Degrees & Programs

The Greatbatch School of Music offers a number of undergraduate degrees and programs:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music
• Bachelor of Music (BMus) in Composition
• Bachelor of Music in Music Education
• Bachelor of Music in Performance
• Bachelor of Music with Non-Music Elective Studies
• Minors in Music

Bachelor of Arts in Music, 125 credit hours

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in music is intended for students who desire music as an integral part of their lives but who do not necessarily intend musical endeavor as a principal occupation. The BA degree in music can be combined with other curricula in a double major. Business administration, communication, and psychology are combinations often selected. These combinations are valuable for those wishing to work in some aspect of the music industry. An audition is required to establish an appropriate performance course level.

Bachelor of Music in Composition, 129 credit hours

The composition curriculum provides a foundation for graduate degree study leading to college/conservatory teaching credentials in composition and theory, as well as professional and/or commercial compositional activity. Students explore a wide variety of musical styles with an emphasis on understanding compositional techniques which may be less familiar to them, such as those of 20th -century art music. The senior recital requirement may be met by either a full recital of original compositions, or by a half recital of original compositions plus an original work of significant length and form included in another performance. The composer must serve as a performer or conductor for at least one of the pieces on the senior recital.

Bachelor of Music in Music Education, 129-131 credit hours

Music Education curricula prepare students for teaching music in grades K-12. Entrance levels and graduation requirements vary for the four curricula as outlined below. These curricula meet all teacher certification requirements of the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York.

Houghton’s Music Education remains strongly performance-oriented: all music education majors take full one-hour private lessons in their major performance concentration during each semester of residence. A degree recital is required.

Houghton’s student teaching internship comprises a full semester of teaching divided between two different placements at different teaching levels. The internship is normally undertaken in the fall semester of the senior year in conjuction with the Student Teaching Seminar.

Held in excellent regard by regional music teachers, our interns are in demand for excellent placements during student teaching and have a fine record of job placement (often 100%) after graduation.

• Instrumental Emphasis
• Vocal Emphasis

Bachelor of Music in Performance, 129 credit hours

Performance curricula give initial preparation for careers as solo performers in concert, recording, or church fields; as accompanists, as private studio teachers; as professional ensemble members; as junior college or Bible school faculty, or college teachers (after advanced study). Practical experience in teaching is desirable during junior/senior years. The highest level of performance is expected.

• Instrumental Performance
• Keyboard Performance
• Vocal Performance

• brass (trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba) (e-mail for more information)
• percussion (e-mail for more information)
• stringed instruments (violin, viola, ‘cello, guitar, harp) (e-mail for more information)
• woodwinds (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone) (e-mail for more information)

Keyboard, 129 credit hours

• piano (e-mail for more information)
• organ (e-mail for more information)

Bachelor of Music with Non-Music Elective Studies, 129 hours

(e-mail for more information)

This curriculum serves students who want a Bachelor of Music degree but who also have strong interest in other disciplines. The program explicitly permits studies in any academic area (or explicit combination) that comprises a minimum of eighteen hours. These studies must include the minor in any discipline for which Houghton offers an academic minor. Multi- or cross-disciplinary areas of elective study may also be proposed by petition, depending the interests of the student. Degrees are titled  “Bachelor of Music with Elective Studies.” If the student elects to complete all major coursework in a discipline, the designation “Major-Level Elective Studies in Discipline Name” will be appropriate. If the elective course-work constitutes a smaller portion, the designation “Elective Studies in Discipline Name” will be used.

Music Requirements*		60
Applied Music	15
Music in Christian Perspective:	2
Music Theory/El Comp.	14
Aural Skills	4
Music History & Literature	10
Conducting	2
Music Ensemble Lab ea. Sem. (7-8)	0
Practical keyboard through Level IV	0-4
Music Electives	6-13
Laboratory Major Ensemble	0
Capstone	0-3
Integrative Studies (IS)‡ (Liberal Arts)		36
Elective Studies§ (non-music)		up to 33

§Elective Studies

• Possibilities for the curriculum:
• Minor in most disciplines, with other electives
• Double minor
• Major-level coursework in many disciplines could be completed within the 33
• Any discipline(s)
• Minimum 18 hours in any one discipline, must include the academic minor in any discipline offering a minor.
• Possible affinity disciplines:
• Religion/theology (music in Christian Worship)
• Intercultural studies (world music, music & missions)
• Natural sciences (strong music + medical)
• Business (music business)
• Psychology and or recreation (music therapy grad studies)
• Communication (media studies)
• Humanities (individual interests)

* See College Catalog (PDF, 278KB), pp. 117-128, for specific requirements and course descriptions.

‡ See College Catalog, pp. 117, for a full description of Houghton’s IS requirements for the Bachelor of Music degree.

 

Minors in Music, 16-18 credit hours

Two music minors are available to Houghton students.

The performance minor requires 14 hours of private study at level 10 or above and one year of participation in a relevant major ensemble for credit.

For students with more eclectic musical interests, a contract minor is available. In consultation with the director, the student selects a coherent set of courses totaling 16-18 hours that meets student interests.