2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog
Department of Performing Arts
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Mrs. Sarah Mickey, Department Chair
The Department of Performing Arts offers pre-professional Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree programs designed to equip students with the tools necessary to pursue careers in the areas of music and theatre, as well as pursue graduate degrees in these fields.
The music curriculum prepares students to become proficient musicians, music educators, and capable vocalists and instrumentalists who are able to demonstrate the performance skills and knowledge for sound musicianship.
The theatre and musical theatre curricula offer a rigorous course of study with options in a wide variety of theatre topics pertinent to careers in these degrees, including performance, design, management, or advanced graduate studies.
Integral to the mission of the Department of Performing Arts is the enrichment of the artistic life of non-majors, the University, the community, and region by offering student, faculty, and guest performances, and by providing participative, collaborative, and advisory services in the performing arts.
Music Departmental Regulations
All music majors must earn a grade of C or higher in all major courses.
Performance Requirements
All music majors in all programs (with the exception of first semester freshmen), are required to perform, as a soloist, at least once each semester in a student recital, and all music majors are required to take a jury each semester (until the applied music requirement is met).
All candidates for the BFA Music Education and the BFA Music Performance must present a public recital during their senior year (MUSR 4000 ). This may be a full recital of 45 minutes, or a joint recital of 30 minutes for each performer with faculty approval. All contemplated music recitals must undergo a preliminary hearing by the members of the music faculty at least two weeks before the public performance.
All music majors must participate in a major ensemble (typically, instrumental majors in band or vocal majors in choir) until the degree is completed. In addition, all majors in the BFA Music Performance and BFA Music with Studies in Business programs must also enroll in a small ensemble (instrumental or vocal, depending on the student’s applied area of study), adding another four credits to the major ensemble requirement. Instrumental music education majors on a performance scholarship must likewise meet the small ensemble requirement.
Students in applied music and members of musical organizations are required to attend all rehearsals deemed necessary and to take part in public performance when their participation is desired.
Proficiency Requirements
All instrumental music education majors and musical theatre majors must register for MACV 1211 - Class Voice , preferably in the first semester of their freshman year.
Music majors in the BFA Music Education, the BFA Music Performance, and the BFA in Music with Studies in Business programs must pass a piano proficiency requirement. Vocal music education majors and vocal performance majors must take four hours of piano as well as meeting the piano proficiency requirement. Majors in the BFA in Music with Studies in Business program must take four hours of piano or another instrument as well as meeting the piano proficiency requirement.
All music majors except musical theatre majors are required to register for MUED 1000 - Concert and Recital Attendance and receive a grade of CR each semester for up to six semesters. The number of concerts and recitals needed to receive a CR each semester will be posted by the department chair.
Sophomore Barrier Policy
Continued enrollment as a music major depends on successfully completing the following barrier requirements and the Barrier Jury (see applied music syllabi for instrument specific requirements). Students will typically attempt this Barrier Jury at the end of their fourth semester. After fulfilling these requirements and passing the Barrier Jury, students will be eligible to register for upper-level music courses (3000- and 4000-level courses) and continue as music majors. Students have two chances to meet the barrier requirements and pass the Barrier Jury. The second attempt must take place in the fifth semester of study.
Students must complete the following coursework with a grade of C or better (2.0 GPA):
*Must be taken if the theory entrance exam is not passed.
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