Music

Introduction to the School of Music

The School of Music at the University of Puget Sound serves a diverse population, offering course and performance opportunities for more than 400 students each term while providing a rich curriculum for approximately 90 majors and 40 minors. It is recognized nationally for its unique position in offering the breadth of a liberal arts curriculum while maintaining the highest musical standards for those who choose to major in music performance, music education, or music with elective studies in business.

The School of Music offers courses leading to the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts degrees, and it offers concentrated study through a music minor. Courses for general university students suitable to their background and interest are offered to fulfill certain university core requirements and to serve as electives.

The School of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the accrediting agency, as designated by the United States Department of Education, responsible for the accreditation of music curricula in higher education. In the field of teacher education, NASM cooperates with the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). NASM is also a constituent member of the American Council of Education. Baccalaureate programs accredited are the professional degrees in performance, music education, elective studies in music business, and the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music.

In addition the School of Music offers university students cultural and intellectual enrichment through music classes and performance study, and contributes to an active and creative cultural climate on campus. More specifically, these goals include measurable skills and understandings developed in courses such as Music Theory, Music History and Literature, Music Education, Music Business, and Performance.

The Bachelor of Music, the initial professional degree in music, is offered in Performance (piano, voice, organ, and all orchestral instruments), Music Education, and Music Business. Through this degree students develop the knowledge, understanding, concepts, sensitivity, and competence on a performing instrument that are essential to life as a professional musician.

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in Music is the traditional liberal arts degree. Students attain a greater understanding of music through broad, flexible coverage of cultural, historical, analytical, and creative issues in the field. Students become familiar with the historical development of a particular musical tradition and learn methods of analysis for critical interpretation of music. They also develop abilities in music performance through studio lessons and participation in performing ensembles. They may construct programs of study that provide a background for the pursuit of graduate study in music theory, music history and musicology, composition, music librarianship, or other music-related fields. Students who wish to emphasize one of these areas in their studies should consult their advisor early in the sophomore year.

An audition on a major instrument or voice is required of all incoming students who wish to major in music or who wish to be considered for music scholarships. A student need not be a music major to be awarded a music scholarship. Audition dates and times should be arranged through the Music Admission office.

The School of Music plays an important role in contributing to the cultural climate of the campus and surrounding community through frequent concerts, master classes, festivals, and recitals. Students may participate in a wide variety of performing groups. Certain groups require an audition, while others do not. The performing groups are listed under Course Offerings.

Applied Music

A four-year course of study in applied music through individual lessons is offered to students in keyboard, orchestral and band instruments, voice, and classical guitar. The choice of materials is left to the discretion of the instructors. Students accepted to the Performance Major take courses 161 through 462; all others take courses 111 through 412. Applied Music is not available for audit and may not be taken pass/fail.

Lessons which fall on official university holidays cannot be made up. There are no make-up lessons for absences, unless absence is due to illness. Students register for lessons through the School of Music office, prior to university registration.

Applied Music Fees, per semester

Thirty-minute lesson, $95
Sixty-minute lesson, $190

Class Lessons

Class lessons are available in piano and guitar for students who wish to elect this form of applied music instruction or who, in the opinion of the appropriate applied music chair, find the experience necessary to qualify for private instruction.