Music
Karlyn Bond, Chair; Brandon Beck, Christine Janis, Kraig Scott.
In its general studies courses, the department introduces students to music—both as an art form and a reflection of culture. For aspiring musicians, the music program provides comprehensive instruction in performance, theory, history, and technology. Available to all students is the opportunity to explore special topics in music. Whether preparing music majors for careers in the field, or providing opportunities for general students to improve their skills or pursue their curiosity in music, the Department of Music strives to heighten aesthetic sensitivity, illuminate music’s power to express and reflect the human experience in a uniquely abstract way, and enhance campus life and that of the larger community.
The department offers the single professional degree of Bachelor of Music with a choice of two majors: Music and Music Production. The music major is a standalone major but also offers three concentration options: 1) Music Performance, 2) BEd (Bachelor of Education) Preparation for Music Education Teacher Certification, and 3) MIT (Master of Initial Teaching) Preparation for Music Education Teacher Certification.
Formal acceptance as a music major or minor is accomplished by passing a performance audition before the music faculty and completing the Theory I and Ear Training I sequences of classes. Requirements for minimum piano proficiency must be completed before students can advance to upper-division standing in their applied instrument. (Students whose applied instrument is keyboard are exempt from this requirement.) Standing as a music major or minor is a prerequisite for enrollment in all upper-division music courses except performance ensembles.
All students pursuing a music degree must participate in a primary departmental ensemble during each quarter in residence. Music minors must participate in a primary ensemble during each quarter of lessons from departmental faculty. All students will enroll for either one credit or zero credit. University Singers (MUPF 215) serves as the primary ensemble for students whose performance area is voice; Wind Symphony (MUPF 255) for brass, wind, and percussion students; and Symphony Orchestra (MUPF 266) for string students. Any of the three above ensembles may serve as a primary ensemble for piano, harpsichord, and organ students.
The department lists a number of requirements for its majors, which must be met without credit. These include concert and recital attendance and performance classes. Detailed information regarding these and other requirements is included in the Handbook for Music Students and Teachers, available online at music.wallawalla.edu.
Transfer students majoring in music must take a minimum of six credit hours in applied music at Walla Walla University. All majors, with the exception of those pursuing music production, must continue study on their applied instrument until completion of their senior recital.
Senior music majors, with the exception of those pursuing music production, are required to take the Music MFT (as a departmental exit exam), and an exit survey.