Traditional Music Studies Major – Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in Traditional Music Studies provides for the study of traditional music within a liberal arts curriculum. The program is suitable for preparing students for careers in traditional music.

As it relates to the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music at Morehead State University, "traditional" music includes Bluegrass, Old Time, Ballad Singing, Blues, Celtic, Western Swing and many other related forms. The music with which we are most involved stems from, or is influenced by, the music that is identified with our southern Appalachian mountain region.

Special Admission Requirements

Entrance Auditions and Placement Assessment

All new and transfer students planning to major or minor in music must audition before the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music faculty on their principal performing instrument or voice prior to enrollment. The audition process is used to determine the student's readiness for entry into a music degree program. A scholarship audition may serve as a student's admission audition.

Transfer Student Admission

The music major entering the School of Music, Theatre and Dance by transfer must submit an official transcript of all previous college work. The applicant should be prepared to validate achievements in the area of applied music, music theory, ear training, and the history and literature of Traditional music. Resolution of any deficiency must be initiated during the first registration period.

Goals

To provide students:

The resources and opportunity to learn about traditional music forms and culture from both a historical and contemporary perspective using methods which encourage quality learning through discovery and inspiration.
Extensive performance experience.
The opportunity to interact with musical artists and professionals in the traditional music industry.
Mentoring and preparation to become well-rounded, creative, productive traditional music artists.
Materials and resources for research and study through the unique collections that are housed in the Traditional Music Archives, which is part of the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music.
And:
To simultaneously preserve and develop our art form.
To engage and educate the public, positively representing Kentucky's rich cultural heritage, the Appalachian region and Morehead State University through performance and interaction with the community in the MSU service region and beyond.

Program Competencies

Competencies required for successful completion of this program include:

The ability to hear, identify and work conceptually with the elements of music such as rhythm, melody, harmony, structure, timbre and texture;
An understanding of and the ability to read and realize musical notation as appropriate to traditional music;
An understanding of composition processes, aesthetic properties of style, and the ways these shape and are shaped by artistic and cultural forces;
An acquaintance with a wide selection of musical literature, the principal eras, genres and cultural sources;
The ability to develop and defend musical judgments;
Ability in performing areas at levels consistent with the goals and objectives of the Bachelor of Arts in Traditional Music Studies;
Understanding of procedures for realizing a variety of musical styles; and
Knowledge and/or skills in one or more areas of music beyond basic musicianship appropriate to the individual's needs and interests, and consistent with the purposes of the Bachelor of Arts in Traditional Music Studies.

Assessment

Capstone
Survey of graduates
Performance recitals
Exit interview

Program Requirements

General Education

MUSW 499C	Senior Project	3
	General Education courses	variable
Total Credit Hours:		36

Refer to the General Education section for a complete listing of general education requirements for the University.

Major Requirements

History

MUSH 171	Global Perspectives in Music	3
MUSH 338	Traditional Music History I	3
MUSH 339	Traditional Music History II	3
MUSH 340	Traditional Music History III	3
Total Credit Hours:		12

Private Applied

MUSP 238 -Take eight hours

MUSP 238A	Private Bluegrass Banjo	1-4
MUSP 238B	Private Old Time Banjo	1-4
MUSP 238C	Private Mandolin	1-4
MUSP 238D	Private Traditional Guitar	1-4
MUSP 238E	Private Country Electric Guitar	1-4
MUSP 238F	Private Upright Traditional Bass	1-4
MUSP 238G	Private Dobro	1-4
MUSP 238H	Private Mountain Dulcimer	1-4
MUSP 238I	Private Bluegrass and Country Fiddle	1-4
MUSP 238J	Private Old Time Fiddle	1-4
MUSP 238K	Private Celtic Fiddle	1-4
MUSP 238V	Private Traditional Voice	1-4
Total Credit Hours:		8

Note: MUSP 238: (taken concurrent with MUSP 200)

MUSP 438 - Take six hours

MUSP 438A	Private Bluegrass Banjo	1-4
MUSP 438B	Private Old Time Banjo	1-4
MUSP 438C	Private Mandolin	1-4
MUSP 438D	Private Traditional Guitar	1-4
MUSP 438E	Private Country Electric Guitar	1-4
MUSP 438F	Private Upright Traditional Bass	1-4
MUSP 438G	Private Dobro	1-4
MUSP 438H	Private Mountain Dulcimer	1-4
MUSP 438I	Private Bluegrass and Country Fiddle	1-4
MUSP 438J	Private Old Time Fiddle	1-4
MUSP 438K	Private Celtic Fiddle	1-4
MUSP 438V	Private Traditional Voice	1-4
Total Credit Hours:		6

Note: MUSP 438: (taken concurrently with MUSP 400)

Ensembles

MUSM 383	Traditional Music Ensemble	1
MUSM 200	Student Recital	0
MUSM 400	Student Recital	0
Total Credit Hours:		8

MUSM 383: (student must take Private Applied concurrent with Ensemble)

MUSM 200, MUSM 400: (four semesters each)

Theory

MUST 103	Practical Theory for Traditional Music	2
MUST 120	Aural Skills	2
MUST 355	Traditional Vocal Harmony	2
MUST 445	Chart Writing and Application	3
Total Credit Hours:		9

Music Business

MUSW 310	Music Business	2
Total Credit Hours:		2

Recording and Production

MUSW 325	Music Recording and Sound Reinforcement	3
Total Credit Hours:		3

Minor

All majors must also include a minor or additional major. See Terms to Know.

Total Credit Hours:

General Electives

(eight of which must be at the 300+ level)

	General electives	variable
Total Credit Hours:		15

Total Credit Hours: 120