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Department of Music

Department Chair: A. Rice

Faculty

Professors: P. Sparti, M. Whitfield

Associate Professors:  T. Hudson, B. Moser, A. Rice

Assistant Professors: J. Cheney, S. Fabian, E. Johnson

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Music is to provide the finest professional musical education to Gardner-Webb students, and the finest performances and education to the community-at-large. The Department strives to provide a well-rounded education that encompasses a liberal arts philosophy and Christian values while training students in the history, performance, teaching, composition, business, creation, and ministry of music. We also seek to stimulate interest in the arts, and strive to stimulate in our students an interest in serving the greater glory of God by serving others with music.

Major Fields of Study

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Bachelor of Music

Minor Fields of Study

Minor in Music

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Music  will:

  1. identify the elements of music in a varied repertoire of music;
  2. demonstrate proficiency in music theory and aural skills;
  3. create music that uses the elements of music effectively;
  4. perform a wide variety of music using accurate intonation, rhythm, technique, artistic expression, and characteristic tone;
  5. demonstrate proficiency in playing piano;
  6. analyze the relationship between music, society, and other arts;
  7. identify important composers, works, and performance practices throughout history;
  8. demonstrate familiarity with non-Western music through identification, analysis, and connection to other arts.

Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Music degree will:

  1. identify the elements of music in a varied repertoire of music;
  2. conduct and rehearse a varied repertoire of music;
  3. demonstrate proficiency in music theory and aural skills;
  4. create music that uses the elements of music effectively;
  5. perform a wide variety of music using accurate intonation, rhythm, technique, artistic expression, and characteristic tone;
  6. demonstrate proficiency in playing piano;
  7. analyze the relationship between music, society, and other arts;
  8. identify important composers, works, and performance practices throughout history;
  9. demonstrate familiarity with non-Western music through identification, analysis, and connection to other arts.

 

General Information

A student cannot receive both the Bachelor of Arts in Music and the Bachelor of Music degrees.

Music majors who are not concentrating in piano are required to pass a piano proficiency examination as part of the overall degree requirements. Non-piano concentrations must enroll for piano each semester until the piano proficiency is passed. Should the proficiency be passed before completion of the required hours of Secondary Applied in the degree, the student may take the remaining hours in any non-primary applied instrument.

All music majors must complete a Sophomore Screening Exam at the end of the fourth semester of primary applied study.

Transfer students will be placed in the appropriate Music Theory and Aural Skills courses based on results of a placement exam.

The four ensembles that satisfy the Major Ensemble degree requirement are Concert Choir, Chorale, Orchestra, and Symphonic Band. All other musical ensembles are classified as Chamber Ensembles.

Primary Applied lessons are one-on-one instruction given for the instrument on which a music major auditioned. The choice of instruments for Primary Applied lessons is as follows: Bassoon, Cello, Clarinet, Euphonium, Flute, Guitar, Harp, Horn, Oboe, Organ, Percussion, Piano, Saxophone, String Bass, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Violin, Viola, and Voice.

A grade of “C” or better is necessary for all required courses in the music degrees.

Gardner-Webb University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).