BA OVERVIEW:
120 credit, four-year program of study
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Music at UMass Dartmouth develops musicians and prepares them for graduate school and careers that will allow them to be successful in our rapidly changing multicultural world. All students take survey and performance classes in the world's music cultures, from Asia and Oceania, through the Middle East/West Asia, Africa, and Europe, to the Americas. Our goal is to develop an understanding of the social, political, and cultural implications of music making in global communities through performance, research, discussion, listening, viewing, and writing. Upon graduation our students are expected to demonstrate performance ability, musical analysis, critical and creative thinking, and original ideas in both the oral and written form. Our program is grounded in the importance of cultural sensitivity and giving our students the ability to function in a variety of social, geographical, and political contexts.
The Music Education certification develops skillful teachers who are in demand throughout New England and nationwide. Students benefit from our global approach to music education, allowing them to bring diverse experiences into the classroom. In addition to a thorough training as an instrumentalist/vocalist and teacher, there is an emphasis on developing and conducting vocal and instrumental ensembles, the study of music education historical foundations, methodology and pedagogy, and updated electronic teaching tools. Classroom experience in schools complement this program which leads to the Initial License to teach in schools.
Traditional study of Western European musical cultures is part of the core. Topics addressed include the development of European music writing, instrumental development, form and structure of sound within the context of the political and social developments, the context and place of religious traditions on the development of European musical practices, and changes in the socio-economic climates from ancient times to the present.
World Music topics addressed include beliefs and life ways; social organization; musical analysis; material culture; representations of music; music as culture-specific; gender issues; contrasts among cultures and aesthetics; the role of dance, texts, and the drum; methods for learning, teaching, and performance; and ethical issues in the study and use of world music. Students will attain an awareness of the diversity of human expression, their histories, cultural contexts, aesthetics and many other issues as a basis for future teaching, study, performance, writing, or advanced research.
Jazz/African American Music is part of the core study. African peoples have contributed to our diverse country and world during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries through the Harlem Renaissance, literature, the visual arts, and especially music, including blues, ragtime, jazz, rhythm and blues, gospel, funk, reggae, hip-hop, Cuban Rumba, Dominican Merengue, Haitian Vodun, Brazilian Samba, and Afro-pop worldwide. As an essential force within our diverse global and American landscapes, African American culture and music, including that of the local Cape Verdean community, possesses a rich heritage of expression that will enhance the development of global awareness in our students. The intensive study of and immersion in the history, aesthetics and performance practice of diverse music cultures within African American traditions create a diversity of perspective in our students that is necessary for understanding the world and American society in the twenty-first century. Our students develop skills in music making, critical and creative thinking, and analysis through performance. Students work closely with artist-faculty members developing their skills on their primary instrument/voice, and regularly perform in ensembles. Coursework includes classes in jazz theory, improvisation, the history of African-American music and jazz, and arranging/composition, as well as upper-level seminars. Through the integration of improvisation strategies, listening, applied theory, ear training, and ensemble coaching, an emphasis is placed on developing high-level listening skills, technical proficiency, and a cultural context.
Technology is an important part of the major with course content in electronic music that enables students to function at the cutting-edge of today's music and intermedia scene, through the integration of time-based arts, such as computer music, video/film, dance, and theater. Coursework in Electronic music serves as an important interdisciplinary link among diverse musicians, educators, and artists and encourages on-campus collaborative and creative multimedia projects among composers, filmmakers, visual artists, choreographers, computer scientists, and others.
The music major is grounded in performance, and students have opportunities to perform in the following groups: University Chorus, Chamber Choir, Gospel Choir, Small Vocal Ensembles, Wind Ensemble, Large and Small Jazz Ensembles, Chamber Music, Kekeli African Drum and Dance Ensemble, World Jazz and Jazz Vocal Ensembles, Percussion Ensemble, and student-led ensembles of any style and form, coached by the faculty. The Department of Music sponsors a Noontime Concert Series, Community Concerts and Presentations, as well as student ensemble and solo recitals.
Department of Music graduates have a variety of career options open to them including teaching, performing, to electronic music, composition, sound design, audio recording, advanced study, and careers in related fields knowing that they will bring a rich grounding and understanding of the rich cultural influences that music has had in the development of global cultures.
Music Minor
Students majoring in another field may pursue a Minor in music. The Minor is designed for students who want to continue to develop their musical abilities in piano, voice or orchestral/jazz instruments. The Minor also allows students who are considering majoring in Music the opportunity to begin serious study within the Department of Music.
Students are encouraged to pursue fieldwork study and research abroad in a culture relevant to an area of concentration by studying abroad.
We arrange a yearly field trip to Ghana, West Africa, in order to enhance our students' understanding of music dance in their cultural context, strengthening their abilities to contribute in the classroom.
Requirements for Admission
All candidates must pass an entrance audition and take an advisory exam to assess background and determine potential. Candidates are expected to have facility on their instrument and to have some preparation in fundamental concepts of music theory. All applicants must also follow UMass Dartmouth admissions procedures detailed in the University Catalog.
Department of Music Auditions
The music program at UMass Dartmouth is unique in its broad spectrum of music under one roof. Whether the future Music Educator and Performer/Composer concentrates on Western Classical music or jazz/world music or new/electronic music, this exposure to and understanding of many kinds of music provides an invaluable professional advantage. Auditions will be held in the Visual & Performing Arts Building (Lots 7 & 8), on the main campus of UMD. Please contact Michelle Cieto at mcieto@umassd.edu or (508) 999-8568 for more information or to schedule an audition.
Department of Music Audition Requirements
All applicants must audition in person in their applied area (instrument or voice: jazz or classical) and also take a music theory placement exam. For the audition, please be prepared to perform two contrasting pieces that demonstrate the range of your background, training, and preparation. In addition, students may also be asked by the auditioning faculty member to perform scales, arpeggios, or other exercises that demonstrate technical ability. The entire process with the audition, an overview of the Department of Music, and the theory placement exam, usually takes no more than two hours to complete.
You MUST schedule an appointment for an audition. To schedule an appointment for an audition contact the Department of Music at (508) 999-8568. In addition, other audition times can be accommodated on an individual basis when classes are in session. For applicants outside of the New England region, please contact the department for requirements of a video/CD audition. If you have any other questions about the Department of Music or the audition process, please call (508) 999-8568.
