About the Music Program at BHSU
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ABOUT THE BHSU MUSIC PROGRAM

Degrees Offered

Missions & Goals

The mission of the Music Program at Black Hills State University is to provide a comprehensive, practical, and current program of study in the area of music as well to give students a variety of opportunities to study music within the context of a broad liberal education.

The goal of the Music Program of Black Hills State University is to provide students with opportunities for aesthetic development in the areas of musical perception, knowledge, and performance. It is the philosophy of this music program that music is a shared human experience, and a cooperative educational environment is essential to the growth of overall musical sensitivity. Thus, music students and faculty seek to enhance their musical understanding together, through group performances and learning experiences as well as through the individual study necessary for the refinement of personal artistry and creative expression.

BHSU is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

The objectives of the music program are as follows:

  1. Acquire a functional knowledge of the language and grammar of music;
  2. Expand knowledge of traditional and contemporary musical styles through listening experiences and performance activities (ensemble and individual
  3. Develop the ability to identify aurally and visually the elements of music (rhythm, melody, harmony, tone color, dynamics, texture, form).
  4. Develop the following competencies in at least one major area of musical concentration (instrument or voice):
    1. technical skills adequate to meet the needs of artistic self-expression
    2. the ability to read at sight
    3. participation in large and small ensemble performance
    4. solo performance of a wide variety of musical styles
    5. improvisational and compositional skills of a type and level appropriate to
    6. the area of concentration
  5. Acquire a level of functional keyboard skills appropriate to the area of concentration;
  6. Acquire conducting and rehearsal skills adequate to demonstrate the understanding of musical interpretation in the context of group performance;
  7. Develop the ability to place compositions in historical and stylistic perspective;
  8. Develop maturity in musical discrimination, evaluation, and criticism;
  9. Develop a knowledge of K-12 vocal and instrumental teaching methodologies and materials, as well as the role of music education in our society.

The Clare & Josef Meier Hall

Clare & Josef Meier Hall

The BHSU music program is proud to be housed in one of the finest music performance and education facilities in the region, Clare and Josef Meier Hall. Completed in September 2003, it is a beautiful and impressive 3-story building. All music rooms in the building were designed to maximize student music learning.

The first floor of the building includes a 260-seat recital hall, 15 soundproof student practice rooms with windows, an acoustically designed band room and choir room, several large teaching studios, a special elementary music classroom, and lockers exclusively for music student use. Meier Hall’s ample private practice space alleviates the “practice room crunch” that plagues many universities, allowing you to practice at times that fit into your schedule. The second floor of the building has a classroom designated for music, a large keyboard and computer room, a recording studio, a video/recording library, and a large study area with comfortable chairs and a large window.

Performance in Meier Recital HallWithin Meier Hall are eighteen upright pianos for classroom, studio, and practice room use, and two new Yamaha grand pianos in the Recital Hall. There are also band instruments for student use. All classrooms are equipped with a computer with internet access; stereo systems; DVD and VCR players; a video projector; a document projector; a large screen; and a white board. The building is open Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Students who are enrolled in music classes and all faculty have a special card that provides access to the building on evenings and weekends.

When it comes to performing, Meier Hall shines as one of the most elegant performance venues in the region. The Meier Recital Hall hosts all music program recitals and performances, giving you a chance to perform in a cutting edge performance hall on a regular basis, without ever leaving campus. With performance experience as a must for any music major, Meier Hall is a great place to hone your skills on a stage that rivals any professional hall. Contact us to tour the facilities and start your journey to a music degree at BHSU today. 1.800.ALL.BHSU.

Guitar Performance

Certificate Requirements
  • MUS 200 or 300 level Applied Guitar Lessons - 2 semester hours
  • MUS - Electives - 3 semester hours
  • MUS 110 - Basic Music Theory I & 110L Lab - 5 semester hours
  • MUS 110L - Basic Music Theory I Lab - 0 to 2 semester hours

and

  • MUS 100 - Music Appreciation - 3 semester hours 

or

  • MUS 200 - American Music - 3 semester hours

Piano Pedagogy

Certificate Requirements
  • MAUP - 200/300 level Keyboard Lesson - 2 semester hours
  • MUS 110 - Basic Music Theory I 2 to 4 semester hours
  • MUS 110L - Basic Music Theory I Lab 0 to 2 semester hours
  • MUS 382 - Methods & Materials of Teaching Piano 3 semester hours

Take one course from the following:

  • MUS 100 - Music Appreciation 3 semester hours
  • MUS 331 - Music History II 3 semester hours
  • MUS 353 - K-8 Music Methods 1 to 3 semester hours

Composite Music (BBS.MUN)

Required Core - 58 semester hours

  • MUAP - Applied Music Instrument/Voice - (6 semester hours)
  • MUS 110/L - Basic Music Theory I & Lab - (4)
  • MUS 111/L - Basic Music Theory II & Lab - (4)
  • MUS 210/L - Advanced Music Theory I & Lab) - (4)
  • MUS 211/L - Advanced Music Theory II & Lab - (4)
  • MUS 215 Introduction to Music Technology - (2)
  • MUS 240 Music Cultures of the World - (3)
  • MUS 330 - Music History I - (3)
  • MUS 331 - Music History II - (3)
  • MUS 360 - Conducting - (3)
  • MUS 420 - Orchestration & Arranging - (3)
  • MUAP 115 - Class Instruction-Keyboard (or 215)
OR 
  • MUAP 311 - Applied Music-Keyboard - (2)
  • MUAP 483 - Public Recital

Take one course from the following: 1 semester hour

  • MUAP 400 - Applied Music-Voice
  • MUAP 410 - Applied Music-Keyboard
  • MUAP 420 - Applied Music-Woodwinds
  • MUAP 430 - Applied Music-Brass
  • MUAP 440 - Applied Music-Percussion

Music Electives - 14 semester hours

Foreign Language - 8 hours
Take 2 semesters, does not have to be sequential.

Gen Ed Requirements - 30 semester hours

  • MATH - Gen Ed - Mathematics - 3 semester hours
  • SPCM - Gen Ed - Speech - 3 semester hours
  • Gen Ed - Social Science - 6 semester hours
  • Gen Ed - Arts & Humanities - 6 semester hours
  • Gen Ed - Natural Science & Lab - 6-8 semester hours
  • ENGL 101 - Composition I
  • ENGL 201 - Composition II

Minor in Music

20 semester hours

1 MUAP 115 Class Instruction - Keyboard
1 MUAP 215 Class Instruction - Keyboard
4 MUS 110 Basic Music Theory I & MUS 110L Lab
4 MUS 111 Basic Music Theory II & MUS 111L Lab
3 MUS 360 Conducting
4 Music Electives


Minor in Music, Vocal -Teaching - Elementary Music Emphasis

25 semester hours

3 MUAP Private Voice
1 MUAP 115 Class Instruction - Keyboard
1 MUAP 215 Class Instruction - Keyboard
4 MUS 110 Basic Music Theory I & MUS 110L Lab
4 MUS 111 Basic Music Theory II & MUS 111L Lab
2 MUS 351 Elementary School Music Methods
3 MUS 352 Music in the Elementary School II
3 MUS 360 Conducting


Minor in Music, Vocal - Secondary School Emphasis

24 semester hours

3 MUAP Private Voice
1 MUAP 115 Class Instruction - Keyboard
1 MUAP 215 Class Instruction - Keyboard
4 MUS 110 Basic Music Theory I & MUS 110L Lab
4 MUS 111 Basic Music Theory II & MUS 111L Lab
3 MUS 360 Conducting
3 MUS 458 Choral Materials & Techniques
2 Electives


Minor in Music, Instrumental - Teaching

29 semester hours

2 MUAP Private Class Piano
2 MUAP Private Instrument
4 MUS 110 Basic Music Theory I & MUS 110L Lab
4 MUS 111 Basic Music Theory II & MUS 111L Lab
3 MUS 360 Conducting
2 MUS 373 Woodwind Methods
2 MUS 374 Percussion Methods
2 MUS 375 Brass Methods
2 MUS 377 String Methods

2 Take two of the following:
MUAP 120 Applied Music - Woodwind
MUAP 130 Applied Music - Brass
MUAP 140 Applied Music - Persecussion
MUAP 150 Applied Music - Strings

1 Take one of the following:
MUAP 115 Class Instruction - Keyboard
MUEN 122 Concert Band

Music Education (BBS. MUE)

Required Core - 43 semester hours

  • MUS 110/L Basic Music Theory I
  • MUS 111/L Basic Music Theory II
  • MUS 210/L Advanced Music Theory I
  • MUS 211/L Advanced Music Theory II
  • MUS 240 Music Cultures of the World
  • MUS 330 Music History I
  • MUS 331 Music History II
  • MUS 351 Elementary School Music Methods
  • MUS 352 Music in the Elementary School II
  • MUS 360 Conducting
  • MUS 420 Orchestration & Arranging
  • MUS 467 Advanced Conducting
  • MUS 185 Recital Attendance (Register every semester)
  • MUAP 483 Public Recital

Select one area of emphasis

 

Instrumental Emphasis- 18 semester hours

  • MUS 373 Woodwind Instrumental Methods
  • MUS 374 Percussion Instrumental Methods
  • MUS 375 Brass Instrumental Methods
  • MUS 377 String Instrumental Methods

 

  • MUS 382 Methods & Material of Teaching Piano 

OR

  • MUS 456 Instrumental Materials & Techniques

 

  • MUAP 300 level Applied Instrument
  • MUAP 400 level Applied Instrument
  • MUEN Concert Band or Chamber Orchestra (Students are required to participate in a large ensemble each semester)

Vocal Emphasis- 18 semester hours

  • MUS 215 Introduction to Music Technology
  • MUS 302 Vocal Diction Class I
  • MUS 303 Vocal Diction Class II
  • MUS 345 Vocal Pedagogy & Literature
  • MUS 458 Choral Materials & Techniques
  • MUAP 300 level Applied Voice
  • MUAP 400 level Applied Voice
  • MUEN 100/300 Concert Choir (Students are required to participate in a large ensemble each semester)

Pre-Professional Teaching Core - 18 hours

  • EDFN 295 Practicum: Pre-Admission Teaching
  • EDFN 338 Foundations of American Education
  • EPSY 302 Educational Psychology
  • EPSY 428 Child & Adolescent Development
  • INED 411 South Dakota Indian Studies
  • PSYC 101 General Psychology (gen ed)
  • SPED 100 Intro to Persons with Exceptionalities

Professional K-12 Teaching Core- 17 hours

  • EDFN 440 Classroom Management
  • SEED 408 Plan, Manage & Assess the 7-12 Diverse Classroom
  • SEED 495 Practicum: Pre-Student Teaching
  • EDFN 475 Human Relations
  • ED 488 K-12 Student Teaching

Gen Ed Requirements -  30 hour

  • ENGL 101
  • ENGL 201
  • SPCM - Gen Ed - Speech (1 class) - 3 semester hours
  • MATH - Gen Ed - Mathematics (1 class) - 3 semester hours
  • Gen Ed - Social Science (2 classes from different subjects) - 6 semester hours
  • Gen Ed - Arts & Humanities (2 classes from different subjects or a foreign language sequence) - 6 semester hours
  • Gen Ed - Natural Sciences & Lab (2 classes/corresponding labs) - 6-8 semester hours

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