Department of Music

Philosophy for the Department of Music

In keeping with the general philosophy of the University of Mobile, the Department of Music seeks to engage its students to embrace learning and to develop confident Christian men and women who demonstrate the integrity to live and work in a manner consistent with the Christian faith. Thus, the intent of the Department of Music is reflected in the phrase, “Know and be Known.”

Department of Music Statement

Excellence is the goal of all performance benchmarks set for classroom instruction, applied music lessons, ensembles, recitals and corporate music events. Each student is challenged to meet or exceed faculty expectations for musical excellence as an individual act of worship, thus integrating the university’s core values―Christ-centered, Academically-focused, Student-devoted and Distinctively-driven.

General Information

Music study at the University of Mobile includes training in basic musicianship, specialized/professional areas of concentration, and studies in the liberal arts.

The core of the program is musicianship - study in solo applied performance and in ensembles, theory, music history, and pedagogy.
The specialized/professional areas include teacher training and performance.
The liberal arts requirements contribute to the breadth and knowledge appropriate for the professional musician.

Purpose

The music program is designed to help students develop their musical potential by preparing them for music careers in churches, schools, and communities. Its design also provides students with a foundation for postgraduate studies.

Objectives

The student will demonstrate knowledge of:

Theory, form and analysis, and principles of arranging.
Music history, styles, and literature of Western and non-Western cultures.
The relationship of music to the other arts.

The student will demonstrate the ability to:

Perform at an advanced level in one applied area;
Perform in a variety of primary and secondary ensembles;
Play a keyboard instrument with sufficient skill for basic demonstration and simple accompaniment;
Interpret representative works of the past and present and perform them with a proficiency that reflects an understanding of the historical style of the music.

Admission/Audition/Placement Exams

Students desiring admission to the Department of Music are encouraged to complete the University of Mobile’s application for admission. Prospective Alabama School of the Arts (ASOTA) majors and minors are encouraged to schedule an appointment for an audition by calling 251-442-2551 or completing an online application found at www.umobile.edu/audition. Transfer students are required to take an entrance exam to determine proper placement for theory and applied music.

Department of Music Student Manual

Students are required to follow the policies and procedures outlined in the ASOTA Student Manual concerning the following:

applied instruction
mid-level review
piano proficiency exam
seminar/recital hour
junior and senior recitals
concert music
all matters related to the music program

The ASOTA Student Manual can also be viewed in hard-copy form in the ASOTA office.

Ensembles (Primary and Secondary)

All students with a major in music are expected to register for at least one ensemble each semester in residence. The following groups are defined as primary ensembles at the University of Mobile: University Singers and Symphonic Winds. Note: (Chamber Strings/Orchestra may be substituted as a large ensemble for string students, with permission). In order for students to acquire the experience of large and small ensembles, secondary ensembles should be taken for a minimum of 4 semesters. Audits for secondary ensembles are granted, when applicable, in order to alleviate increased cost to the student beyond the block pay of 17 hours (dean’s permission required).

Primary Ensembles (large)

Vocal

University Singers

Instrumental*

Symphonic Winds
Chamber Music Ensemble (strings)

*Note: Instrumental students whose applied area is guitar or piano are expected to participate in University Singers. Secondary ensemble experience in the guitar or piano ensembles is expected, thereby giving them experience in both small and large ensembles and broadening their instrumental and vocal experiences.

Secondary Ensembles (small)

Act 1

Catching Foxes

Deliverance

Exit 13

Guitar Ensemble

Impact

Jazz Band

Opera Workshop

Piano Ensemble

RamCorps

SoFree

Sounds of Mobile

Voices of Mobile

Welsh Revival

Note: All music majors participate in corporate music events. This opportunity extends participatory and observation experiences with both small and large ensembles. Examples of annual corporate music events are The Christmas Spectacular, The Mobile Passion Play, Night of the Classical Masters, the Opera, Musical Theatre Productions and the Spring Finale.