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 Associate 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 mtd@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 Center of 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 or voice during the standard audition dates which arranged through the MTD Admission office (mtd@ithaca.edu). Non-majors may begin the music minor as early as their first-year.  

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. Students should notify the music office of their interest in elective private lessons prior to registration. 

Applied performance study are of two general classification: private lessons or group instruction. Private lessons may be either one-hour or 30 minutes each week, depending on the credit and the degree. A weekly one-hour Performance Seminar is a co-requisite to applied lessons for all music majors. Secondary instruments are taught in small groups and meet for either one or two hours per week. 

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

Academic advising

Each student in the Center of Music will be assigned an advisor. All students are should 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

Center For Music Academic Policies

In order to assure that students satisfactorily progress toward degree completion over a four-year or four-and-a-half-year period, detailed schematic outlines have been prepared for each degree. Students should follow these outlines closely as they register for classes. All degree programs in music include a number of courses that are sequential in nature and that develop skills in particular areas over several semesters of study. These courses include private performance study, music theory, aural skills, and keyboard musicianship. For these core areas, which provide the foundation for a music major’s study, the following specific registration requirements must be adhered to each semester.

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.

Students who withdraw from any course listed above must enroll in that course during the following semester. Failure to enroll in and successfully complete the course during the next semester in which it is offered will place the student on program warning. Deficiencies in any area of preparation may necessitate remedial courses and may delay graduation.

Students who fail to meet program standards are subject to immediate suspension or suspension after a warning period. Each case is reviewed on an individual basis by the associate dean of the Center of Music. If the review indicates that a warning before suspension is appropriate, the procedure below is followed. Students should be aware that the offer of a warning period is a privilege, based on individual review, not a right.

CENTER OF MUSIC PROGRAM WARNING, SUSPENSION, READMISSION

Program Warning

A letter of warning notifies the student that the center’s academic requirements have not been met. Continued deficiencies may lead to suspension or dismissal from the Center of Music. The following are deficiencies that lead to academic warning:

1.     A grade below C- (1.70) in private-lesson study

2.     Two successive failures in a music course required in the student’s program (or two successive grades below C- (1.70) in either keyboard musicianship or aural skills), or withdrawal from a required music course previously failed, or failure to enroll in the subsequent offering of a required music course previously failed

3.     Failure to enroll in and successfully complete music theory, aural skills, or keyboard musicianship class over two consecutive semesters

During the semester that program warning is in effect, the student must fulfill the specific requirements listed in the letter of warning or face suspension or dismissal from the Center of Music.

Program Suspension

A student being suspended from a program in the Center of Music and Ithaca College is informed with a formal letter of suspension. The length of the suspension is specified, and students are informed that they are not eligible to attend courses in the program until the semester specified by the notification letter as well as the procedures for applying for a return to the program in the Center of Music, and the general expectations of performance upon resumption of studies are indicated.

Program Dismissal

A student being dismissed from a program in the Center of Music and Ithaca College is informed with a formal letter of dismissal. The dismissal is final and there are no options for return.

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

Acting, B.F.A and Musical Theatre, B.F.A: Applicants should contact the Center for Theatre and Dance at MTD@ithaca.edu and will need to submit a pre-screen application via Acceptd before 12/1. Pending a successful prescreen applicants will then be invited to schedule an audition on the first audition. This program admits applicants into the studio sequence for fall entrance only.

Theatre Studies, B.A.: Applicants must complete the Change of Major form via IC Workflow. 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. Applicants 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. Applicants who have an interest in theatre and are not accepted into the major are encouraged to add the theatre minor.

Theatre Production & Design, B.F.A.: Applicants should contact the Center for Theatre and Dance at MTD@ithaca.edu and will need to submit a resume and portfolio via Acceptd. Applicants will then be invited to schedule an interview. This program admits applicants into the studio sequence for fall entrance only.

Stage Management, B.F.A.: Applicants should contact the Center for Theatre and Dance at MTD@ithaca.edu and will need to submit a resume and portfolio on Acceptd. Applicants will then be invited to schedule an interview. This program admits applicants into the studio sequence for fall entrance only.

Theatre Administration, B.S.: Applicant should contact the Center for Theatre and Dance at MTD@ithaca.eduand need to apply via Acceptd. Students need to be in satisfactory academic standing with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 and have no judiciary grievance on their record. Applicants will then be invited to an interview.

Theatre Minor: Applicants need to submit a Change of Major form via Workflow. Before declaring the minor, applicants must have completed, or be registered in THEA 102xx: Technical Theatre Practicum.

Dance Minor: Applicants should contact the Center for Theatre and Dance at MTD@ithaca.edu to schedule an appointment with the Dance Minor Coordinator to discuss pathways and to schedule an audition.

REVIEW OF STUDENTS

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

ENHANCED ATTENDANCE FOR THEATRE MAJORS

Many of the B.F.A. 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.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

In order to graduate from a Theatre and Dance major, a student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 in required courses in the major and no more than two grades below C- in required courses.

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.