Department of Music

Steven R. Barnett, Interim Chair
108 Fine Arts Building
731-881-7418
fax 731-881-7415

Faculty

Elizabeth R. Aleksander, Steven Barnett, Jody Blake, Joseph W. Frye, Kurt Gorman, Elaine A. Harriss, Chan Mi Jean, Charles W. Lewis, Roberto Mancusi, John Oelrich, Douglas A. Owens, Brady Spitz, Jessica K. Thoman, Amy Yeung

Mission

The mission of the Department of Music is to cultivate excellence in musical education, performance, and the liberal arts. The department works to support and enhance the cultural and intellectual diversity of the community, while also serving as model performers, educators, and scholars.

Goals

Produce graduates who will promote and advance the art of music.
Enhance the quality of life on campus and in the region by presenting artistic musical events.
Pursue scholarship in music.
Support music educators and music programs through The Office of Regional Centers and Online Programs.
Cultivate relationships with musicians, arts organizations, and alumni.

Expected Outcomes

Music majors will be able to:

demonstrate a conceptual understanding of musical components and processes.
create, interpret, compose, present, analyze and evaluate music.
understand various musical cultures and historical periods.
integrate musical knowledge and skills.
demonstrate the capability for independent work in music professions.

Admission to Degree Programs in Music

Degree programs in Music are open to all students who satisfy the entrance requirements of the university and the Department of Music. Students must audition for all degree programs offered by the Department of Music and for the minor in music. The audition will have one of three results: full admission to Music, provisional admission to Music, or declined admission to Music.

Full Admission to Music: The student has met the criteria defined by the Department of Music faculty and may begin coursework in their desired program of study.

Provisional Admission to Music: The student may begin coursework in the desired degree program, but due to deficiencies the student must re-audition at the end of the first semester of applied study. If supported by the applied teacher, a second semester or provisional admission may be granted. Students who successfully gain admission are still expected to meet the requirements of the Upper Division jury at the end of four semesters of study.

Students who are not fully admitted to the degree after two semesters of provisional admission will be declined admission.

The student’s applied lesson grade will not be considered as a part of the second audition to gain full admission.
Provisional admission may be revoked during the course of study before full admission is granted.

Declined Admission to Music: A student may be declined admission to the Music degree program based on the student’s performance ability and preparation. Students who have been declined admission may re-audition, but may not begin coursework in their concentration for which they have auditioned. Students declined admission to Music are eligible to pursue other academic majors at UT Martin.

Successful Completion of a Degree in Music

Music majors must attend a minimum number of department-approved recitals as specificed below. Transfer students will receive credit for attendance at twelve (12) recitals for each semester of lessons in their primary applied area that is accepted via transfer credit. Students who do not meet the minimum recital attendance requirement will not be allowed to graduate with a degree in music.

Bachelor of Music - Performance Option	96
Bachelor of Music - Music Education Option	84
Bachelor of Arts in Music	72

Transfer Credit

If a student transfers credit in music courses other than ensembles, these courses may be validated by examination. Unsuccessful validation requires the student to take the course at UT Martin.

Designation of a Minor

A music student may declare a minor in a non-music subject area and have the minor listed on the permanent record under the following conditions:

minors must be officially approved and described in the university catalog. No unofficial minors will be recognized.
courses taken to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy music degree requirements, provided that the courses are a part of the music degree requirements even if no minor were declared.

Inclusion of Music Courses in Non-Music Degree Programs

Students receiving degrees other than the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts in Music may not earn more than 30 hours in courses that apply toward the degrees from the Department of Music, that is, courses in the following disciplines: Applied Music (MUAP), Mus ic Education (MUED), Music Ensembles (MUEN), Music (MUS).

Accreditation

UT Martin is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM, 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190-5248, telephone 703-437-0700) and all programs in music are nationally accredited by that organization. The degree program in Music Education is also accredited by the National Council on the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Scholarships

Music scholarships are available for students majoring in Music and are awarded by audition on the basis of promising performance and academic success. These generally range from $200 to $3,000 per year and are renewable through the fourth year of study, provided that renewal criteria are met. The Harriet Fulton Scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding music major.

Band scholarships are available to both Music majors and majors in other disciplines who participate in the band program. These scholarships range from $400 to $2,000 per year and are renewable.

Choral scholarships are available to both Music and non-Music majors by audition. They are approximately $300-2,000 per year and are renewable.

Information and application materials may be obtained by contacting the Chair of the Department of Music, the Director of Bands, or the Director of Choral Activities.

Student Organizations

Participation in performance organizations is open to all students regardless of academic major. Music ensembles include the University Singers, New Pacer Singers, Lyric Opera Theatre, Piano Ensemble, Skyhawk Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Pep Bands and Concert Jazz Band as well as Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Ensembles.

The department houses two chapters of national professional music fraternities: Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (men) and Sigma Alpha lota (women). These organizations emphasize professionalism, creativity and service in music. A student chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is active in preparing students to enter the teaching profession in music by participation in state, regional and national conferences.