Fine Arts - Music Concentration

Mission:

The Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts program with a concentration in Music at Bowie State University is dedicated to cultivating artistic excellence, cultural awareness, and professional musicianship through a rigorous and holistic curriculum in vocal and instrumental performance. Grounded in the rich legacy of African American music, the program also embraces the study of Western classical and global musical traditions, providing students with a comprehensive and inclusive musical education. Through comprehensive study in music theory, history, and applied performance, students engage with diverse musical genres while gaining a deep understanding of the social, historical, and artistic contributions of African American music and more. The program fosters creativity, technical proficiency, and academic inquiry, empowering students to preserve, innovate, and uplift musical narratives that define and shape our communities.

As Maryland’s first HBCU, Bowie State University proudly positions its music program at the intersection of tradition and innovation, celebrating Black musical excellence and preparing students for impactful careers in the arts.

Expected Student Learning Outcomes and Competencies:
Upon successful program completion, students will be able to:

1. Analyze and interpret musical scores from a variety of styles and genres using appropriate music vocabulary, including pitch, rhythm, timbre, and dynamics.
2. Demonstrate proper vocal and instrumental techniques-including breathing, intonation, phrasing, and stage deportment-when performing original or existing musical works.
3. Present and explain performance practices from various historical periods and ethnic traditions, showing awareness of stylistic and cultural context.
4. Demonstrate musicianship through ear-training exercises, sight singing, keyboard performance, and repertoire interpretation.
5. Compare, evaluate, and articulate key characteristics of major musical forms, styles, and composers from the Western classical tradition, African American musical heritage, and global musical cultures, using appropriate musicological terminology

Students majoring in Fine Arts may select Music as an area of concentration (vocal or instrumental performance). An audition before a faculty member is required of all Fine Arts Majors wishing to concentrate in music. A theory placement examination is required of all incoming students. This evaluation is to determine the level at which a student must begin in the theory sequence.

Audition Requirements

Vocal

One Italian Art Song and one song from the following categories: German Lied, French Chanson, English or American Art Song, African-American Spiritual.

Piano

Major and minor scales and arpeggios, sight-reading, three contrasting pieces from different periods (i.e. Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary).

Instrumental

Wind instrumentalist (i.e. trumpet, clarinet, etc.), guitarist, pianist, bassist, and percussionist should prepare published solo literature that best exhibits technique and musicianship. Instrumentalist will be asked to play major, minor and chromatic scales. In addition, percussionists will be asked to execute the 26 Essential Rudiments as required by the National Association of Rudimental Drummers.

Percussionist must perform on three of the following instruments: Snare Drum, Melodic Percussion (Marimba, Xylophone, etc.), Timpani, and/or Trap Set.

Rhythm section instrumentalist (Keyboard, Bass, Trap drums, etc.) must display competence in playing “time” as well as demonstrate solo ability in any three of the following styles of music: Swing, Latin, Jazz Waltz, or Contemporary (Funk, Gospel, Rock, Fusion, etc.).

All instrumentalists will be required to demonstrate sight-reading skills.

Proficiencies

A student must demonstrate standard proficiency in piano and musicianship. Each student must pass periodic performance evaluations. Specific requirements include:

• Basic scale in 2-3 octaves (studied during that semester)
• Basic chord progressions
• 2 prepared pieces
• Traditional arrangements of the Star-Spangled Banner, America, Lift Every Voice and Sing

Seminar

Seminars are held twice per semester.

Music Performance students (Applied voice, Applied Instrumental and Applied Piano) must perform on 7 seminars prior to senior recital.

Music Technology students who take Applied voice, Applied Instrumental and Applied Piano are not required to perform unless recommended by their applied instructor. They are required to attend 5 of 7 scheduled seminars.

Recitals

All recital repertoires must be selected, by the instructor, from music studied during applied lessons at Bowie State University.

Each student will be required to perform a, 45-to-60-minute recital at the end of their senior year as a final requirement for graduation. The following prerequisites must be satisfied or accomplished prior to the presentation of a senior recital:

1. Recommendation by the student’s advisor.
2. A grade of “B” or better in all performance-related courses.
3. Students must register for seminars each semester they are enrolled in the Fine Arts, Music Concentration and perform in at least one student seminar per semester prior to junior recital.
4. Satisfactory rating in all performance evaluations.
5. Students preparing for the Senior Recital will be expected to perform excerpts of the program before a committee of music faculty members at least 30 (thirty) days prior to the scheduled recital date.
6. All repertoires must be pre-selected by the applied music instructor and memorized.

Senior Recitals

(Must be performed as a partial fulfillment of requirements for graduation from Bowie State University)

Expectations

1. All Students of the Fine Arts, Music Program, in their final senior semester, are expected to register and apply for senior recital. Registration should be for MUSA 412 Senior Recital. This zero-credit course is required as a partial fulfillment of the baccalaureate degree.
2. The application is obtained from the prospective Applied Voice/Instrumental Instructor and should include a prospective date [ to be performed no later than the final day of scheduled university final exams] and listing of selections that are being prepared as dictated by the applied instructor.
3. The Senior Recital is a graded examination, to be held during the final semester of the student’s tenure at Bowie State University. It will be held in the Recital Hall of the Fine and Performing Arts Building, no later than two weeks prior to final examinations. The Senior Recital must be successfully passed as partial fulfillment of the baccalaureate degree.
4. Please be reminded that this is a performance that is focused on a traditional and formal presentation as established by universities and schools of music globally.
5. All program materials must be approved by Applied Instructor and follow those guidelines practiced in presenting an evening of song that is categorized as outlined in the requirements listed and not be any thematic ideas or concepts.

Voice Recitals Requirements

1. Voice Recitals are to be sung in Italian, German, French and English, taken from vocal literature studied in the Applied Voice, Vocal Diction, and Literature I and II classes taken at BSU.
2. Voice Recitals are to include music from the Italian, German, French and English/American Standard Song Literature Repertoire. Each section should include 3 to 4 songs in each.
3. Standard Musical Theater Repertoire and Jazz Standards may be considered with approval of Applied Voice Instructor.
4. Transfer Students’ repertoire, from a previous institution of higher learning, will be assessed and evaluated by the applied voice Instructor for approval or disapproval for inclusion in the BSU Senior Recital.
5. The student is responsible for securing the services of an accompanist. (The Applied Instructor can provide an approved listing of accompanists.)
6. Students are to perform all pieces from memory.

Instrumental Recital Requirements

1. Instrumental Recitals should be prepared with literature taken from the different periods of music history (Baroque, Renaissance, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary and Modern.)
2. The instrumentalist should prepare: 1) a major sonata or concerto with all movements and piano accompaniment; 2) an unaccompanied study or etude which demonstrates mastery of technique and expressiveness; and 3) two short pieces that represent a different contrast of the major and unaccompanied pieces.
3. Transfer Students’ repertoire, from a previous institution of higher learning, will be assessed and evaluated by the applied voice Instructor for approval or disapproval for inclusion in the BSU Senior Recital.
4. The student is responsible for securing the services of an accompanist. (The Applied Instructor can provide an approved listing of accompanists.)

Piano Recital Requirements

1. Piano Recitals are to be prepared with piano literature from different periods of music such as Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary and Modern.
2. Pieces are to demonstrate mastery of technique, contrast in dynamics and musical expression.
3. Transfer Students’ repertoire, from a previous institution of higher learning, will be assessed and evaluated by the applied voice Instructor for approval or disapproval for inclusion on the BSU Senior Recital.
4. All music must be performed from memory.
5. The pianist should prepare three contrasting pieces as assigned by their instructor from the:

• Baroque Period (Bach, Kuhlau, Handel, Hayden),
• Classical Period (Mozart, Beethoven),
• Romantic Period (Chopin, Schumann, Schubert),
• Contemporary Period (Debussy, Scriabin) and
• Modern Period (Wallen, Crumb, Long)

Performance Guidelines

Senior Recitals are to be at least 45-55 minutes in duration. This includes a 10-minute intermission.

• Recital Music is to be studied and performed with proper technical and historically correct performance practices. To deviate from these practices - during the public performance - will result in a failing grade for the recital and the student will need to return to perform the recital, in its entirety, in a closed faculty jury.
• Prior to the public performance of the Senior Recital, the student is required to perform the recital with the hired accompanist scheduled to perform on the recital.
  • This is done thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled performance before a faculty jury for approval.
  • If there is a consent of disapproval from the faculty, recommendations will be provided for a second hearing of the students’ materials. If after the second hearing There is still disapproval from the faculty jury; the student must come back the following semester to complete the Senior Recital requirement. Upon passing the faculty jury, applied lessons must continue until the date of the recital. Voice and Instrumental students are required to have the accompanist present at two rehearsals with the applied teacher, one during the lesson time and the final in the Recital Hall on stage.
• There should be no decorations in the recital hall for the senior recital. No water in pitchers or water bottles is to be onstage or placed on the piano. Water may be consumed backstage between the sections of the recital.
• Please be reminded that this is a formal and graded performance. Proper concert etiquette from all the family and guests is expected throughout the performance. There should be no hollering, shouting, or calling out.
• The performance will start promptly at 7:00 pm. Late guests will be seated at the end of the performance. There should be no late entry during the performance. This can be very distracting to the performer’s concentration.
• Any verbal or written acknowledgements, presentations (except for a bouquet of flowers given at the end of the program), are permitted. Verbal acknowledgement accepted will be that of the performer providing translation or historical information about a selection.
• Taking pictures should not be with any type of flash or noise.

Printed Program

• Once the recital program has been approved by the Applied Instructor and the Music Faculty Committee, at the time of your pre-recital jury, this information should be emailed to the designated faculty member who is thusly responsible for having the program printed onto the appropriate departmental and university formats.
  • There are no other informal programs permitted to be distributed for the senior recital.
  • Students can generate and distribute flyers or other announcements to aid with audience development and awareness of their upcoming performance.
• This information should be received two weeks prior to scheduled recital and include all language translations of the German, Italian and French songs, and any historical program notes.

Pre-Recital and Recital Attire

• A professional attitude in dress will provide the most fitting impression to the faculty and your mindset about this capstone event in your life.
  • Casual, semi-formal attire is a better look than jeans, sneakers, and other trinkets for the pre-jury. - “Dress for Success”
• For the Senior Recital, appropriate concert attire is required only.
  • A formal evening gown (tea-length or floor length) or formal evening pant suit is suggested for females.
  • Males should wear a black tuxedo or black suit with necktie or bow tie.
  • Appropriate dress shoes, stockings, socks, and jewelry should be worn.

There is no change of concert attire at intermission.

The guidelines of the document are applicable to Music Minors who wish to present a final Recital Program.

Jury

Juries are required of all music students, at the end of every semester, prior to Final Exams

See Jury Form*

Juries will measure progress in applied lessons. Preparation for juries should include the following:

• Two prepared pieces of contrasting styles (i.e. Etudes, Hanon Studies, Scales, Arpeggios)
• Literature designated by Applied Instrumental or Vocal Instructor.

The objectives are:

• To offer students with a variety of practical experiences in performing groups and other environments;
• To provide multi-cultural experiences that will facilitate effective interaction in diverse environments; and
• To provide experiences in the latest technology in Music.

 

Piano Requirements: Three contrasting pieces, five scales, Sight-reading, and Arpeggios, as well as demonstrated knowledge of history and literature of the compositions

Vocal Requirements: Four pieces in contrasting styles and two different languages, as well as know the keys and poetic content of each song

Instrumental Requirements: As designated by applied teacher in keeping with the requirements of Department of Fine and Performing Arts, Music concentration