Department of Music

Lisa B. Kinzer, Chair
Brenda Clark, Administrative Assistant

In accord with the mission of Longwood University, the primary mission of the Department of Music is to provide an environment that fosters and challenges intellectual curiosity and artistic growth. Our goals are to prepare music majors for professional careers in music and to offer high quality and diverse musical events and experiences that enhance the lives of individual students, the university community, and the community at large.

Our specific objectives are the following:

to prepare students to teach in the public schools (K-12) in vocal, instrumental, and general music
to prepare students for graduate or further professional study in music
to provide quality musical experiences for the music minors and general education students
to provide a variety of performance opportunities for the music majors, other qualified Longwood students, and members of the community
to present high quality musical events for the campus and community

The Department of Music offers courses leading to two degrees: the Bachelor of Arts degree with concentration in Music, and the Bachelor of Music with concentration in either Education or Performance (voice, piano, brass, woodwinds, percussion). Common to each degree is a basic music core outlined in the specific degree plans that follow.

Entering music students may be accepted into the Bachelor of Arts program through formal admission to the university and a successful audition before the music faculty.

Students may qualify for the various Bachelor of Music Concentrations by completing the following:

Bachelor of Music/Performance - successful performance audition before the Applied Committee at the end of MUSC 182

Bachelor of Music/Education - a Virginia passing score on Praxis I (may be completed before entering Longwood) or an equivalent passing score on the SAT or ACT

Music majors must meet the following requirements:

Each incoming freshman music major or transfer student must audition and interview with the music faculty. A non-keyboard major must take a keyboard placement examination in order to determine his/her level of piano proficiency.
Every music major is required to enroll in an ensemble for credit each semester. For vocal majors that ensemble will be the Camerata Singers or Men’s/Women’s Chorus, and for the instrumental majors that ensemble will be the Wind Symphony. Keyboard majors may choose from the three, depending upon abilities and professional track.
Students pursuing the B.M. with Concentration in Performance are required to present a half Junior recital and a full Senior recital. Students pursuing the B.M. with Concentration in Education are required to present a half Senior recital. Students pursuing the B.A. in Music are required to present either a half Senior recital or approved Senior project. Those pursuing the B.A. in Music with Emphasis in Piano Pedagogy are required to present a half Senior recital.
All music majors must complete a piano proficiency examination prior to graduation. Students pursuing education degrees must complete the proficiency prior to student teaching.
All music majors must complete six semesters of MUSC 185, Performance Observance, in order to graduate.

The amount of credit in applied music that may be transferred from other institutions will be determined through evaluation of the student’s ability by the Music faculty.

The Department of Music also offers a Minor in Music, a program that requires the completion of 20 credits in theoretical studies, applied study, music electives, and ensembles.

The department is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

Assessment

CORE COMPETENCIES for the MUSIC PROGRAM

Students will achieve a high level of proficiency in a chosen applied music area.
Students will attain proficiency in keyboard skills.
Students will attain a high level of musicianship and understanding beyond their primary performance area.
Students will be able to use technology to support musical projects.
Students will be able to communicate their knowledge to others.

In addition to the Longwood University Admission application, students are admitted to the music major on the basis of an in-person audition and interview with the Music Faculty. First-year students are admitted to the Bachelor of Arts program. Those wishing to pursue a Bachelor of Music degree must qualify for a specific program, normally by the end of the first year. All students majoring in music are carefully assessed in performance each semester during their college careers by a jury examination in performance administered by the Music Faculty in the applied area, who make written commentary that is then discussed with the student by the applied instructor in a follow-up conference. The jury at the end of the fourth semester of study is the Sophomore Promotional Jury, a barrier assessment performed before the full Music Faculty. Students must earn a passing score on the Sophomore Promotional Jury in order to receive a passing grade for MUSC 282 and continue in the required sequence of Applied Music courses. Prior to the presentation of Junior and Senior recitals, a Recital Hearing is performed for the Music Faculty who make written commentary that is discussed in a follow-up conference. Continuing students who apply for scholarship assistance are auditioned and interviewed annually by the Music Faculty. More information regarding procedures for assessments may be found on the Departmental website at http://www.longwood.edu/music/index.html.

STUDENT ASSESSMENTS

Incoming Student Audition/Interview. All degree programs.
Praxis I Test (or equivalent as approved by OPS). Bachelor of Music, Concentration in Education.
Performance Audition. Bachelor of Music, Concentration in Performance.
Music Education Research Project (MUSC 145 ). Bachelor of Music, Concentration in Education.
Sophomore Promotional Jury. All degree programs, to qualify for completion of MUSC 282 , sophomore level of applied music studies.
Piano Proficiency Exam. All degree programs, administered in MUSC 264 - Intermediate Piano II .
Junior Recital Hearing. Bachelor of Music, Concentration in Performance.
Senior Recital Hearing. All degree programs, with the possible exception of Bachelor of Arts in Music.
Praxis II Test (Music). Bachelor of Music, Concentration in Education.

Music Degree Program

Faculty

All music faculty teach in each of the music degree programs listed below.

Lisa Edwards-Burrs, DMA, Associate Professor of Music
Roland A. Karnatz, DMA, Senior Lecturer of Music
Charles E. Kinzer, PhD, Professor of Music
Lisa B. Kinzer, DMA, Professor of Music
Pamela D. J. McDermott, DMA, Assistant Professor of Music
Gordon L. Ring, DMA, Professor of Music
Jacqueline J. R. Secoy, PhD, Assistant Professor of Music
Christopher L. Swanson, DMA, Professor of Music

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Music

Minor