Dean: Peter J. Cooper
Faculty: Laurie Redmer Cadwallader, Peter J. Cooper, Judith Glass, Kurt Miyashiro, Ken Parsons, Julie Penner, Patrick Rice
Adjunct Faculty: Michael Ake, J. Bruce Ashton, Scott Ball, Annie Camp, Lorali Carbajal-Reyna, Hope Erickson, Merrie Beth Eubanks, Ellen Francisco, Lawrence Galera, Hillary Herndon, Nick Hoy, Gordon Inman, Gordon James, Elaine Janzen, Keith Lloyd, Robby Raney, Johan Sentana, Alan Shikoh, Suzanne Sims, Jessica Smithorn, Brenna Wiinanen
Program Coordinators:
Mission
The music unit at Southern Adventist University defines its value to the institution as a spiritual, intellectual, and experiential learning environment:
Vision Statement
The music unit’s vision flows from the institution’s and seeks to:
Southern Adventist University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
Music majors must fulfill all the general admission requirements of the university. These requirements are outlined in the current online edition of the Undergraduate Catalog. Note, however, that acceptance to the university does not equate with or guarantee admission to the School of Music as a music major.
Initial Standing as a Music Major
Prospective music majors are required to take the Music Theory Placement Test and give a performance audition in the student’s primary performance area. The performance audition determines acceptance into MUPF 189 Concentration (private music instruction which includes performance requirements and the earning of whose credit fulfills music degree requirements). All music majors and minors must complete varying numbers of hours of Concentration as specified in their respective programs of study. To obtain initial standing as a music major, a student must qualify for MUCT 111 Music Theory I and MUPF 189 Concentration.
Students obtaining initial standing as a music major will be notified in writing by the School of Music dean.
Continuation as a Music Major in Good Standing
Continuation as a music major in the music program is contingent upon satisfactory progress toward a degree as measured through a variety of regular and ongoing assessment checkpoints including, but not limited to:
Piano Proficiency Examination (PPE)
All music majors must demonstrate functional keyboard ability by passing the Piano Proficiency Examination (PPE). The PPE consists of two (2) areas: Skills and Applied. The Skills area requires demonstration of mastery of five-finger patterns, scales, triads and inversions, arpeggios, and harmonic progressions. The Applied area requires a synthesis of technical ability and musicianship through:
Students may obtain copies of the PPE Information Sheet and PPE Content in the Music Office.
Students typically satisfy the PPE requirement through one of the following ways: (1) Challenging the requirements through an in-person exam with the dean of the School of Music or his/her designee; (2) Enroll in MUPF 129 or 329 Applied Music (piano or organ), working with the instructor on PPE requirements until they are satisfied; (3) Organ and piano majors satisfy this requirement through the completion of the sequence of private music instruction required for their degree program. Regardless of the method chosen, students are strongly encouraged to successfully complete all PPE requirements before the end of their sophomore year.
Concentration Credit (MUPF 189/389)
All music majors are required to take private music instruction in their primary performance area each semester. One (1) semester hour of credit will be given for a minimum of twelve (12) half-hour lessons each semester, with a minimum of five (5) hours of practice per week. Two (2) semester hours of credit will be given for a minimum of twelve (12) hour lessons each semester, with a minimum of ten (10) hours of practice per week. Students enrolled in MUPF 189 and MUPF 389 Concentration are required to perform on at least one (1) General Recital during the semester. Grades are assigned following a jury examination at the end of each semester and are determined by the private music instructor combining the earned jury examination grade with the earned grade that accurately reflects the student’s application, attendance, practice, and progress made during the semester.
Concert and Recital Attendance
All full-time music majors (students taking 12 or more credits) are required to enroll each semester in residence in the 0-credit, Pass/Fail courses MUPF 100 Concert Attendance (freshmen and sophomores) or MUPF 300 Concert Attendance (juniors and seniors). An exception to this is made for Bachelor of Music in Music Education students during the semester in which they student teach. Students choosing to graduate according to the requirements listed in versions of the Undergraduate Catalog prior to 2024 are exempt from enrolling in these courses.
Current full-time music majors are required to attend three (3) General Recitals and a minimum of six (6) additional concerts per semester as a non-performer. Note that students may count the General Recital in which they perform as one of the three required General Recitals. Concerts by School of Music ensembles, faculty and student recitals, guest artist recitals, Evensong, and off-campus concerts will be accepted to meet this requirement. In the spirit of collegiality and normal professional conduct, music majors are expected to attend all faculty recitals and recitals of fellow students.
Attendance is reported by turning in the concert/recital program or Evensong concert card to the Music Office, preferably the day after the concert.
Music Ensemble Participation
All music majors are required to participate in the appropriate music ensemble every semester in full-time residence, for credit—according to the individual curricular requirements—or for audit. An exception to this is made for Bachelor of Music in Music Education students during the semester in which they student teach. Teacher certification candidates must, however, be a member of their appropriate ensemble for all other semesters in residence. Appropriate ensembles are defined as follows: string majors, Symphony Orchestra; wind and percussion majors, Wind Symphony; voice majors, I Cantori; organ and piano majors, freshman, sophomore, and junior years, large ensemble of the student’s choice; senior year, may be large ensemble of the student’s choice and/or chamber music. Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of chamber or other ensembles as time and their schedules permit.
Assessment
The School of Music has an ongoing program of student assessment. This program includes the following:
Performance Evaluations (MUPF 189/389 Concentration)
Grades for MUPF 189/389 Concentration will be based on the student having met the following criteria:
Unsatisfactory performance in any item above will negatively affect the final grade for the course.
Please note, a grade of C- or lower will not count toward fulfillment of Concentration credits required for degree completion and graduation.
A grade of C or lower for two (2) consecutive semesters of MUPF 189 or MUPF 389 Concentration will result in the student being dropped as a music major. Reinstatement can be achieved only by the student making application to the School of Music and successfully completing an audition for reinstatement to Concentration in the primary performance area. The student must initiate the application process by writing a formal letter of request, including support from the private music instructor, to the dean of the School of Music no later than four (4) weeks prior to the anticipated audition timeframe. The decision to grant the audition will lie with the School of Music faculty and will be communicated to the student and the private music instructor by the dean of the School of Music as soon as faculty action is taken. Content of the audition will be no fewer than three (3) pieces/songs of contrasting style and chosen by the student in consultation with the private music instructor. Please note that audition for reinstatement may only be requested once.
Performance Evaluations (Applied Music)
Applied Music (MUPF 129, MUPF 329) grades will be based on the student having met the following criteria.
Unsatisfactory performance in any item above will negatively affect the final Applied Music grade.
Admission
Music majors must fulfill all the general admission requirements of the university. These requirements are outlined in the current online edition of the Undergraduate Catalog. Note, however, that acceptance to the university does not equate with or guarantee admission to the School of Music as a music major.
Initial Standing as a Music Major
Prospective music majors are required to take the Music Theory Placement Test and give a performance audition in the student’s primary performance area. The performance audition determines acceptance into MUPF 189 Concentration (private music instruction which includes performance requirements and the earning of whose credit fulfills music degree requirements). All music majors and minors must complete varying numbers of hours of Concentration as specified in their respective programs of study. To obtain initial standing as a music major, a student must qualify for MUCT 111 Music Theory I and MUPF 189 Concentration.
Students obtaining initial standing as a music major will be notified in writing by the School of Music dean.
Continuation as a Music Major in Good Standing
Continuation as a music major in the music program is contingent upon satisfactory progress toward a degree as measured through a variety of regular and ongoing assessment checkpoints including, but not limited to:
Entering Student Evaluation
The prospective music major is required to audition before the School of Music faculty in their primary performance area and is required to take the Music Theory Placement Examination (MTPE). The MTPE is a diagnostic examination designed to assess the student’s mastery of and aptitude in basic fundamentals of music theory, and is normally administered during the first class period of MUCT 111 Music Theory I. Students who pass the MTPE will be enrolled in MUCT 111 Music Theory I and MUCT 121 Aural Theory I during the fall semester of their first year. Students who do not pass the MTPE will be enrolled in one of two remedial tracks, according to their MTPE score:
1) MUCT 111 Music Theory I, as well as MUCT 107 A Basic Musicianship I, and MUPF 103 Class Piano during the fall semester of their first year. Note: Students enrolled in this track will not be behind in taking aural theory coursework required for completion of degree requirements.
2) MUCT 107 B Basic Musicianship I (fall semester) and MUCT 108 B Basic Musicianship II (winter semester) and MUPF 129 Applied Piano for one (1) credit in both semesters of their first year as an intended music major. Students in this track will enroll for MUCT 111 Music Theory I and MUCT 121 Aural Theory I in the fall semester of the sophomore year.
To obtain initial standing as a music major, a student must qualify for MUCT 111 Music Theory I and MUPF 189 Concentration.
Sophomore Evaluation and Upper-Division Performance Standing (MUPF 389 Concentration)
Music majors typically participate in the Sophomore Evaluation leading to acceptance into upper-division performance studies at the end of the sophomore year. The Sophomore Evaluation consists of two components: (1) A jury examination and (2) Review of the student’s overall academic and music performance and citizenship in the School of Music and university to-date. Students successfully passing the Sophomore Evaluation will be allowed to register for MUPF 389 Concentration beginning with the next semester after successful completion of the Sophomore Evaluation.
The jury examination portion of the Sophomore Evaluation consists of a twenty (20)-minute examination before the School of Music faculty. Additional requirements for acceptance to Upper-Division Standing include the following:
Students successfully completing the Sophomore Evaluation will be notified in writing by the School of Music dean.
Capstone Courses
Senior Recital (MUPF 489)
Required Senior Recitals are presented during either the fall or winter semester of the senior year. Recital repertoire is chosen by the student in consultation with their private music instructor and must reflect a variety of musical styles (e.g., Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, Modern).
Senior Recital Lengths
Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Music with no emphasis or emphasis in either Theory and Literature or Worship Studies electing to give a Senior Recital will present a recital of at least thirty (30) minutes of music.
Candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Music (Performance Emphasis) will present a recital of at least sixty (60) minutes of music. Candidates in this Emphasis wishing to present a recital that is longer than sixty (60) minutes of music must first obtain permission from the School of Music faculty by contacting the School of Music dean.
Candidates for the Bachelor of Music in Music Education will present a recital of at least forty-five (45) minutes of music. Bachelor of Music in Music Education majors are not permitted to give their Senior Recital during the semester in which they student teach.
Senior Recital Date and Senior Recital Committee
The date and time for a student’s Senior Recital must first be approved by the private music instructor. After instructor approval has been granted, students will submit their proposed date and time to the Office Manager in the Music Office and this information will be taken to the School of Music faculty for final approval. School of Music faculty review all Senior Recital date and time requests at their bi-weekly faculty meetings. Once the Senior Recital date has been approved, the School of Music dean will notify the student of their Senior Recital Committee, which is made up of the student’s major professor and two (2) additional School of Music instructors.
Senior Recital Jury Process and Required Materials
After the student’s Senior Recital date and time have been approved by the School of Music faculty, the student must work with the Senior Recital Committee and schedule the Senior Recital Jury. The jury must take place no later than three (3) weeks prior to the Senior Recital date.
At the time of the Senior Recital Jury, the student must perform the entire recital program (including chamber works, if part of the program, with all members of the ensemble present) and must make available to the Senior Recital Committee copies of clean drafts (i.e., drafts with few or no mistakes of spelling, grammar, punctuation, factual accuracy, etc.) of the printed program, program notes, and thank-you statements. As part of the jury process, program notes will be graded by the Senior Recital Committee members in each of five (5) specific areas and students must earn an aggregate score of 80/100 to pass this portion of the audition. Please refer to supporting documents referenced in the next section for more information about program notes.
Supporting Documents
To assist in the creation and timely submission of Senior Recital materials, two Information Sheet documents have been prepared:
These documents will be sent to the student along with notification of their Senior Recital Committee, and are available in hard copy outside of the Music Office.
All printed material must be submitted to the Senior Recital Committee members by the timelines set in these documents. Failure to meet these deadlines may jeopardize the right to give the Senior Recital Jury and, consequently, the opportunity to give the Senior Recital during that semester.
Senior Recital Posters
Once the Senior Recital date and time have been approved, students should check with Office Manager in the Music Office regarding posters advertising the event. All posters must adhere to university and School of Music guidelines. Questions regarding appropriateness of recital posters should be addressed to the Office Manager in the Music Office.
Senior Recital Reception
The School of Music will provide cake and punch and host a reception following the Senior Recital.
Senior Project (MUHL 489)
Senior Projects are presented during either the fall or winter semester of the senior year. Successful completion of this capstone course entails the preparation and submission of a substantial research or creative project.
In consultation with a School of Music professor, the student will submit a proposal to the music faculty no later than the end of the semester prior to enrolling in MUHL 489 detailing the focus, scope and size, and length of the proposed project.
Once the proposal has been approved, the School of Music dean will notify the student of their Senior Project Committee, which is made up of the consulting music professor and two (2) additional School of Music instructors.
Course requirements include weekly meetings with the consulting music professor. All requirements for this capstone course must be met within the semester during which the student is registered for the course.
Music and Worship Senior Project (MUCH 489)
Content of this capstone course may focus on performance, written research, or the combination of both, as they relate to music and worship.
In consultation with the Worship Studies Emphasis coordinator, the student will submit a proposal to the music faculty no later than the end of the semester prior to enrolling in MUCH 489 detailing the focus, scope and size, and length of the proposed project.
If the proposal involves public performance, all protocols regarding an audition as stated above under MUPF 489 Senior Recital apply with reference to timing of the audition and preparation of written materials for the performance.
Course requirements include weekly meetings with the Worship Studies Emphasis coordinator and, as and if appropriate, the student’s private music instructor (for projects that entail a performance audition).
Jury Examinations
Jury examinations fulfill the role of final examination for MUPF 189/389 Concentration.
Jury examinations are held at the end of each semester and are required of students registered in MUPF 189 and MUPF 389 Concentration. The jury examination typically lasts ten (10) minutes, except for the Sophomore Evaluation jury examination, which lasts twenty (20) minutes. Jury examinations are normally held in Ackerman Auditorium and are typically attended by all full-time School of Music faculty and, where appropriate and as able, the student’s adjunct music faculty member. The jury examination grade will count as one-half of the final grade for the semester.
Jury examination sign-up will be according to information provided on signs posted throughout MWH, typically three to four weeks before the end of the semester. These signs will alert students to the need to sign up for juries and provide a deadline for submission of the jury examination form to the Music Office. Jury examination forms are available in the Music Office and must be completed, signed by the private music instructor, and returned to the Music Office according to the posted deadline. Students failing to meet this deadline may be denied the opportunity to take a jury examination, with the consequence of a grade of “F” for the semester. Each student is expected to sign up for a specific jury time. Jury examination sign-up sheets may be accessed in the Music Office once sign-up signs have been posted.
Any student requiring an exemption from the jury examination for any reason must obtain permission from the dean of School of Music prior to the jury examination. Failure to obtain this permission will result in an earned “F” for Concentration for the semester in question.
A copy of the jury examination form, containing faculty comments and jury examination numerical assessments, is available in the Music Office for students and their private music instructor to review after semester examinations are completed.
In addition to performing repertoire, jury examination content will include the following:
Additional questions arising from the dialogue between faculty and the student.
Senior Assessment Examination
During the senior year each graduating senior will take the nationally standardized Major Field Achievement Test. The results of this examination will be used to help determine the effectiveness of the music program and the competency level of the graduates.
Individual and Group Instruction
Courses MUPF 108, MUPF 129, and MUPF 329 are open to any student of the University as elective credit toward all degrees. The music major or minor may not apply these toward his/her applied music concentration.
Courses MUPF 189 and MUPF 389 are courses primarily for the music major and minor, but they may be taken by anyone who passes a prerequisite audition. Jury examinations are required with these course numbers.
Students enrolled in individual instruction MUPF 129, MUPF 189, MUPF 329, MUPF 389, and MUPF 489 will be charged a Music Lesson Fee in addition to tuition (regular or audit rate). For more information regarding specific Music Lesson Fee amount see Music Lesson Fees under the Financial Policies section of this Catalog.
Choral and Instrumental Ensembles
Choral and instrumental ensembles are open to all University students through audition. Each ensemble offers one hour credit each semester. Regular attendance at performances and rehearsals, including dress rehearsals, is required. Ensembles for which academic credit is granted are organized and sponsored by the members of the music faculty. All may be repeated for credit.
The School of Music offers a minor in music for students who desire to deepen their knowledge and ability in this discipline while majoring in another academic area. It consists of coursework in Music Theory, Music History and Performance studies, as listed below. An audition is required for acceptance into the music minor. At least twenty-five percent of the coursework toward the minor must be taken in residence at Southern Adventist University.
Each Music minor shall register for credit and maintain membership for at least four semesters in a major music ensemble appropriate to the student's major instrument and ability.