School of Music
https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/cofa/music/
Associate Dean
Jeff Cottrell
325-671-2127
HSU Box 16230
jcottrell@hsutx.edu
Faculty
Jeffrey S. Cottrell, D.M.A., Associate Professor of Low Brass and Theory; Associate Dean of the School of Music
Billy A Harden, M.M., Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands
Dee Romines, D.M.A., Associate Professor of Music Education Director and Director of Choral Activities and the HSU Chorale
Tiffany Stotts, M.A., Instructor of Worship Leadership; Associate Director of Spiritual Formation for Worship
Hardin-Simmons University School of Music is the first school of music in the State of Texas accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. They have been fully accredited by this organization since 1930.
Objectives
The School of Music serves as a professional school preparing students for careers in music education, music ministry, music business, performance, and music composition. The School of Music seeks to provide opportunities for music study in the context of a liberal arts university for all interested students.
As a result, the faculty seeks to train students in their chosen music discipline while equipping them with skills as educators and entrepreneurs so that they realize their social responsibility as an artist-citizen in music and the fine arts.
Major
A Bachelor of Music Education prepares you for Music Education (Choral) Grades EC-12 and Music Education (instrumental) Grades EC-12. The state standards are incorporated in the required curriculum.
Bachelor of Science degrees are offered with concentrations in Worship Leadership, Composition, and Performance (vocal or Instrumental)
A Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music and a chosen minor is offered for students interested in a greater concentration in liberal arts. A Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music (music business) is offered for students interested in pursuing a career in music business.
In addition, the School of Music provides opportunities for creative, culturally enriching experiences for the university community. Emphasis is on academic excellence, creativity, and aesthetic and spiritual growth. For specific requirements leading to this degree, please refer to the degree plans following this portion of the catalog.
Minor
A minor in music is offered to students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Behavioral Science degree. A minor in music business is available in all degrees. Requirements for these minors are listed at the end of this section.
Course Offerings
Undergraduate courses are offered in music education, music business, music history and literature, theory and composition, band, choir, opera, and orchestra. Current musical activities and organizations are open to any student (in some cases by audition). In today’s complex society, the need persists for the educated person to be aware of the important role of the arts. Discipline and sensitivity developed by the study of music provides an excellent background for a variety of careers.
Entrance Requirements
Any student expecting to major or minor in music should present at least one unit of high school credit in music or its equivalent. Before a student is accepted for a degree major in the School of Music, he/she must evidence sufficient ability to pursue music work at the college level. Prospective music majors must audition with a representative performance in his/her principal performance area. Following the audition, the student will receive written notification regarding admission to the School of Music. In addition, the student must evidence in a written examination, a thorough knowledge of the rudiments of music. During the first week of classes, each freshman and transfer student will have the following requirement: a placement audition in the student’s applied discipline, a music theory diagnostic exam, and a piano placement audition. Results of these tests will place the student in proper course sequence. A student who does not successfully complete the entrance placement exams in theory and/or the placement auditions in piano and applied discipline may be placed in rudimentary level courses. These rudimentary courses are designed to prepare students for college level music study and will not count towards degree requirement credit. Upon successful completion of the rudimentary course(s), and with the recommendation of the respective professor, the student will advance to the credited course sequence.
Ensemble Requirements for Music Majors and Minors
All B.M. students will be required a minimum of seven or eight semester hours of large ensemble participation (see appropriate degree plan) with the exception of qualified piano accompanists who wish to enroll in Piano Ensemble for the purpose of accompanying private lessons. Additional hours of elective credit may also be taken in large or small ensembles.
All Bachelor of Arts students with a major in music will be required to complete a minimum of six semester hours of large ensemble. All Bachelor of Arts students with the minor in music will be required to complete a minimum of four semester hours of large ensemble.
Bachelor of Science in Music with a concentration in Worship Leadership or Composition students are required to take six semesters of ensembles, with the Bachelor of Science in Music with a concentration in Performance requiring eight.
It is recommended that full-time music majors and applied students participate in a large ensemble each semester they are enrolled in the University beyond the required semesters on their degree plan.
Comprehensive Examinations
One semester before graduation, all senior candidates for the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts degrees complete the Major Field Test. For Bachelor of Music degree candidates, an oral or written examination in the student’s area of concentration will be given by the program director of that area. Students who do not pass these examinations will be required to retake the exams or complete additional work required by the concentration area faculty.
Piano Proficiency
All music majors on the B.M., B.A., and B.S. degree paths (excluding keyboard principals) must demonstrate proficiency in piano by using the departmental piano proficiency test. If an entering student has had sufficient prior instruction or experience on the keyboard, he or she may contact the head of the keyboard division and requires an audition: If the student displays enough skill, the head of the keyboard division may recommend that they begin at the Class Piano II, or even III, level.
The proficiency elements will be integrated into the class piano curriculum. The proficiency will be divided into three consecutive segments and tested at the end of Class Piano II, Class Piano III, and Class Piano IV respectively. A grade of 70+ of each proficiency segment indicates student proficiency of that segment. A student may not take the next segment of the proficiency if he or she has not passed the previous portion. Upon successful completion of the third segment of the proficiency, a student will be considered functionally proficient in piano. This requirement must be successfully completed prior to student teaching and graduation.
For more information, please see the School of Music Handbook.
Recitals
Music students, faculty members, guest artists and University ensembles present recitals and concerts throughout the year which are open to the public. Graduation requirements for music majors include attendance at 10 recital/concerts per semester. The number of semesters required is as follows: B.M. degree - six semesters, B.A. degree - six semesters, B.S. degree-six semesters and four semesters for music minors. All music majors and minors should register for CONC 1000 in order to have recital credit registered on their official transcript. A grade of credit (CR) or no credit (NC) will be used to show the completion of each semester’s recital attendance requirement.
All music majors, when enrolled in private instruction, are expected to perform on student recitals each semester (at the discretion of their private teacher). All students pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree are required to present one or more public recitals. Bachelor of Music majors in education present a one-half hour recital at the senior level (RECI 4000). Bachelor of Science in Music with a Performance concentration present a full hour recital their junior and senior year. Bachelor of Science in Music with Composition concentration present a full recital of their representative works their senior year.
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded by audition to students who major in music and/or to students who participate in ensembles. Both departmental and endowed scholarships are available. See Financial Aid and Scholarship Central for a description of endowed scholarships. Application for scholarships should be made to the School of Music during the scholastic year prior to enrollment at HSU.
Music Student Handbook
A School of Music Student Handbook is necessary for all music majors. It is available electronically on the School of Music web page.
Music-Student-Handbook
A paper copy can be requested in the School of Music office. It contains detailed information on policies and regulations governing music degrees and should be used in conjunction with the Undergraduate Catalog in planning any academic program in music.
Performance Studies
Objectives
Through intensive study of the literature, courses in performance provide the student with opportunities for developing performance and pedagogical skills in primary and/or secondary areas.
Principal and Secondary Performance Areas
Each student majoring in music must declare a principal area (instrument or voice) to be studied privately. One credit hour is given for each half-hour lesson per week per semester. Requirements for entry as a principal are defined in the appropriate sections under Courses in Performance Studies.
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree with a major in music education must complete a minimum of 14 credits of private study in the principal performance area, while those majoring in music theory/composition must complete 16 credits of private study.
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music must complete a minimum of 8 credits of private study in the performance areas of their choice. 4 of these credits must be upper level.
Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Worship Leadership must complete a minimum of 6 credits of private study in performance areas of their choice. The B.S. in Performance degree requires 16, 8 of which must be upper level, and the B.S. in Composition requires 8, 4 of which must be upper level.
All students pursuing a Bachelor of Music in music education with a choral emphasis, regardless of principal instrument, are required to take both semesters of diction. Pedagogy requirements vary by instrument and choice of major.
Conducting may be used as a secondary field only.
Practice Requirements
The minimum required practice time for private study is: for one credit hour per semester—one hour per day or five hours per week; for two credits—two hours per day or ten hours per week; etc.
Course Numbers
Course numbers in performance indicate various aspects of the course. The first digit indicates course level. The third digit indicates the musical area as follows:
1- Piano 2- Voice 3- Organ 4- Strings 5- Brass 6- Woodwinds 7- Percussion 8- Conducting 9- Guitar
Credit Hour Requirements
Private lessons per week for a 15week semester:
1 credit hour = 30 minutes2 credit hours = 1 hour
3 credit hours = 1 ½ hours
4 credit hours = 2 hours
Ensembles per week for a 15 week semester:
1 credit hour = 3-5 clock hours per week
Concert Choir = 5 hours
Chorale = 2 hours
Concert Band = 5 hours
Cowboy Band = 3 hours
Jazz Ensemble = 2 hours
Brass, Woodwinds, String ensemble = 1 hour
Orchestra = 4 hours
Solo Competition
A competition is held among students every other year for the privilege of performing as soloists with the Civic Orchestra of Abilene. This affords the gifted performer the opportunity to work with an ensemble in a solo capacity.
Preparatory and Elective Instruction
Registered students not pursuing a major or minor in music may enroll in private music studies.
Sophomore Barriers
At the end of the second year of private instruction, students majoring in music will be required to pass a proficiency barrier on their principal instrument in order to advance to the 3000 level of study. If the barrier is not passed, the student must continue applied study at the 2000 level. Only three barrier attempts are allowed. A student pursuing a B.M. or B.S. degree who is not successful on the third attempt may continue in a B.A. degree, or in another program that does not require an advanced level of performance.
Courses in Performance Studies
Piano Area
To be placed in a credit sequence as a piano principal, the student should be able to play all major and minor scales in moderately rapid tempo and broken chords in all keys, and should have studied literature of the difficulty of Czerny, Op 299; Heller, Op. 46 or 47; Bach, Little Preludes and Two-part Inventions; and sonatas of Mozart F Major, K.547a and Beethoven Op 49.
The suggested levels of attainment are intended as desirable goals; however, individual requirements will be tailored to the student’s abilities and needs.
Prior keyboard training and current ability on the piano will be considered in placing the student in either class or private instruction at the secondary level.
Sophomore Barrier for Piano Principals
Students pursuing a B.M. degree or the B.S. performance degree must play major and minor scales and arpeggios chosen by jurors played four octaves at appropriate velocity. The student should also offer polished and memorized performance of three movements or works contrasting in style and period, which are of a level of difficulty comparable to that of the easier Preludes and Fugues from Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier; the easier sonatas by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven (excluding Mozart Sonata in C, K. 545, or Beethoven Sonatas, Op. 49); or Chopin Waltzes and easier Nocturnes. While one of the works may have been presented on previous juries, two of them must be prepared for the first time during the semester in which the barrier jury occurs. In the event of unsatisfactory performance, the student may continue to study as a piano principal but will be held at the sophomore level (MUPS 2111) until piano faculty determines deficiencies have been addressed. For those pursuing the BA degree as a piano principal, the requirement is to receive a passing grade in the four lower level hours of piano.
Piano Performance Major Private Instruction (MUPS)
First Year
1111—1-4 credit hours
Second Year
2111—1-4 credit hours
Third Year
3111—1-4 credit hours
Fourth Year
4111—1-4 credit hours
Class Instruction (MUPC)
1111, 1112, 1113, 1114 Class Piano I, II, III, IV
Voice Area
To be placed in a credit sequence as a principal in voice, a student should be prepared to sing on pitch, with correct phrasing and musical intelligence, art songs in English such as those listed by the National Association of Teachers of Singing for high school age singers, or the Texas University Interscholastic League Contest Bulletin, published by the University Interscholastic League, Box 8028, University Station, Austin, TX 78713. The student should also be able to read a simple song or hymn at sight.
Sophomore Barrier for Voice
At this level, the voice student should achieve good breath management and support techniques as evident in a free-flowing, natural vibrato and show expression of musical line with rhythmic accuracy. Students pursuing a BM degree or the B.S. performance degree must demonstrate diction accuracy in English, Italian, French and German. Those pursuing a BA degree must demonstrate diction accuracy in two languages. This will be assessed by the jury at the end of the second semester at the 2121 level.
Voice Performance Major Private Instruction (MUPS)
First Year
1121—1-4 credit hours
Second Year
2121—1-4 credit hours
Third Year
3121—1-4 credit hours
Fourth Year
4121—1-4 credit hours
Class Instruction (MUPC)
1121 Class Voice
1125 Diction I
1126 Diction II
4321 Voice Pedagogy
Orchestra and Band Instrument Area
Brass, Percussion, Strings, Woodwinds, Guitar
To be placed in a credit sequence as a principal in an instrument, a student should be prepared to play, with correct phrasing and musical intelligence, selections from the Selective Music Lists of Instrumental Solos published by the National Interscholastic Music Activities Commission, 1201 Sixteenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, or the Texas University Interscholastic League Contest Bulletin. The student should also be able to read a simple selection at sight.
Sophomore Barrier for Brass, Percussion, Strings, Woodwinds, Guitar
Students pursuing a B.A. degree or B.S. Worship Leadership will be required to perform at least two pieces of contrasting styles chosen by the professor. Students pursuing a B.M. degree or the B.S. in Performance or Composition will be required to perform at least two pieces of contrasting styles chosen by the professor, in addition to any scales required by the professor. All students will be judged on quality of intonation, rhythm, tone, and understanding of musical style.
The barrier for percussion will require performance on snare drum, marimba, and timpani.
Instrumental Private Instruction (MUPS)
First Year (1-4 credit hours)
1141 Strings
1151 Brass
1161 Woodwinds
1171 Percussion
1191 Guitar (principal emphasis only)
Second Year (1-4 credit hours)
2141 Strings
2151 Brass
2161 Woodwinds
2171 Percussion
2191 Guitar (principal emphasis only)
Third Year (1-4 credit hours)
3141 Strings
3151 Brass
3161 Woodwinds
3171 Percussion
3191 Guitar (principal emphasis only)
Fourth Year (1-4 credit hours)
4141 Strings
4151 Brass
4161 Woodwinds
4171 Percussion
4191 Guitar (principal emphasis only)
Ensembles
Ensembles are open to all interested students. The purpose of the music ensemble experience is to provide musical enrichment, growth in musical understanding and skills, and experience in group expression through performance of music of various styles from the Middle Ages to the present. The purchase of an appropriate uniform may be required for some ensembles.
Instrumental Ensembles (MUEI)
1101, 2101, 3101, 4101 University Concert Band
1111, 2111, 3111, 4111 Cowboy Band
1151, 2151, 3151, 4151 Jazz Ensemble
1131,2131,3131,4131 Orchestra
1151,2151,3151,4151 Brass Ensemble
Vocal Ensembles (MUEV)
1101, 2101, 3101, 4101 HSU Chorale
1111, 2111, 3111, 4111 Concert Choir
1131, 2131, 3131, 4131 Vocal Performance Workshop
Music Education
Objectives - Through the study and application of philosophy, method, and practice, the student in Music Education is prepared for a vocation in the public school music classroom, and/or church music. By means of intensive classroom and ensemble experience, the Department of Music Education provides the student with skills necessary for professional competency.
For students entering the teaching field, these competencies include areas of teaching/learning psychology, international teaching methods and techniques, and an introduction to the total range of today’s music curriculum e.g., solo/vocal instrumental performance, ensemble experiences, general music study, and professional laboratory related experiences with the public school system.
NOTE: Music Education Major. During the sophomore year, students should schedule an interview with the head of the music education department. Afterwards, students will be eligible to apply for the Teacher Education Program through the School of Education. All Students, regardless of classification, should complete this step before completing 54 semester hours. Failure to do so may delay or prevent them from being admitted to the School of Education.
Music Education students not admitted to teacher preparation by 66 hours will most likely delay their graduation date. The School of Music is not required to offer courses out of order, nor is it required to allow students to take courses out of order.
Music Education majors are advised to read the program as described in the School of Education section regarding certification, admissions, student teaching, and other aspects of the education program.
The School of Music has the right to alter the requirements of the music education program at any time to meet requirements of the State Board for Educator Certification. Students will be expected to abide by these changes as they occur. Currently, the requirements are as follows: Music education majors must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 in all required music courses. Additionally, Music Education Majors may have no grade lower than “C” for any required music course. All portions of the senior comprehensive exam, including the written Music Education portion must be passed in order to take the Texas Credentialing exam for teacher certification.
Courses in Music Education (MUSI)
2099 (1-4 credits) Special Studies
2121 Essentials of Woodwind Instruments
2122 Essentials of Brass Instruments
2123 Essentials of Percussion Instruments
2124 Essentials of String Instruments
2125 Instrumental Perspectives
2126 Vocal Perspectives
3122 Introduction to Conducting Skills
3201 Marching Band Techniques
3321 Music, Learning, and Children
3223 Choral Conducting Techniques and Materials
3224 Instrumental Conducting Techniques and Materials
3325 Essential Elements of Music
4099 (1-4 credits) Special Studies
4129, 4229 or 4329 Workshop in Music
4321 Music for the Adolescent
4622 Student Teaching in Elementary and Secondary School (See EDUC 4622)
Music History and Literature
It is the purpose of courses in music history and literature to implement listening techniques, to survey areas of the literature of music with relation to the society from which the music came, to relate to aesthetic concepts of an age, and to integrate theoretical and applied music experiences with some historical perspective.
Courses in Music History and Literature (MUHL)
1041, 1042, 1043, 1044 Laboratory in Concert Music
1301 Music Appreciation
2099 (1-4 credits) Special Studies
3241, 3242, 3243 History of Music I, II, III
3343 Understanding Music: Classical, Popular, World
4099 (1-4 credits) Special Studies
Music Theory and Composition
The purpose of music theory and composition is to develop the musical understanding of students through score analysis, performance, and the creation of new music. Special attention is paid to gaining fluency with musical concepts and topics through a graduated and integrated curriculum.
Courses in Music Theory and Composition (MUTC)
1131, 1132 Ear-Training I, II
1133, 1134 Keyboard I, II
1235, 1236 Harmony I, II
2131, 2132 Ear-Training III, IV
2133, 2134 Keyboard III, IV
2235, 2236 Harmony III, IV
2237, 2238 Composition I, II (modeling and small forms)
2099 (1-4 credits) Special Studies in
Composition and Theory
2338 Computers in Music
3231 Form and Analysis
3233 Eighteenth Century Counterpoint
3237, 3238 Composition III, IV (small chamber ensembles and music for voices)
4099 (1-4 Credits) Special Studies in Composition and Theory
4231 Orchestration
4237, 4238 Composition V, VI (large chamber ensembles and large ensembles)
For information about Music Education for Teacher Certification, see the Irvin School of Education
Music Education (Choral), B.M. Grades EC-12 (A.MUED.CH)
Music Education (Instrumental), B.M. Grades EC-12 (A.MUED.IN)