School of Music

(770) 423-6151

The School of Music proudly boasts state-of-the-art facilities, a dedicated and talented faculty and staff, and numerous opportunities to produce and explore music in a dynamic place that is ahead of the curve for what it means to be a musician in the 21st century. The school provides a variety of services to the university through its commitment to the liberal arts tradition with a robust core curriculum and professional degree programs. Among its objectives are training performers and music teachers in the areas of piano, voice, strings, brass, woodwinds, guitar and percussion instruments; providing suitable background for teaching or advanced study by graduates; and offering leadership in community outreach through a variety of public performances.

The School of Music offers programs of study leading to the Bachelor of Arts in Music with concentrations in music theory, composition, musicology, and ethnomusicology, the Bachelor of Music in Music Education with concentrations in general, choral, and instrumental music and the Bachelor of Music in Performance with concentrations in piano, voice, instrumental music, and jazz. Each of these music programs is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Degrees and Degree Requirements in Music

Bachelor of Music in Performance

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Bachelor of Music in Music Education

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree is listed as Major in Music Education under Education/P-12 Programs.

Applied Instruction

All three undergraduate music degrees offer applied instruction in piano, voice, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, harp, guitar, violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Only certain applied areas are offered in the jazz concentration within the Bachelor of Music in Performance.

Admission to the School of Music

Admission to all degree programs in the School of Music is contingent upon admission to Kennesaw State University, completion of a supplemental application and successful audition with the School of Music, and demonstration of successful academic performance. All prospective music majors and minors are required to audition for the faculty on their principal instrument or voice. If the student is not accepted based on their first audition, they may complete a second audition for admission in a later term. If, however, they are not accepted after the second audition, the student may not audition again. In order to be eligible for admission to the School of Music, prospective transfer students and current KSU students interested in becoming a music major or minor must have a minimum adjusted GPA of 2.0 to audition and apply for entrance into a music degree program.

Applied music study may not be initiated until the student has been fully accepted as a major or minor by the School of Music. All students enrolling at KSU for a second degree in music must meet the same departmental audition requirements required of all incoming students. Prior to admission to a music degree program, the prospective music major/minor is required to submit an application form to the College of the Arts and present an audition in the principal area of applied concentration. Applicants may also elect to audition on more than one instrument or an instrument and voice. Auditions, conducted by the music faculty, are held on the Kennesaw State University campus on specific dates.

Audition Dates and Requirements

Auditions are held on specific dates prior to the term a student begins study as a music student. A description of the audition process, including specific dates and requirements, is detailed in the Supplemental Application for the School of Music located on the School of Music website (www.kennesaw.edu/music). Questions regarding the audition process, audition dates, or requirements can be directed to the College of the Arts Office of Admissions and Student Services, 770.423.6614; COTA-Admissions@kennesaw.edu.

Transfer Admissions

Students who wish to transfer into the School of Music from another institution follow the same admissions procedure as all new students (see above). Transfer students are placed at an academic level in their principal area of applied concentration based upon the transferable amount of study earned at other institutions and the performance level demonstrated at the audition. Transfer credit for all course work is evaluated as quickly as possible after a student has been admitted to KSU. Students who transfer completed baccalaureate applied performance credit to KSU will be required to take additional applied performance study and additional ensemble credit so as to parallel remaining semesters of their designated degree program of study at KSU.

The School of Music accepts students from other schools and colleges at Kennesaw State University on the same basis as new students and/or transfer students from other institutions. Interested and qualified students are encouraged to transfer into the program.

Change of Concentration

Students who wish to change their applied performance concentration must reaudition and be accepted for applied studio instruction in the new concentration.

Change of Degree Program

Students who wish to change degree programs in music must reaudition and gain admission status to the new degree program.

Placement

The School of Music holds the exclusive authority to determine appropriate admission level placement in the applied concentration, music theory, music history, piano proficiency, and continuity of study. Continuous study in the area of the applied concentration is a requisite. A lapse of two or more semesters of applied study will require an audition for readmittance to the School of Music.

General Requirements

A variety of School of Music regulations and policies affect music majors and minors. Included are requirements for recital and ensemble participation, recital and concert attendance, piano proficiency, departmental assessment procedures, and applied juries.

Enrollment in an applied area of concentration is required of all music majors as specified in the degree program. Further, music students must be enrolled in an appropriate large ensemble every semester in which the student is enrolled in applied music. The appropriate ensemble director determines a student’s large ensemble placement.

To earn academic credit toward their degree, music students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all music courses.