Return to: Academic Programs

(B. Music)

Auditions 

All entering freshmen and transfer students planning to major in music are required to audition in a performance division in advance of enrollment. In addition to the performance audition, prospective composition students should provide scores and/or tapes of original compositions prior to enrollment. Information on audition dates and requirements is available through the Music Department website www.eiu.edu/~music or office (217/581-3010). All students who wish to transfer credit in music theory, aural training, music history, applied studies, and piano are required to take a placement examination(s).

Jazz Studies Audition: Students who wish to take the Jazz Studies Concentration are required to perform the standard instrumental audition, plus demonstrate improvisation ability or jazz skills related to their particular instrument.

Applied Study

All music majors are required to study intermediate or advanced music performance on a one-to-one basis with a studio instructor. Such study is referred to as “applied study.” While majors may pursue more than one area of applied study, each student must complete a sizable block of hours in one primary instrument or voice.

The hours of applied study taken each semester vary depending upon the program option in which the student is enrolled. The hours for primary or principal applied study are as follows:

                       Credit      Lessons or

Degree                 Hours per   Class

                       Practice    Instruction

Program                Semester    per Week      per Day

Introductory Applied   1           25 min        25 min

Teacher Cert. Option   1           50 min        1-2 hours

Performance Option     2 or 4      50 min        2-4 hours

Applied Study for Jazz Keyboard Majors:  The applied study requirement is divided between traditional keyboard and jazz piano.  The traditional keyboard requirement is four semesters (8 sh) or completion of the sophomore recital requirement.  The remaining 14 sh of applied study is jazz piano.

Introductory Applied Study:  The study of any instrument or voice in addition to the student’s primary or principal may occur in any option or concentration for 1 sh per semester with prior consent of the instructor.

Non-music majors wishing to enroll in Introductory Applied (0010-0063) are required to audition for the performance division of their interest. Auditions are held during the registration period before classes begin.

Juries
Progress in applied study is evaluated through performance each semester by the faculty of the performance division in which the student is enrolled.

Junior Standing Juries: A Junior Standing Jury is a graduation requirement for all music majors and normally occurs at the end of the fourth semester of applied study. Students must pass the Junior Standing Jury to receive upper division credit and must complete the Jury by the end of the sixth semester, or its equivalent. Music education majors are required to have at least 2 sh of upper division credit (3310-3363) in fulfilling applied study requirements. Students electing the General Music Concentration must achieve Junior Standing but are not required to have upper division credit in applied study. All sophomore-level music theory courses (MUS 2543 & 2544) must be completed before achieving junior standing.

Jazz Studies Juries: Students with an Concentration in Jazz Studies are required to pass a Junior Standing Jazz Jury in addition to the standard Junior Standing Jury. After completing this jury, students must perform the standard jury and a jazz jury each semester in residence.

Recital Attendance Requirement

All music majors are required to complete a total of five semesters of MUS 1103: Recital, for which students must attend a certain number of recitals and concerts on campus. The Music Department office distributes specific recital attendance requirements and procedures at the beginning of each semester. The requirement for transfer students will be determined by the Music Department chairperson.

Student Recitals

Division and General Recitals: All students are required to appear in the series of division and general recitals in order to gain experience in musical performance, unless exempted by the applied instructor.

Degree Recitals

Option in Music Performance: Music Performance majors are required to perform a 15 minute Sophomore Recital (MUS 2101) and, following completion of the Junior Standing Jury, a 25 minute Junior recital (MUS 3101), and a 50 minute Senior Recital (MUS 4101). Students with a Concentration in Jazz Studies are required to present an additional 25 minute jazz recital of small group improvisation (MUS 3102) in the junior year. The Senior Recital for Jazz Studies majors must include combo performance, one original composition, and one arrangement for big band. Jazz Studies percussionists must demonstrate appropriate skills on mallet instruments, orchestral percussion, and drum set. Composition majors are required to present appropriate projects in lieu of the Junior and Senior Recitals.

Option in Music with Teacher Certification: Following completion of the Junior Standing Jury, Music Education majors are required to perform a 15 minute Junior Recital (MUS 3100) and a 25 minute Senior recital (MUS 4100). Students in the General Music Concentration must achieve Junior Standing in their principal applied area of study with a Junior and Senior Recital being optional.

Liability Notice

In the event that students choose to store musical instruments on campus in any building operated by the University, they thereby waive any and all liability of the University and its employees for loss of, or damage to, such musical instruments by any cause whatsoever, including, but not limited to fire, water, windstorm or other casualty, theft, or dampness or dryness of the air.

Department Faculty

W. Parker Melvin, Acting Chairperson
Joseph M. Martin, Assistant Chairperson

Barta, R.; Coles, M.; Daniels, J.; DiBianco, D.; Dulaney, J.; Fagaly, Faires, J.B.; S.;  Hansen, J.; Hayslett, D.; Hesterman, P.; Hobbs, W.D.; Horney, A.; Hunt, A.; Jensen, G.; Johnston, P.;  Loewen, P.; Mayhue, T.; Melvin, W.P.; Poulter, P.; Robison, R.T.; Rossi, R.; Ryan, K.; Szabo, I.; Teicher, S.; Wright, K. 

Department Telephone: 217.581.3010

Return to: Academic Programs