Music has occupied a central role in the Fisk experience since the University’s opening in 1866. From their first historic tour, the Fisk University Jubilee Singers® established a reputation for excellence in musical performance and preserved the rich heritage of the Negro Spiritual. Today, Fisk continues to provide students the opportunity to develop individual talent, appreciation, and aesthetic sensibility.
Fisk University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The NASM National Office is at 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, Virginia 20190-5248 and can be reached by phone at (703) 437-0700.
Instruction is offered in a variety of topics. Individual courses cover the contributions of composers and artists of many cultures and stylistic periods. Individual and group applied music lessons are offered. Non-music majors are encouraged to elect courses in music and to participate in music ensembles.
The Fisk University Music Discipline provides excellent education with a broad-based technical competency and proficiency in preparing students for careers in music. The goals of the department are to:
Upon completion of required courses in Music, Music Education or Music Performance, the student will:
Strong leadership qualities and personal and musical growth are nurtured by provision of a creative atmosphere in three different courses of study.
Admission Requirements
Admission to a Fisk University music degree program is dependent upon an application and musical audition in addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to the University. To be admitted into the music degree program, a student must:
- Submit all general materials to the Office of Admission;
- Submit application to the music discipline Coordinator in the Department of Arts and Languages, which consists of a letter of application, a letter of recommendation from a music teacher, and a repertoire list;
Audition (live or taped) in the Principal Applied and Secondary Applied areas below:
Voice
- One Italian song or aria
- One art song in English, French, or German
- One Negro Spiritual, comparable to solo arrangements by Edward Boatner, H. T. Burleigh, Moses Hogan, or John W. Work III
Piano
- Two solo works from contrasting style periods
- Sight-reading
- Brass/Woodwinds
- One prepared etude
- One prepared instrumental solo
Sight reading
- Take the Theory Placement Exam
Application should be received by June 15 for the Fall Semester; by November 1 for the Spring Semester.
Transfer students must meet the requirements above. Applied study and theory courses taken at institutions other than Fisk must be validated by an audition or placement exam to count toward graduation. Credits are accepted, upon evaluation, from other NASM-accredited institutions.
Requirements - Music B.A.
Required major courses (Bachelor of Arts Degree) [30 credits]
Courses in musical performance
22 semester credits of coursework depending on the student’s principal applied area. Music students are required to be enrolled in a principal applied area and “Seminar in Music Performance and Literature” (MUS 157-158) during each semester of enrollment at the University.
Study in the principal applied area culminates with the Senior Recital, for example:
Piano:
| MUS 151 | PRINCIPAL PIANO | 1 |
| MUS 152 | PRINCIPAL PIANO | 1 |
| MUS 251 | PRINCIPAL PIANO FOR B.A. IN MUSIC | 1 |
| MUS 252 | PRINCIPAL PIANO FOR B.A. IN MUSIC | 1 |
| MUS 351 | PRINCIPAL PIANO FOR B.A. IN MUSIC | 1 |
| MUS 352 | PRINCIPAL PIANO FOR B.A. IN MUSIC | 1 |
| MUS 451 | PRINCIPAL PIANO FOR B.A. IN MUSIC | 2 |
| MUS 452 | PRINCIPAL PIANO FOR B.A. IN MUSIC | 2 |
| MUS 450 | SENIOR RECITAL | 0 |
Voice:
| MUS 171 | PRINCIPAL VOICE | 1 |
| MUS 172 | PRINCIPAL VOICE | 1 |
| MUS 271 | PRINCIPAL VOICE FOR B.A. IN MUSIC | 1 |
| MUS 272 | PRINCIPAL VOICE FOR B.A. IN MUSIC | 1 |
| MUS 371 | PRINCIPAL VOICE FOR B.A. IN MUSIC | 1 |
| MUS 372 | PRINCIPAL VOICE FOR B.A. IN MUSIC | 1 |
| MUS 471 | PRINCIPAL VOICE FOR B.A. IN MUSIC | 2 |
| MUS 472 | PRINCIPAL VOICE FOR B.A. IN MUSIC | 2 |
| MUS 470 | SENIOR RECITAL | 0 |
Music majors whose principal applied area is not piano are required to complete a secondary area in piano, culminating in the Piano Proficiency Exam (MUS 150A-B, 250A-B). Music majors whose principal applied area is organ or piano are required to complete a secondary applied area in voice (MUS 170A-B, 270A-B). During each semester of enrollment, students are also required to enroll in the ensemble closest to their principal applied area; two of these must be in the University Choir (MUS 226).
Research or Independent Study in Music.
General electives
24 semester credits of any combination of courses not in the major field, sufficient to bring the total number of degree credit semester credits to at least 120.
Suggested Program - Music B.A.
First Year, Fall Semester [14 credits]
| CORE 100 | NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION SEMINAR | 1 |
| CORE 150 | COMPOSITION I | 3 |
| CORE 131 | ESSENTIAL MATHEMATICS FOR A CONTEMPORARY WORLD | 3 |
| MUS 101 | MATERIALS IN MUSIC THEORY | 3 |
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 1 |
| MUS | Secondary Applied Instrument | 1 |
| MUS 226 | UNIVERSITY CHOIR | 1 |
| MUS 157 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
First Year, Spring Semester [14 credits]
| CORE 120 | CRITICAL THINKING | 2 |
| CORE 160 | COMPOSITION II | 3 |
| MUS 102 | MATERIALS IN MUSIC THEORY | 3 |
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 1 |
| MUS | Secondary Applied Instrument | 1 |
| MUS 158 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
| MUS 226 | UNIVERSITY CHOIR | 1 |
Second Year, Fall Semester [17-18 credits]
| CORE 201 | INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 3 |
CORE A
Required
| MFL | Modern Foreign Language 1 | 4 |
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 1 |
MUS Ensemble select from
Required
| MUS 157 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
Second Year, Spring Semester [18 credits]
CORE B
CORE C
Required
| MFL | Foreign Language 2 | 3 |
| MUS 202 | MATERIALS IN MUSIC THEORY | 3 |
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 1 |
| MUS | Secondary Applied Instrument | 1 |
MUS Ensemble select from
Required
| MUS 158 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
Third Year, Fall Semester [16 credits]
CORE E
OR any two of the following:
Required
| MFL | Foreign Language 3 | 3 |
| MUS 323 | CONDUCTING | 2 |
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 1 |
MUS Ensemble select from
Required
| MUS 157 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
General electives: outside discipline
Third Year, Spring Semester [17–18 credits]
| CORE 260 | HUMANITIES: THOUGHT AND EXPERIENCE | 3 |
CORE E
Required
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 1 |
MUS Ensemble select from
Required
| MUS 158 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
| MUS 324 | CONDUCTING | 2 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
General electives: outside discipline
Fourth Year, Fall Semester [18 credits]
| CORE 360 | THE WORLD AND ITS PEOPLES | 3 |
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 2 |
MUS Ensemble select from
Required
| MUS 157 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
| MUS 281 | INDEPENDENT STUDY | 2-3 |
| MUS 307 | MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE I | 3 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
Fourth Year, Spring Semester [15 credits]
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 2 |
MUS Ensemble select from
Required
| MUS 158 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
| MUS 308 | MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE II | 3 |
| MUS | Senior Recital | 0 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
| | GENERAL ELECTIVE | 3 |
Requirements - B.S. in Music Education
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Music Education, in addition to the University degree requirements outlined within this Bulletin, include:
-
Meet requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education as outlined in this Bulletin.
-
The normal HFA research requirement (HFAR 200) and the University foreign language requirement do not apply to students in the B.S. program in music education.
Required Courses
Required major courses (Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education) [46 credits]
| MUS 101 | MATERIALS IN MUSIC THEORY | 3 |
| | Or | |
| MUS 102 | MATERIALS IN MUSIC THEORY | 3 |
| | | |
| MUS 201 | MATERIALS IN MUSIC THEORY | 3 |
| | Or | |
| MUS 202 | MATERIALS IN MUSIC THEORY | 3 |
| | | |
| MUS 303 | COUNTERPOINT | 3 |
| MUS 305 | ORCHESTRATION | 3 |
| | | |
| MUS 307 | MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE I | 3 |
| | Or | |
| MUS 308 | MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE II | 3 |
| | | |
| MUS 313 | MUSIC IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | 2 |
| MUS 315 | MUSIC IN THE HIGH SCHOOL YEAR | 2 |
| | | |
| MUS 323 | CONDUCTING | 2 |
| | Or | |
| MUS 324 | CONDUCTING | 2 |
| | | |
| MUS 383 | TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING BRASS AND PERCUSSION | 2 |
| | Or | |
| MUS 384 | TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING WOODWINDS AND STRINGS | 2 |
Ensemble participation
- Four semesters of participation in the University Choir are required [1 credit per semester]. In addition, students may elect to enroll in other ensembles.
Courses in musical performance
15 semester credits of coursework depending on the student’s principal applied area. Music students are required to be enrolled in a principal applied area and “Seminar in Music Performance and Literature” (MUS 157- MUS 158) during each semester of enrollment at the University. Study in the principal applied area culminates with the Senior Recital, for example:
Piano:
Voice:
| MUS 171 | PRINCIPAL VOICE | 1 |
| MUS 172 | PRINCIPAL VOICE | 1 |
| MUS 271 | PRINCIPAL VOICE FOR B.A. IN MUSIC | 1 |
| MUS 272 | PRINCIPAL VOICE FOR B.A. IN MUSIC | 1 |
| MUS 371 | PRINCIPAL VOICE FOR B.A. IN MUSIC | 1 |
| MUS 372 | PRINCIPAL VOICE FOR B.A. IN MUSIC | 1 |
| MUS 470 | SENIOR RECITAL | 0 |
| MUS 475 | PRINCIPAL VOICE FOR B.A. IN MUSIC | 3 |
Suggested Program
First Year, Fall Semester [14 credits]
| CORE 100 | NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION SEMINAR | 1 |
| CORE 150 | COMPOSITION I | 3 |
| CORE 131 | ESSENTIAL MATHEMATICS FOR A CONTEMPORARY WORLD | 3 |
| MUS 101 | MATERIALS IN MUSIC THEORY | 3 |
| MUS 157 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
| MUS 226 | UNIVERSITY CHOIR | 1 |
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 1 |
| MUS | Secondary Applied Instrument | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
First Year, Spring Semester [18 credits]
| CORE 120 | CRITICAL THINKING | 2 |
| CORE 160 | COMPOSITION II | 3 |
| EDUC 250 | FUNDAMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF TEACHING | 1 |
| MUS 102 | MATERIALS IN MUSIC THEORY | 3 |
| MUS 158 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
| MUS 226 | UNIVERSITY CHOIR | 1 |
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 1 |
| MUS | Secondary Applied Instrument | 1 |
| CORE 201 | INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 3 |
Second Year, Fall Semester [17-18 credits]
CORE A
Required
| EDUC 260 | THEORY AND PRACTICE OF TEACHING | 3 |
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 1 |
| MUS | Secondary Applied Instrument | 1 |
MUS Ensemble select from
Required
| MUS 383 | TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING BRASS AND PERCUSSION | 2 |
| MUS 313 | MUSIC IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | 2 |
| MUS 157 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
Second Year, Spring Semester [18 credits]
CORE B
CORE C
Required
| PSY 205 | CHILD AND ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| MUS 202 | MATERIALS IN MUSIC THEORY | 3 |
| MUS 384 | TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING WOODWINDS AND STRINGS | 2 |
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 1 |
| MUS | Secondary Applied Instrument | 1 |
| MUS 158 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
Third Year, Fall Semester [17 credits]
| EDUC 320 | ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM AND METHODS I | 3 |
| | | |
| MUS 303 | COUNTERPOINT | 3 |
| MUS 307 | MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE I | 3 |
| MUS 323 | CONDUCTING | 2 |
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 2 |
MUS Ensemble select from
Required
| MUS 157 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
| MUS 070X | VOICE CLASS FOR BEGINNERS | 1 |
Third Year, Spring Semester [18 credits]
CORE D
Or any 2 of the following:
Required
Student takes
| EDUC 320 | ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM AND METHODS I | 3 |
| | And | |
| EDUC 330 | ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM AND METHODS II | 3 |
| | | |
| | Or | |
| | | |
| EDUC 340 | SECONDARY CURRICULUM AND METHODS I | 3 |
| | And | |
| EDUC 350 | SECONDARY CURRICULUM AND METHODS II | 3 |
†Student takes
| EDUC 320 | ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM AND METHODS I | 3 |
| | And | |
| EDUC 330 | ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM AND METHODS II | 3 |
| | | |
| | Or | |
| | | |
| EDUC 340 | SECONDARY CURRICULUM AND METHODS I | 3 |
| | And | |
| EDUC 350 | SECONDARY CURRICULUM AND METHODS II | 3 |
Required
| MUS 324 | CONDUCTING | 2 |
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 3 |
| MUS 158 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
Fourth Year, Fall Semester [19 credits]
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 2 |
| MUS 157 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
| MUS | Senior Recital | 0 |
CORE E
Required
Fourth Year, Spring Semester [12 credits]
Total hours required for graduation: 127-130
Requirements - B.Mus in Performance
Requirements for the Bachelor of Music degree in Performance, in addition to the University degree requirements outlined within this Bulletin, include:
Please note: In all instances, internship decisions are to be made in consultation with the faculty academic advisor, and the proper University procedures are to be followed. Failure to do so may result in lack of credit for the internship. If student elects a 12-hour internship, s/he will need 128 credit hours to Meet degree requirements outlined within this Bulletin.
Required major courses [38 semester credits]
Principal Applied Courses
22 semester credits of coursework depending on the student’s principal applied area. Music students are required to be enrolled in a principal applied area and “Seminar in Music Performance and Literature” (MUS 157-158) during each semester of enrollment at the University. A 20-minute Sophomore Hearing is required during the Sophomore year. Junior and Senior recitals are required.
Piano:
Voice:
Secondary Applied Courses - 4 credits.
- Music majors whose principal applied area is not piano are required to complete a secondary area in piano, culminating in the Piano Proficiency Exam (MUS 150A-B, 250A-B).
- Music majors whose principal applied area is organ or piano are required to complete a secondary applied area in voice (MUS 170A-B, 270A-B).
- During each semester of enrollment, students are also required to enroll in the ensemble closest to their principal applied area; two of these must be in the University Choir (MUS 226).
Elective studies in music
8 semester hours chosen from available Elective Music Courses or other music courses approved by the Chair of the Music Department.
Suggested Program - B.Mus in Performance
First Year, Fall Semester [17 credits]
| CORE 100 | NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION SEMINAR | 1 |
| CORE 150 | COMPOSITION I | 3 |
| | FOREIGN LANGUAGE 101 - FRENCH OR SPANISH | 3 |
| MUS 101 | MATERIALS IN MUSIC THEORY | 3 |
| MUS 226 | UNIVERSITY CHOIR | 1 |
| MUS 157 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
| MUS | Principal Applied | 1 |
| MUS | Secondary Applied Instrument | 1 |
First Year, Spring Semester [16 credits]
| CORE 131 | ESSENTIAL MATHEMATICS FOR A CONTEMPORARY WORLD | 3 |
| CORE 120 | CRITICAL THINKING | 2 |
| MUS 102 | MATERIALS IN MUSIC THEORY | 3 |
| MUS 226 | UNIVERSITY CHOIR | 1 |
| MUS 158 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
| | FOREIGN LANGUAGE 102 - FRENCH OR SPANISH | 3 |
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 1 |
| MUS | Secondary Applied Instrument | 1 |
Second Year, Fall Semester [16 credits]
| MUS 307 | MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE I | 3 |
| MFL | Foreign Language 3 | 3 |
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 2 |
| MUS | Secondary Applied Instrument | 1 |
MUS Ensemble select from
Required
| MUS 157 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
Second Year, Spring Semester [15-16 credits]
| ART 291 | AFRICAN AMERICAN ART | 3 |
| | Or | |
| ENG 275 | AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE TO 1919 | 3 |
| | Or | |
| HIS 180 | AFRICAN HISTORY | 3 |
| | Or | |
| HIS 270 | AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY | 3 |
| | | |
| MUS 202 | MATERIALS IN MUSIC THEORY | 3 |
| MUS 308 | MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE II | 3 |
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 2 |
| MUS | Secondary Applied Instrument | 1 |
MUS Ensemble select from
Required
| MUS 158 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
Third Year, Fall Semester [15 credits]
| CORE 201 | INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 3 |
| MUS 303 | COUNTERPOINT | 3 |
| MUS 323 | CONDUCTING | 2 |
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 3 |
MUS Ensemble select from
Required
| MUS 157 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
Third Year, Spring Semester [17-18 credits]
MUS Ensemble select from
Required
| MUS 158 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
| MUS | Electives in the Music Program | 2 |
Fourth Year, Fall Semester [16 – 17 credits]
| CORE 132 | ESSENTIAL MATHEMATICS FOR A CONTEMPORARY WORLD II | 3 |
| | Or | |
| BAD 220 | BUSINESS LAW | 3 |
| | Or | |
| BAD 260 | APPLIED STATISTICS | 3 |
| | Or | |
| MATH 115 | DISCRETE MATHEMATICS | 3 |
| | Or | |
| MATH 120 | CALCULUS I | 4 |
| | Or | |
| NSCI 360 | STATISTICS | 3 |
| | | |
| CORE 260 | HUMANITIES: THOUGHT AND EXPERIENCE | 3 |
| | | |
| ECON 230 | PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS | 3 |
| | Or | |
| ECON 240 | PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS | 3 |
| | Or | |
| HIS 160 | UNITED STATES HISTORY | 3 |
| | Or | |
| PSCI 122 | AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEMS | 3 |
| | Or | |
| PSY 180 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| | Or | |
| SOC 100 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY | 3 |
| | | |
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 3 |
| MUS | Senior Recital | 0 |
MUS Ensemble select from
Required
| MUS 157 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
| MUS | Electives in the Music Discipline | 2 |
Fourth Year, Spring Semester [13 credits]
| CORE 360 | THE WORLD AND ITS PEOPLES | 3 |
| MUS | Principal Applied Instrument | 3 |
| MUS | Senior Recital | 0 |
MUS Ensemble select from
Required
| MUS 158 | SEMINAR IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE AND LITERATURE | 0 |
| MUS | Electives in the Music Department | 3 |