Ivy Walz, Associate Dean

Programs

• Majors:

  • Composition Major — B.M.
  • Music Education Major — B.M.
  • Music in Combination with an Outside Field Major — B.M.
  • Music Major — B.A.
  • Music Education and Performance Major — B.M.
  • Performance Major — B.M.
  • Performance, Collaborative Emphasis Major — B.M.
  • Sound Recording Technology Major — B.M.
  • Jazz Studies Major — B.M.

• Minor:

  • Music Minor

• Concentration:

  • Jazz Studies Concentration

Admission to Music Majors and Minors

Internal Transfers

Students, at Ithaca College, considering transfer into a Music major or those who are considering a music minor should contact the Director of Music Admission for information regarding the required audition. However, coursework in Music may be taken prior to the time of acceptance as a major or minor in music. More detailed information may be obtained from the Music Admission office by emailing music@ithaca.edu. All prospective music majors or minors will need to submit an Audition Form through GetAcceptd.

Please be aware that some majors in Music have extensive credit requirements that may necessitate the addition of a semester or semesters of study. 

For non-majors: 

Students pursuing degrees in other fields at Ithaca College also may study music through a variety of performance experiences and courses designed for the non-major. Non-music majors may audition for all music ensembles, and should contact the Music Associate Dean's office for information about audition times and excerpts. 

The music minor provides an organized sequence of study for those students wishing a richer experience. Each applicant must audition on a principal instrument and pass a sight-singing assessment during the standard audition dates. Non-majors may begin the music minor as early as their first-year.  

Academic Courses of Study

The first-year student curricula are practically identical for all degrees within the school, giving students one full academic year in which to make a final decision regarding their programs. From the time a specific program is approved for a student, that student must adhere to their selected program and to the total number of credits listed for that program. Changes in program and courses, or in major and secondary instrument or voice, require the approval of the Adviser, Department Chair, and Associate Dean.

applied Performance Study

All private lesson study required in the student’s program is included in the basic tuition charge, subject to the conditions under “Explanation of Charges.” Elective private lessons, whether for music majors or non majors, are subject to a private lesson fee in accordance with the schedule shown on the “Expenses” catalog page. All private lesson registration and preregistration are through the music office only.

Performance courses are of two general classifications: private instruction for voice and instrument and course instruction for minor (secondary) instrument study. Those majoring in the performance or music education/performance (four-and-a-half-year) program take a one-hour private lesson each week (for 4 credits); all other Bachelor of Music students take a one-hour private lesson each week (for 2 credits). Students in the Bachelor of Arts (Music Major) take a half-hour lesson each week (for 2 credits) for six semesters. All music students attend one repertory class each week conducted by the Applied Performance teacher.

Performance and event attendance

All full-time music majors (BA/BM) in the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, are required to attend a total of 12 performances and events during the semester. Suggested distribution is as follows:

• 3 Guest Artist or Faculty performances
• 2 ensemble performances
• 3 student performances
• 4 free choice performances, shows, or events

Free choice may include any additional of the above, a master class or any of the selected performances, shows or events as posted on the course syllabus each semester. The associate dean will determine how this policy applies to transfer student. Additional attendance requirements are at the option of the major teacher. 

Recital Requirements

All students enrolled in the B.M. in performance program must successfully perform two solo recitals as part of their degree requirements. All students enrolled in the B.M. in music education/performance (four-and-a-half-year) program must successfully perform one solo recital as part of their degree requirements. Required recitals are graded by three faculty members from Music, normally, the student's teacher and two faculty members from the instrument or voice area constitute the grading committee. Students not required to perform a recital may elect to perform in a graded recital with the permission of their applied teacher. Elective recitals are normally graded by only the student's teacher. 

JURY REQUIREMENTS

All undergraduate music majors must perform a jury at the end of each semester, normally occurring during final exam week. Students who perform a graded recital and students who are off-campus because of student teaching may be exempted at the discretion of their teacher. Non-major students enrolled for 2 credits of private study must also perform a jury at the end of the semester. Juries are graded on a pass/fail basis. If a student receives a grade of F from the majority of the faculty members on the panel, the applied major teacher must issue a grade for the semester no higher than D. The grade of I, “incomplete,” must not be used in these cases. The incomplete grade is to be used only if a student is unable to perform a jury because of illness or providential intervention. The chair of performance studies must also be informed of the jury failure. The chair will then request that a letter of warning be sent, by the associate dean, to the student (see “Academic Status ”).To be removed from warning, the student must pass the jury in the following semester and receive a semester grade of C- or higher.

Every music student is required to meet specified minimum requirements in piano, relative to their curriculum. Students having voice or piano as the major instrument, regardless of their curricula, take keyboard musicianship, which includes accompanying, transposition, and literature.

Ensemble Policies

All full-time music majors and minors normally participate in ensembles each semester until the ensemble degree requirements are fulfilled, unless they are off-campus for an academic experience.

One-credit (1.0) ensembles normally meet on average 4-5 hours per week including all sectionals and dress rehearsals. Half-credit (0.5) ensembles normally meet on average 2 hours per week including all sections and dress rehearsals. Specific ensembles for instruments, e.g. guitar and keyboard, may be exceptions.

The Directors of Ensembles, in consultation with the applied faculty, coordinate and manage the audition process. 

Course & Grade Policies

Course Exemptions

Students may be exempted from courses in the Music major through examination by the departments concerned. Resulting credit deficiencies may be made up by taking additional music electives.

Music Electives

Ensemble and chamber music credits over and above the required ensembles may be applied toward music elective requirements according to the following formula: for every 3 credits of music electives required in each degree program, 1 credit of ensemble or chamber music may be counted toward elective requirements, with a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 4 credits. Performance studies in an instrument/voice other than the major and elective recital credits may apply toward music electives. Performance study in the major performance area taken in addition to the degree requirements may also apply toward music electives.

Music Concentration

Concentration is available to music majors in the area of Jazz Studies. A concentration is a structured plan of elective courses within a student’s major discipline that comprises a minimum of five courses for at least 15 credits. Courses taken to fulfill the concentration may count toward music elective requirements.

Admission to a concentration requires written acceptance by the chair of the department that offers the concentration.

Concentration Requirements

Aural Skills, Keyboard Musicianship, and Recital Grades

Students must repeat keyboard musicianship or Aural Skills courses in which they receive a grade lower than C-.

A grade of C- is the lowest acceptable grade for successful completion of a required undergraduate recital. In the event that a student receives a grade of D (+ or -), the grade will stand and be computed into the GPA, but the student must take the course again. A completely different recital program must be performed when repeating the course.

Liberal Arts

All Students in music must, by mandate of the New York State Education Department, take a certain number of liberal Arts courses to complete their degree program. These courses must be taken outside of the Center for Music. 

Academic advising

Each student in the Center of Music will be assigned an advisor. All students are required to meet with their advisor prior to registration. 

Honors Courses

Presently, we are offering honors sections in Aural Skills courses only.

The following are courses with honors sections:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
MUTH 12601	Aural Skills I - Honors	2
MUTH 22501	Aural Skills II - Honors	2
MUTH 22601	Aural Skills III -- Honors	2

Music Performance

Music Performance Policies

Music Performance classes are considered non-liberal arts (NLA) courses for music majors because of the emphasis placed on performance. Music Performance classes are considered liberal arts (LA) courses for non-music majors because of the emphasis placed on fine arts in the context of a liberal arts education.

Upon acceptance into the program, music performance and music education/music performance (four-and-a-half-year) majors take a one-hour private lesson each week for 4 credits per semester. All other Bachelor of Music students take a one-hour private lesson each week for 2 credits. Students in the Bachelor of Arts (Music Major) take a half-hour lesson each week (for 2 credits) for six semesters. Additionally, each semester, all music majors take the 0.5-credit course PFMJ 19900. Music minors take a half-hour private lesson each week for 1 credit per semester. Music majors who have an additional requirement of private lessons on a secondary instrument (e.g., voice students who take private piano lessons) take a half-hour lesson each week for 1 credit. Music minors and music majors in secondary lessons do not take the class for that instrument.

The following table shows music performance lessons (principal) levels and credits to be taken within degree programs of the School of Music.

Credits of Applied Performance Study Per Semester

Performance Study per Semester

Program	Levels of Performance Study	Credits
Music Education	I-IV (two semesters at each level I-III; 1 semester at level IV)	2
Music education/performance	I-IV (two semesters at each level)	4
Performance	I-IV (two semesters at each level)	4
Performance-collaborative emphasis	I-IV (two semesters at each level)	4
Sound recording technology	I-IV (two semesters at each level; 1 credit during semester of internship)	2
Combination with outside field	I-IV (two semesters at each level)	2
Jazz Studies	I-IV (two semesters at each level)	2
Composition	(no performance studies - major required)	0
Bachelor of arts in music	I-III (two semesters at each level)	2
Minor in music	I-II (two semesters at each level)	1

Steve TenEyck, Associate Dean

Programs

• Majors:

  • Acting Major - B.F.A.
  • Musical Theatre Major - B.F.A.
  • Stage Management Major - B.F.A.
  • Theatre Administration Major - B.S.
  • Theatre Production and Design Major - B.F.A.
  • Theatre Studies Major - B.A.

• Minors:

  • Dance Minor
  • Theatre Minor

LONDON & EDINBURGH PROGRAMs

The Center of Theatre and Dance collaborates with the Ithaca College London Center to offer a variety of courses and experiences integrating British drama and culture. Additionally, students attending London in the fall can take advantage of the short term abroad program to the Edinburgh Festivals. Please refer to the International Programs section or see course descriptions.

ADMISSION TO Theatre And Dance MAJORS AND MINORS

All majors offered by the Center of Theatre and Dance require an audition or interview. Please see the School of Music, Theatre & Dance website for specifics on how to apply.

Internal Transfers

B.F.A. Acting and BFA Musical Theatre: Applicant should contact the Center for Theatre and Dance and need to submit a prescreening application before 12/1. They'll then be invited to schedule an audition. They'll have to choose the 1st on-campus audition date which will be in early-December.

B.A. Theatre Studies: Each year the Theatre Studies Department accepts a limited number of students from other departments in the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance and other schools at Ithaca College. Students must complete the Addition/Change of Major form electronically at the Ithaca College Workflow website. After completion of the form, the applicant will receive a request for further information or to set-up an in-person interview. Applications are reviewed each semester on a rolling basis. One semester of final Ithaca College grades is required. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to apply for transfer to the Theatre Studies Department. Having the minimum cumulative GPA to apply for transfer does not guarantee admission. Students who have interest in theatre and are not accepted into the major are encouraged to add the theatre minor.

B.F.A. Theatre Production & Design:  Students interested in transferring into the B.F.A. Theatre Production & Design program must have taken (or be currently enrolled in) THEA 10200 Technical Theatre Practicum. Students should contact the Theatre Production and Design degree coordinator to schedule an informal meeting to discuss the details of the program and the necessary commitment, dedication, and focus inherent in a B.F.A. degree. Students must then formally interview for the program with the degree coordinator. After the interview, three outcomes are possible: 1) the student will be accepted into the program; 2) the student will be invited to register for required classes for an interim semester before the final decision regarding acceptance is made; 3) the student will be informed that they will not be accepted into the degree program. Students who are accepted into the program and students who are asked to meet the entire Theatrical Production & Design faculty during the end-of-semester reviews. 

B.S. Theatre Administration: Students enrolled at Ithaca College and students from other institutions outside of Ithaca College who are interested in transferring into the B.S. Theatre Administration program must be in satisfactory academic standing with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5. Theatre Administration accepts students transferring from internal programs or external institutions at the start of fall and spring semester each academic year. All students must apply to the B.S. Theatre Administration program by completing the submission criteria via the online platform. After review of the student's submission materials, faculty will invite the student to a Zoom interview. External students must also apply to Ithaca College for admission to college. If accepted, students will enter on the suggested pathway as a first semester Theatre Administration major. 

Theatre Minor: Before declaring the minor, students must have completed, or be registered in THEA 102xx.

Dance Minor: Students are required to audition for the minor to determine placement in the suitable level of technique (the program expects that students have achieved sufficient proficiency in Modern and Ballet to be enrolled in technique classes at level 3). If you are interested in auditioning for the dance minor, we encourage you to meet with the Dance Minor Coordinator.

REVIEW OF STUDENTS

The B.F.A. in Musical Theatre, B.F.A. in Acting, B.F.A. in Stage Management, B.F.A. in Theatre Production and Design, and the B.S. in Theatre Administration conduct reviews of students against programatic criteria. The student will receive written feedback after each review. For programatic criteria and frequency of reviews please see the Center for Theatre and Dance website.

ENHANCED ATTENDANCE FOR THEATRE MAJORS

Many of the BFA programs have modified attendance policies for studio coursework. For these policies please see the Center for Theatre and Dance Student Resources for more information. 

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Each student in the Center for Theatre and Dance will be assigned an advisor. It is required that all students meet with their advisor prior to registration. 

See the following programs for the specific requirements for each degree program in the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance:

Majors

• Majors within the Center for Music:
  • Composition Major — B.M.
  • Music Education Major — B.M.
  • Music in Combination with an Outside Field Major — B.M.
  • Music Major — B.A.
  • Music Education and Performance Major - B.M
  • Performance Major — B.M.
  • Performance, Collaborative Emphasis Major — B.M.
  • Sound Recording Technology Major — B.M.
  • Jazz Studies Major — B.M.
• Majors within the Center for Theatre and Dance:
  • Acting Major - B.F.A.
  • Musical Theatre Major B.F.A.
  • Stage Management Major - B.F.A.
  • Theatre Administration Major - B.S.
  • Theatre Production and Design Major - B.F.A.
  • Theatre Studies Major - B.A.

Minors

• Music Minor
• Theatre Minor
• Dance Minor

Concentrations

• Jazz Studies Concentration

Course Prefixes and Numbering System

Course Prefixes

Music Course Refixes

Code	Description
DNCE	Dance Courses
JAZZ	Jazz studies
MSRT	Music Sound Recording Technology
MUED	Music education
MUEN	Ensembles
MUMC	Additional music courses
MUNM	Courses for the non-music major
MUPS	Music Performance Studies
MUTH	Music theory, aural skills, and composition; music history and literature
PFMJ	Performance—major instrument
PFNM	Performance—nonmajor
PFSM	Performance—secondary instrument
THEA	Theatre Courses

Numbering System

The first three digits after the prefix designate the specific course. The first of these digits represents the year (one through four) during which a student normally takes this course. Ensembles may be repeated for credit. The third digit is odd or even depending on whether the course is normally offered during the first or second semester, respectively.

Level-5 Courses

Courses at level 5 are graduate courses for which qualified seniors may enroll under certain circumstances. Seniors may take level-5 courses for either graduate or undergraduate credit provided they

1. have completed 90 or more hours in an undergraduate degree program;
2. have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher; and
3. secure the approval of the instructor, undergraduate adviser, graduate chair, dean of the school, and dean of graduate studies.

Such courses taken for graduate credit cannot be applied toward an undergraduate degree; those taken for undergraduate credit cannot be applied toward a master’s degree.