Department of Music

Pamela McDermott, Chair
Angela Seay, 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 (Piano Pedagogy emphasis available), and the Bachelor of Music with concentration in either Education or Performance (voice, piano, brass, woodwinds, percussion, guitar and strings). Common to each degree is a basic music core outlined in the specific degree plans that follow.

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 expected to enroll in a large ensemble for credit each semester. For vocal majors that ensemble will be Camerata Singers, Chamber Singers, or University Choir (SA or TB). For Instrumental majors that ensemble will be Wind Symphony. Keyboard majors may choose from the four, depending upon abilities and professional track. String majors participate in the String Ensemble.
Every music major is required to perform in a minimum of one small ensemble during the completion of their degree. This requirements can be fulfilled by Jazz Ensemble, Opera Workshop, Piano Duet and Duo, Percussion Ensemble, or Applied Primary Chamber Music Performance, MUSC 385 .
Students pursuing the B.M. with Concentration in Performance are required to present a half Junior recital and a full Degree recital. Students pursuing the B.M. with Concentration in Education are required to present a half Degree recital. Students pursuing the B.A. in Music are required to present either a half Degree recital or approved Senior Capstone project. Those pursuing the B.A. in Music with Emphasis in Piano Pedagogy are required to present a half Degree 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 and a Minor in Music Theatre.

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.

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 primary 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. If a student fails the Sophomore Promotional on their first attempt, they must re-take MUSC 282 and pass the Sophomore Promotional in the next consecutive semester in order to remain a music major.

Prior to the presentation of Junior and Degree 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 Examination. 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.
Degree 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

Faculty

All music faculty teach in each of the music areas listed below.

Lisa Burrs, DMA, Associate Professor of Music
Roland A. Karnatz, DMA, Assistant Professor of Music
Charles E. Kinzer, PhD, Professor of Music
Lisa B. Kinzer, DMA, Professor of Music
Pamela D. J. McDermott, DMA, Associate Professor of Music
Jacqueline J. R. Secoy, PhD, Associate Professor of Music and Program Coordinator of Secondary Music Education
Christopher L. Swanson, DMA, Professor of Music
Michael Waddell, DMA, Assistant Professor of Music
Lauretta Werner, DMA, Assistant Professor of Music

Affiliated Department Faculty

Kevin Schattenkirk, PhD, Honors Faculty, Music

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Music

Minor