Mission Statement

The UW-Superior Music Department prepares undergraduate students for success in music as performing artists and educators. The Music Department provides a challenging and nurturing environment of belonging, wherein students are educated through innovative degree offerings in the liberal arts, music performance, and music education.

Additionally, the Music Department is integral to the life of the University and Twin Ports community by offering services such as:

• Providing experiential learning opportunities for all University students through ensemble performance and international musical and cultural experiences.
• Contributing to the cultural enrichment of the region through high-quality musical performances.
• Offering continual professional development opportunities for music educators.
• Providing accessible music instruction for children in the Twin Ports through the Community Music School.
• Engaging in cooperative ventures and partnerships with community members and arts organizations,

The University of Wisconsin-Superior is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

Music Degrees

The Music Department offers curricula leading to the following degrees:

Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.)

• Bachelor of Music Education -- This program prepares students to teach K-12 Music
  • BME students are qualified to teach all areas of music education (general music, instrumental, choral), but students choose either a Choral/General (K-12) or Instrumental/General (K-12) track.
  • UW-Superior education programs are approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to fulfill licensure requirements for the state of Wisconsin at the time of degree completion. Some requirements may unavoidably change as state requirements change, stay in close communication with your advisors throughout your program. If you seek licensure in a state other than Wisconsin, please see the UW-Superior Institutional Certification Office web page for further information and assistance.

Bachelor of Music in Performance (B.M.)

• Bachelor of Music in Performance: Instrumental
• Bachelor of Music in Performance: Keyboard
• Bachelor of Music in Performance: Voice

All Bachelor of Music in Performance degrees are comprehensive, meaning a minor is not required.

Bachelor of Arts in Music (B.A.)

A minor is required for completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree.

Contact Information

Music Department
University of Wisconsin - Superior
Holden Fine and Applied Arts Center 1100
Belknap and Catlin Ave.
P.O. Box 2000
Superior, WI 54880
Phone: 715-394-8115
Email: music@uwsuper.edu

Majors

Minors

Student Learning Goals

Music majors in all degree programs will:

1. Perform music in styles most characteristic of the repertory of their major instrument or voice with technical and artistic competence.
2. Develop collaborative performance skills through successful ensemble participation.
3. Recognize and analyze the theoretical elements of music both aurally and within notated musical scores.
4. Illustrate and communicate a synthesis of musical knowledge and application through creating and improvising musical ideas.
5. Connect social, philosophical, technological and artistic developments to music in various time periods.
6. Evaluate musical performances with insight into the performance practices of various genres.
7. Demonstrate understanding of and ability to use technology related to music.

Additionally, Bachelor of Music Education students will:

1. Demonstrate the ability to plan and implement sequentially ordered comprehensive curriculum of music for children grades Pre-K-12, with adherence to national and state standards, and local needs.
2. Develop a personal philosophy of music teaching and learning.
3. Demonstrate understanding of available materials, equipment, and technology for teaching in the schools.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of common approaches to music education.
5. Apply knowledge and understanding to assess student learning in music.
6. Conduct ensemble configurations common to school music programs using techniques appropriate to musical forms and styles, demonstrating the ability to analyze ensemble performances and assist performers of various age groups in achieving accurate and artistic interpretations of the music.
7. Demonstrate understanding in the organizational and administrative aspects of the school music program.

Graduation Requirements

All students majoring in music or music education must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Complete the sequence of courses for one of the listed degree programs with a grade of C- or better in each music course required for the major, and a minimum grade point average of 2.5 for BA and BM students. Grades in applied music, ensembles and repertory classes will be excluded when computing this average.  For music education, students need a 3.0 or higher in their music coursework, or at least a 2.75 in their music coursework with a passing Praxis score in order to student teach.  They must have at least a 2.75 cumulative (all institutions attended) in order to be eligible for licensure.  For music minors to move forward in sequential music courses, a C- or better must be earned. 
2. Pass the piano proficiency examination one semester prior to graduation, or before student teaching if majoring in music education. Students with credits in MUSI 236 Applied Music-Piano, MUSI 237 Applied Music-Organ, MUSI 336 Applied Music-Piano, MUSI 337 Applied Music-Organ, MUSI 436 Applied Music-Piano, MUSI 437 Applied Music-Organ are exempt from this requirement.
3. Participate in a large ensemble each semester enrolled except during student teaching. The large ensembles are Symphonic Band (for students whose primary instrument is in the woodwind, brass or percussion family, University Orchestra (for string instrumentalists) and Chorale (for students studying voice as their applied major instrument).  Students studying keyboard, accordion, or guitar as their applied major instrument may choose either Symphonic Band, University Orchestra or Chorale, depending on their past experience and interests.
4. Enroll in MUSI 150 Concert/Recital Class each semester (must pass a minimum of six semesters) except during student teaching.
5. Satisfy the graduation requirements listed in the front section of this catalog.
6. Capstone Experience: For students majoring with the Bachelor of Music Education, the capstone experience is student teaching or interning. For students majoring with the Bachelor of Music in Performance, the capstone experience is the full recital. For students earning the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree, the capstone experience, approved by the major advisor, may be a recital, a creative work such as a composition or arrangement, or an independent research project or paper.

Admission Requirements

Freshmen

Upon admission to the university, all prospective music majors must audition for admission to the Music Department. At the end of their first semester, and again at the end of their sophomore year, students will be advised concerning their potential to succeed in their chosen field.

Transfer Students

Students transferring from other institutions must perform an audition on their major instrument and take placement examinations in keyboard, music history and theory before registering for music courses at UW-Superior.

Readmittance Policy

Music majors who have not made progress toward their music degree for one full calendar year must re-audition for admittance into the music program.

Music Department Residency Requirement

All students, including transfer students, who wish to earn a degree in music from UW-Superior must complete at UW-Superior at least 18 credits in music for a comprehensive degree (Bachelor of Music in Performance and Bachelor of Music Education), and at least 12 credits in music for a non-comprehensive degree (Bachelor of Arts in Music).

Admission to Advanced Standing

Before enrolling for Applied Music courses numbered above 300, students must take the Advanced Standing Exam in Applied Music. This is normally done at the end of the fourth semester of applied study. See applied music instructor for information regarding performance standards for this exam.

Students may register for 300 level ensemble courses after either:

1. Four (4) semesters at the 100 level, or
2. Upon reaching Junior Status, whichever comes first.

Conditions

Students may not enroll on a Pass-Fail basis in any course required for the major except MUSI 150 Concert/Recital Class.

Credit by Examination

The Music Department offers credit by examination in selected music courses. For further information contact the department chair.

Faculty and Staff

Dr. Erin Aldridge, Professor (Orchestra, Violin and Viola)
Dr. Vicki Fingalson, Professor (Voice, Opera Workshop)
Dr. Michael Fuchs, Associate Professor (Choir, Department Chair)
Dr. Brett Jones, Professor (Percussion, Music Education)
Dr. Hector Landa, Associate Professor (Piano)
Dr. David Potter, Associate Professor (Music Education)
Dr. Steven Siegel, Associate Professor (Band, Trumpet)
Zoë Scherer, Department Program Associate

Cooperating Academic Staff

Dr. Betsy Husby, Senior Lecturer (Cello)
Jacob Jonker, Lecturer (Guitar)
Rachael Kresha, Senior Lecturer (Organ)
Karl Kubiak, Senior Lecturer (Bassoon)
Randy Lee, Senior Lecturer (Saxophone, Clarinet, Jazz)
David Leslie, Senior Lecturer (Low Brass)
Dr. Jeffrey Madison, Senior Lecturer (Voice)
Madeline Miller, Lecturer (Oboe, English Horn)
Vincent Osborn, Senior Lecturer (Strong Bass)
Deborah Rausch, Senior Lecturer (French Horn)