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.

1. The core of the program is musicianship - study in solo applied performance and in ensembles, theory, music history, and pedagogy.
2. The specialized/professional areas include teacher training and performance.
3. 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:

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

The student will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Perform at an advanced level in one applied area;
2. Perform in a variety of primary and secondary ensembles;
3. Play a keyboard instrument with sufficient skill for basic demonstration and simple accompaniment;
4. 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 Undergraduate Student Handbook 2021-2022  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 Undergraduate Student Handbook 2021-2022  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)

Alabama Repertory Company

Deliverance Five

Exit 13

Guitar Ensemble

Ignite 

Jazz Band

Opera Workshop

Piano Ensemble - Elite 88

RamCorps

SoFree

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.

Programs

• Bass Performance, B.M. (pending NASM approval)
• Cello Performance, B.M. (pending NASM approval)
• Music, B.A.
• Music, Education (Non-Certification), B.S.
• Music, P-12 Teacher Certification, B.S.
• Piano Performance, B.M.
• Viola Performance, B.M. (pending NASM approval)
• Violin Performance, B.M. (pending NASM approval)
• Vocal Performance, B.M.

• Music Minor

Courses

• GR 101 German for Musicians
• GR 102 German for Musicians

• IT 101 Italian for Musicians
• IT 102 Italian for Musicians

• MU 011 Concert Music
• MU 012 Concert Music
• MU 021 Concert Music
• MU 022 Concert Music
• MU 031 Concert Music
• MU 032 Concert Music
• MU 041 Concert Music
• MU 042 Concert Music
• MU 100.1 Foundations of Music Theory
• MU 100.2 Foundations of Music Theory
• MU 101 Theory I
• MU 101L Theory Laboratory I
• MU 102 Theory I
• MU 102L Theory Laboratory I
• MU 111 Music Appreciation
• MU 201 Theory II
• MU 201L Theory Laboratory II
• MU 202 Theory II
• MU 202L Theory Laboratory II
• MU 203 Survey of Technology and Media
• MU 213 History of American Musical Theatre
• MU 244 Piano Literature
• MU 245 Diction and Song Literature I
• MU 246 Diction and Song Literature II
• MU 249 Diction
• MU 297 Study in Selected Topics
• MU 298 Study in Selected Topics
• MU 301 Form and Analysis
• MU 302 Counterpoint
• MU 310 Music History I
• MU 311 Music History II
• MU 320 Brass Pedagogy
• MU 321 Woodwind Pedagogy
• MU 322 Percussion Pedagogy
• MU 323 String Pedagogy
• MU 324 Vocal Pedagogy
• MU 325 Elementary School Music Methods and Materials
• MU 326 Orchestration
• MU 328 Piano Pedagogy Practicum
• MU 345 Diction and Song Literature III
• MU 346 Diction and Song Literature IV
• MU 371 Finale I
• MU 372 Finale II
• MU 380 International Studies in Music
• MU 405 Opera Literature
• MU 411 The Entrepreneur Musician
• MU 412 Christian Ethics and the Performing Arts
• MU 415 String Literature
• MU 424 Piano Pedagogy
• MU 425 Secondary School Music Methods and Materials
• MU 426 Basic Conducting
• MU 427 Choral Conducting
• MU 428 Instrumental Conducting
• MU 433 Piano Literature I
• MU 434 Piano Literature II
• MU 435 Instrumental Arranging
• MU 439 The African American Musical Tradition
• MU 487 Special Topics in Composition
• MU 497 Study in Selected Topics
• MU 498 Study in Selected Topics
• MUA 217 Collaborative Skills and Accompanying I
• MUA 218 Collaborative Skills and Accompanying II
• MUA 309 Chamber Music I
• MUA 317 Collaborative Skills and Accompanying III
• MUA 409 Chamber Music II
• MUA 410 Chamber Music III

• MUA 121.1 Commercial Voice
• MUA 122.1 Commercial Voice
• MUA 131 Voice
• MUA 131.1 Integrated Vocal Technique for the Worship Leader and Commercial Singer
• MUA 132 Voice
• MUA 141 Piano
• MUA 141.1 Class Piano
• MUA 142 Piano
• MUA 142.1 Class Piano
• MUA 143.1 Commercial Keyboard
• MUA 144.1 Commercial Keyboard
• MUA 147 Composition
• MUA 148 Composition
• MUA 151 Organ
• MUA 152 Organ
• MUA 161.1 French Horn
• MUA 161.2 Trumpet
• MUA 161.3 Trombone
• MUA 161.4 Euphonium
• MUA 161.5 Tuba
• MUA 162.1 French Horn
• MUA 162.2 Trumpet
• MUA 162.3 Trombone
• MUA 162.4 Euphonium
• MUA 162.5 Tuba
• MUA 171.1 Flute
• MUA 171.2 Oboe
• MUA 171.3 Clarinet
• MUA 171.4 Saxophone
• MUA 171.5 Bassoon
• MUA 172.1 Flute