Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


Articulation Agreement

Music, A.M. (Western Michigan University)



Academic Program Code: 631

This academic program lays the foundation for students to transfer to Western Michigan University to obtain a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy, a Bachelor of Arts in Music, a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition, or a Bachelor of Music in one of the following Music Performance Majors: Instrumental, Keyboard, Vocal, or Jazz Studies. By completing this Associate of Music program at GRCC, students will have satisfied core requirements for a Bachelor of Music degree at Western Michigan University and many Western Michigan general education requirements as well.

Please note that students must complete at least 60 credits at Western Michigan University in order to earn a degree from Western. Because of this, depending on how many credits are required for a student's intended Western Michigan University Music program, completing the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) may not be beneficial. If the MTA is not completed, lower-level general education courses will remain at Western Michigan. It is recommended that students meet with the Director of the Music Department at GRCC to review the degree and course schedule and have any questions answered prior to completing an Associate of Music degree and transferring to Western Michigan University.

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 in the areas below.

English Composition and Communications


Humanities


Select one (1) Humanities General Education Elective. Vocal Majors should select a Foreign Language Elective. Students should select a course in alignment with Western Michigan University General Education requirements.

Social Sciences


Natural Sciences and Mathematics


Mathematics


Select one (1) Mathematics General Education Elective. MA 124  is recommended for most Music Majors. MA 215 is recommended for Music Therapy Majors.

General Education Total Credit Hours


15 (minimum)

Program Courses


Program Majors


Students should select one of the three (3) Major Options below.

Music Therapy Major


Music Therapy Major Total Credit Hours


69

Non-Music Therapy Majors (MTA Included)


This route is for students wishing to earn the MTA and pursue one of the following Majors at Western Michigan University: Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Music in Music Composition, or a Bachelor of Music in one of the following Music Performance Majors: Instrumental, Keyboard, Vocal, or Jazz Studies.

Select a Wellness course, and courses that will satisfy the MTA at GRCC. Courses must be in a different subject area than in the General Education section above, and must reach at least 30 credits when combined with the courses in the General Education section.

When selecting your Humanities General Education Elective, MUS 111 - Jazz In Contemporary America  OR MUS 130 - American Popular Music  are recommended.

Non-Music Therapy Majors (MTA Included) Total Credit Hours


79

Non-Music Therapy Majors (MTA Not Included)


This route is for students wishing to pursue one of the following Majors at Western Michigan University, but not earn the MTA: Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Music in Music Composition, Bachelor of Music in one of the following Music Performance Majors: Instrumental, Keyboard, Vocal, or Jazz Studies.

Non-Music Therapy Majors (MTA Not Included) Total Credit Hours


66

Program Notes


Mathematics courses that can be used to meet the Mathematics General Education Elective requirement include the following: MA 110 , MA 124 , MA 127 , MA 129 , MA 131 , MA 133 , and MA 215 .

MUS 131 - Diction for Singers  may be helpful for students pursuing a voice major at Western Michigan University and is a recommended additional course.

University/College Admissions Requirements


The student must audition for the School of Music at Western Michigan University; acceptance to the music major is contingent on passing this audition.  To arrange an audition, students should visit www.wmich.edu/music/auditions/registration.php.  The student must also apply for admission to Western (through the Office of Admissions) and must be admitted.

Transfer Notes


Class Piano V and VI remain and must be completed at Western Michigan University if required for the degree program and a class in conducting must be completed at Western. Prospective Music Therapy students should select PY 201  as a Social Sciences Elective.

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.