OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120
Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: None.
Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: A “C-” or better is required in all music courses required for the major, including electives taken to meet the music requirements. Any student who receives a semester grade lower than “C-” for applied lessons is automatically dropped from the program and must re-audition for re-admission.
Other GPA requirements to graduate: Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in the courses in the major field that are credited toward the major.
Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience: MUS 498; HON 498 and 499 (BA only) may replace MUS 498 (Senior Capstone) if the student seeks permission from the BA in Music advisor prior to beginning thesis work; thesis work must be comparable to work done in MUS 498 in order to be approved. The thesis proposal form must be signed by the chair of the Division of Music.
Residency requirement: Majors in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences require a minimum of 15 institutional credits in the major.
Contact Information: Philip Edelman, Associate Professor, Director of the School of Performing Arts, Class of 1944 Hall, Room 208, 207.581.1257, philip.edelman@maine.edu
The requirements listed on this page are specific to this particular major. Students are also responsible for meeting any graduation requirements set out by their college. Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) should make sure to review those requirements as stated on the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences page of the catalog.
For more information about our undergraduate and graduate programs, program learning outcomes, internships, special resources and programs, and research and career opportunities, see our web site at https://umaine.edu/spa/
Entrance Requirements for all Music Degree Programs:
In addition to meeting the University’s admission standards, applicants must demonstrate musical ability in performance on their major instruments or voice before a jury of the music faculty. Before the University can review your application for admission, applicants must pass an audition. Music Education majors must also submit an essay one week prior to their audition. (Consult the Music Division Undergraduate Handbook for details.) Space is limited in these majors and students need to apply and audition early. To ensure full consideration, please audition and apply no later than February 1st for Fall admission. Auditions are arranged through the Music Division office, where a listing of audition requirements for the various disciplines may be obtained. A student is considered a music major upon:
- acceptance based upon audition and interview;
- maintenance of grade point average consistent with college requirements, and;
- enrollment for credit in courses appropriate to his/her level within music
curriculum.
Because of the sequence of music courses and because of the extent of requirements for majors, it is necessary that in order for a student to “remain a music major in good standing,” a student must be enrolled in all required courses, in consultation with their advisor. The expectation is that students “stay on track” and show consistency in preparation as well as attendance. Any student requesting “Special Student” status will warrant the fees associated with non-majors.
Applied Music Fees:
For music majors as well as non-majors a fee will be charged for private instruction. Private instruction for the non-music major is contingent on the student’s level of performance as determined by audition, and on the availability of studio time of the instructor. Arrangements for such instruction and assignment of a teacher must be made through the office of the Music Division, School of Performing Arts. Practice facilities are provided in the Class of 1944 Hall. The University provides, so far as possible, practice opportunities for students who take applied music for credit.
Courses in Applied Music
The Division of Music provides private instruction in instruments and voice:
- MUS 201 For Bachelor of Arts in Music and music minors, individual applied instrumental lessons or voice lessons. May be repeated for credit. Section number designates instrument or voice.
- MUS 210 For Music Education or Music Performance majors. Individual applied instrumental music lessons for the first four semesters. Repeated for credit until Junior Standing examination is passed. Section number designates instrument or voice.
- MUS 350 For Music Education majors. Individual applied instrumental or voice music lessons after having passed the Junior Standing examination. May be repeated for credit. Section number designates instrument or voice.
- MUS 450 For Music Performance majors. Individual applied instrumental or voice music lessons after having passed the Junior Standing examination. May be repeated for credit. Section number designated instrument or voice.
All music majors enrolled in applied music are required to enroll in MUS 100 (Recital Laboratory) each semester of study.
Bachelor of Arts in Music
Note: The BA in Music does not qualify the graduate for certification as a public school music teacher.
- Candidates for the degree must, before graduation, attain a level of performing ability equivalent to that required for the Junior Standing exam in the BM degree program. Requirements for this exam are set by each instrumental area.
- A senior project will be accomplished under the guidance of an assigned faculty member during the final semester of the senior year. This project (3 credits) will be chosen from one of the following areas: a research paper, an original composition, or a lecture/recital by special permission.