Music

Return to: Departments

Department of Music
College of Visual and Performing Arts

Rhinehart Music Center 144 ~ 260-481-6714 ~ www.ipfw.edu/vpa/music

Music and an Outside Field, Music Education, Music Performance, Music Therapy

The Department of Music provides degree programs leading to careers in music, functions as a service department to the university, and serves as a musical center and resource for Greater Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana. The department offers programs leading to the following degrees: Bachelor of Music in Performance, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field, and Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy. A minor in music is also available.

Accreditation

Programs offered by the department are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and the American Music Therapy Association.

Admission

One must satisfy the admission requirements of IPFW ( Regulations ) and successfully complete an audition and entrance placement exams wherein appropriate faculty committees evaluate a student’s musical knowledge, skill, and potential. Students who do not meet all music-department entrance requirements may be admitted to the department as pre-music students.

Curricula

To complete a degree in music, a student must satisfy the university’s general education requirements, Department of Music core requirements, and requirements specific to the degree program.

Special Academic Regulations for Students Majoring in Music

Detailed information regarding policies and practices of the department is included in the Department of Music Student Handbook, available on the department web page (ipfw.edu/music). Information included below is detailed in the handbook. All music majors are expected to be familiar with the contents of the handbook.

Academic Probation

Music majors must earn: (1) a semester GPA of 2.00 and a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher; (2) a semester GPA of 2.5 or higher for all music courses required for the degree program; (3) a C or better in a music course or ensemble required for the degree.  Failure to meet these standards will result in placement on departmental probation.

Music Education majors are required to mantain a minimum GPA of 2.7 and a graduation GPA of 3.0  Additional acedemic requirements are available on the web page of the Educational Studies program.

Students on probation may lose eligibility for scholarships and financial aid, as well as risk dismissal from the program. See the department’s student handbook for further information on academic probation.

Dismissal

Students will be dismissed from the department when (1) they have been placed on departmental probation due to gradepoint deficiency and do not correct the deficiency in the next semester of enrollment; (2) the have been placed on departmental probation for failure to earn a C or better in a music course required for the degree and do not earn a C or better in the second attempt in the same course; (3) they fail to earn a C or better in two consecutive semesters of the same ensemble.

Readmission

Students who are dismissed may petition for readmission to the Department of Music one semester from the date of dismissal. Students returning from dismissal will automatically be placed on probation. Failure to maintain a 2.5 GPA for the first semester of re-entry or to make a C or better in a required music course will result in permanent dismissal from the department.

Keyboard Proficiency

All music majors must pass a keyboard proficiency examination. Entering students who are prepared to take the examination may do so before registration; all others must register in piano courses until this requirement is satisfied.

Transfer Credits

Audition and placement exams will be required of transfer students.

Upper-Division Standing

During the semester in which students are enrolled in or have successfully completed MUS T214, 216, M202, and the fourth semester of applied music at the 300 or 400 level on the same instrument, they are eligible and will be expected to take the Upper Division Performance Examination (MUS X296), an applied music performance for the applied music instructor and the resident music faculty. Successful completion of this examination allows entrance into upper level Music courses. 

Music education majors must also complete the Music Education Upper Divisional Examination (MUS X297). Music therapy majors must also complete the Music Therapy Skills Examination (MUS X298). See the course descriptions for content and prerequisites for these examinations.

Performance Studies for Students Majoring in Music

Performance study (applied music) is required of all music majors and is available for the study of voice, keyboard, winds, strings, and percussion. Students are assigned to applied-music teachers on the basis of instructor availability and suitability. An audition and departmental permission are required. Both a junior and a senior recital are required for the Bachelor of Music in Performance. All other degrees require a concentration recital, the required number of semesters of study varying with the degree.

Performance Class X095

Music majors are required to enroll in Performance Class in every semester of enrollment in applied study on their primary instrument.  This 0-credit course is a weekly meeting of music majors and minors and serves as a laboratory for performance. Part of the course requirement is attendance at specified public concerts and recitals.

Ensemble Requirements

Music majors are required to enroll in a major ensemble each semester of enrollment in applied study. Degree specific requirements are listed with each degree program.

Restriction on Use of University Facilities

University facilities are not to be used for any private enterprises such as teaching.

Time Limit

Students are expected to be current in the knowledge and skills required for the degree at the point of degree completion.  Accordingly, a student who does not complete the requirements within seven years of matriculation may be required to (1) demonstrate eligibility to continue in the degree program by passing comprehensive examinations in any or all music subjects previously completed, or (2) meet the degree requirements specified in the current Bulletin. Time spent fulfilling a military-service obligation will not be counted toward this seven-year limit. 

Return to: Departments