Purpose

The purpose of the Center for Music Education and Performance is to “train and equip passionate musicians as skilled performers and music education specialists”. This purpose is fulfilled as the Center for Music Education and Performance provides opportunities for musical performance, academic study and training/equipping of students. The Center oversees the following types of degree programs: Music in Liberal Arts, Music Performance, and Music Education.

This educational process is further enhanced through a commitment to comprehensive training in music for those preparing for music careers (leading to a B.M. degree) in guitar, piano, string, vocal, woodwind, brass, or percussion performance; choral or instrumental music with a music education concentration; music strategically geared to the market place; and, a liberal arts education with a music major. In addition, the Center provides music minor curricula for those who wish to receive musical training on an elective basis.

Central to the Center’s purpose is the development of aesthetically sensitive musicians, music educators, professional songwriters, artists, music missionaries, and skilled music performers who, with their skills, knowledge, and professional attitudes, may glorify God in the world through the practice of their craft and the testimony of their lives. To achieve this, the Center for Music Education and Performance has been organized into four strategic departments:

The Department of Applied Music Studies serves the Center for Music Education and Performance by providing training and supervision of the performance and applied music studies in the Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. This includes delivering highly specialized training in voice, guitar, piano, woodwind, brass, strings, percussion, songwriting, and film scoring. The Department of Applied Music Studies faculty is committed to helping performing arts students learn how to:

1. think critically about performance issues;
2. develop a high level of performance skill; and
3. demonstrate stylistic diversity that clearly represents appropriate musicianship.

Faculties serving in this department touch and influence the lives of every person doing some type of undergraduate major in music.

The Department of Music Theory and History serves the Center for Music Education and Performance by providing training and sequenced skill-based education in all levels of music theory, harmonic practices, aural skills, form and analysis, musicianship, conducting, composition, music history and discipline specific music literature and pedagogy courses. Performance groups affiliated with the Department of Music Theory and History include: the University Chorale, the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Percussion Ensemble, Guitar Ensembles, and Liberty University Symphony Orchestra.

The goal of the Department of Music Theory and History faculty is for each student to demonstrate command of specific cognitive, psychomotor, and aural skills that support work in music reading, conducting, research, music analysis, and music performance. The development of technical fluency and musical expressivity are supported by the Department of Music Theory and History; which provides foundational training to musicians in practical musicianship, music theory, conducting, research, and music history.

The Department of Music Education serves the Center for Music Education and Performance by providing training for students preparing for career opportunities in elementary and secondary school settings. The goal of the Department of Music Education faculty is to equip each student to learn and develop teaching competencies for the public, private, and Christian school markets. This is established by developing — in conjunction with the Departments of Music and Applied Music — comprehensive techniques in pedagogy, applied music, music directing, improvisation, and administration suitable to serve a community of education in music leadership. The department also provides opportunity for students to learn how to apply learned principles of “Praxis methodology” to all areas of music education.

Finally, The Department of Music Education supervises the practice teaching program in area elementary and secondary schools, and provides highly specialized training in voice, guitar, piano, wind, string, and percussion pedagogy methodologies.

The Department of University Bands represents the Center for Music Education and Performance through the Liberty University Marching Band; the Spirit Band; the Liberty University Wind Ensemble; the University Band; and the Jazz Band. All of these performing groups represent the university in various public relation capacities, including regular performances by the University Marching Band at Liberty University football games and The Spirit Band at Liberty University basketball games.

Faculty assigned to The Department of University Bands seek to provide holistic opportunities for students to mature in their personal, spiritual, social and academic lives. This includes the integration of faith and learning, which is fundamental to a Christian world-view and an essential part of the entire band program at Liberty University.

CMPA Programs of Study

There are a variety of undergraduate degrees in music from which to choose, including: B.A. or B.S. in Music; five B.M. Performance degrees; two degrees in Music Education Studies; and, the music minor. These programs of study are designed to equip graduating students to enter the market place as skilled music professionals in each of their strategic area of interest.

All music programs require the student to select a primary and secondary performance area (keyboard, non-keyboard instruments, voice, or songwriting). Students doing special studies in music education must select either the choral or instrumental music major with a concentration in music education and complete rigorous studies in elementary and secondary education.

The School of Music Student Handbook is available online to assist students in understanding every aspect of the various music programs at Liberty University.

Students are encouraged to audition for faculty members:

1. during the College for a Weekend (CFAW) activities;
2. by individual appointment throughout the school year; or
3. by sending a DVD of student performance to the School of Music offices.

A music audition is not required for admission to the university or the School of Music, but is important for evaluation of a student’s potential for success in the pursuit of a music degree, placement for applied lessons, scholarship consideration, and for participation in one of the major ensembles or chamber groups.

All students pursuing any music degree must complete a piano proficiency exam before graduation, present a senior recital, and register attendance at a specific number of approved concerts and/or student recitals. (The number of concerts and recitals varies according to the degree emphasis. See the School of Music Student Handbook for more information.)

Liberal Arts Degrees in Music

Performance Degrees

Purpose

Liberty University offers five highly professional Bachelor of Music degrees that uniquely equip students as skilled performers and music practitioners. These include: B.M. in Guitar Performance; B.M. in Piano Performance; B.M. in String Performance; B.M. in Vocal Performance; and, B.M. in Woodwind, Brass or Percussion Performance. All degrees in this area of study include 24 – 26 hours of applied music studies, two semesters of conducting, music technology, and contemporary styles survey. At least 65% of the degree is specifically devoted to music studies on one level or another.

The student is required to complete a keyboard proficiency, attend 56 approved concerts and recitals, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 in music courses and complete the Sophomore Performance Review.

Program Learning Outcomes

The student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate technical fluency, expressiveness, style, and professionalism in musical performance.
2. Apply broad-based knowledge of music through research in the areas of music history, music theory, and music literature.
3. Integrate Christian faith into the discipline of music.
4. Demonstrate advanced performance skills in appropriate performance media.

B.M. Degree Programs:

• Music Educator
• Music Performer
• Professional Musician
• Private Studio Instructor

B.M. in Choral or Instrumental Music with Music Education Concentration:

Elementary School

• General Music Instructor
• Instrumental Instructor

Middle School

• Band Director
• Choral Director
• General Music Instructor
• Orchestra Director

High School

• Band Director
• Choral Director
• Orchestra Director