a hymn in three or more accidentals with some rhythmic complexity and (2) a vocal accompaniment of an early-intermediate level.

Transfer students must demonstrate proficiency at the level of the sophomore barrier exam before entering upper division work. Each candidate for the B.A. degree with an emphasis in organ must also earn the Service Playing Certificate (CSP) of the American Guild of Organists before entering upper level work. Back To Top

8. Junior / Senior recitals

Candidates for the B.A. degree with emphasis in applied music are required to present a half recital during the junior year (MUS 3900) and a full recital during the senior year (MUS 4900). Each candidate for the B. S., the B.A. without applied emphasis, or the B.Mus.Ed. degree is required to present a half recital during the senior year (MUS 4900). Back To Top

9. Certification (organists)

All candidates for the B.A. with emphasis in organ must take the examination for the Colleague Certificate of the American Guild of Organists (CAGO) no later than the beginning of the last semester of study. Back To Top