Admission
Applied Music Auditions
Acceptance into the Department of Music requires the successful completion of an audition. To arrange for an audition date and time, please call the Department of Music as early as possible. Auditions are approximately 15 minutes in length. Audition requirements are as follows:
Voice
Applicants should be prepared to sing from memory two or three contrasting vocal selections from the classical genre, preferably with at least one selection in a foreign language. An accompanist will be provided, however, a request must be made at least one week in advance. In addition, copies of the music must accompany the request. Taped accompaniment is not permitted.
Piano and Organ
Applicants should prepare two or three pieces. Contrast of styles is desirable, especially between pieces displaying finer technique and those requiring control of tone and pedal. Memory is desirable but not required. The student should also be prepared to demonstrate technique which has been studied (scales, arpeggios, chords, etc.). Scores for music performed should be brought to the audition.
Brass, Woodwind and Strings
Students auditioning for placement should have the following material prepared:
A technical display piece.
A lyrical selection (slow, legato) to show control of phrasing and tone.
Brass and Woodwinds:
Major scales, tongued and slurred.
Chromatic scales -- 2 octaves. No minor scales required.
There may be sight reading.
Strings:
2 -3 Octave scale of choice
Percussion
The percussionist should be prepared to demonstrate ability on snare drum, timpani, or the mallet instruments. There should be two prepared pieces of different styles. For snare drum, a demonstration of basic rudiments is desirable. Any ability on the other instruments may be demonstrated by a prepared piece. Some sight reading is required.
Guitar
Students who wish to study guitar should be prepared to demonstrate:
An ability to read music.
Knowledge of basic chords.
I, IV, V, V7 in all keys common to the guitar
(i.e. C, G, D, A, E, F, and relative minors).
Scales in the above keys
Repertoire: A minimum of two pieces are required. One piece must be performed from memory. Pieces must be from the classic repertoire. Audition pieces must be on the level of a Carcassi study, any movement of a suite by J. S. Bach, a simple etude by Leo Brouwer, or a pavane by Luis Milan.
Applied Music Classes
Based on the results of the audition, students would register for Applied Music classes according to the following:
MUSA 151, 152, 251, etc., are for music majors who are studying at the music performance level: 3 credits; one full-hour lesson per week.
MUSA 141, 142, 241, etc., are for music majors and music minors: 2 credits; one full-hour lesson per week.
MUSA 139, 140, 239, etc., are available to non-majors, or to music majors studying a secondary instrument: 1 credit; one half-hour lesson per week.
Teacher assignments in Applied Music are made by the Department Chair. When possible, a student's preference will be honored. However, a change of teacher is not ordinarily made, and must be approved by the Department Chair upon the recommendation of the student's present teacher.
No "cuts" are accepted in Applied Music courses. When a lesson must be missed, it is the student's responsibility to notify the teacher in advance. Students must take the initiative in arranging make-up lessons.
Students may not schedule non-department performances without departmental approval. In the Applied Music field, this may normally be cleared with the student's instructor.
Each student is expected to keep off-campus commitments within a limit that will allow ample time for University work, particularly in the area of Applied Music. It should be clearly understood that the necessity to work in order to pay expenses is not an excuse for failure to meet University commitments.
Placement Examinations in Music
Students with previous study in music theory, ear training, voice class, or piano must take placement examinations in those areas in which they wish to receive credit. The requirements for successful completion of placement examinations are listed below.
First Semester (MUSC 221):
Notation of pitch and time
Staff, clefs (including C clefs), note values
Construction and spelling of scales
Key signatures
Relative key relationships
Forms of the minor scale
Meter and rhythm
Intervals: spelling, identification, consonant/dissonant, interval inversion
Triads: construction, spelling, qualities in keys
Part writing: 4 voices, root position only, primary triads
Second Semester (MUSC 222):
Non-harmonic tones
Harmonic analysis
Part writing: all triads, root position and inversions
Dominant seventh chords
Introduction to other seventh chords
Third Semester (MUSC 321):
Seventh chords
Secondary dominants and secondary leading-tone chords
Modulation to closely related keys
Binary and ternary forms
Fourth Semester (MUSC 322):
Borrowed chords
Neapolitan chords
Augmented-sixth chords
Modes
Twelve-tone technique
First Semester (MUSC 223):
Major melodies
Rhythm in simple and compound meters (simple divisions of the beat only)
Sight sing and notate major melodies in dictation with correct pitch and rhythm
Second Semester (MUSC 224):
Minor mode - sing and spell any form of a minor scale
Minor melodies
Rhythm in simple and compound meters (subdivision of the beat)
Sight sing and take down minor melodies in dictation with the correct pitch and rhythm
Third and Fourth Semesters (MUSC 323-324):
Chromatic melodies and more difficult rhythms, both for singing and dictation
Harmonic dictation exercises including primary and secondary triads and inversions
Appropriate credit for voice class is awarded based upon the results of a voice audition (see Applied Music Auditions). The student should make sure that the auditioning committee is aware of the student's intention to receive credit for voice class, as opposed to placement in Applied Music.
Piano placement examinations will only be heard during the first two weeks of each semester, and during the week of final exams. Students interested in piano class placement should see Mrs. Forman for specific information. Selecting a Course of Study
Selecting a Course of Study
Music Majors are required to complete specific departmental and general education course work leading to one of the following degrees:
Performance: Emphasis is on developing each individual's musicianship through applied music lessons and participation in a variety of ensembles along with a foundation in music theory and history. Concentrations are available in voice, piano, organ, orchestral instruments and guitar.
Composition: The development of analytical, compositional, and computer skills is based on a comprehensive study of the theoretical background of music from all periods and various cultures.
Music Education: Students completing this degree will be recommended for the appropriate license to teach music in the public schools. Concentrations are available in vocal or instrumental music for grades K-12. Certification from Old Dominion University is reciprocal in most other states.
Music: The Bachelor of Arts in Music allows students to specialize and diversify to three separate tracks within a broad liberal arts degree program. Students planning on graduate study in music theory or history should consider this program.
Students may officially declare a major after the completion of ENGL 110C & 111C, as well as being accepted into the Department of Music. A student's advisor can enter the appropriate major during advising.
