Studying music at Concordia
Concordia offers individual lessons and several academic tracks tracks leading to degrees. The programs that lead to teacher certifcation and LCMS certification are noted as follows:
| (TC) | Program leads to Nebraska state teacher certification. | (LCMS) | Program optionally leads to Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod certification |
Majors
Bachelor of Arts in Music
- Be a performer, composer, or scholar
- Prepare for graduate school in music, music therapy, or music librarianship
Bachelor of Music in Music Education (TC, LCMS)
- Teach music in grades K–12
Bachelor of Music in Parish Music (LCMS)
- Direct the music in a church; Director of Parish Music certificate available
Bachelor of Science in Education with an Endorsement in Music (TC, LCMS)
- Teach music plus other subjects in an elementary or high school
The first-year course of study is the same for all music majors, so it is possible to wait until the end of the first year to declare a program. See further information on how to become a music major. For specific course requirements for music majors, see the registrar’s page. Generous scholarships are available for music students.
Minors
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with a Minor in Music, Minor in Contemporary Church Music, or an Interdisciplinary Minor in Worship Arts
- Learn about music while majoring in another subject.
- Fall 2011 Update: Download the curriculum for the Interdisciplinary Minor in Worship Arts and the Minor in Contemporary Church Music. These are expected to officially become part of the Undergraduate catalog in 2012.
Bachelor of Science in Education with a Concentration in Music (TC, LCMS)
- Use music in your elementary classroom
Director of Christian Education with an Emphasis in Parish Music (LCMS)
- Use music and the Church’s song as a DCE
- For specific course requirements for music minors, see the most recent course catalog.
Lessons
Instrumental and vocal music lessons are available to all Concordia students. To cover the expense of one-on-one instruction, an additional fee is charged (currently $120 per semester hour). Music majors typically receive a 50-minute lesson (2 semester hours) each week on their principal instrument and a 25-minute lesson (1 semester hour) on other instruments, if any. Students in other programs normally receive 25-minute lessons; although advanced students may, upon recommendation of their instructor, receive a 50-minute lesson.
Complete beginners sign up for a 100-level lesson; all others studying an instrument for the first time at Concordia should sign up for a 200-level (intermediate) lesson, regardless of their past experience. Instructors will advance students to the proper level as needed.
Group lessons are given in guitar, piano, and voice at the 100-level. Students in group lessons do not pay the additional fee for private lessons.
B.A. MAJOR IN MUSIC
1. General Education (48 hours)
2. Music (58 hours)
- Mu 102, 103, 104, 105, 202, 203, 204, 205, 211, 212, 213, 320, 493 (2 hours)
- Principal Instrument: 8 hours, pass competency
- Keyboard Proficiency: pass keyboard proficiency exam
- Electives in music: 6 hours
- Ensembles: 4 hours (may audit). Auditing ensembles reduces the number of hours in the program, allowing more room for electives.
Area of emphasis: select 6 hours from one of the following areas:
Church Music
Conducting
General Music
- any additional music courses numbered 200 and above
Performance
- principal instrument (6 additional hours for a total of 14 hours)
Theory and Composition:
Recital attendance required; see Music Student Handbook. All students who wish to major in music make formal application for admittance in the major during their first year at Concordia. See the Music Student Handbook for admission and retention procedures.
B.A. MINOR IN MUSIC
Music (20–24 hours)
- Mu 102, 103, 104, 105, 211 or 212 or 213
- Electives: three hours (with department approval)
- Applied music: four hours (in one area)
- Ensembles: four hours (ensembles may be for credit or audit)
B.A. MINOR IN WORSHIP ARTS
Worship Arts (15 hours)
- Art 260, WA 199, 321, 499
- One course focusing on the theology of worship or interpretation of Scripture (including but not exclusive to: ChMu 313, ChMu 411, Theo 241, Theo 242, Theo 251, Theo 252 or Theo 382)
- Four hours of additional worship or liturgical arts electives.
BACHELOR OF MUSIC PROGRAMS
This section covers programs leading to the Bachelor of Music degree. For Bachelor of Arts in music programs see section on Bachelor of Arts–Music Major. For music programs leading to a teaching certificate, see below and also see section on Bachelor of Science in Education programs.
The requirements for each Bachelor of Music program include the general education requirements and the following. All Bachelor of Music programs require a 2.0 average in the courses listed below, under the student’s particular program. For specific questions refer to the music department handbook or speak with the department chair.
All students who wish to receive a Bachelor of Music degree make formal application for admittance into that program during their first year at Concordia. See the Music Student Handbook for admission and retention procedures.
The Director of Parish Music certificate is available to selected Church Music students. See the Music Department for details.
CHURCH MUSIC – Organ or Voice
1. General Education (45 hours*)
*3 hours of the fine arts requirement may be waived. See the Music Student Handbook for details.
2. Major Area (30–31 hours)
A. Keyboard proficiency (pass keyboard proficiency exam)
B. Recital attendance (see the Music Student Handbook)
C. Principal instrument (16 hours)
- Mu 493 Senior Project (2 hours)
- Ensembles (required in each of 8 semesters; may audit*) (8 hours)
*Auditing ensembles reduces the number of hours in the program, allowing more room for electives. See the Music Student Handbook regarding the small ensemble requirement.
D. Organ or Voice Area
Organ
- MuAp x82 Service Playing (1)
- MuAp x83 Improvisation (1)
- MuAp x84 Organ Accompanying (1)
- ChMu 213 Literature of the Organ (1)
- ChMu 315 Organ Registration (1)
Voice
3. Supportive Courses (49 hours)
- Mu 102 Aural Skills I (2)
- Mu 103 Music Theory I (3)
- Mu 104 Aural Skills II (2)
- Mu 105 Music Theory II (3)
- Mu 202 Aural Skills III (2)
- Mu 203 Music Theory III (3)
- Mu 204 Aural Skills IV (2)
- Mu 205 Music Theory IV (3)
- Mu 211 Music History I (3)
- Mu 212 Music History II (3)
- Mu 213 World Music (3)
- Mu 303 Arranging (2)
- Mu 320 Seminar in Music (3)
- Mu 331 Basic Conducting (2)
- Mu 332 Instrumental Conducting (2)
- Mu 333 Choral Conducting (2)
- Mu 334 Choral Literature (2)
- MuAp 291, 391, or 491 Composition (2)
- ChMu 313 Christian Hymnody (2)
- ChMu 411 Christian Liturgy (2)
- ChMu 431 Church Music Methods and Administration (1)
MUSIC EDUCATION
K–12 Vocal and Instrumental
1. General Education (45 hours*)
*3 hours of the fine arts requirement may be waived. See the Music Student Handbook for details.
2. Performance (38-43 hours**)
A. Keyboard proficiency (pass keyboard proficiency exam) (0-4 hours)
B. Voice proficiency: satisfy level of MuAp 151 (0-1 hours)
C. Recital attendance (see the Music Student Handbook)
D. Principal instrument (10 hours)
E. Mu 493 Senior Project (1 hour)
F. Secondary areas
- ScMu 262, 263, 264, 265 String, Woodwind, Brass, Percussion Techniques (8)
- Mu 331 Basic Conducting (2)
- Mu 332 Instrumental Conducting (2)
- Mu 333 Choral Conducting (2)
G. Ensembles — Select either (a) or (b):
a. Symphonic Band or University/Community Band (7 hours)
Vocal ensembles (6 hours)
b. Vocal ensembles (6 hours)
Symphonic Band or University/Community Band (7 hours)
See the Music Student Handbook regarding the small ensemble requirement.
**Ensembles may be audited. This has the effect of reducing the number of required hours by 13.
3. Supportive Courses (47 hours)
- Mu 102 Aural Skills I (2)
- Mu 103 Music Theory I (3)
- Mu 104 Aural Skills II (2)
- Mu 105 Music Theory II (3)
- Mu 202 Aural Skills III (2)
- Mu 203 Music Theory III (3)
- Mu 204 Aural Skills IV (2)
- Mu 205 Music Theory IV (3)
- Mu 211 Music History I (3)
- Mu 212 Music History II (3)
- Mu 213 World Music (3)
- Mu 303 Arranging (2)
- Mu 334 Choral Literature
- Mu 354 Diction
- ChMu 313 Christian Hymnody or ChMu 411 Christian Liturgy
- Educ 375 Methods in Secondary Music
- ScMu 317 Instrumental Literature & Development
- ScMu 328 Methods of Elementary Music
- ScMu 361 Marching Band Techniques
- ScMu 431 Org./Adm. of Elem. & Sec. Music
4. Education Courses
See the requirements for the Secondary Education program and, if relevant, the requirements for the Lutheran Teacher Diploma.
Bachelor of Science in Education-Music Endorsement
An endorsement is a credential issued by the State of Nebraska certifying that an individual is qualified to teach a particular subject. Endorsements may typically be transferred to other states, although additional coursework or an examination is sometimes required.
Most universities offer only a single comprehensive music education degree covering both elementary and high school. Concordia has this as well (the Bachelor of Music in Music Education ), but we also offer more specialized endorsements that students can combine with other subject areas, giving them more flexibility in designing their program:
- K–8 instrumental music
- K–8 vocal music
- 7–12 instrumental music
- 7–12 vocal music
At the elementary level, an instrumental or vocal music endorsement is added on to the regular elementary education program and takes the place of a subject concentration. A student would want an endorsement rather than a concentration if (1) the student desires the additional music courses that an endorsement requires; or (2) the student would like a state certification in music, which might make a graduate more marketable. An endorsement is recommended for students who see themselves teaching formal music classes or directing ensembles.
At the secondary level, all students select two subject areas for an endorsement. Either instrumental or vocal music may be combined with a subject other than music. If a student desires to teach both instrumental and vocal music, he or she should be in the Bachelor of Music in Music Education program.
All students who wish to major in music make formal application for admittance into that program during the semester in which they are enrolled in Mu 104, Aural Skills II and Mu 105, Music Theory II. Transfer students make application no later than one year after arriving at Concordia. See the Music Department Handbook for admission and retention procedures.
Cross-disciplinary programs leading to a Bachelor of Arts
Arts administration
The arts administration program leading to a bachelor of arts degree is a combined study of business, marketing and communication skills along with an exposure to the spectrum of arts opportunities at Concordia.
Students take a core of courses in business and communication courses and then select four of five options within the arts -- art history and theory, studio art, literature and writing, music, or theatre -- to complete the program.
Students will emerge with an appreciation and understanding of the arts and the ability to promote, support and direct a variety of arts programs.
Courses for Arts Administration (69 hours)
Bus 121, 261, 300, 371, 400, Bus 357 or 443, Bus/CTA 385, Bus/CTA 499, CTA 301, ECON 102, Math 122.
Choose 36 hours (with a minimum of 5–6 hours in a minimum of 4 tracks) from:
- Art History and Theory track: Art 195, 260, 271, 272, 273, 370.
- Studio Art track: Art 145, 190, 203, 205.
- Literature and Writing track: ENG–select from upper-level literature or writing courses.
- Music track: Mu 101, 102, 103, 211, 212, 213, 331, 334, 355.
- Theatre track: CTA 152, 153, 231, 232, 233, 299, 373, 399.
The course catalog may also be helpful for learning about other programs in which you are interested.
