Department of Performing Arts

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

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 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 administered prior to the first semester 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 in the case of a transfer student 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 required 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 student is ready to begin credit study at the 101 level. A transfer student 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 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.

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

All full-time Theatre majors are required to audition for all McNeese Theatre Bayou Players Productions each regular semester in which they are enrolled. All majors will enroll in two theatre laboratory courses (THEA 291, 292, 391, and/or 392) each semester, as deemed appropriate by the Coordinator of Theatre and the results of that semester’s performance auditions. Only one credit of theatre laboratory courses may be applied to degree requirements each semester. Theatre minors are required to participate in one production each semester in which the minor is pursued, including all workdays and strikes. All minors will enroll in a minimum of four theatre laboratory courses (THEA 291, 292, 391, and/or 392) prior to graduation.

Each year, students have the opportunity to participate int he state and regional Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival and, if they choose, stage their own laboratory production of an original or published script on the McNeese campus.

The McNeese Bayou Players began staging theatrical productions on the McNeese campus in the early 1950s. This time-honored tradition of providing McNeese students, the University, and the regional community with provocative, high-quality theatre is the mission of the theatre program. Theatre majors are members of and contributors to this group of theatre artists through their required participation in all productions each semester. Involvement in the McNeese Bayou Players prepares a theatre major for professional work as a creative theatre artist.

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