2023-2024 BSC Catalog Updated_UG ONLY_FINAL[82]

106 ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Music
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music Education,
Bachelor of Musical Arts
Jeff Kensmoe, Joanna Pepple, Lester Seigel
The Department of Music traces its history to the 1952 merger of the College’s music
program with the Birmingham Conservatory of Music, an independent school founded in
1895, providing distinctive quality in musical education and training. Students study
music for many reasons: as a crucial part of the liberal arts experience, to train for a
career in performance, music teaching and certification at the K-12 level, in myriad
music-related careers, and as preparation for graduate study. For all students, the
department offers private lessons and music ensembles as well as courses in music
appreciation, history, literature and theory, within the liberal arts perspective essential for
all well-educated individuals, regardless of their career choice.
All lessons and courses offered by the department are designed to help students increase
their enjoyment of and ability to create music. The department encourages collegiality
and respect among all students and seeks to cultivate talent and challenge students
musically and intellectually.
Students choosing to major in music have three degree options, each of which provide
them with programs of strength and rigor: the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Musical
Arts, and the Bachelor of Music Education.
All students who anticipate majoring in music in either degree program must audition in
their principal instrument no later than the end of their first term at the College and
demonstrate sufficient competency to undertake college-level work. Following two years
of study, a committee of music faculty will interview and audition students and advise
them concerning their degree plans and expectations. Prior to graduation, students must
achieve a minimum proficiency level in the principal instrument and in piano appropriate
for their degree (see the Music Student’s Handbook for an explanation of specific
proficiency levels). Each student must advance toward that degree at a rate acceptable to
the music faculty.
Upon completion of the music major within any degree, students will be able to
• hear, identify, and work with musical elements including rhythm, pitch,
harmony, structure, timbre, and texture
• demonstrate the ability to apply musical notation through performance
• recognize and articulate an understanding of compositional process and musical
style with reference to artists, technologies, events, and cultural forces through
the major periods of history
• use research tools and analysis to develop and defend judgments and write about
music
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2023-2024