Program Overview

The Department of Music at High Point University challenges students to not only refine their technical skills through lessons and ensemble participation, but also to improve their musicianship through multiple solo and ensemble performances. All current and prospective students who have a background in music are encouraged to consider either a major or minor in music or double majoring in music and another subject area.

A Focused Curriculum

The music curriculum offered at High Point University is unique, innovative and reflective of the highest standards in collegiate music instruction. By utilizing an integrative learning style, our curriculum gives students a comprehensive and thorough understanding of the art of music-making in the 21st century.

We have developed a new method of teaching by integrating the disciplines of music theory, music history, aural skills, and music literature into a single, four-semester sequence of “music core” classes. The sequence of courses presents the essentials of music theory and aural skills, while exploring the development of music in history, and continuously applying the theoretical concepts of music to actual performances. This integrative learning style enables students to understand the development of music in an organic and holistic manner, and teaches them how what they learn in the classroom is directly applicable to their work on their individual instrument and ultimately, to the stage.

Additionally, our curriculum allows each student to take free departmental electives in their junior and senior years that can enhance their specific areas of interest. In this way, we can fully prepare our students for however they choose to use the B.A. degree in music after leaving HPU. Some potential areas of secondary emphasis are Music Business, Jazz Studies, Sacred Music, Musical Theatre, Opera, Music Technology, Music Education, etc. Because students are given so much flexibility within the degree program, the possibilities for secondary areas are almost limitless.

Music majors at High Point University receive practical training through performance, research, competition and internships. Here is a sample of what some of our graduates are doing now:

• Pursuing a masters or doctoral degree in music
• Performing with touring professional groups
• Participating in summer stock
• Performing with regional musical theaters
• Accepting call-backs for national tours
• Teaching music in schools
• Accepting positions as church musicians

The Department of Music offers the B.A. degree in Music. To graduate from High Point University with this degree, students must complete the following:

B.A. in Music

Requirements for the B.A. in Music with a concentration in Voice (50 credits)

MUSIC CORE (16)

• MUS 1000. Music Core I (4)
• MUS 1100. Music Core II (4)
• MUS 2000. Music Core III (4)
• MUS 2100. Music Core IV (4)

ENSEMBLE – 8 credits selected from:

• MUS 1310. University Singers (1)
• MUS 1320. Chapel Choir (1)
• MUS 1300. Chamber Singers (1)
• MUS 1311. Women’s Chorus (1)

PERFORMANCE AND MUSICIANSHIP (14)

• MUS 1200. Voice Lessons (2)
• MUS 2200. Voice Lessons (2)
• MUS 3200. Voice Lessons (2)
• MUS 4200. Voice Lessons (2)
• MUS 1400. Diction for Singers I (2)
• MUS 2400. Diction for Singers II (2)
• MUS 3400. Vocal Pedagogy I (2)

DEPARTMENTAL ELECTIVES (12)

IN ADDITION, EACH VOICE MAJOR MUST COMPLETE:

• Half solo recital at the 3000 level
• Full solo recital at the 4000 level
• Keyboard proficiency
• Concert attendance as outlined in the Music Student Handbook

Requirements for the B.A. in Music with a Concentration in Piano or Organ (50 credits)

MUSIC CORE (16)

• MUS 1000. Music Core I (4)
• MUS 1100. Music Core II (4)
• MUS 2000. Music Core III (4)
• MUS 2100. Music Core IV (4)

ENSEMBLE – 8 credits selected from:

• MUS 1300. Chamber Singers (1)
• MUS 1310. University Singers (1)
• MUS 1311. Women’s Chorus (1)
• MUS 1320. Chapel Choir (1)
• MUS 1330. Pep Band (1)
• MUS 1331. University Band (1)
• MUS 1341. Jazz Ensemble (1)

PERFORMANCE AND MUSICIANSHIP (14)

• MUS 1210. Piano Lessons (2 )
• MUS 2210. Piano Lessons (2)
• MUS 3210. Piano Lessons (2)
• MUS 4210. Piano Lessons (2)

or

• MUS 1220. Organ Lessons (2)
• MUS 2220. Organ Lessons (2)
• MUS 3220. Organ Lessons (2)
• MUS 4220. Organ Lessons (2)

and

• MUS 3430. Piano Pedagogy (2)
• MUS 3510. Piano/Organ Literature (2)
• MUS 3410. Conducting I (2)

DEPARTMENTAL ELECTIVES (12)

IN ADDITION, EACH PIANO OR ORGAN MAJOR MUST COMPLETE:

• Half solo recital at the 3000 level
• Full solo recital at the 4000 level
• Keyboard proficiency
• Concert attendance as outlined in the Music Student Handbook

Requirements for the B.A. in Music with a Concentration in Instrumental Studies (50 credits)

MUSIC CORE (16)

• MUS 1000. Music Core I (4)
• MUS 1100. Music Core II (4)
• MUS 2000. Music Core III (4)
• MUS 2100. Music Core IV (4)

ENSEMBLE – 8 credits selected from:

• MUS 1330. Pep Band (1)
• MUS 1331. University Band (1)
• MUS 1341. Jazz Ensemble (1)
• MUS 1342. Chamber Orchestra (1)

PERFORMANCE AND MUSICIANSHIP (16)

• MUS 1230. Trumpet/French Horn Lessons (2)
• MUS 2230. Trumpet/French Horn Lessons (2)
• MUS 3230. Trumpet/French Horn Lessons (2)
• MUS 4230. Trumpet/French Horn Lessons (2)

or

• MUS 1231. Trombone Lessons (2)
• MUS 2231. Trombone Lessons (2)
• MUS 3231. Trombone Lessons (2)
• MUS 4231. Trombone Lessons (2)

or

• MUS 1232. Euphonium and Tuba Lessons (2)
• MUS 2232. Euphonium and Tuba Lessons (2)
• MUS 3232. Euphonium and Tuba Lessons (2)
• MUS 4232. Euphonium and Tuba Lessons (2)

or

• MUS 1240. Flute Lessons (2)
• MUS 2240. Flute Lessons (2)
• MUS 3240. Flute Lessons (2)
• MUS 4240. Flute Lessons (2)

or

• MUS 1241. Clarinet Lessons (2)
• MUS 2241. Clarinet Lessons (2)
• MUS 3241. Clarinet Lessons (2)
• MUS 4241. Clarinet Lessons (2)

or

• MUS 1242. Double Reed Lessons (2)
• MUS 2242. Double Reed Lessons (2)
• MUS 3242. Double Reed Lessons (2)
• MUS 4242. Double Reed Lessons (2)

or

• MUS 1243. Saxophone Lessons (2)
• MUS 2243. Saxophone Lessons (2)
• MUS 3243. Saxophone Lessons (2)
• MUS 4243. Saxophone Lessons (2)

or

• MUS 1250. Percussion Lessons (2)
• MUS 2250. Percussion Lessons (2)
• MUS 3250. Percussion Lessons (2)
• MUS 4250. Percussion Lessons (2)

or

• MUS 1290. Violin and Viola Lessons (2)
• MUS 2290. Violin and Viola Lessons (2)
• MUS 3290. Violin and Viola Lessons (2)
• MUS 4290. Violin and Viola Lessons (2)

or

• MUS 1291. Guitar Lessons (2)
• MUS 2291. Guitar Lessons (2)
• MUS 3291. Guitar Lessons (2)
• MUS 4291. Guitar Lessons (2)

or

• MUS 1294. Cello Lessons (2)
• MUS 2294. Cello Lessons (2)
• MUS 3294. Cello Lessons (2)
• MUS 4294. Cello Lessons (2)

or

• MUS 1295. Double Bass Lessons (2)
• MUS 2295. Double Bass Lessons (2)
• MUS 3295. Double Bass Lessons (2)
• MUS 4295. Double Bass Lessons (2)

and

• MUS 3420. Instrumental Pedagogy (2)
• MUS 3520. Instrumental Literature (2)
• MUS 3410. Conducting I (2)

DEPARTMENTAL ELECTIVES (12)

IN ADDITION, EACH INSTRUMENTAL STUDIES MAJOR MUST COMPLETE:

• Half solo recital at the 3000 level
• Full solo recital at the 4000 level
• Keyboard proficiency
• Concert attendance as outlined in the Music Student Handbook