Music

Music Programs

Students pursuing a degree in music are required to complete an audition for acceptance into their desired music specialization area. This audition process is separate from those held for the South Carolina State University choral and instrumental groups. Students must exhibit demonstrated potential for a successful career in Music Education through basic proficiency on their chosen instrument and provide verification of solo or ensemble experience. Additionally, a diagnostic theory entrance examination is given for placement into the proper theory class for transfer students.

Music Education majors are provided with educational and performance experiences that cultivate (1) developmentally, appropriate pedagogical skills in grades PK – 12; (2) creativity; (3) performance proficiency; and (4) intellectual capacity in a multifaceted, global society. Music education majors acquire skills whereby they teach to inspire, influence, and change while working with early childhood students, elementary students, middle school students, and high school students. Pedagogical skills are acquired by developing and implementing instructional lessons for general music, choir, and band via pre-clinical experiences and finally via 13 weeks of professional clinical experiences. As a result, many of our music education graduates become elementary music educators, chorus, and band directors. Many of them go to graduate school to continue their education in music. Historically, SCSU music education graduated have branched into other areas such as Music Department Chairs, Collegiate Choral Directors, Music Supervisors, Music Program Coordinators, Professional Jazz Artists, Principles, and Military officers.

The Music Program offers a Bachelor of Science in Music Education of three concentrations comprising Choral/Piano, PK-12; Choral/Voice, PK-12; and Instrumental, PK-12. Students who desire to minor in Music Education or Music Industry must complete 17 hours of music course work.

Required courses and specific credit hours are as follows:

1. Music Theory and Ear Training – 8
2. Music Education – 3 or Music Industry – 3
3. Music History & Lit. – 3
4. Applied Instrument or Voice – 3

The mission of the Music Programs of South Carolina State University is to provide students with educational and performance experiences that cultivate creativity, develop performance proficiency and enhance intellectual potential in a multifaceted global society.

Specific objectives of the music programs are as follows:

1. Produce musicians who demonstrate, by means of appropriate evaluative criteria, effective manipulative and organizational skills in the use of music techniques and materials emphasizing the expressive content and communicative qualities of high-level artistic processes.
2. Produce music educators who continue to enhance the cultural, aesthetic, artistic, and educational life of the local, regional, national, and international communities.
3. Provide majors with basic and advanced career skills, techniques, pedagogical concepts, and insights as performing artists, commercial music industry professionals, early childhood, elementary and secondary school teachers.
4. Interpret, create, and maintain the highest level in individual and group performances.
5. Prepare majors for graduate study.
6. Produce artists who are innovators, critical thinkers, risk takers, and who are willing to accept challenges and experiment with new ideas and new methods.