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Michele Martin, Head
Faculty: Abegglan, Belew, Benoit, Buckles, Condit, Ganz, Hand, Jacobs, Jones, Lauderdale, Lemke, Lines, McNeely, Morita, Pace, Proksch, Rose, D. Scott, J. Scott, Smithey, Sylvester, Vogt, Whitlock   

Purpose

The Department of Performing Arts provides the opportunity for students to develop their talent and potential as creative artists in music and theatre arts. To this end, the department offers curricula and experiences in music and theatre performance, music technology, and theatre production technology and design that prepares students for professional careers in music, music education, and theatre arts.

To students with other majors, the department provides service courses, music, and theatre appreciation, and performance courses and opportunities that enhance the quality of the liberal arts education and enrich the lives of all students.

To the university and region, the Department of Performing Arts offers concerts and performances at appropriate functions and ceremonies that enrich, entertain, and enhance the institution and community spirit.

To music and theatre as an art and profession, the Department of Performing Arts increases artistry, leadership, understanding, dignity, and respect through education, collaboration, and contribution.

The Department of Performing Arts offers the following degree curricula:

Information regarding graduate work in music and the Kodály Certification Program can be found in the Graduate School section of this catalog.

McNeese State University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. The requirements for entrance and for graduation as set forth in this catalog are in accordance with the published regulations of the National Association of Schools of Music.

Department Entrance Requirements

Music. Each new student who desires to specialize in music must complete the following entrance requirements:

1. Theory Diagnostic Examination - A first-time freshman must demonstrate entrance-level proficiency in the fundamentals of music including notation, rhythm, scales, key signatures, intervals, and chords through a diagnostic examination given prior to the student’s first semester of enrollment. If a freshman shows inadequate preparation, the student will be enrolled in MUSC 100, credit for which cannot apply to degree requirements. In the case of a transfer student, following an attained-level diagnostic examination admnistered prior to the first semster of enrollment, the student will be placed in the theory and sight singing/ear training courses appropriate to the demonstrated level of knowledge and skills with consideration of the student’s transfer credits in these areas.
2. Major Performance Area Audition - A student must demonstrate entrance-level proficiency, or int he case of a transfer studetn an attained-level of proficiency on a major instrument or in voice before the appropriate performance board prior to the first semester of enrollment. A freshman student who shows inadequate preparation will be rquired to enroll in the appropriate major performance area course 100, credit for which may not be used to fulfill degree requirements, until in the judgment of the performance board, the studetn is ready to begin credit study at the 101 level. A transfer studetn will be placed at the major performance level deemed appropriate by the board, with consideration of the student’s transfer credits in major performance study.
3. Functional Piano Audition - A freshman student (non-piano major) who has had no previous experience in keyboard study will be placed in PIAN 115. A student who has had some training and wishes to be granted advanced placement must audition before the keyboard performance board. Following the audition, the board will recommend an appropriate level of study and that advanced placement to this level be awarded. A transfer student will audition and be placed in the functional piano course deemed appropriate by the board, with consideration of the student’s transfer credits in functional piano study.

Theatre. Each new student who desires to major in theatre arts must complete the following entrance requirements:

1. Performance Concentration Assessment - Each new student who desires to pursue the performance concentration option of the theatre arts curriculum must present a monologue before program faculty for the purpose of initial entrance assessment, or in the case of a transfer student, attained-level of assessment. Following the audition, a transfer student will be placed at the performance level deemed appropriate by program faculty, with consideration of the student’s transfer credits in performance study.
2. Design/Technical Concentration Assessment - A freshman student who desires to pursue the design/technical concentration option of the theatre arts curriculum will participate in an interview before program faculty for the purpose of initial entrance experience and skills assessment. A transfer student who desires to pursue the design/technical concentration option must present a design portfolio before program faculty for the purpose of attained-level assessment. Following this presentation, the student will be placed at the level of design/production study deemed appropriate by program faculty, with consideration of the student’s transfer credits in related courses.

Departmental Grade Requirements

A music or theatre student must earn a grade of “C” or higher in each required course for the minor or major and meet all graduation requirements listed in the section titled “Graduation Requirements” found in the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

A student majoring in a Music Education degree must meet all requirements for admission and progression through the Teacher Education Program, student teaching, and graduation as described in this catalog under the College of Education.

Music Ensemble Participation

Major Ensemble. All full-time music majors are required to participate in the appropriate major ensemble as indicated in each degree plan during each regular semester in which they are enrolled. Students majoring in Music Education—Instrumental Grades K-12 should endeavor to schedule both band and orchestra because the single Louisiana teaching certificate in instrumental music authorizes the holder to direct both band and orchestra. During the semester in which a music education major is enrolled in MUED 442 (Directed Observation and Student Teaching), that student may be exempt from ensemble.

Small Ensemble. Students majoring in any concentration of the Bachelor of Music in Performance are required to successfully complete small ensemble experiences as indicated in each degree plan. At a minimum, students majoring in music education must successfully complete at least one semester of small ensemble experience by enrolling in one of the following courses as appropriate to the major performance instrument: MUSC 385, MUSC 388, MUSC 389, MUSC 397, MUSC 398, MUSC 493, or MUSC 498. All MUSC education and performance degree required recitals (MUSC 490 and MUSC 492) must include a small ensemble work.

McNeese Bayou Player Productions

The McNeese Bayou Players began staging theatrical productions on the McNeese campus in the early 1950’s. A time-honored tradition of providing the university and regional communities with provocative, quality theatre is the mission of the program. Theatre Majors become members of and contributors to this group of theatre artists through their required on stage or back stage participation in all productions each semester. Theatre Minors are required to work on one production each semester that the minor is pursued. Each year, students have the opportunity to participate in the state and regional Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival and additionally, if desired, to stage a laboratory production on the McNeese campus of an original or published script. Involvement in the McNeese Bayou Players prepares a theatre major for professional work as a creative artist.

Graduate Studies

Purpose

The Department of Performing Arts is dedicated to providing graduate students in music education with opportunities for advanced learning in musicianship, teaching skills, and scholarly research. Through concentrations in instrumental music, vocal music, or Kodály studies, the Master of Music Education program allows candidates to develop excellence in their chosen discipline. Course work and experiences in the master’s curriculum are designed to improve a candidate’s expertise in handling the instructional and musical challenges of the K-12 classroom; to provide the knowledge to develop a deeper understanding of diverse societies and learning styles; and to offer a foundation for the pursuit of continued professional growth.

Requirements for admission to the program

In addition to the general requirements for admission to Graduate School, applicants for admission to the Master of Music Education in Music Education program must meet the following requirements:

1. A minimum score of 1100 on the GRE formula (150 x undergraduate GPA + GRE [Verbal + Quantitate] score).
2. Completion of a baccalaureate degree in music, music education, or liberal arts with a major in music from a regionally accredited college or university.
3. Valid teaching certificate (not temporary) in music.
4. Adequate preparation as determined by the Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Music Education. Additional undergraduate courses in education, music, and/or music education may be required if the applicant’s baccalaureate degree shows deficiencies in these areas.

Diagnostic Entrance Examinations

All entering master’s students are required to take two written Diagnostic Entrance Examinations, one in music theory and another in music history and literature, prior to their first semester of enrollment in the degree program. As a result of the testing, students who show serious deficiencies in theory as judged by the coordinator of the graduate program will enroll in MUSC 600, Music Theory Review. Additionally, students who show serious deficiencies in music history and literature as judged by the coordinator of graduate studies will enroll in MUSC 602, Music History Review. MUSC 600 and MUSC 602 will be taken the first semester of enrollment. Students must earn the grade of “B” or better in both courses. Credit for these courses may not be used to fulfill degree requirements. Information concerning the content areas of each written examination may be obtained from the coordinator of graduate studies.

Comprehensive Examinations

Candidates for the Master of Music Education degree must successfully complete comprehensive examinations covering all music and music education course work. The comprehensive examinations include written and oral components. Comprehensive examination policies and procedures are outlined in the current Graduate Music Education handbook.

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