The Music Major | Degree Requirements | Course Descriptions
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Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Arts
General Music Performance, General Music Performance with a Concentration in Music Theory, General Music Performance with a Concentration in Music History, Contemporary Music and Recording, Contemporary Music Business, Music Education, Vocal Performance, Instrumental Performance, Music Composition


Bachelor of Science
Church Music
Interdisciplinary Majors
Music and Communication Arts, Music Ministries, Music and Computer Science, Music and Business

Music Department Objectives

1. To provide the training required for each student to realize the maximum development of his or her musical talent.
2. To provide the education and experience required to prepare each student for competent service as a performing musician or music educator.
3. To provide the education and experience required for a student to pursue further study at the graduate level in his or her selected area of music.
4. To enable each student to develop an aesthetic appreciation and understanding of music as an art of expression and communication.
5. To enable each student to realize the value of music to the health and well-being of the individual and to world cultures.
6. To foster the perspective that, as a musician, it is our responsibility to develop the musical gift God has given us, to use that gift for the betterment of others, and as a means of spreading His message of beauty, love and truth.
7. To foster the perspective that the responsible development and use of the gift we have been given is a worthy part of our service to God.

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Degree Requirements

The Music Department of Eastern Nazarene College has a well-established reputation, and is known for its outstanding music faculty, educational experience, and superior preparation of its students in music performance and education.

The Music Department offers a curriculum which allows its students to pursue a basic General Music Performance major. This requires the completion of only 36 credit hours. All of the courses required for this major also serve as the core required for any of the more specialized majors such as Music Education, Vocal or Instrumental Performance, Music Composition, Contemporary Music and Recording, and Contemporary Music Business. The General Music Performance major is also the core for any one of the four interdisciplinary majors offered by the department: Music and Communication Arts, Music Ministries, Music and Computer Science, or Music and Business.

Incoming students who have decided to focus primarily on music are able to begin with one of the more specialized music majors such as Music Education or Vocal Performance.

Incoming students who wish to focus on music and another field as well, may begin with the General Music Performance major. After one or two years of study, a student may choose to apply all the credits already earned for the General Music Performance major to one of the more specialized Music majors. The student is also free to complete the General Music Performance major and a second major in a related field such as Communication Arts, Youth Ministries, Business or Computer Science

Department Policies
All students, including those who are not Music majors, are welcome to take private lessons in voice, piano, an instrument, applied composition or audio recording. All students are also welcome to join the Choral Union, A Cappella Choir (audition required), Chamber Singers (audition required), Gospel Choir, Symphonic Winds, Guitar Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble.

Incoming students who can read both treble and bass clefs fluently are advised to begin with Music Theory I. If they cannot, they are advised to begin with Music Fundamentals.

A thorough review of all essential elements of music fundamentals is presented during the first four weeks of the Music Theory I course. This review is followed by an exam based on the material presented. The grade earned on that exam determines whether a student is then advised to continue in Music Theory I or to continue with a course in Music Fundamentals.

Students not majoring in Music may apply a maximum of four credit hours in applied music and/or a music ensemble as course hours required for general electives. Music minors may apply a maximum of eight credit hours in applied music and four ensemble credit hours to the total degree program. Achieving more credit hours of applied study and participation in ensembles is encouraged for all students.

Students are not permitted to study with a teacher who is not part of the faculty at the college.

Two unexcused absences from applied private study will result in the student being dropped from the course with a failing grade.
All music students are required to attend 80% of the musical programs produced by the Music Department.

Throughout the time of study at the college, all Music majors are required to attend the weekly departmental Music Performance Seminar. This is a performance practice seminar at which Music majors perform materials being worked on in their applied lessons.

Ensemble Requirements
Throughout the time of study at the college, Music majors are required to enroll in the Choral Union. All degree programs require enrollment in a second ensemble such as Voice Class/Ensemble, A Cappella, Chamber Singers, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble or Quincy Symphony Orchestra. Only ensembles run or approved by the Music Department may be used to fulfill ensemble requirements.

Instrumental majors are required to enroll in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

Students whose primary applied area is a stringed instrument may earn ensemble credit for participation in the Quincy Symphony Orchestra or a similar ensemble approved by the Music Department.

A student employed as music director or organist/choirmaster may earn .5 to 1 hour of ensemble credit per semester if approved by the Music Department. This credit may not be used as a substitute for Choral Union credit.

General Requirements
All Music Education majors whose applied area is not piano are required to take one hour credit of piano per semester throughout their time of study as a Music major.

All Music Education, Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance and Composition majors are required to perform for a jury at the close of each semester. As a part of that jury, the progress in sightsinging skill of Music Education majors is tracked with a sightsinging exam.

At the close of the sophomore year, the music faculty will determine that a Music Education major has attained the level ear training skill required for a music educator. If continued development is necessary, the student will be required to continue with private applied ear training until the required level is achieved.

Students preparing a junior or senior recital are required to submit a printed preview of their recital at the conclusion of the semester prior to the planned date of performance. Approval of the recital by the faculty must be granted before the recital can be presented.

All majors are required to pass a senior comprehensive exam in music theory and in music history. This exam is not required for General Music Performance majors.

Music Education majors are also required to pass an oral comprehensive exam in ear training, conducting and keyboard performance.

All students majoring in Music are required to take two hours of applied study per semester during the first year and a minimum of one hour for each of the following semesters. For the Church Music major, Vocal or Instrumental Performance majors, and Music Education majors, two hours of applied study is required each semester.

Music Majors
The group of courses required for the General Music Performance major also serves as the core courses for all of the more specialized Music majors offered by the Music Department.

General Music Performance
This major includes only the core courses required for all Music majors. It includes a total of 36 credit hours, and provides the opportunity for a student to pursue a more specialized Music major, an interdisciplinary major, or a second major in a related field such as Business, Religion, Computers, or Communication Arts. The course requirements for this major are listed below.


MU261 Music Theory I 3 credit hours
MU262 Music Theory II 3
MU105 Ear Training I 2
MU106 Ear Training II 2
MU281 Music History I 3
MU282 Music History II 3
MU251 Acoustics of Music 3 (meets 1 lab science requirement)
MU141- MU 402 Applied Music 10
MU103 Piano Class 1 (if proficient, not required)
MU104 Piano Class 1 (if proficient, not required)
MU203 Ensembles 5
Total Credit Hours 36

In each of the subsequent Music majors, the courses required for the General Music Performance major are referred to as the “General Music Performance Core.” The additional courses required for each of the following majors must be added to the 36 hours of required courses listed above.

General Music Performance with a Concentration in Music Theory
This major requires the completion of the 36 credit hours listed in the General Music Performance Core plus the courses listed as follows.

MU261 Music Theory III 3
MU262 Music Theory IV 3
MU205 Ear Training III 2
MU206 Ear Training IV 2
MU381 Music History and Analysis III 3
MU481 Twentieth Century Music 3
Total Additional Credit Hours 16

General Music Performance with a Concentration in Music History
This major requires the completion of the 36 credit hours listed in the General Music Performance Core plus the courses listed below.

MU261 Music Theory III 3
MU262 Music Theory IV 3
MU381 Music History and Analysis III 3
MU481 Twentieth Century Music 3
Total Additional Credit Hours 12

Interdisciplinary Majors
An Interdisciplinary Music major allows a student to complete a major in Music and a group of courses, all of which are required for a major in one of four related fields: Communication Ministry, Computer Science or Business.

Each major includes the 36 credit hours of the courses required for the General Music Performance major. Added to those is the group of courses in the related field. The courses have been carefully chosen to produce optimum support for work or further study requiring a primary background in music and a basic knowledge of the related field. In a single major, these programs provide the background required for such work or study.

Each Interdisciplinary Music major includes only courses which are required for a major in the related field. By adding only a few courses, a student may then choose to use all of the credit hours earned in the related field to complete a second major in that field.

Music and Communication Arts
The Music and Communication Arts major provides the background for work or continued study in Music and Communication Arts.
This major requires the completion of the 36 credit hours listed in the General Music Performance Core plus the courses listed below.
CO199 Introduction to Theatre 3
CO251 Acting I 3
CO252 Acting II 3
CO411 American Musical Theatre 3
CO299 Drama as Ministry 3
CO273 Technical Theatre 3
CO330 Public Relations 3
CO331 Advertising 3
Total Additional Credit Hours 24

Music Ministry
The Music Ministry major provides a background for students who wish to work or continue study in Music Ministry.
This major requires the completion of the 36 credit hours listed in the General Music Performance Core plus the courses listed below.

TH443 OR 444 Christian Theology 3
TH450 Christian Worship 3
CE222 Philosophy and Methods 3
of Youth Ministry*
CW40 Issues in Youth Ministry* 3
TH495 Senior Seminar 3
Old Testament (one course) 3
New Testament (one course) 3
Music Ministry Practicum 12
Nine hours in a church setting
Three hours praxis experience
*An alternate ministry course may be substituted for this course, subject to the approval of the Religion Department Chair.
Total Additional Credit Hours 33

Music and Computer Science
The Music and Computer Science major provides the background for students who wish to work or continue study in music and computers.
This major requires the completion of the 36 credit hours listed in the General Music Performance Core plus the courses listed below.

CS131 Programming I 3
CS132 Programming II 3
CS110 Principles of Information Systems 3
CS320 Analysis/Design of Information Systems 3
CS322 Database Systems 3
BA119 Budgeting and Finance 3
for Non-Financial Managers
BA252 Principles of Management 3
BA252 Principles of Marketing 3
Total Additional Credit Hours 24

Music and Business
The Music and Business major provides the background for students who wish to work or continue study in music and business.
This major requires the completion of the 36 credit hours listed in the General Music Performance Core plus the courses listed below.


BA200 Introduction to Business 3
BA221 Accounting I 3
BA232 Macro Economics 3
BA252 Principles of Marketing 3
BA112 Principles of Management 3
BA119 Budgeting and Finance 3
for Non-Financial Managers
BA311 Organizational Behavior 3
BA361 Integrated Marketing Communications 3
Total Additional Credit Hours 24

Contemporary Music and Recording
To complete this major, a student must earn 16 credit hours in the Artist Track of the Contemporary Music Program offered by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. This program is run on Martha’s Vineyard, a beautiful island off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where a student will spend one semester of the junior or senior year. Entrance into this program requires application and an audition by the student. Acceptance is based on the student’s academic record, performance skills, and a recommendation by the music faculty.
This major requires the completion of the 36 credit hours listed in the General Music Performance Core plus the courses listed below.

MU261 Music Theory III 3
MU262 Music Theory IV 3
MU205 Ear Training II 2
MU206 Ear Training IV 2
CMC: Artist Track 16
(Contemporary Music Center, Martha’s Vineyard)
Total Additional Credit Hours 26

Contemporary Music Business
To complete this major, a student must earn 16 credit hours in the Executive Track of the Contemporary Music Program offered by the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. This program is run on Martha’s Vineyard, a beautiful island off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where a student will spend one semester of the junior or senior year. Entrance into this program requires application by the student. Acceptance is based on the student’s academic record, performance skills, and a recommendation by the music faculty. An alternative to this major is the combination of the General Music Performance major with a second major in Business.

This major requires the completion of the 36 credit hours listed in the General Music Performance Core plus the courses listed below.


MU261 Music Theory III 3
MU262 Music Theory IV 3
MU205 Ear Training III 2
MU206 Ear Training IV 2
CMC: Executive Track 16
(Contemporary Music Center, Martha’s Vineyard)
Total Additional Credit Hours 26

Church Music
This degree requires study in the area of church music and theology. The performance of a senior recital is required to complete this major. An alternative to this major is the combination of the general music performance major with a second major in Religion or Youth Ministries.

This major requires the completion of the 36 credit hours listed in the General Music Performance Core plus the courses listed as follows.


MU201-402 Applied Voice or Instrument 6 hours
(added to the 10 core hours, 16 hours total applied)
MU261 Music Theory III 3
MU262 Music Theory IV 3
MU205 Ear Training III 2
MU206 Ear Training IV 2
MU101-102 Voice Class/Ensemble 2
MU310 Choral Conducting 3
MU311 Instrumental Conducting 3
MU351 Church Music History and Hymnology 3
MU352 Church Music Materials/Administration 3
BL341 OR 342 Old Testament 3
BL343 OR 344 New Testament 3
TH343 Christian Theology I 3
TH344 Christian Theology II 3
MU141 Applied Voice 2
MU216 Woodwind Methods 1
MU214 Brass Methods 1
MU221 String Methods 1
MU213 Percussion Methods 1
MU203 Ensembles 3 hours
(added to the 5 core hours, 8 hours total)
Total Additional Credit Hours 51

Music Education
This major prepares a student for a career in public or private school teaching at the elementary or secondary level. It includes a wide range of music courses, a concentration in vocal or instrumental study, and the courses required by most states for certification as a public school teacher. The performance of a senior recital and the completion of a teaching practicum are required to complete this major.

This major requires the completion of the 36 credit hours listed in the General Music Performance Core plus the courses listed below.


MU201-402 Applied Voice or Instrument 6 hours (added to the 10 core hours, 16 hours total applied)


MU261 Music Theory III 3
MU262 Music Theory IV 3
MU205 Ear Training III 2
MU206 Ear Training IV 2
MU381 Music History and Analysis III 3
MU481 Twentieth Century Music 3
MU312 Orchestration 3
MU310 Choral Conducting 3
MU311 Instrumental Conducting 3
MU141 Applied Voice 2
MU216 Woodwind Methods 1
MU214 Brass Methods 1
MU221 String Methods 1
MU213 Percussion Methods 1
MU321 Curriculum and Methods 5-12 3
MU371 Curriculum and Methods N-9 3
MU499e Practicum 5-12 6
MU499s Practicum N-9 6
MU203 Ensembles 3 hours
(added to the 5 core hours, 8 hours total)
Total Additional Credit Hours 58

Education Core Requirements for the Music Education Degree
Students pursuing a teaching career must complete the Liberal Arts Core and the following courses to receive teacher licensure. For further information about the teacher education program, refer to the listings of the Education Department.

PS110 Introduction to Psychology*
PS240 Lifespan Development*
AN210 Non Western Cultures*
OR
HI232 African American History
OR
ES305 Cross-Cultural Perspectives
EN341 Introduction to Linguistics*
PE222 First Aid/CPR*
ED210 Philosophical and Sociological Foundations of Education
ED310 Educational Psychology and Measurements
SN311 Human Exceptionalities
ED499z Practicum Seminar .5 credit hours
*Denotes courses that are also part of the Liberal Arts Core
Vocal Performance, Piano Performance, Instrumental Performance or Music Composition

This more specialized major requires concentrated study in an applied area such as voice or a specific instrument, and the performance of both a junior and senior recital in the applied area of study. This major is designed to develop professional level performance skills in preparation for a career in performance or music composition or for graduate study in the applied area. The title of these majors includes the name of the specific applied area of focus: Vocal Performance, Piano Performance, Trumpet Performance, Saxophone Performance, Music Composition, etc.

This major requires the completion of the 36 credit hours listed in the General Music Performance Core plus the courses listed below.

MU201-402 Applied voice or instrument 6 hours (added to the 10 core hours, 16 hours total)
MU261 Music Theory III 3
MU262 Music Theory IV 3
MU205 Ear Training III 2
MU206 Ear Training IV 2
MU381 Music History and Analysis III 3
MU481 Twentieth Century Music 3
MU203 Ensembles 3 hours
(added to the 5 core hours, 8 hours total)
Total Additional Credit Hours 25

Music Minor
Many students arrive with some training and experience or with a strong love for music. As part of a degree program with a major in another field, the Music minor provides the opportunity for a student to receive 14 credit hours of study in music. Music minor is indicated on the student’s transcript, and serves as an important reference. Music minors may apply a maximum of eight credit hours in applied music and four ensemble credit hours to the total degree program.

MU261 Music Theory I 3 credit hours
MU262 Music Theory II 3
MU201 Applied Music 2
MU202 Applied Music 2
Music Electives 4
Total Credit Hours 14

Music Praxis, Study Abroad and Practicum
The Music Department offers students the opportunity to receive credit for study abroad, practicum, and internship praxis experience. If a student chooses to receive credit for any of the above, it will be recorded on that student’s academic transcript. This strengthens the student’s record, and serves as concrete evidence of a student’s ability to apply the musical skills developed as a music major.

Study Abroad
A Music major may include up to 16 hours of credit earned through study abroad. The Coalition of Christian Colleges and Universities offers two one-semester programs at the Contemporary Music Center located on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. A total of 16 credit hours can be earned for each program. This opportunity is available to any Music major, but it is a required part of two Music majors.

The Contemporary Music Business major requires that the 16 hour Executive Track offered by the Contemporary Music Center at Martha’s Vineyard be completed. This track requires no performance audition. Acceptance into the track depends upon academic records and available openings in the program.

The Contemporary Music and Recording major requires that the 16 hour Artist Track offered by the Contemporary Music Center at Martha’s Vineyard be completed. This track requires a performance audition. Acceptance into this program depends upon the musical ability evidenced at the performance audition, academic records, and available openings in the program.

Teaching Practicum
A teaching practicum is a requirement for any student completing a degree with a major in Music Education. This practicum is monitored by an assigned member of the Music faculty. For the practicum, students are required to develop a portfolio which includes materials related to the practicum experience. The course credit earned for this practicum is determined by the Department of Education.

Performance Practicum
Practicum credits may be earned for performance of a lead role in a musical production or as a soloist in a major musical work. A maximum of one hour of practicum credit may be earned for combined acting and musical performance. A maximum of one half hour of credit may be earned for performance in the pit orchestra. The Music faculty will determine whether a specific performance assignment qualifies for earning credit and the amount of credit that may be earned.

Practicum credits may not be received for participation in performances required by an ensemble in which a student receives academic credit.

Instruction Practicum
Practicum credits may be earned for private tutoring or teaching as a student assistant in an area assigned by the Music Department faculty. A student may earn one hour credit per 30 hours of private instruction.

Quincy Symphony Orchestra Practicum
One hour of practicum credit per semester may be earned by a student who is a member of the Quincy Symphony Orchestra. For an Instrumental Performance major whose applied concentration is a string instrument, this may fulfill the requirement for participation in one of the two ensembles required each semester.

Participation in Other Ensembles
Credit may be earned for participation in other ensembles. The Music faculty will determine whether a specific performance assignment qualifies for earning credit and the amount of credit that may be earned.

Organist/Choirmaster
One hour of credit may be earned per thirty hours of service as organist/choirmaster for a church.

The student will be required to produce a portfolio of materials related to the experience. The student’s work and portfolio will be reviewed by an assigned member of the Music faculty.

For a Music major whose primary instrument is organ, this may fulfill the requirement for participation in one of the two ensembles required each semester. This may not serve as a substitute for the required enrollment in Choral Union.

The Music faculty will determine whether a specific performance assignment qualifies for earning credit and the amount of credit that may be earned.

Music Director
One hour of credit may be earned per thirty hours of service as music director for a church.

The student will be required to produce a portfolio of materials related to the experience. The student’s work and portfolio will be reviewed by an assigned member of the Music faculty.

The music faculty will determine whether a specific performance assignment qualifies for earning credit and the amount of credit that may be earned.

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The Music Department
Eastern Nazarene College | 23 East Elm Avenue
Quincy, Massachusetts 02170