Music

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132 Church Fine Arts Complex
(775) 784-6145

The department offers courses leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts with a major in music, Bachelor of Music with majors in several areas of applied music or music education, Master of Arts or Master of Music (in education, performance, and orchestral career studies), as well as a minor in Music.

Courses in the literature of music, applied music and performance are offered as part of the university’s core curriculum. More specialized courses in these areas and in music theory and methods for music teachers are offered for cultural enrichment and for the professional preparation of performers and teachers. Performance organizations are open to all university students by audition. These include bands (marching, pep, symphonic, and wind ensemble), chamber ensembles (strings, winds, and vocal), choir, opera, jazz (bands and combos), and orchestra. Specific offerings depend on enrollment and availability of faculty.

Mission Statement

The University of Nevada, Reno Department of Music provides education in the history, performance, theory, and pedagogy of music. Its mission is to help students acquire the skills and knowledge to enable them to successfully contribute as performers, scholars, and educators. At the same time, the department stands committed to supporting the creative endeavors of its faculty, and to fostering a close relationship with the greater Northern Nevada community.

To this end, and following the mission of the university as a whole, the department resolves to:

• provide high quality, accredited, undergraduate and graduate degree programs in performance, education, and research.
• offer courses, ensembles, and concerts that reflect the diversity and richness of the world’s cultures.
• maintain a learning environment where student performers and scholars may regularly interact with professional teacher/mentors.
• encourage faculty to produce outstanding creative work in performance, composition, and scholarship.
• serve the university’s College of Liberal Arts by providing core curriculum courses and contributing to college committees.
• promote the artistic life of the Northern Nevada community at large by participating in or sponsoring a broad array of concerts, workshops, course offerings, and performance institutions.

Continuation Exam (MUS 300) Requirement

All undergraduate music majors pursuing a Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music Education degree must fulfill the Continuation Exam requirement before enrolling in upper-division theory or music education coursework.

This comprehensive exam covers the final two semesters of both the theory and sight-singing sequences. It is strongly recommended students take the exam following the second year of study within their degree program. Exams will be offered each May and August. Students will have two opportunities to pass the exam before official admittance into the chosen music degree program is denied. The Continuation Exam is divided into two equally weighted segments: written theory and oral ear-training sections.

Ensemble Requirements

All music majors and minors taking private lessons must coregister for an appropriate major ensemble until they have completed the required number of major ensemble credits for their degree. Majors and minors who have completed the required major ensemble credits may subsequently coregister for either a major or minor ensemble as long as they take private lessons. In addition, all nonmajors must coregister for ensembles as long as they are taking private lessons.

Students may count only one major ensemble credit per semester toward the ensemble requirement. Enrollment in all ensembles is subject to the instructor’s approval. Music education instrumental majors are required to participate in marching band for two semesters, but are not required to enroll in any of the university ensembles during the semester in which they are student teaching.

Master Class/Concert Attendance (MUS 100) Requirements

All undergraduate music majors and minors must fulfill masterclass/concert attendance requirement by completing MUS 100 - Concert Class , as indicated below:

1. Bachelor of music majors: minimum of eight “satisfactory” semesters.
2. Bachelor of arts music majors: minimum of six ” satisfactory” semesters.
3. Music minors: minimum of three “satisfactory” semesters.

Departmental Requirements

Candidates for all bachelor’s degrees in music should consult the current Music Department Handbook for information on any additional departmental requirements.

Return to: College of Liberal Arts