2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide
Music Department
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Return to: Harpur College of Arts and Sciences
The mission of the Binghamton University Music Department is:
- To train professionally-oriented students for careers in music in performance, composition, music history and music theory. The department aims to accomplish this objective through bachelor’s degrees and graduate programs. The professional music degrees are supported by a broad foundation in the liberal arts, a historical strength of Harpur College.
- To enrich the musical life of all students on campus through specially designed courses, various ensemble participation, and studio instruction in most instruments and voice; these are open and available to all matriculated students. Indeed, the department has always prided itself on the rich “hands-on” choices for music study it provides to the general liberal arts student. In addition, there are numerous concerts of all kinds that enrich the musical life of the University community.
- To serve as an important arts resource for the civic community and region through the active presentation of faculty, guest and student concerts (over 100 per year), special courses, lectures, workshops, master classes, community outreach programs and cooperative projects with other musical institutions in the area. The department views this as central to the mission as a public institution in a relatively small metropolitan area.
- To expand the Department of Music’s reputation through the active concert touring of its artist faculty and through the publications of its scholars so that the department’s influence is felt not only regionally, but nationally and internationally as well.
The Music Department offers two undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music and the Bachelor of Music (BMus) in Performance, as well as the Minor in Music. The department also offers the gradute Masters of Music (MM) degree. In the MM degree, the field of specialization may be collaborative piano, composition, conducting, instrumental performance, music history, opera or vocal performance.
The Bachelor of Arts in Music is designed for students who are planning careers in a wide range of musical and other fields; many students complete it in music as part of a double major. Three tracks allow students to specialize in Performance, Composition, or Musicology. It is a Liberal Arts-oriented degree and suitable as preparation for graduate study in music and related disciplines. The Bachelor of Music in Performance is an intensive program designed primarily for students planning to pursue careers in classical music performance.
Admission to the BMus program requires an audition, which can take place either before matriculation at Binghamton University or within the first three semesters of study. Current students considering a BMus audition should speak to their studio teacher about preparation.
Auditions for current applicants to Binghamton University are normally held in February. Note that a successful BMus audition does not guarantee admission to the University.
General Policies
Rubrics
Course offerings in the Music Department are designated under one of two rubrics: MUS for courses in music history and literature, theory, orchestration, conducting, and introductory performance courses (not by audition); and MUSP for performance courses requiring an audition, including ensembles, studio instruction, chamber music, and other courses.
Auditions for MUSP Courses
Music performance courses are open, by audition, to all students regardless of major. Auditions are held the first week of classes each semester. If accepted, the student adds the course at a special registration held in the Music Department during the second week of classes.
Ensembles
For the purposes of major and minor requirements, ensembles are designated as large or small, as follows:
Large Ensembles
- University Orchestra
- Wind Symphony
- Jazz Ensemble
- Studio Jazz Band
- Harpur Chorale
- Treble Chorus
- Chamber Singers
- Piano Ensemble
- Opera Workshop (counts as a Large Ensemble for BMus majors only)
- Tri-Cities Opera Production (counts as a Large Ensemble for BMus majors only)
Small Ensembles
- Chamber music
- Chamber Singers
- Nukporfe
- Single-instrument ensembles
- Opera Workshop (all vocal students)
- Tri-Cities Opera Production (all vocal students)
Grading
The department views the grade of D as passing but unsatisfactory. Therefore, a course in which a grade of D was received may not be used to fulfill the requirements for the major or minor in music. No course taken Pass/Fail counts toward the minimum requirements for the major or minor.
Honors Projects
To register for a senior honors project (MUS 499, maximum total of four credits) a student must have declared a music major or music minor, have a 3.5 grade-point average in music courses and be recommended by the person who agrees to serve as the faculty advisor (studio teacher, history/theory teacher or composition teacher). The recommendation must include evidence of appropriate accomplishment in the field of the proposed project. With the supporting documentation, a petition to register for honors, including the specific proposal, must be submitted to the undergraduate director prior to the add/drop deadline in the semester of the proposed project and is subject to approval by the undergraduate committee.
When the written project is completed, a committee consisting of the advisor and two other fulltime faculty members decide if the project meets expected standards. If so, a grade of A is assigned with honors, high honors or highest honors designated; if not, the course registration reverts to independent study and the course grade is given by the advisor. Faculty committee members are selected by the student.
Honors Recitals
The Senior Honors Recital (MUSP 498, one to four credits) is used for senior recitals that achieve a superior level of accomplishment. They must be substantially longer than typical (at least 55 minutes of music), and be outstanding both in programming (difficulty, stylistic variety, historical range, collaboration or innovation) and in performance (technical achievement, expression and professionalism). To apply for a senior honors recital, a student must have declared a music major (BA or MusB) or music minor (note that recitals will be held to the same standard regardless of major), have a 3.5 grade-point average in music courses, and be recommended by the studio teacher. The recommendation must include evidence of appropriate accomplishment through documented previous work (concert programs or recordings). With the supporting documentation, a petition to register for honors, including the complete proposed recital program, with timings for each piece, must be submitted to the director of undergraduate studies at least four weeks before the recital, and must then be approved by the undergraduate committee. When the performance is completed, a committee consisting of the advisor and two other full-time faculty members decides if the project meets expected standards. If so, a grade of A is assigned with honors, high honors or highest honors designated; if not, the course registration reverts to a Senior Recital (MUSP 494) and is graded by the advisor. Faculty committee members are selected by the student.
Programs
Return to: Harpur College of Arts and Sciences
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