2021-2022 Brenau University Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Brenau University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music (B.A.)


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors/Programs

Career Opportunities Graduate studies in arts in healthcare (Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, Counseling, Gerontology), Business (Music Industry, Arts Management), Mass Communication, Theatre, or Music (Performance, Opera, Studio teaching, Church music).

Course of Study This degree provides a comprehensive study in music, as well as a choice of an 18-24 semester hour concentration or minor in an identified and approved alternative discipline such as Advanced Music, Business, Health Science, or Mass Communication. This program is appropriate for undergraduates who wish to major in music as part of a liberal arts program, irrespective of specific career aspirations. At the same time, the supplemental concentration, especially if further enhanced by a wise choice of additional electives, affords opportunity for graduate and/or vocational opportunities in fields integrating with, or independent of, music. Full-time students must register for a performing ensemble each semester they are enrolled, as assigned by the director of music. All music majors are required to attend a designated number of concerts and recitals each semester.

The Mission of the Department of Music “In the Department of Music, we provide students the ability to learn, perform and teach extraordinary music - and her related disciplines - at the bachelor’s level, post-graduate level and, ultimately, the master’s level. Our graduates advance in their professions by focusing on scholarship in all the liberal arts, technical and artistic proficiency in their particular fields, the latest pedagogical techniques, high-quality artistic expression and critical and thorough self-reflection. We also strive to integrate the life of the Department of Music into the Brenau community and into the larger civic milieu by means of performing, teaching, service leadership and global citizenship.”

Standing Goals: A comprehensive and challenging curriculum that

  • Develops an historical and global perspective
  • Develops reasoning and critical thinking skills
  • Develops an appreciation for artistic expression and expansion of imaginative powers, while also deepening reflection and self-awareness
  • Develops strong written and oral communication skills, as well as proficiency in secondary languages
  • Leads to accelerated and continual learning and discovery that leads to graduate education
  • Leads to international and interdisciplinary experiences

Audition and Placement All students who wish to major in music must audition before acceptance into the music major program. Auditions are held at designated periods throughout the year as well as by appointment. Most performing ensembles also require auditions; these auditions may coincide with the entrance audition or may be held at a separate time. Students will be placed in applied lessons and music courses of the appropriate level based on their entrance audition and diagnostic evaluation. Students who do not meet the skill requirements to begin degree credit courses will register for the appropriate prerequisite courses. Upon completion of each course, students who demonstrate the skill necessary for advancement will be permitted to enroll at the next level of study. If not, they will be expected to continue in designated courses at their level of technique until they are qualified to advance. Music and Music Education majors must pass a Sophomore Proficiency demonstrating technical competency in their major instrument before being permitted to enroll in upper division courses.

Core Expected Outcomes

  • CELO 1: (Creative/Artistic Expression) Students will appreciate artistry and be able to express themselves creatively. They will demonstrate competency for artistic self-expression in chosen primary instrument.
  • CELO 2: (Reasoning skills Core Competency) Students will be able to think critically, analyzing issues and situations to arrive at reasonable conclusions. They will demonstrate competency through written and aural music theory skills. They will demonstrate this by using technology as it relates to music theory, music history, performance, analysis, and research.
  • CELO 3A: (Writing Core Competency) Students will appreciate artistry and be able to express themselves creatively.
  • CELO 3B: (Oral Core Competency) Students will be able to express themselves with oral communication.
  • CELO 4: (Creative/Artistic Expression) Students will appreciate artistry and be able to express themselves creatively. They will demonstrate competency in playing the piano by passing all required portions of the Piano Proficiency Exam.
  • CELO 5: (Reasoning Skills Core Competency) Students will be able to think critically, analyzing issues and situations to arrive at reasonable conclusions. They will demonstrate the ability to use technology as it relates to music theory, music history, performance, analysis, and research.
  • CELO 6: (Global Perspective) Students will be aware of global issues and their significance. They will gain experience and familiarity with global issues by attending departmentally pre-selected programs. The students will demonstrate that gained awareness through written reflection papers tied to performance.
  • CELO 7: (Reasoning Skills Core Competency) Students will be able to think critically, analyzing issues and situations to arrive at reasonable conclusions. This will be demonstrated through musical analysis.

Advanced Music Educational Learning Outcomes

  • ELO1: Students will demonstrate competence in a specific genre of professional literature for their primary
  • instrument.
  • ELO2: Student will demonstrate competence in Applied Pedagogy for the major instrument.
  • Music with a Secondary Concentration Educational Learning Outcomes
  • ELO1: Student will appreciate artistry and be able to express themselves creatively. They will demonstrate
  • competency for artistic self-expression in chosen primary instrument.
  • ELO2: Student will demonstrate competency in a separate discipline

Liberal Education Requirements & Gold Curriculum


Gold Curriculum

Women’s College must complete the GOLD Program Curriculum in order to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. Gold Curriculum courses are designated by a “W” as the last character in the course number. Please see the table below for the required course hours. The number of required hours are prorated based on the number of transfer hours. Students are encouraged to take as many “W” courses as possible. This requirement can not be waived based on a previous degree.

These courses have a W as the ending character in the course number.

W courses can be searched by clicking on “Courses” in the catalog dashboard

and typing *W in the “Code or Number” box and then clicking the “filter” button.

W courses would replace the “standard” version in the students program. (ex. EH 101W would replace EH 101). W courses emphasize the experience and expertise of women throughout course design and delivery. Students will identify and analyze the contributions and experiences of women. More than 50% of course activities, readings, and assessments emphasize and explore female experience, perspective, or expertise.

Undergraduate students not enrolled in the Women’s College do not complete in the Gold Curriculum.

Hours transferred: “W” course hours required for graduation:
0-24 30
25-44 18
45-59 15
60-74 12
75-89 9
90+ 6

Liberal Education Requirements:

Brenau University and its faculty are dedicated to the goal of providing students with a thorough background in the liberal arts, as well as academic and professional skills which will help them become enlightened and productive members of society. To that end, the faculty developed a liberal education curriculum based on expectations and learning outcomes.

This liberal education curriculum is divided into four learning portals: World Understanding, Scientific and Analytic Curiosity, Artistic and Creative Imagination and Communication and Language Fluency.

  • World Understanding Learning
  • Scientific and Analytic Curiosity
  • Artistic and Creative Imagination
  • Communication and Language Fluency

Courses applied in one portal may not be applied in another portal. However, courses applied in the Liberal Education may be applied toward a student’s major or minor.

Students with an A.A., A.S. or a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution are exempt from Liberal Education requirements for Brenau’s bachelor degree programsThis exemption does not extend to any other associate’s degree (ex. A.A.S., A.A.T.). This exemption does not affect transfer credit. All college-level credit that conforms to Brenau’s transfer credit policy will be recorded on the student’s Brenau transcript. This exemption does not affect any major courses required or any major foundation courses required.

Note: If an LE course has a “W” course version, that course can be used in place of the standard course version for the student’s LE requirement. (ex. EH 101 or EH 101W satisfy the LE writing requirement.

World Understanding Learning Portal


Scientific & Analytic Curiosity Portal


Mathematics - 3 hours


Demonstrate quantitative reasoning through numeric, symbolic or geometric means.

Course taken will depend upon math placement of the student.

Artistic & Creative Imagination Portal


Lifetime Fitness - 3 hours


Appreciate one’s health status and implement a plan for health and fitness.

  • Women’s College students must have one hour of Lifetime Fitness (LF) or Leisure Sports (LS) or Dance (DA); one hour of Women’s Health (WH); and one hour of any P.E. (LS/LF/DA/or WH).
  • Non-Women’s College students may transfer in the above or take HS 105 (3 hours) while at Brenau.
  • Nursing and Dance majors have specific Lifetime Fitness requirements. Please see those major sections for information.

Communication & Language Fluency Portal


Writing - 6 hours


Compose effective and logical written communication.

Modern Language - 0-3 hours


Communicate in a modern language other than English.

  • Students must have modern language competency through the high beginner (102 or 115) level. It is possible for a student to place out of part or all of modern language via placement or CLEP. Please see the placement information section for specific guidelines. If the student takes 101, that course may be applied as the communication requirement, if needed, or as a general elective.
  • International Students will exempt the Modern Language requirement with a minimum TOEFL score of 527 (paper based) or its equivalent.

Communication - 3 hours


Apply communication skills in a given context.

Choose from any course in the Communication and Language Fluency portal not already applied in the Liberal Education, or choose from the courses below. If a student takes 101 and 102 of the same language to satisfy the modern language requirement, the 101 course may satisfy the communication elective.

Applied Lessons


Major Instrument (applied lessons) - 14 hours
Minor Instrument - 4 hours (If the minor instrument is piano, the student may choose between a combination of Applied Piano and Piano Skills.)

Piano Proficiency


Students must pass a piano proficiency exam prior to graduation.

Minor or Concentration


The minor or concentration must be followed as stated in the catalog; or by advising, with approval of the secondary department. Student should complete a minor (as outlined in the catalog) or a minimum of 18-24 hours of a concentration. When required by the catalog, the minor department must approve the minor.  Examples of minors or concentrations are: Pre-OT, Psychology, Musical Theatre, Business, Dance, Mass Communication, etc.

Be aware when planning this section that some of the minor/concentration courses may satisfy Liberal Education LE requirements.

Two pre-approved concentrations are outlined below.

Total Required Hours


A minimum of 120 hours is required to graduate with this major. It is possible that the student may graduate with more than 120 hours based on placement and transfer credit.

Note: Courses marked with an * are Liberal Education courses.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors/Programs