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 an instrumental and/or choral focus of study.
  • UW-Superior education programs are approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to fulfill licensure requirements for the state of Wisconsin.  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.

Accreditation

All degree programs in Music are fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Mission and Purposes

The UW-Superior Music Department prepares undergraduate students for success in music as performing artists and educators by providing a challenging, nurturing environment focused on individual and collaborative artistic growth, while also providing opportunities for musical enrichment to the university and community within a liberal arts tradition.

Additionally, the UW-Superior institutional values defined in the Mission Statement and which highlight "individual attention and respect for diverse cultures and multiple voices" are emphasized as guiding principles in the Music Department's philosophy and mission.

The purposes of the Music Department include:

1. To provide an infrastructure to ensure that students have up-to-date resources and global opportunities in their classes and ensembles.
2. To emphasize recruitment and retention of music students.
3. To offer quality degree programs in music education (the Bachelor of Music Education) in order to train those students who wish to prepare themselves for careers teaching public school music.
4. To offer a quality degree program in music performance (the Bachelor of Music in Performance) for those students who demonstrate exceptional musical talent and wish to concentrate on performance.
5. To offer a quality liberal arts degree (the Bachelor of Arts in Music) for those students who wish to combine the study of music with a major or minor in another field.
6. To serve the curricular needs of elementary education majors who have required courses in music fundamentals and music methods for the classroom teacher.
7. To stimulate interest and support of the arts and an understanding of diverse cultures to members of the student population by offering music courses geared to the needs of the general student. This includes supporting the University Studies Program.
8. To offer quality ensemble experiences for music and general population students, including an emphasis on international experiences/tours.
9. To contribute to the cultural enrichment of the region through various outreach activities and public performances.
   1. By actively engaging in scholarly research/performances.
   2. By serving the needs of all students (on-campus and off-campus) by offering courses through Distance Learning.
   3. By engaging in cooperative ventures with other regional institutions.

Programs

Student Learning Goals

Music majors in all degree programs will:

1. Develop the ability to perform music at a high level of mastery in styles most characteristic of the repertory of their major instrument.
2. Successfully participate and perform in music ensembles, demonstrating knowledge of the role of the conductor, composer, performer, and audience.
3. Recognize and analyze the formal and theoretical elements of music both aurally and within the notated musical scores.
4. Relate social, philosophical, technological and artistic developments to music in various time periods.
5. Evaluate musical performances with insight into the performance practices of various genres.

Additionally, Bachelor of Music Education students will:

1. Demonstrate the ability to plan and implement sequentially-ordered comprehensive curriculum and music instruction based on a personal philosophy and the physical, psychological and emotional development of children grades Pre-K-12, and adherence to national and state standards, and local needs.
2. Demonstrate understanding in available materials, equipment, and computer technology and software for teaching in the schools.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of common approaches to music education practiced in Wisconsin and the United States.
4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in how to assess student learning in music.
5. Demonstrate proficiency levels on instruments that support the primary teaching area.
6. Conduct ensemble configurations common to particular degree programs (choral, instrumental, general) using techniques appropriate to musical forms and styles, demonstrating ability to analyze ensemble performances and assist performers of various age groups in achieving accurate and artistic interpretations of the music.
7. Demonstrate skills for adapting, arranging and/or transposing music in order to meet the needs of school music programs.
8. 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 eight 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, Assistant Professor (Piano)
Dr. Greg Kehl Moore, Professor (Jazz Studies, Saxophone)
Dr. David Potter, Assistant Professor (Music Education)
Dr. Steven Siegel, Assistant Professor (Band, Trumpet)
Zoë Scherer, Department Program Associate

Cooperating Academic Staff

Dennis Berryhill, Senior Lecturer (Piano Technology)
Dr. Derek Bromme, Senior Lecturer (Low Brass)
Jennifer Gerth, Senior Lecturer (Clarinet)
Dr. Betsy Husby, Senior Lecturer (Cello)
Dr. Trent Jacobs, Senior Lecturer (Bassoon)
Jacob Jonker, Lecturer (Guitar)
Rachael Kresha, Senior Lecturer (Organ)
Dr. Jeffrey Madison, Senior Lecturer (Voice)
Madeline Miller, Lecturer (Oboe, English Horn)
Vincent Osborn, Senior Lecturer (Strong Bass)
Deborah Rausch, Senior Lecturer (French Horn)