Music

http://www.coas.howard.edu/music/

 

The music program at Howard University has a rich history which may be traced to 1870, when a few courses were offered. In 1892, the program was organized as a stable department of the Normal School, and in 1914 it was established as an independent conservatory.

The School of Music (now Department of Music), under the dynamic leadership of Dean Warner Lawson, was admitted to membership in the National Association of Schools of Music in 1942, the first music program in the Washington area to gain such membership. In January 1974, the program was reorganized as a department of the College of Fine Arts. Since the merger of the College of Fine Arts and the College of Arts and Sciences in August 1998, the Department of Music has functioned as one of three areas within the Division of Fine Arts of the College of Arts and Sciences.

MISSION

The Howard University Department of Music is a professional fine arts unit within an historically Black private university. Its purpose is to attract diverse students of high artistic and academic potential, and provide for them a scholarly environment and musical experience of exceptional quality in performance, research, pedagogy, technology, therapy, and composition. The Department is dedicated to attracting and retaining faculty of the highest order who work together to inspire students, through example and leadership, to reach their full intellectual and artistic potential. The Department of Music places particular emphasis on the provision of educational and cultural opportunities for individuals of the global community, with significant focus given to the musical contributions of peoples of the African Diaspora.

 

ADMISSIONS

All applicants to the Department of Music must apply to the University and satisfy Howard University academic requirements before being admitted to the Department. Prospective students are encouraged to read and comply with the admission process as set forth by the University Office of Admission.

 

ADMISSION AUDITIONS

All new applicants to the Department of Music must present a successful audition in order to be admitted to the Department. Former students who have not been enrolled in the Department for two or more consecutive semesters must re-audition. Generally, auditions are held on campus according to a published schedule, but special appointments may be arranged when necessary. When an in-person audition is not feasible, an applicant may request permission to submit a recorded audition.

In all cases, it is important that an applicant contact the appropriate Performance Area Coordinator to schedule an audition prior to published deadlines.

 

Audition Requirements

Applicants should download and complete an audition form which is available on the Music Department’s website at http://www.coas.howard.edu/music/admissions/admissions.html and bring the form with you to your audition.

All auditions should include technical exercises, scales and arpeggio, and at least three compositions of different periods and in different styles. Additionally, please note the specific audition requirements in the following areas:

JAZZ STUDIES

Applicants wishing to be admitted to freshman classification as majors in Jazz Studies must demonstrate the following:

  • Instrumental: A thorough knowledge of the basic technique of the chosen instrument; basic improvisation skills as they relate to standard jazz literature.
  • Voice: Three (3) selections in contrasting jazz styles and tempos. (e.g. med. swing, fast swing, blues, ballad, bossa nova, samba, jazz waltz etc...) The addition of improvisation (scat singing) encouraged for at least one tune. Bring sheet music or lead sheets in the key in which you sing. You may bring your own accompanist or one will be provided. A short interview will follow the audition.

 

PERFORMANCE MAJORS

Applicants wishing to be admitted to freshman classification as majors in Performance must demonstrate the following:

  • Piano: The ability to play any scale or arpeggio in moderately rapid tempo, hands together; standard studies, such as Czerny, Op. 299, Bk. 1; easier classical sonatas; a short romantic work; and a work by Bach (equivalent to an Invention or Prelude and Fugue).
  • Violin: The ability to perform studies of the difficulty of Kreutzer Etudes and works of the grade of the Viotti Concerto in G Major 3 and the Mozart Third Concerto in G Major.
  • Voice: A good natural voice and the ability to sing simple songs on pitch with correct phrasing and musical intelligence, and sing from memory two (2) selections of contrasting styles.
  • Orchestral Instruments, including Saxophone and Guitar: A thorough knowledge of the basic technique of the chosen instrument; students must own their own instruments; previous study of piano is desirable.

 

STRING STUDIES

  • Dates for live auditions will be announced in the Fall. A well-recorded DVD audition containing the requirements listed below is acceptable and recommended for those residing a considerable distance from the DC area. Please do not submit audio-only CDs.
  • All auditions must be played on the candidate's own instrument, which must be of an appropriate quality for advanced study.
  • Orchestra audition requirements are the same as those for the instrumental minor.

Violin Major (performance) 

    • Scales in all major and minor keys, 3 octaves, slow and fast tempi.
    • A complete etude of Kreutzer, Rode, or comparable difficulty.
    • Two contrasting movements from an unaccompanied Bach sonata or partita. 
    • First movement of a major concerto written after 1750.

 

 

Violin Minor (education, business, therapy)

    • A three octave scale in both slow and fast tempi.
    • A complete etude.
    • Two short solo works or movements (complete) of contrasting style and tempo.

 

Viola Major (performance)

    • Scales in all major and minor keys, 3 octaves, slow and fast tempi.
    • A complete etude of Kreutzer or comparable difficulty.
    • Two contrasting movements of an unaccompanied Bach suite.
    • First movement of a major concerto or other major solo.

Viola Minor (education, business or therapy)

    • A three octave scale in both slow and fast tempi.
    • A complete etude of at least ASTA grade 3 (Hoffmeister, Kayser, Mazas, Wohlfhart)
    • Two contrasting solo selections of at least ASTA Grade 3 (Bach Cello Suites, Telemann Concerto, Suzuki Book 4).

Violoncello Major (performance) 

    • Scales in all major and minor keys, 3 octaves, slow and fast tempi.
    • A complete etude of Popper or Duport, or a Caprice by Piatti. 
    • Two contrasting movements from an unaccompanied Bach suite. 
    • First movement of a major concerto (Haydn C or D Major, Saint-Saens, Boccherini, Elgar, Dvorak or similar difficulty).

Violoncello Minor (education, business, therapy)

    • A two-octave scale in both slow and fast tempi.
    • A complete etude (Dotzauer, Merk, Lee, or similar difficulty).
    • Two short works or movements of contrasting style and tempo.

Double Bass Major (performance)

    • Scales in all major and minor keys, 2 octaves, slow and fast tempi.
    • A complete etude of Simandl, Nanny or comparable difficulty
    • Two contrasting movements from a Sonata or Bach Suite
    • First movement of a concerto.

Double Bass Minor (education, business, therapy)

    • A two-octave scale in both slow and fast tempi.
    • A complete etude.
    • Two short works or movements of contrasting style and tempo.

 

FINANCIAL AID

Students should carefully review and avail themselves of the information presented on the website of the Office of Financial Aid. While the Department of Music does award scholarships and grants to eligible, deserving students, competition is rigorous for limited funds. Students are therefore encouraged to explore all possible avenues of financial support for their college education.

Department of Music Financial Aid

(1) Financial aid is awarded only to individuals who have been admitted by both the University Office of Admission and the Department of Music.

(2) Scholarships and grant awards from Howard University funds are available only to students who complete the FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA).

• The FAFSA may be secured from the Howard University Office of Financial Aid, high school guidance counselors, and public libraries.

• The FAFSA must be submitted before February 1st of each year.

(3) Any financial assistance recommended by the Department of Music may be reduced after analysis of the student's file by the Office of Financial Aid, depending on:

• Other available funding sources (family income, Federal grants, etc.); and University and Federal regulations.

(4) The Department of Music is unable to award full scholarships.

(5) Prospective students are eligible for Department of Music scholarships based on audition performance and recommendations from the faculty. 

(6) Music Scholarships are awarded for one semester or one academic year at a time only. Students must re-apply for scholarships each year. The Department of Music does not guarantee a specific scholarship amount from year-to-year. Additionally, please note the following:

 

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Continuing music students must successfully complete 70% of courses attempted each semester to be eligible for a Department of Music award the following semester. If the student has been awarded for the school year but then does not satisfy the SAP requirement in the Fall semester, then the Spring portion of the original award may be rescinded. Separately, if the Spring semester does not satisfy the SAP then the student is ineligible for a departmental award the following semester. Such recaptured scholarship funds may be awarded to other eligible students. This policy allows academically successful students to receive additional assistance.

 

MUSIC MAJORS

 

The Department of Music offers programs of study leading to the Bachelor of Music degree with concentrations in Composition, Jazz Studies, Music with Elective Studies in Business, Music History, Music Education, and Music Therapy.

 

Composition

The Composition program develops skills required of a music composer, including courses in orchestration and theoretical studies. Composition majors are accepted by audition as piano, voice or instrumental minors. Upon completion of the second-year requirements with a 3.0 GPA in all theory courses through MUSB-042, students will be admitted to the upper division in the composition programs.

 

Jazz Studies

The Jazz Studies program develops skills in jazz performance, composition, arranging, and history; and offers an optional emphasis in Music Technology. The objective of the Jazz Studies program is to preserve and perpetuate jazz through instruction, performance, and research. Included in the curriculum are improvisation, arranging, composing, history, digital music, and studies relating to the music business. Undergraduate Jazz Studies majors may use one of the following schemes to add a concentration in Music Technology, which includes studies in MIDI sequencing, notation software, audio recording, and live sound reinforcement. Students may be admitted to the technology program only after being accepted into the Jazz Studies Program through audition.

Music with Elective Studies in Business

The Music with Electives in Business program is a Music Major program in either Performance or Jazz Studies while taking additional courses in Business Administration. Currently, business courses include subjects such as economics, accounting, principles of marketing, and statistics. The program requires an administrative internship in the arts community during the senior year. Auditions are for acceptance into the Performance or Jazz Studies major areas.

 

 

Music Education

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education program provides the training to become a certified teacher of either vocal or instrumental music, grades K through 12, in the District of Columbia. This teaching certificate is reciprocal to more than 30 other states in the United States.

The Instrumental Emphasis prepares students for work as Band Directors while the Vocal Emphasis program prepares students as Choral Directors.

Student Teaching is required in the final semester, and only after all major work has been completed. The following pre-requisites must be completed prior to student teaching:

• Students must pass the Praxis I examination

• Students who are not piano minors must pass the Piano Proficiency examination prior to their 7th semester, and in order to achieve Senior classification.

• An average of "B" must be achieved in all Music Education and Education courses.

 

Music History

The Music History program develops overall music scholarship and hone research skills. Students will not be permitted to elect history as a major until they have completed MUSC-005 and MUSC-006 with grades of B or better. Students who major in the history of music must meet the requirements for a minor in piano and must appear creditably on student recitals in this subject. Candidates for graduation will be required to pass an oral examination before a music faculty committee. Students must maintain a B average in their major subject. At least two major projects must relate to an aspect of the black heritage in music.

Music Therapy

The Music Therapy program provides the training to pass the Music Therapy Board Certification Examination. Music Therapy majors are accepted by audition as instrumental, piano or voice minors. After successful completion of all HU academic requirements (including the Piano Proficiency examination prior to their 7th semester), students must complete a Music Therapy Clinical Internship at an AMTA-approved site. Approval from the program coordinator is required to begin the Internship, after which the student will be qualified to sit for the Music Therapy Board Certification Examination.

 

 

Classes