The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree with Concentration in Performance is a liberal arts program that provides students with both the broad knowledge and skills to prepare for graduate study, as well as a specialization in music performance. Students complete a 32CR musical core requirement in aural skills, theory/composition, and history; a 20CR performance requirement comprised of applied lesson, ensembles, chamber music, and solo performances; and a 1CR Capstone recital. Multiple enrichment programs throughout the academic year enhance student engagement and experience across the discipline.
B.A. in Music students may apply for the Concentration in Music Performance during the semester in which they are enrolled in MUS 273 Applied Music. The MUS 273 Applied Music Jury shall serve as the audition for admission to the program. Only the initial MUS 273 jury will be considered.
Admission to the B.A in Music with Concentration in Music Performance shall be based on the following criteria:
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Unacceptable (1) 69 or below |
Emerging (2) 70-85 |
Target (3) 86-100 |
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Technique CF=Content |
Poor tone quality, inadequate breath support, lack of consistent intonation and facility throughout the entire performance. | Generally appropriate and consistent tone quality, breath support, intonation and facility throughout most of the performance. | Excellent tone quality, breath support, intonation, and facility throughout the entire performance. |
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Accuracy CF=Content |
Significant problems with rhythm, note accuracy and score details (diction and memory when applicable); Difficulty maintaining tempo. | Mostly consistent rhythm, note accuracy, and score details (diction and memory when applicable); Mostly maintains appropriate and steady tempo. | Solid performance with consistently accurate rhythm, notes, and score details (diction and memory when applicable); Appropriate and steady tempo throughout. |
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Musicality CF=Content, CF=Disposition |
Significant difficult difficulty realizing appropriate expression, nuance, phrasing, and/or dynamics throughout entire performance. Lack of confidence, professionalism and artistry. |
Some inconsistencies or problems with expression, nuance, phrasing, and/or dynamics; Confident, professional, and artistic throughout most of performance. | Stylistically appropriate expression, nuance, phrasing, and dynamics throughout the entire performance; Confident, professional, and artistic presentation. |
Students auditioning for the Concentration in Music Performance must receive a minimum score of 86 in all categories during their MUS 273 jury.
Musicianship – 20CR
MUS 122 Introduction to Music Studies (2CR)
MUS 218 Aural Perception I (1CR)
MUS 219 Aural Perception II (1CR)
MUS 230 Music Theory I
MUS 231 Music Theory II
MUS 318 Aural Perception III (1CR)
MUS 319 Aural Perception IV (1CR)
MUS 321 Composition, Improvisation, and Arranging (2CR)
MUS 330 Music Theory III
MUS 331 Music Theory IV
Music History and Literature – 12CR
MUS 206 History of American Pop 1900-1950
MUS 302 Music History: Antiquity–Baroque
MUS 303 Music History: Classic–Modern
MUS 440 Ethnomusicology
Music Performance – 21CR
Applied Music –171-473 - 8CR
Music Ensemble/Primary - 8CR
Small Ensemble - 2CR
Junior Recital – 1CR
MUS 491 Capstone: Senior Recital - 1CR
Music Elective – 1CR
Competencies for the B.A. in Music Degree
Consistent with the mission, goals, and objectives of the Buffalo State College Music Department, the music faculty expects all B.A. in Music degree candidates to demonstrate the following competencies:
BA.1. General Education
BA.1.1. The ability to think, speak, and write clearly and effectively, and to communicate with precision, cogency, and rhetorical force.
BA.1.2. An informed acquaintance with the mathematical and experimental methods of the physical and biological sciences; with the main forms of analysis and the historical and quantitative techniques needed for investigating the workings and developments of modern society.
BA.1.3. An ability to address culture and history from a variety of perspectives.
BA.1.4. Understanding of, and experience in thinking about, moral and ethical problems.
BA.1.5. The ability to respect, understand, and evaluate work in a variety of disciplines.
BA.1.6. The capacity to explain and defend one’s views effectively and rationally.
BA.1.7. Understanding of and experience in one or more art forms other than music.
BA.2. Musicianship
BA.2.1. The ability to hear, identify, and work conceptually with the elements of music -- rhythm, melody, harmony, structure, timbre, texture, and so forth.
BA.2.2. An understanding of and the ability to read and realize musical notation.
BA.2.3. An understanding of compositional processes, aesthetic properties of style, and the ways these shape and are shaped by artistic and cultural forces.
BA.2.4. An acquaintance with a wide selection of musical literature, the principal eras, genres, and cultural sources.
BA.2.5. The ability to develop and defend musical judgments.
BA.3. Performance and Music Electives
BA.3.1. Ability in performing areas at levels consistent with the goals and objectives of the specific liberal arts degree option being followed.
BA.3.2. Understanding of procedures for realizing a variety of musical styles.
BA.3.3. Knowledge and/or skills in one or more areas of music beyond basic musicianship appropriate to the individual's needs and interests, and consistent with the purposes of the specific liberal arts degree option being followed.
BA.3.4. The ability to read at sight with fluency demonstrating both general musicianship and, in the major performance area, a level of skill relevant to professional standards appropriate for the particular music concentration.
BA.4. Composition and Improvisation
BA.4.1. Students must acquire a rudimentary capacity to create derivative or original music both extemporaneously and in written form.
Assessment of Competencies
The above competencies are evaluated through the passing of courses including course work and examinations. Additionally, B.A. in Music students are evaluated and assessed utilizing 11 different key competency assessments as follows:
Applied Music Juries
Music Theory Assessment
Aural Perception Assessment
General Education Courses/Electives
Music History/EthnomusicologyAssessments
Composition, Improvisation, and Arranging (CIA) Assessment
Capstone Project Assessment
Introduction to Music Studies and Careers Assessment
Professional Disposition Reports
Small/Large Ensemble Participation
Concert Attendance
Students accepted into the B.A. in Music with Concentration in Music Performance program must perform two recitals prior to graduation. Arrangements for an accompanist must be made one semester in advance. A faculty/staff accompanist may not be able to accommodate all requests. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the student, not the BSC Music Department, to provide and secure accompanists. The appropriate applied music instructor must approve any arrangements for accompanying that are not covered by a faculty/staff accompanist.
To secure a faculty/staff accompanist for a student recital, the recitalist is required to register for MUS 410 “Recital Accompanist”. This registration is to be concurrent with MUS 110 "Accompanist/Coach". This dual registration in MUS 110 and MUS 410 will afford the student 1 hour with the accompanist each week as well as provide for the dress rehearsal and performance.
The recital programs must follow a standard format and be submitted for proofreading to the appropriate applied music instructor at least two weeks prior to theeach recital.The MUS 491 Capstone: Senior Recital additionally requires program notes, to be prepared with guidance from the BA in Music Coordinator. Sample programs are available from the faculty, posted on the BA in Music bulletin board,and on the Music Department website. The Music Department Donor List must be included in all recitals and is also available on the department website. Following the successful completion of the recital, a copy of the recital program must be submitted to the music office to be stored in the student files.
Junior Recital
Students may perform their Junior Recital during the semester in which they are enrolled in MUS 371 or 373 Applied Lessons. The recital shall consist of at least 25 minutes of music.
The prospective recitalist must submit the Online Recital Booking Form by the last day of classes before CEP week of the semester prior to the proposed recital, and pass a recital jury at least four weeks prior to the scheduled recital date. At the recital jury, members of the applied music faculty will hear the student perform selections from his/her recital program. The student should be prepared to demonstrate a degree of technical and musical mastery of his/her program, sufficient to indicate to the faculty that a successful recital will be given. At the discretion of the music faculty, an unsuccessful recital jury will result in a re-scheduling or cancellation of the recital. In addition to regular applied lesson enrollment, students must enroll in MUS 495 “Junior Recital” during the semester in which they will perform their recital in order to receive credit towards the Performance Concentration.
Senior Recital
Students may perform their Senior Recital during the semester in which they are enrolled in 471 or 473 Applied Lessons. The recital shall consist of at least 50 minutes of music.
The prospective recitalist must submit the Online Recital Booking Form by the last day of classes before CEP week of the semester prior to the proposed recital, and pass a recital jury at least four weeks prior to the scheduled recital date. At the recital jury, members of the applied music faculty will hear the student perform selections from his/her recital program. The student should be prepared to demonstrate a degree of technical and musical mastery of his/her program, sufficient to indicate to the faculty that a successful recital will be given. At the discretion of the music faculty, an unsuccessful recital jury will result in a re-scheduling or cancellation of the recital. In addition to regular applied lesson enrollment, students must enroll in MUS 491 “Capstone in Music – Senior Recital” during the semester in which they will perform their senior recital in order to receive credit towards the Concentration in Music Performance.
Recital Adjudication
Every recital will be evaluated by a faculty committee consisting of the student’s applied teacher and two additional faculty members with expertise in their area of applied instruction. Committee members may evaluate the recital in person or by recording. Recitalists must achieve target scores based on the follow rubric:
1. Excellent tone quality, breath support, intonation, and facility throughout the entire performance.
2. Solid performance with consistently accurate rhythm, notes, and score details (diction and memory when applicable); Appropriate and steady tempo throughout.
3. Stylistically appropriate expression, nuance, phrasing, and dynamics throughout the entire performance; Confident, professional, and artistic presentation.
If the performance does not meet standards, one of the following outcomes will occur:
1. The student may be asked to repeat part or all of their recital during jury week of the same semester.
2. The student may be asked to repeat their recital during the subsequent semester with an additional recital hearing required.
3. A student may be dismissed from the B.A. in Music with Concentration in Music Performance program.
Students will be notified within two weeks of their performance if they will be required to replay any portion of their recital. If the opportunity to remediate an unsuccessful recital performance is similarly unsuccessful, the student will be dismissed from the B.A. in Music with Concentration in Music Performance program.
