DEGREE PROGRAMS

Bachelor of Music in Performance: Organ (Curriculum A)

The Bachelor of Music in Performance: Organ (Curriculum A) is designed for those who wish to work in performance, church music, or teaching. Organists desiring to teach in elementary or secondary schools should elect Curriculum B with teacher certification, or a curriculum in the Department of Music Education.

Pre-college Music Preparation:

A secure grasp of technique and musicianship from piano study. A student planning to major in organ should be able to play such repertory as the preludes and fugues from The Well-Tempered Clavier by J.S. Bach, classical sonatas, selected etudes by Chopin, and a significant modern work.

Curriculum

• Core Curriculum

• Eight terms of private instruction in organ (including the Core requirement) or the equivalent by proficiency examination

• Instruction in piano as recommended by the department

• Two conducting courses

• Two courses in Basic Theory at the Keyboard and nine hours of senior-level theory courses beyond the Core

• Three organ literature courses

• Two courses in church music

• Thirty hours of non-music courses including the University's English requirement (included in the Core) and two terms of French or German

• Presentation of a memorized recital

• Electives to complete a total of 120 hours

Minimum Repertory Requirements for graduation

At least three large and four smaller works of early music from such composers as Sweelinck, Frescobaldi, Pachelbel, Buxtehude, Couperin, and de Grigny; six large and two smaller chorale preludes of Bach; at least four major free works and two trio sonatas of Bach; one work by a composer of the 18th century after Bach; six or more works by representative composers of the 19th century such as Franck, Brahms, and Reger; and six or more works by 20th-Century or American composers. Selected compositions, including all works for the degree recital, are to be memorized.

Information on Dual Degree Programs