Music

Timothy L. Channell*, Chairperson

http://www.radford.edu/music

Undergraduate Programs

The undergraduate professional programs in the Department of Music offer opportunities for students to prepare for careers as teachers in Music Business, of music in elementary, middle, and secondary schools, and also for careers in music therapy, and for advanced professional graduate study. The undergraduate liberal arts program in the Department of Music offers opportunities for the study of music irrespective of specific career aspirations, for emphases which may meet the needs of individual students, and for preparation to study music at the graduate level. The department provides and promotes music activities for the university and community; and provides instruction and experiences in music for majors and non-majors, enhanced by multi-cultural/global perspectives and the benefits of new technology.

The Department of Music offers major degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels and a minor in music at the undergraduate level. Courses are also open to students whose primary interests are in other fields. Radford University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

The curriculum in music therapy, which is in accordance with the recommendations established by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), provides eligibility to take the national certification exam administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT).

Students may pursue the music major leading to either a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in music education, music business or music therapy; a Bachelor of Arts; or a Bachelor of Science degree.

Audition Requirement

Prior to acceptance as a music major in an undergraduate music degree program, each prospective student must demonstrate their performance ability through an entrance audition. Those students whose performance abilities are determined to be comparable to university level achievement are then eligible to major in music. Admission to the Department of Music as a music major is based on 1) acceptance to the university, and 2) a successful entrance audition. Audition dates are scheduled throughout the school year and posted on our department website. Information concerning audition requirements, forms for scheduling your audition, and our contact information, are all found on our department website.

Applied Music Study

Private applied music lessons are available to qualified music majors and non-majors in flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, piano, organ, voice, guitar, harp, violin, viola, cello, string bass and composition at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Two credits per semester may be earned for a one-hour lesson per week. One credit may be earned for a one-half hour lesson per week.

Prior to registration each semester, students must have the approval of the Department of Music chairperson for placement.

Note: An applied music instruction fee is charged at the rate of $250 per credit per semester. Applied music fees may be waived for applied lessons with the approval of the dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts for students majoring in music. Fee waivers do not apply for MUSC 170 , MUSC 470  or MUSC 670.

In the Applied Music Performance courses, quality of performance is stressed through minimum level requirements for each curriculum and evaluation of student performance by faculty juries. Students may attempt one two credit course of applied music study.

The content of each performance area is divided into a maximum of eight semesters. Minimum requirements in technique (including sight reading, general facility, language, etc.) and repertoire (including requirements in variety, scope, level of difficulty, quantity, etc.), are outlined for each level. Each applied area has specific requirements and representative materials for each semester. These requirements are on file in the Music Department office. Successful completion of requirements for each level will be determined by a faculty jury.

Level Requirements in Applied Piano

Two semesters in class piano is required for the Instrumental option in the Bachelor of Music concentrations in Music Business, Music Education, and Music Therapy as well as the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. Applied piano majors are exempt from this requirement.

Four semesters in applied piano is required for the Vocal/Choral option in the Bachelor of Music concentration in Music Education.

Concert Attendance Requirement

Music majors are required to register for MUSC 101 Recital Attendance and to attend all departmental recitals and convocations (on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 11 a.m.) as well as 8 other approved recitals or concerts each semester. Any exception to the above must be approved by the chairperson of the Department of Music. This requirement must be met a minimum of six semesters prior to graduation and is a co-requisite for applied music courses for music majors.

Cumulative GPA

A cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or above in all music courses taken at Radford University is required for graduation with a baccalaureate degree in music.

Performing Ensembles 

The following ensembles are open to all qualified music majors and non-majors:

Courses (Major Ensembles):

• MUSC 134 - Jazz Combo
• MUSC 310 - Wind Bands
• MUSC 311 - Chorus
• MUSC 312 - Chorale
• MUSC 151 - Chamber Orchestra
• MUSC 434 - Jazz Ensemble
• MUSC 435 - Percussion Ensemble
• MUSC 436 - Guitar Ensemble
• MUSC 437 - Digital Ensemble
• MUSC 450 - Chamber Music Ensemble
• MUSC 455 - Madrigal Singers
• MUSC 456 - Radford Singers
• MUSC 457 - Opera Workshop
• MUSC 458 – Accompanying
• MUSC 461—Piano Ensemble (Piano Majors Only)

Chamber Ensemble:

Regular ensemble experiences provide opportunities to develop artistic growth, technical skills, collaborative competence and knowledgeof repertory. Music majors must enroll in at least one major ensemble each semester (summer sessions and student teaching semesters excepted) until degree requirements for ensembles are met. For at least one semester (prior to completion of the sixth semester of applied study applied level 6), the requirement must be satisfied in one of the following ensembles that includes coached, unconducted performance experiences:

MUSC 151 - Chamber Orchestra (Fall semester only.)
MUSC 433 - Advanced Jazz Combo
MUSC 435 - Percussion Ensemble
MUSC 436 - Guitar Ensemble
MUSC 437 - Digital Ensemble
MUSC 450 - Chamber Music Ensemble
MUSC 455 - Madrigal Singers
MUSC 457 - Opera Workshop
MUSC 461—Piano Ensemble (Piano Majors Only)

No more than one major ensemble per semester may be counted toward degree requirements (transfer students who may graduate in fewer semesters than the number of ensembles required are excepted).

The Instrumental Option in the Music Education Concentration requires at least six (6) semester hours chosen from MUSC 309 , MUSC 310 , and MUSC 436 . The Vocal/Choral Option in the Music Education Concentration requires at least six (6) semester hours chosen from MUSC 311 , MUSC 312  and MUSC 456 .

Ensemble Limits (maximum number of semesters that may be counted toward requirement):

Four semesters: MUSC 311 , MUSC 312 , MUSC 435 , MUSC 455  and MUSC 457 
Two semesters: MUSC 434 
One semester: MUSC 433 , MUSC 437 , and 453

Transfer Student

A total of 35 semester hours of required courses may be transferred from another institution as follows:

Transfer students and students with degrees from other institutions seeking teacher licensure in music must take all other major degree requirements in music at Radford University. Exceptions may be granted by the Department of Music with the approval of the dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Academic Programs

Music, B.A. (E, L)  

Music, B.M. (R, E, A)  

Music, B.S. (E, L)  

Music Performance Minor (E, L)*  

Music Production Minor (E)  

Music Industry Minor (E, L)