School of Music

This is an archived copy of the 2017-2018 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit catalog.shsu.edu.

Accredited by National Association of Schools of Music

About

Chair
Scott D. Plugge

Mission

The Sam Houston State University School of Music exists as a community of musician-educators whose mission is:

  • To educate and train students for lives of service and contribution — as teachers, performers, composers, therapists and scholars;
  • To provide and nurture a nucleus of musical life for the larger community;
  • To educate the university student population regarding music’s intrinsic value as a part of the human experience and its central role in human culture;
  • To mutually encourage one another in professional growth and attainment.

Our mission encompasses a variety of programs and curricula, traditional and innovative which are regularly examined for effectiveness, quality and relevance. It includes our commitment to a combination of:

  • Classroom studies in music;
  • The live performance of music both individually and collectively, as central to music study, development and knowledge.

As an integral part of our mission, we commit ourselves to continuing steps toward realizing the full potential of community, both as teachers and as colleagues; further, we commit to interaction with our students that emphasizes personal attention and interest in their total musical/intellectual development.

Contact Information
(936) 294-1360

Website
School of Music

Highlights

All music majors receive training in applied music, music theory, music history, and, where appropriate, professional training specific to a particular field. Each student receives private instruction in his or her principal applied area (such as piano, trumpet, or voice), participates in musical ensembles (such as wind ensemble, orchestra, choir, opera, or jazz band), and is afforded a multitude of opportunities to grow and develop as a musician, scholar and/or therapist. Students develop keyboard skills in a state-of-the-art piano lab and have their musical training enhanced in a Computer Assisted Instruction lab. Music Therapy majors have the opportunity to train in a fully functional music therapy clinic housed on campus.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the School of Music are successfully employed around the state, the nation, and internationally as:

  • music educators
  • music therapists
  • musical performers
  • music scholars
  • music composers
  • music industry professionals

Student Organizations and Activities

Numerous student organizations actively promote enrichment across a wide array of musical interests.

American Choral Directors Association — national organization for choral directors.  Student membership available in organization that fosters and promotes choral music.

American String Teachers Association/Symphony Association — the group’s membership consists of string students at Sam Houston State University and was organized to support string pedagogy on the SHSU campus.

National Association for Music Education — national organization for music education. Membership in this student chapter is open to music education majors.

Mu Tau Omega — student organization for music therapy. Membership open to interested students committed to the study and/or advancement of music therapy in community, educational, and clinical settings.

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia — international music fraternity for men. Provides valuable service to the school and community.

Pi Kappa Lambda — national music honor society. Invitation to membership is limited to the top students from the junior, senior, and graduate classes by vote of the faculty members of Pi Kappa Lambda.

Sigma Alpha Iota — international music fraternity for women. Provides valuable service to the school and community.

Tau Beta Sigma — national band sorority. Supports band studies and provides valuable support service to instrumental ensembles and to the school.

Internships

Following the completion of all coursework, the music therapy student must fulfill a 900-1,040 hour (five to six month) clinical internship at an AMTA national roster internship site or an SHSU university-affiliated internship site. The intern must be supervised on-site by a qualified and approved MT-BC supervisor. The internship is the final requirement for graduating with the bachelor’s degree in music therapy. Once it has been completed, the individual is eligible to sit for the board certification examination. A passing grade on the exam will result in board certification and the credentials MT-BC.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available both from the School of Music and from the University to support student study. For more information regarding scholarships, prospective or current students should contact the Director of the School of Music. Information on University scholarships may be obtained from the Office of Academic Scholarships website at http://www.shsu.edu/~fao_www/scholarships/  or telephone (936) 294-1672. Interested persons may also gather more information from the School of Music website.

Music scholarships are awarded for participation in ensembles. All students awarded a music scholarship are required to perform in ensembles. Scholarship students will audition and perform in ensembles as required.

Music

MUSI 5068. Independent Study. 1-3 Hours.

Advanced and specialized work in Music Education, orchestration, composition, theoretical research, and instrumental and choral technology is emphasized. Variable Credit (1-3)
Prerequisite: Approval of the Graduate Advisor.

MUSI 5069. Special Topics. 3 Hours.

MUSI 5322. Philos & Theory of Mus Therapy. 3 Hours.

This course will discuss the philosophical and theoretical foundation of the use of music in therapy. Philosophical positions in this course analyze "music therapy" as a career in professional helping. Characteristics of music therapy research, the nature of scientific evidence in music therapy, and a problem-management and opportunity-development approach to helping individuals through music are addressed. The Socratic method will be used through interactive lecture and discussion.

MUSI 5323. Grad Music Ther Practicum. 3 Hours.

The course will focus on the pratical application of music therapy by utilizing Transformational Design Model (TDM) for Functional Music Therapy and Music Medicine. Students will practice music therapy with systematic procedure such as planning treatments, implementing the treatment plans and evaluating the treatment.
Prerequisite: 6 months of music therapy internship.

MUSI 5324. Clinical Supervision. 3 Hours.

This course will provide practical experience in clinical supervision of undergraduate music therapy students. Exploration of issues pertinent to supervision such as student development, rates of skills acquisition, and supervisory styles will be discussed.

MUSI 5330. Analytical Techniques. 3 Hours.

Advanced techniques in the analysis of music from all historical periods. Emphasis is placed on the ability to distinguish various stylistic idioms and to verbalize about the harmonic, rhythmic, melodic, and structural details of music.

MUSI 5331. Seminar In Baroque Music. 3 Hours.

A systematic survey of music literature for the Baroque period with emphasis on standard works as they exemplify changing stylistic trends.

MUSI 5332. Seminar In Classical Music. 3 Hours.

A systematic survey of music literature for the Classic period with emphasis on standard works as they exemplify changing stylistic trends.

MUSI 5336. Folksong Analysis. 3 Hours.

MUSI 5337. Sem In Nineteenth-Century Mus. 3 Hours.

A systematic survey of music literature for the Nineteenth-Century period with emphasis on standard works as they exemplify changing stylistic trends.

MUSI 5338. Sem In Twentieth-Century Mus. 3 Hours.

A systematic survey of music literature for the Twentieth-Century period with emphasis on standard works as they exemplify changing stylistic trends.

MUSI 5363. Pedagogy Of Theory. 3 Hours.

A general review of undergraduate theory, with an emphasis on the methods of presenting material to secondary students, and also to freshman and sophomore classes. Comparative analysis of textbooks commonly used in these areas is emphasized.

MUSI 5367. Score Reading. 3 Hours.

The course emphasizes specialized aural development, functional keyboard facility, and proficiency in reading orchestral, band, and choral scores.

MUSI 5388. Seminar In Literature. 3 Hours.

Advanced study of literature for the various applied music areas. Individual research projects and class performance. ( Two enrollments allowed, 3 hrs. each).

MUSI 5398. Adv Study in Appl Discipline. 1-3 Hours.

MUSI 6031. Major Project. 1-4 Hours.

This course will focus on the production of a final project as a culminating demonstration of professional capability in the major field. Variable Credit (1-3).
Prerequisite: Permission from the appropriate graduate faculty.

MUSI 6099. Thesis. 1-3 Hours.

MUSI 6181. Recital I. 1-4 Hours.

A one hour solo performance reflecting high standards of artistic achievement and involving both research and applied study requisite to its success. The first of two recitals for performance and conducting specializations.

MUSI 6182. Recital II. 1 Hour.

A one hour solo performance reflecting high standards of artistic achievement and involving both research and applied study requisite to its success. The second of two recitals for performance and conducting specializations.

MUSI 6183. Recital III. 1 Hour.

A one-hour solo performance reflecting high standards of artistic achievement and involving both research and applied study requisite to its success. The third recitals for performance and conducting specializations.
Prerequisite: MUSI 6181 and MUSI 6182.

MUSI 6221. Research in Music Therapy. 2 Hours.

The course will focus on descriptive, experimental, philosophical, qualitative, and historical research in music therapy. Students will prepare critiques of research material and design original research projects related to their own area of interest. Credit: 2.

MUSI 6285. Applied Analysis and Pedagogy. 2 Hours.

This course focuses on strengthening students' identified weaknesses in the areas of score study and analysis and in instrumental pedagogy. Based on information obtained from multiple diagnostic assessments and from demonstration of skills in projects or performances, students will work with faculty to develop a personal plan of study. The coursework includes rehearsals and performances and culminates in the completion of a detailed project intended as a teaching tool. Course is taken for three consecutive summers.

MUSI 6332. Adv Music Therapy Practice. 3 Hours.

The course will review research literature in advanced clinical topic areas such as music and sensori-motor processing, music and speech/language, music and cognition, music and affective processing, music and development. Research findings will be presented through writing, discussion and clinical simulations. Application of research findings through practice and demonstration of therapeutic techniques will also be addressed.

MUSI 6388. Band Research & Pedagogy. 3 Hours.

This course focuses on research methods and applying them in music education applications, particularly in the area of band music and teaching. Students select, conduct in-depth research on, and reflect on clinics and compositions with which they have personal experience through their program of study.The course culminates in the submission of a document that synthesizes the research on and experience with the selected events and musical compositions. This course is to be completed in the third semester of the candidate's program.

MUSI 6398. Research Techniques. 3 Hours.

Emphasizes efficient use of standard library materials and bibliographic sources, and the development of effective writing skills.

Music Ensemble

MUEN 5110. Accompanying Seminar. 1 Hour.

The course emphasizes specialized development in accompanying techniques designed for the Collaborative Piano/Chamber Music degree in piano.

MUEN 5112. Graduate Ensemble. 1-2 Hours.

Participation in a musical ensemble at the graduate level.

MUEN 5118. Chamber Music. 1 Hour.

This class will develop and refine rehearsal skills, ensemble techniques, listening and interpretive skills through the preparation of chamber music. Student chamber groups will work with a coach on a weekly basis and participate in a live performance.
Prerequisite: Permission from the instructor.

Ind. Performances-Applied Music Instruction

BSSN 5201. Ind Performances-Bassoon. 2 Hours.

CLAR 5201. Ind Performances-Clarinet. 2 Hours.

COMP 5201. Applied Composition. 2 Hours.

COMP 5202. Applied Composition Large Ens. 2 Hours.

(Prior SH course id: CMP 502X); The course will focus on the production of a composition for large ensemble, demonstrating professional capability in the field.

COND 5001. Applied Conducting. 1-4 Hours.

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EUPH 5201. Ind Performances-Euphonium. 2 Hours.

The course consists of advanced individualized instruction on the euphonium. Instruction will focus on technique and musicality. Students will also attend a weekly studio class, where there will be opportunities to perform for fellow students. Credit 2
Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Music program.

FLUT 5201. Ind Performances-Flute. 2 Hours.

GUIT 5202. Guitar. 2 Hours.

This course is intended for advanced/masters level guitarists who will learn advanced guitar techniques; study transpositions and alternate tunings; and prepare solo and ensemble literature appropriate for the graduate level. Prerequisites: Acceptance into the graduate program in guitar performance, including a performance audition for acceptance to the School of Music.

HARP 5202. Harp. 2 Hours.

The course will focus on the practical application of harp technique and repertoire at the graduate level.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the graduate program in harp, including passing a performance audition for entrance into the School of Music.

OBOE 5201. Ind Performances-Oboe. 2 Hours.

ORGN 5201. Ind Performances-Organ. 2 Hours.

The course consists of advacned individualized instruction on the organ. Instruction will focus on technique and musicality. Students will also attend a weekly studio class, where there will be opportunities to perform for fellow students. Credit 2
Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Music program.

PERC 5201. Ind Performances-Percussion. 2 Hours.

PIAN 5201. Ind Performances-Piano. 2 Hours.

SAXO 5201. Ind Performances-Saxophone. 2 Hours.

STBS 5201. Ind Performaces-String Bass. 2 Hours.

The course consists of advanced individualized instruction on the string bass. Instruction will focus on technique and musicality. Students will also attend a weekly studio class, where there will be opportunities to perform for fellow students. Credit 2
Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Music program.

TRMB 5201. Ind Performances-Trombone. 2 Hours.

TRMT 5201. Ind Performances-Trumpet. 2 Hours.

TUBA 5201. Ind Performances-Tuba. 2 Hours.

VILN 5201. Individual Performances-Violin. 2 Hours.

VIOL 5201. Ind Performances-Viola. 2 Hours.

VNCL 5201. Ind Performances-Cello. 2 Hours.

The course consists of advanced private on the cello. Instruction will focus on technique and musicality. Students will also attend a weekly studio class, where there will be opportunities to perform for fellow students.
Prerequisite: admission to the Master of Music program.

VOIC 5201. Ind Performances-Voice. 2 Hours.