School of Music

Mission

The mission of the School of Music is to provide its students with options for both a liberal arts and professional music orientation that is consistent with the aims of a comprehensive university and relevant to a continually changing global and technological environment, to enrich the University’s curriculum with course offerings and ensemble experiences available to all students, and to enhance campus and community life with quality concerts, recitals, and other programs and performances.

Accreditation

The School of Music of The University of Tulsa is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The following degrees are listed by NASM: Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Music in Performance, and Bachelor of Music in Composition.

Undergraduate Academic Programs

The School of Music’s faculty offers courses leading to the Bachelor of Music (B.M.) degree in performance and composition, the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in music , and the Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.) in instrumental or vocal music.

In cooperation with the School of Art, Design and Art History and the Department of Film Studies , the Bachelor of Arts degree is also offered with a major in arts, culture and entertainment management , (ACEM).

The common body of knowledge and skills for the professional music and liberal arts degrees offered at the University of Tulsa have been specifically designed to meet NASM standards while aligning with the mission of the School of Music, the College, and the University to prepare individuals for professional careers in music, education, and related fields, to be informed and intellectually expressive members of society, and to make meaningful and creative contributions to our campus, our community, and the world. To that end, all students in the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education programs take a common core of music courses that address the competencies required by NASM standards of Performance, Musicianship Skills and Analysis, Composition/Improvisation, and History and Repertory. The Bachelor of Arts degree incorporates a more robust liberal arts curriculum while still fulfilling the designated requirements for a major in music covering the areas listed above. All music degrees require a capstone senior project that serves to synthesize the knowledge and skills gained and further prepare the student for post-graduation success.

Degree Programs Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Music

This degree is designed for students who are seeking a major in music within the context of a broad liberal arts program. In the B.A. program, they will take a designated core of music classes with the rest of the coursework being distributed among other subjects. Students who are interested in a double major combining music with another academic discipline often select the B.A. Other students choose the B.A. because it gives them great flexibility to select courses that complement their varied interests.

The Bachelor of Music

Students preparing for careers in performance, composition, or university teaching frequently choose the Bachelor of Music program. In this curriculum, they will take most of their course work in music, including many advanced courses in music history and theory. If the major is vocal or instrumental performance, the student will give both a junior and a senior solo recital as part of the degree requirements. If the major is composition, they will prepare a portfolio of their work and present a recital of their compositions during the senior year. Many students who earn the Bachelor of Music degree continue their musical studies in graduate school.

The Bachelor of Music Education

Bachelor of Music Education graduates qualify for certification to teach music in grades K-12, including elementary general music and their choice of secondary instrumental music, vocal music, or both fields. Our music education graduates become successful teachers and performers sought out by schools and prestigious graduate programs in Oklahoma and beyond.

For information on teacher certification, see http://www.utulsa.edu/education

Film Scoring Emphasis

B.M. Composition and B.A. Music majors may optionally choose to add an emphasis in Film Scoring.

Admission to the Music Major

Students who wish to major in music in pursuit of the B.M., the B.A., or the B.M.E. degree must first audition. The audition serves two purposes - it determines both 1) eligibility for admission to the music major, and 2) qualification for music scholarships for both prospective music majors and non-majors who wish to participate in music performance groups. At the time of audition, a committee of faculty members determines whether a candidate qualifies for acceptance into the music major. Students who qualify to major in music through successful audition are notified in writing of both their admission to the major and their financial award. Students who do not intend to major in music, but who qualify for scholarship, are notified in writing of both their financial award and the performance expectations associated with that award.

Both prospective music majors and currently enrolled students seeking to add the music major must perform an audition. If a student is taking lessons in the School of Music, the end-of-semester jury may constitute the required audition.

In the event that a student does not qualify for acceptance, a member of faculty of the School of Music will discuss other degree plans to be considered, or any steps that could be made towards admission to the music major at a later date.

Entrance Auditions

Auditions for students entering as freshman are held in late January and early February of each academic year. Specific audition dates may be obtained by contacting the School of Music office. Students audition for faculty members in their specific performance areas. For instance, pianists audition for the piano faculty; and clarinetists audition for the woodwind faculty. Each audition concludes with an informal interview that gives the faculty members an opportunity to learn about the student’s interests and goals.

Students are strongly encouraged to audition in person on the posted audition dates. Alternative audition dates and times may be arranged only if conflicts with posted dates are unavoidable. Video auditions are also acceptable. Audition appointments may be requested by following the music audition request link found at utulsa.edu/academics/arts/departments/music/music-auditions. Audition appointments may also be made by contracting the School of Music recruiting coordinator, Dr. David Carter, at 918-631-2732.

To view audition repertoire requirements, please refer to the audition information on the School of Music website.

School of Music Policies

All students enrolled in applied music study, both music majors and non-majors, are assessed a fee of $200.00 per credit hour. See the Tuition and Fees section of this Bulletin.
Except for first-semester students, music majors are required to take final examinations in their principal instrument or voice before a jury of applied faculty members. Any student presenting a recital must be enrolled in applied music with the appropriate studio teacher during the semester in which the recital is to be presented.
Lessons missed through student carelessness will only be made up at the discretion of the instructor.
Students pursuing the B.M.E. degree are required to pass functional piano and guitar proficiency examinations before enrolling in student teaching.
The School of Music offers delayed proficiency credit for those students who wish to demonstrate proficiency in music theory and/or ear training apart from approved transfer coursework or AP credit. Students seeking such credit for music theory and/or ear training courses must 1) be on record with the College of Arts and Sciences as having declared a music major or minor; 2) submit a petition for proficiency credit in writing to the Director of the School of Music; and 3) successfully pass, with a grade of C or better, the course subsequent to the course for which proficiency credit is sought. For example, a student must first pass MUS 1023 in order to earn proficiency credit for MUS 1013 ; a student must first pass MUS 2013 in order to earn credit for MUS 1013 and MUS 1023 . Such credit is restricted to six hours of music theory (MUS 1013 and MUS 1023 ) and two hours of ear training (MUS 1011 and MUS 1021 ).
Students who earn a 4 or 5 on the AP Music Theory Exam earn credit for the first year of music theory and ear training (MUS 1013 , MUS 1011 , MUS 1023 , and MUS 1021 .) The School of Music does not accept IB credit for music theory or ear training requirements.
All B.M and B.A. students must enroll in MUS 4973 Senior Seminar , during the first semester of their senior year and complete a senior project under the supervision of a full-time music faculty mentor. Students are required to submit a formal written proposal for their senior project by April 15th of the semester before they are enrolled in Senior Seminar.
All music majors are required to complete eight semesters of recital attendance (MUS 1000 , MUS 2000 , MUS 3000 , MUS 4000 ).
All majors, non-majors, and music minors taking applied voice lessons must enroll in a choral ensemble every semester they enroll in applied voice. Choral ensembles may be taken at the zero-credit option, if necessary.

Applied Music Lessons

All students should check carefully with their faculty mentor each semester to make sure they are enrolled in the proper section of applied music. Normally students pursuing the B.A., B.M.E., or the B.M. composition degree enroll for one credit hour each semester in their major applied instrument/voice. B.M. performance majors enroll for two credit hours during their freshman and sophomore years and three credit hours per semester during their junior and senior years.

Non-majors are encouraged to enroll in applied music lessons if space is available in the applied studio, if they are participants in School of Music ensembles, and by audition or permission of the applied instructor. Non-majors and students taking a secondary instrument may enroll for only one credit hour.

Ensembles: Zero-credit Option

To encourage music ensemble participation by both music majors and non-majors, ensure accurate student transcript records, and avoid exceeding the 18-credit-hour-per semester restriction, all music ensemble classes are offered in double sections: a 0-credit section and a 1-credit section. Enrollment in an ensemble for 0-credit is subject to the following conditions:

All enrollees will be graded, with the grade appearing on the student’s transcript.
Only full-time students are eligible for 0-credit sections.
Music majors and minors must complete the required number of ensemble credit hours as specified in their degree programs. Music majors and non-majors must also enroll for credit (0-credit or 1-credit) for all additional ensembles they choose to participate in or are assigned to perform in to fulfill the obligations of their scholarship awards.

Teacher Education Program

The Instrumental, B.M.E. , and the Vocal, B.M.E. , lead to teacher certification in Oklahoma (and preparation for certification in other states). In order to qualify, students must complete all the tasks listed on the Department of Education of this Bulletin, including acceptance into the Teacher Education Program and to the Student Teaching Semester.

Music education majors are assigned two faculty mentors, one in the School of Music and one in the Department of Education .

Programs

Major

Minor

Music Minor

Courses

Music

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Common Questions

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