Music, A.M. (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.

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 the Associate of Music.

• 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 172 - Music Software Essentials For Musicians 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

•  

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

• MUS 188 - Percussion Ensemble Credit Hours: 1
• 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 the Piano Techniques sequence OR four (4) credits of Open Electives. 

  *Music Majors (other than Keyboard Majors) should select the Piano Techniques sequence (MUS 121 , MUS 122 , MUS 221 , and MUS 222 )

  *Keyboard Majors should select four (4) credits of Open Elective Courses. Students are encouraged to seek advising in making course selections. MUS 225 - Introduction to Piano Pedagogy  is a recommended course.

   

• MUS 121 - Piano Techniques I Credit Hours: 1
• MUS 122 - Piano Techniques II Credit Hours: 1
• MUS 221 - Piano Techniques III Credit Hours: 1
• MUS 222 - Piano Techniques IV Credit Hours: 1

• OR

• Open Elective - 4 Credit Credit Hours: 4

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.