Bachelor of Music Degree
BACHELOR OF MUSIC DEGREE
The Bachelor of Music degree is pursued by students planning a professional career in music performance or in music education. There are two majors offered; Music Performance and Music Education.
The Bachelor of Music degree with a Major in Performance offers emphases in voice, brass, percussion, string, woodwind, piano, and organ.
The Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education offers three separate tracks for the aspiring educator: instrumental, vocal, and general (both instrumental and vocal). Students receive licensure to teach PK-12 for their selected track.
Freshmen who plan to pursue the Bachelor of Music degree should have acquired reasonable skill in music performance before enrolling at Washburn. Admission to the degree is by audition. The following requirements must be met by all candidates for both majors within the Bachelor of Music degree:
Private Lessons
BA majors may enroll in no more than 2 hours of lessons each semester. All students enrolled in music lessons are required to present a performance jury before a faculty panel at the conclusion of each semester of study. Students are required to provide their own accompanist for the jury.
Rhythmic Proficiency Exam
All students must pass this exam to establish a minimum level of competency in rhythmic proficiency.
Recital Attendance
Students are required to attend 12 approved recitals and concerts each semester for the first four semesters of enrollment, for a total of 48 recitals. Failure to meet this obligation will result in probationary status being imposed during the fifth semester.
Fourth Semester Performance Examination
Students aspiring to the B.M. degree will be examined by the faculty at the end of the fourth semester of study for achievement in the following four categories:
• Recital attendance (48 required);
• Rhythmic Proficiency Exam (successful completion);
• (Students must successfully pass Music Theory I and Group Piano I prior to the 4th semester jury. )
• Performance Proficiency Exam (students must receive four "Pass" votes for successful completion.)
Probation will be given to anyone who fails one or more of the four categories of achievement. If the student receives probation at the end of the second hearing the student will forfeit their status as a candidate for the degree.
Piano Proficiency
Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree, except those majoring in piano or organ performance, are required to enroll in piano during each semester of full- time enrollment until successful completion of the piano proficiency examination.
Senior Recital Jury Examination
A Senior Recital is required of all candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree (minimum length of 45 minutes). For the recital to be credited toward the degree the student must be currently enrolled for credit in private lessons. At least three weeks prior to the scheduled public performance, the student will perform a complete recital before a jury composed of his/ her private teacher, the area coordinator, and one other approved faculty member. After the student passes the jury they are allowed to publicize and present their senior recital.
Membership in Large Ensemble
All candidates except Piano/Organ performance majors are required to participate in two large ensembles (band, orchestra, choir, etc.) each semester of full-time enrollment. Percussion majors must enroll in Percussion ensemble, Woodwind and Brass majors must enroll in band, vocal majors must enroll in Washburn Choir, string majors must enroll in orchestra. Keyboard majors and concentrations must participate in Accompanying (Music 244/444) during each semester of full-time enrollment and must show enrollment in both large and small ensembles prior to graduation. Music Education majors with a concentration in Keyboard may count accompanying as one of their major ensembles. Music Education majors may count only six hours of large ensemble credit toward graduation.
