Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog 2018-2019 
    
Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog 2018-2019 [ARCHIVED CATALOG] See drop-down menu above to access other catalogs.

Music, Jazz Studies Concentration, BA


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Department: Music 

The music department offers a jazz studies concentration, which allows students to earn a bachelor of arts degree in music with an additional emphasis on historical and contemporary jazz performance and theory.

Music Audition Requirements


A formal audition is required for acceptance into the music major. There is no audition requirement for acceptance into the music minor. Auditions are held in February, March and November. Completed audition forms must be received by the music department two weeks prior to the audition date. To obtain forms, or additional information, contact the audition coordinator by email at auditions@bridgew.edu or by phone at 508.531.1877.

Instrumentalists must proficiently execute the following:

  • Major scales up to four sharps and flats and chromatic scale two octaves from memory
  • A three-to-five-minute prepared solo, with or without accompaniment
  • A selection in a contrasting style

Singers must proficiently execute the following:

  • An unaccompanied major scale on a neutral syllable
  • An art-song or aria
  • A selection in a contrasting style

Accompanist must be provided by the student.

Within 10 days of the audition, the candidate will be notified of his/her status. He/she will be:

1) accepted into the major.
2) conditionally accepted into the major.

  • The student may repeat an audition more than once on a scheduled audition or jury day
  • The student must pass the audition within one year in order to be accepted as a music major

3) not accepted to the major. A student who auditions and is not accepted as a music major:

  • may audition only once more
  • may not take courses with a MUSC prefix other than to fulfill core curriculum requirements
  • may select music as a minor

Students with questions concerning the suitability of audition material should contact the audition coordinator by email at auditions@bridgew.edu or by phone at 508.531.1877.

Piano Proficiency Requirement


A student majoring in music must pass a piano proficiency examination, which addresses basic competencies. Specific musical examples and guidelines are available from the Department of Music chairperson. Alternatively, the proficiency requirements may be met by successful completion of MUSC 440 - Advanced Keyboard Skills  with a minimum grade of “C”.

Grade Requirement


The Department of Music will permit its majors to use only one passing grade below “C-” to satisfy requirements in the music major (including both the required core courses and electives). An additional grade below “C-” will require the student to take another music course, chosen in consultation with his or her advisor. The required core courses are designed to develop competence in theory, history, musicianship and performance.

Course Requirements


Recital requirement (0 credit)


Complete six semesters of:

Ensembles (8 credits)


Complete eight credits, selected from the list below. Of the required credits in ensembles, a minimum of five must be earned in MUSC 112, MUSC 113, MUSC 118 and/or MUSC 119.

Please note: students may apply only one ensemble credit per semester toward the major.

Additionally, no more than two credits in MUSC 103, MUSC 104, MUSC 105, MUSC 107, MUSC 151, MUSC 152 and/or MUSC 183 may be applied toward the major.

Performance studies (8 credits)


Complete eight credits, at least one semester at the 300-level, selected from the following:

Total minimum credits: 59


Core Curriculum Requirements


A minimum of 120 earned credit hours is required for graduation. These earned hours include the Core Curriculum Requirements as specified in the Undergraduate Academic Programs  section of this catalog and at the Core Curriculum website, www.bridgew.edu/corecurriculum. For additional graduation requirements, see the Undergraduate Academic Policies and Procedures  section of this catalog.

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