Majoring in Music

The Music Department at Indiana University Southeast offers one of the most musically-intensive Bachelor of Arts degrees in the region.

 Apply for Admission

In order to major in Music at IU Southeast, you must:

• Apply for admission to IU Southeast
• Complete a Music Department Audition Application
• Perform an audition
• Complete the Music Theory Placement Exam

 Advising

To discuss one or more of our concentrations with an academic advisor:

Music Composition
Music Technology
Dr. Erich Stem
estem@ius.edu
812.941.2255

Music Business,
Instrumental
Performance,
Vocal Performance
Dr. Joanna Goldstein
jgoldste@ius.edu
812.941.2345

 Auditions

Admission to the Music Department is by audition only. An audition/interview is required of all students wishing to pursue the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree.

Auditions for admission for the 2008-2009 academic year will be held on
November 3, 2007
February 9, 2008
March 15, 2008
May 10, 2008*

*The May 10 audition date is for admission only. Those interested in scholarship consideration should audition by March 15.

 

 Recruiting Events

Louisville Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS)
College/Career Day
October 26, 2007

IU Southeast
College Music Preview Fair
January 19, 2008

Visit our booth at
KMEA
February 6-9, 2008

Arrange a visit to the Music Department by calling
812.941.2655

 

 

THE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MUSIC DEGREE

The B.A. in Music combines four kinds of study: solo performance, ensemble performance, academic music courses, and courses in other subjects. These shared artistic and academic goals are basic to the philosophy that governs the study of music within a university context. Indiana University Southeast offers the B.A. degree in Music with concentrations in the following areas:

Music Business  •  Music Composition  •  Music Technology
Instrumental Performance  •  Vocal Performance

What is a Concentration?
A "concentration" is simply a specific area of study. Since music is such a diverse area, students at IU Southeast have the opportunity to pursue a concentration that best develops his/her interests and skills. Each degree concentration has its own set of requirements in addition to those required by the university for the B. A. degree. Students must declare an intended concentration prior to auditioning to become a music major. Students also have the opportunity to pursue two concentrations within the music degree.

 Music Business

Music and Business are natural partners in the world beyond academia. Performing arts organizations often function as a small business requiring those involved to have fundamental skills in marketing, accounting, business law, and grant writing. Likewise, the arts and entertainment industry provides opportunities to the business minded person with an interest in retail, artist management, or the recording industry fields. The Music Business concentration coordinates the requirements for the B.A. degree in music with basic studies in economics, accounting, marketing, business law and entrepreneurship in the Division of Business and Economics.

Auditioning/Interviewing for the Music Business Concentration
Acceptance into the Music Business program consists of both an interview and an audition on the candidate’s primary instrument. Because the Music Business concentration is not a performance oriented degree, the level of performance does not need to reflect the same stringent standards. However, since it is a music degree, we require that candidates have previous training on a musical instrument and can demonstrate basic literacy in conventional music notation. Candidates should be prepared to discuss reasons why they wish to pursue the Music Business concentration.

Music Business Concentration Requirements
These requirements are in addition to university distribution requirements

 

 Music Composition

The Music Composition concentration at IU Southeast is designed to give the creative student the skills necessary to analyze, arrange, and compose works in a wide variety of styles. The degree stresses not only the creative aspect of music composition, but also incorporates technology and performing areas of music as well.

Auditioning for the Composition Concentration
Acceptance into the Music Composition program is based on both an interview/portfolio review and an audition. Candidates should perform one representative work on their primary instrument/voice and also present a portfolio of a least two scores (with recordings, if possible) of their original compositions. Scores should demonstrate candidate’s creativity and ability to realize his or her ideas with accuracy and in accordance to conventional notational practices. Candidates should be able to discuss their influences and musical interests as they relate to the field of composition. Some basic pitch matching exercises will be asked of the candidate.

Music Composition Concentration Requirements
These requirements are in addition to university distribution requirements

 

 Music Technology

Technology is now an integral part of the field of music. The Music Technology concentration at Indiana University Southeast is designed to give the student a well-rounded education in liberal arts courses, while exposing them to practical, theoretical, and creative applications of technology in the field of music. This degree, unlike vocational approaches to music technology, provides a significant background in the academic areas of a traditional music degree. Students must participate in ensemble work, study two years of music theory, refine their aural skills, and show competency in the performance of music, as well as elements of audio production and fluency in current technologies.

Auditioning for the Music Technology Concentration
Acceptance into the Music Technology program is based both on an interview and a demonstration of the candidate’s fluency on a particular instrument. Because the technology concentration is not a performance oriented degree, the level of performance does not need to reflect the same stringent standards; however, since it is a music degree, we require that candidates have some facility on a musical instrument and can demonstrate basic literacy in conventional music notation. Candidates should be prepared to discuss reasons why they wish to pursue the technology concentration. Support materials (CD recordings, creative work, past editing projects, etc.) are helpful, but not necessary for admittance into the program. Some basic pitch matching exercises will be asked of the candidate.

Facilities
The Music Department boasts a state-of-the-art Electronic Music Studio as well as a Mac-based MIDI Lab/Listening Lab, both of which double as high-tech teaching facilities. In addition to our on-campus facilities, several of the audio engineering courses are taught at TNT Productions studios in Louisville, Kentucky.

Current Equipment

Mac G5 computers with large screen, dual-monitor, flat panel workstations

Yamaha Motif Workstation

Kurzweil K2600 Workstation

Roland Fantom XR

Digidesign Digi 001and Digi 002 Audio Interfaces

Sure KSM, AKG414, and Audio Technica CZ1000s microphones

Sony DCR VX2100 Camera

Software in use (latest versions, partial list):

Pro Tools

Finale

Sibelius

Digital Performer

Final Cut Pro Studio

Music Technology Concentration Requirements
All technology students spend the first two years working on the core requirements for the degree concentration. During the Sophomore Assessment Gateway the student must declare a Production or Creation emphasis for their remaining two years. The Production Track emphasizes critical skills in recording, mixing, and editing specific sound projects, whereas the Creation Track concentrates the student’s skills in areas of electronic music composition and audio/visual scoring.

Music Technology Concentration Requirements - Production Track
These requirements are in addition to university distribution requirements

Music Technology Concentration Requirements - Creation Track
These requirements are in addition to university distribution requirements

 

 Instrumental Performance

The Instrumental Performance concentration at IU Southeast is intended for those students who wish to focus their studies on a particular instrument. The curriculum stresses the development of the student’s technique and musicianship, ensemble dynamics, building a fundamental knowledge of his/her repertoire, and acquirement practical pedagogical techniques.

Auditioning for the Instrumental Performance Concentration
Instrumental Performance - Non-keyboard
Instrumentalists should prepare two shorter selections in contrasting styles from the standard literature (or one longer work) that best display musical accomplishments. Major scales and chromatic scale may also be requested. Instrumentalists are not required to perform with accompaniment. If an accompanist is needed, the music must be submitted to the Music Department Office at least two weeks in advance. Percussionists should prepare a snare drum solo and basic rudiments, and either a timpani or mallet instrument solo. Some basic pitch matching exercises will be asked of the candidate.

Instrumental Performance - Keyboard
Candidates for the piano or organ performance concentration should be prepared to play (either from score or memory) no less than two pieces. These should be varied, both as to period and style; The candidate should also be prepared to play major and minor scales and arpeggios in the following major keys: C, G, A, D, and F. Some basic pitch matching exercises will be asked of the candidate.

Instrumental Performance Concentration Requirements
These requirements are in addition to university distribution requirements

 

 Vocal Performance

The Vocal Performance concentration at IU Southeast is intended for those students who wish to focus their studies in voice. The curriculum stresses the development of the student’s technique and musicianship, ensemble dynamics, building a fundamental knowledge of his/her repertoire, and acquirement practical pedagogical techniques.

Auditioning for the Vocal Performance Concentration
Students should prepare two songs of contrasting style, one preferably in a foreign language. At least one of the songs should be memorized. Voice auditions must be accompanied. A selection from musical theater is acceptable. IU Southeast can provide an accompanist as long as the music is submitted two weeks in advance of the audition date. Following the presentation of solo material, the candidate will be asked to demonstrate basic pitch and rhythmic sight reading ability.

Vocal Performance Concentration Requirements
These requirements are in addition to university distribution requirements

 

MUSIC MINOR

A minimum of 20 credit hours in music is required to earn a minor in music. The required courses for a minor are as follows:

Music Minor Course Requirements

Note: Some students may need to enroll in Music Fundamentals (MUS-E 241) or Rudiments of Music (MUS-T 109) to prepare for the work in MUS-T 113 Music Theory. Please contact the Music Department for advising.

An audition is not required to obtain a minor in music.

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS IN MUSIC

See the General Requirements for the Associate of Arts Degree.

A minimum of 16 credit hours in music is required for the A.A. in music. The required courses for the A.A. in music are as follows:

Associate of Arts in Music Course Requirements

Note: Some students may need to enroll in Music Fundamentals (MUS-E 241) or Rudiments of Music (MUS-T 109) to prepare for the work in MUS-T 113 Music Theory. Please contact the Music Department for advising.

An audition is not required to obtain an Associate of Arts in Music degree.