Associate of Music, A.M.

General Education Courses

Select a minimum of 15 credit hours of course work from the General Education course list.  Course work must be selected as directed from the areas below.

General Education Total Credit Hours

15 (minimum)

Program Courses

• MUS 105 - Applied Performance Class Credit Hours: 1

• Students must enroll in MUS 105 each semester that they are enrolled in applied music study. Students must earn a total of four (4) credits in MUS 105 to complete the requirements for this program.

• MUS 113 - Music Theory I Credit Hours: 3
• MUS 114 - Music Theory II Credit Hours: 3
• MUS 115 - Aural Comprehension I Credit Hours: 2
• MUS 116 - Aural Comprehension II Credit Hours: 2
• MUS 161 - Applied Music Primary I - For Music Majors Credit Hours: 2
• MUS 162 - Applied Music Primary II - For Music Majors Credit Hours: 2
• MUS 213 - Music Theory III Credit Hours: 3
• MUS 214 - Music Theory IV Credit Hours: 3
• MUS 215 - Aural Comprehension III Credit Hours: 2
• MUS 216 - Aural Comprehension IV Credit Hours: 2
• MUS 251 - History of Music I Credit Hours: 3
• MUS 252 - Music History II - Late Baroque - Romantic Credit Hours: 3
• MUS 253 - History of Music III Credit Hours: 3
• MUS 261 - Applied Music Primary III - For Music Majors Credit Hours: 2
• MUS 262 - Applied Music Primary IV - For Music Majors Credit Hours: 2
• Wellness Elective - (min. of 1) Credit Hours: 1

•  

• Select four (4) Performance Ensemble credits from the following courses.

• MUS 189 - College Choir Credit Hours: 1
• MUS 193 - Kent Philharmonic Orchestra Credit Hours: 1
• MUS 194 - Campus Band Credit Hours: 1
• MUS 195 - GRCC Concert Choir Credit Hours: 1
• MUS 196 - College Orchestra Credit Hours: 1
• MUS 197 - Wind Ensemble Credit Hours: 1
• MUS 198 - Guitar Ensemble Credit Hours: 1

•  

• Select two (2) credits from the following courses.

• MUS 225 - Introduction to Piano Pedagogy Credit Hours: 2

• OR

• MUS 208 - Introduction to Guitar Pedagogy Credit Hours: 2

• OR

• MUS 131 - Diction for Singers Credit Hours: 1

• AND

• Open Elective - 1 Credit Credit Hours: 1

• OR

• Open Elective - 2 Credit Credit Hours: 2

• Students whose primary instrument is piano/organ should select MUS 225 .

  Students whose primary instrument is guitar should select MUS 208 .

  Students whose primary applied emphasis is voice should select MUS 131  and an Open Elective.

  Students whose primary applied emphasis is something other than piano/organ, guitar, or voice should select Open Electives.

Program Tracks

Students should select the Music Education or Music Performance Track.

Transfer Notes

It is recommended that students meet with the director of the music department to review the degree and course schedule, and have any questions answered prior to completing the GRCC Associate of Music and transferring to the baccalaureate granting institution. Students will be required to audition for the transfer institution’s school of music as well as apply to the university. It is the responsibility of the student to confirm transferability of courses with the receiving institution.

Students must successfully complete the Associate of Music Degree and pass the School of Music performance audition.

In What Order Should I Take Classes?

Please select courses from the Priority I list.  Select courses based on the number of credits you are taking in the semester, for example, if you are a part time student you do not have to take all of the courses listed.  If you are unable to schedule Priority I courses, move to and select from the list of Priority II, Priority III, and Priority IV courses.

NOTE: This priority schedule assumes the student is prepared to take the courses listed. If prerequisites are required, additional semesters may be required to complete this degree.

Meet with an Academic Program Advisor and consult My Degree Path for specific degree requirements.

Essential Abilities/Technical Standards

Essential Abilities/Technical Standards

Grand Rapids Community College

Essential Abilities Music

The Grand Rapids Community College Music Department faculty has specified essential abilities critical to the success of students in any GRCC Music Department program. Students must demonstrate these essential abilities and technical standards to succeed in their program of study. Qualified applicants are expected to meet all admission criteria and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria, as well as these essential abilities and technical standards with or without reasonable accommodations.

1. Essential judgment skills to include:

• Time management – Students are expected to schedule no less than two hours each day in applied music private practice.
• Additional hours of individual practice toward proficiency in piano, aural skills and theoretical concepts will require daily practice.
• Respect for other music majors, faculty and staff – Students are expected to hold all members of the Music Department Community in the highest regard. Music majors are a unique cohort who must rely on the support and cooperation of all other members of the community.

Creative Problem Solving – Students are expected to resolve issues of practice room and lab scheduling, accompanist rehearsal schedule, additional sectional rehearsals and performances.

​2. Essential physical/neurological functions to include:

• ability to use the senses of seeing, hearing, and touch to make correct judgments regarding performance. Behaviors that demonstrate essential neurological and physical functions include, but are not limited to observation, listening, understanding relationships, writing, and psychomotor abilities consistent with course and program expectations.
  • Specifically this includes:
  • Keyboard competency.
  • Ability to hear the notes on the page.
  • Hear, identify, and work conceptually with the elements of music such as rhythm, melody, harmony, structure, timbre, and texture.
  • Ability to read (musical literacy) at sight with fluency demonstrating both general musicianship and, in the major performance area, a level of skill relevant to undergraduate standards appropriate for the particular concentration.
    
    
    
    

3. Essential communication skills to include:

• ability to communicate effectively with fellow students, and all members of the music department. Skills include verbal, written, and nonverbal abilities as well as information technology skills consistent with effective communication. Specifically this would include:
  • Knowledge and skills sufficient to work as a leader and in collaboration on matters of musical interpretation and performance.
  • Knowledge and skills sufficient to work as a leader and in collaboration on matters of research and class presentation.
    
    
    
    

4. Essential emotional coping skills:

• ability to demonstrate the mental health necessary to safely and effectively engage in live musical performance. Specifically this would include:
  • Mental and emotional preparation for artistic self-expression in at least one major performance area at a level appropriate for the particular music concentration.
  • Mental and emotional stability to demonstrate an ability to perform at a level that is appropriate to performance class or department recital.
    
    
    
    

5. Essential intellectual/conceptual skills to include:

• ability to measure, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate competently in the study of music theory, music history and repertory.

6. Other essential behavioral attributes:

• ability to engage in group rehearsals and/or individual and small group practice without demonstrated behaviors of addiction to, abuse of, or dependence on alcohol or other drugs that may impair behavior or judgment. The student must demonstrate responsibility and accountability for actions as a student in the music department and as a developing professional in the music field consistent with accepted standards of practice.

Grand Rapids Community College strives to be more than ADA compliant. We strive to be accessible and welcoming to all students of all abilities. After reviewing the Essential Abilities/Technical Standards for this program; your responsibilities as a student entail determining if you can complete all associated coursework either:

A. With Accommodation. I am otherwise qualified to meet the same academic standards as any other student entering the program. However, based on a medically documented condition or diagnosis, I would qualify for reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). I will meet with Disability Support Services on campus to arrange those accommodations in an interactive process with the department of music.

B. Without Accommodation. I am able to complete the program without need for reasonable accommodation or modification. In the event my medical documentation reveals otherwise or a condition manifests that would necessitate an accommodation; it is my responsibility to inform a responsible authority figure within the department of music and work with Disability Support Services to see if a reasonable accommodation or modification can be made.

If you have a medically documented condition or diagnosis, please contact the (field of study) office, or contact Disability Services.