Program Description
The Department of Music offers majors in performance, secondary music education (vocal or instrumental), worship arts, and an associates degree in piano pedagogy. Music may also be selected as a minor, but the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) does not allow teaching certification in music with a music minor. In addition, private lessons, performance ensembles and survey courses provide enrichment for many interested students and community members who are not music majors or minors.
Excellence in music study requires dedication, self-discipline and consistent practice, as well as talent. Private lessons and recital requirements increase performance skill. Group performance develops interaction skills and knowledge of literature. Courses in music theory and history develop musical understanding and knowledge base. Other required courses are designed to develop specific skills, such as the ability to conduct or teach a woodwind instrument. Specific degree requirements are carefully aligned with national and state standards and are designed to provide a balance of skills needed for success in a chosen profession or in graduate study.
Progress made by music majors is monitored in annual “juries” in which the students perform selected compositions and technical skills for the music faculty.
Music students are also required to attend a minimum number of performances each semester. (Details of all music department policies are available in the music department handbook.)
Mission Statement
The Spring Arbor University music department believes that music, as both a science and an art, is a gift from God, to be used to express all of the emotions, moods, values and thoughts He has given us. We believe in the sacredness of all music-making (in composition or performance), whether the music is sacred or secular, or classical, jazz or contemporary. Therefore, whatever music is written or performed at Spring Arbor should honor God through a striving for excellence, genuineness of expression, and a broader understanding of God’s purpose and presence in our lives.
Admission requirements
Students must perform an entrance audition to be formally admitted as a music major. At the end of the sophomore year, music majors must perform a “sophomore check,” a more elaborate jury including sight reading and technical skills, to be admitted to upper division standing. (Details about requirements for the sophomore check are available in the music department handbook.) Students transferring to Spring Arbor University as juniors or seniors must audition for admission to the program and perform a jury during their first semester on campus.
Career opportunities
Students interested in teacher certification should opt for the major in instrumental music education or vocal music education. Other career opportunities include ministry in performing groups and/or churches, careers in music business and private studio teaching. A bachelor’s degree in music provides the foundation for graduate studies leading to careers in fields such as ministry, college teaching, arts management and music therapy.
Program strengths and emphases
Spring Arbor University offers a rich environment for musical participation. Interested students are able to participate in several different kinds of performance ensembles including concert choir, chamber singers, concert band, string ensemble, jazz ensemble, flute, saxophone, brass and percussion ensembles; and contemporary-Christian music ensembles. Students perform often in chapel and other University events, and are in demand in area churches. Music scholarships are available to many students, including non-majors, who are active in performance groups and accompanying.
Students are able to work closely with the department’s skilled faculty. Adjunct faculty members provide specific expertise in a variety of areas. An excellent student-to-faculty ratio and small class sizes allow students to receive personal attention and instruction geared toward their own educational goals.
The curriculum and performance ensembles explore many different musical styles. The rich heritage of classical and sacred music is fundamental to the curriculum. Jazz and other popular styles are studied in a variety of settings. Contemporary music plays an important role, and incorporating it effectively in ministry is a key emphasis. There are also numerous possibilities for composing, arranging and producing recordings in the music department’s electronic music studio.
The music department offers a bachelor of arts degree - with six options for a major, as well as an associate of arts in pedagogy. The majors and minor available are listed below:
Majors:
- Music major
- Music education - instrumental
- Music education - vocal
- Music performance - instrumental
- Music performance - piano
- Music performance - vocal
Minors:
Notes on general education: Participation in performance groups for a minimum of two credit hours fulfills the music portion of the fine arts requirement. Music majors and those who have completed two credit hours of a performance ensemble may take selected art courses to fulfill the art portion.
K-12 Music Education Major for secondary certification
The requirements listed in this catalog will qualify the candidate to teach K-12 music on a secondary K-12 certificate. This expanded K-12 musc-education major does not require a certifiable minor.