Jacksonville University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The requirements for entrance and for graduation are in accordance with the published regulations of this association.
Music Courses Offered to All Students
General music courses open to all students, regardless of major, include:
Auditions, Placement & Scholarships
Students expecting to major in any of the above programs must audition in person or forward a video recording, or via electronic media, on their principal instrument or voice (principal applied area) and meet admission criteria prior to enrolling at JU.
Auditions in person may be arranged throughout the academic year and are conducted on University- scheduled audition dates. Those who cannot appear in person must submit a video-recorded performance. Auditions are used to determine a student’s level of placement and possible music scholarships and music service grant awards. Audition appointments may be arranged with the Admissions Department, or with the applied faculty member.
Placement and Exemption Exams in theory and keyboard are administered through an online exam available before each fall semester or during the academic year by contacting an instructor in theory or keyboard studies. Contact the Music Department office for more information. Students who have taken the Advanced Placement (AP) Music Theory exam and receive a score of 5 will be given credit for MUS 141 and MUS 157; these students should enroll in MUS 142 and MUS 158. Students with a score of 4 or lower will be assessed for advanced placement upon completion of the Placement and Exemption Exam administered by the Music Department.
Students planning to major in music education, music performance, jazz, or composition and theory must enroll in piano each semester until the keyboard proficiency examination has been passed.
Attendance and Sophomore Qualifying Exam
Attendance Requirements
More than 80 student and faculty recitals, concerts, and lectures are presented each year. Students majoring in programs in the Department of Music are required to attend a designated number of performances each semester. Consult the Division of Music Student Handbook for details.
Sophomore Qualifying Exam
Students are required to pass an applied comprehensive examination – the Sophomore Qualifying Exam before enrolling in upper-division (400) applied instruction and after completing eight credit hours of lower-division (200) applied instruction or credit by examination. This usually occurs at the end of the second year. Further information concerning the Sophomore Qualifying Exam is available in the Music Division office, or from the student’s advisor.
Applied Music
The Department of Music offers applied instruction in Voice, Composition and All Instruments.
Students majoring or minoring in music are required to take applied music lessons to meet their curriculum requirements. Students who are not majoring or minoring in music require the consent of the Department of Music to take private music lessons.
In addition to tuition fees, a $175 Applied Music Fee is applied per credit hour, per semester.
In summer terms, lesson time and amount of credit will vary according to the length of the term. Students may enroll in only one applied course on a given instrument or voice per term.
Applied Music (Private Music Lessons)
The following courses are available to majors and minors in music and to other students with consent of the Department of Music:
All students registered in MUS 202, 402 or 404 are required to sign up for the following two courses:
Applied Music Important Notes:
- In the summer terms, the lesson time and the amount of credit given will vary according to the length of the term.
- BA and BS students take MUS 205 (one credit) or MUS 405 (one credit).
- BM, BME and BFA students take MUS 202 (two credits) or MUS 402 (two credits) in the fall or spring term.
- All music majors or minors registered in applied lessons (MUS 202, 203, 205, 402, 404, or 405) are required to attend MUS 100 and a specified number of on-campus recitals and concerts each fall and winter semester. Students should consult their applied instructor for the exact number required for their particular major or status.
- With the exception of music business majors, all music majors taking applied lessons are expected to perform on a performance laboratory at least once each year. Performance laboratories are held at regularly scheduled times during the fall and spring terms.
- BME and BM degree students are required to pass a piano proficiency examination before graduation. Students must enroll in piano secondary applied study until this requirement has been fulfilled. Specific requirements may be obtained from the piano faculty.
- All students enrolled in Applied Music MUS 202, 402, and 404 must schedule an applied music jury examination at the end of each fall and spring term.
- Students may enroll in only one applied course on a given instrument or voice per term.
Ensembles
Most music ensembles are open to all students by audition. Students majoring in music are required to enroll and participate in at least one of the ensembles listed below during each fall and spring semester of full-time study for the number of semesters required by their major. Students are encouraged to participate in ensembles of varying size and nature, both within and outside of their field of specialty. Music Scholarship recipients are required to participate in additional ensembles beyond degree requirements per semester.
Ensemble course options:
MUS 327: Music Ensembles includes small ensembles such as brass quintet, guitar ensemble, jazz combo, African/Latin hand drumming, drum line, percussion ensemble, string quartet, and woodwind quintet.
Audition is required for these courses:
MUS 327: Music Ensembles includes small ensembles such as brass quintet, guitar ensemble, jazz combo, African/Latin hand drumming, drum line, percussion ensemble, string quartet, and woodwind quintet.
No audition is required for these courses: