Department of Performing Arts

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Michael Buckles, Head
Faculty: Benoit, Corley, Hand, Jacobs, Jones, Lauderdale, Lemke, Lines, McNeely, Morita, Proksch, Rose, D. Scott, J. Scott, Sheng, Smithey, Sylvester

Purpose

The Department of Performing Arts provides the opportunity for students to develop their talent and potential as creative artists in music and theatre and as music educators. To this end, the department offers curricula, course work, and experiences in music and theatre performance, music technology, and technical theatre production that prepares students for professional careers and graduate school entrance in music, music education, and theatre arts. Additionally, curricula and course work emphasize the development of effective critical thinking and communication skills and an understanding of the artist’s role as a productive member of the global community.

To students with other majors, the department provides minor degrees in music and theatre, performing arts service 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 offers musical and theatrical 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 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 Bachelor of Art in Liberal Studies with a Concentration in Theatre Arts can be found in the Department of History section of this catalog. 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.

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 enrolled in a music education concentration 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. During the semester in which a student pursuing a music education concentration is enrolled in MUED 442 (Directed Observation and Student Teaching), that student may be exempt from the major ensemble requirement.

Small Ensemble. Students majoring in any concentration of the Bachelor of Music degree are required to successfully complete small ensemble experiences as indicated in each concentration degree plan. Programming for all MUSC 490 and 492 required recitals must include at least one small ensemble work.

McNeese Bayou Player Productions

All full-time students enrolled in the Theatre Arts Concentration of the B.A. in Liberal Studies degree are required to audition for all McNeese Theatre Bayou Players Productions each semester in which they are enrolled. All theatre arts concentration students will enroll in two theatre laboratory courses (THEA 291, 292, 391 and/or 392) each semester, as deemed appropriate by the coordinator of theatre following 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. Students enrolled in the theatre arts concentration 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 student for professional work as a creative theatre artist.

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