Music

Mission

It is the mission of the Department of Music at Chadron State College to provide students a rich environment in which to pursue their musical interests and career goals. With a broad-based curriculum, the undergraduate programs offered are designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in both the public and the private sectors. The CSC Department of Music strives to set and maintain high standards of excellence in providing musical leadership to the campus and to the service region as the premier four-year institution of higher education in the Nebraska Panhandle.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • Demonstrate acquired musical skills by performing alone and in ensembles.
  • Notate, analyze, and describe music using a common vocabulary.
  • Develop an appreciation for and knowledge of the history of music as it relates to form, style, performance practice, and the other arts.
  • Formulate strategies and demonstrate skills directly related to their degree program.

Admission to the Music Program

Incoming students are admitted to the music programs on a probationary basis. Admission is based on the following criteria:

  1. Students must successfully pass MUS 199 ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY in order to continue in any music program. Admission to Candidacy is comprised of an evaluation of the student’s progress in their major performance area as well as their piano, theory, and aural skills. A satisfactory evaluation will qualify a student to proceed to 200-level applied lessons.
  2. Students must also successfully perform a MUS 299 SOPHOMORE QUALIFYING EXAM for entrance to 300-level applied lessons. A student must demonstrate, through performance of technical material and repertoire, a degree of facility and musicality deemed sufficient to undertake advanced applied study.

Proficiencies and Requirements

  1. Music majors and minors are encouraged to participate in the major performing ensemble directly related to their major performing instrument/voice throughout their entire program, excluding the professional year for education majors and during internship (music industry option). These ensembles include Wind Symphony and Concert Choir for the Bachelor of Science degree programs, and Wind Symphony, Concert Choir, and Guitar Ensemble for the Bachelor of Arts. 
  2. Attendance at department-approved musical programs is required of all full-time music majors and minors enrolled in applied music lessons. Students enrolled in applied music major or minor lessons must also be co-enrolled in MUS 101 STUDENT RECITAL.
  3. New incoming students must take the theory and piano placement exams during the first week of classes.
  4. Students in all degree programs (B.S.E. and B.A.) are required to pass a Piano Proficiency Examination before attempting the MUS 299 SOPHOMORE QUALIFYING EXAM on their major instrument.
  5. The Department of Music requires that music majors and minors receive a grade of “C” or higher in all music coursework in order to receive departmental approval for graduation.
  6. Transfer students from a two (2) year institution must complete 50% of the required courses for the music major.
  7. In accordance with standards set by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), all majors will develop an awareness of non-Western music. The following courses will satisfy the requirement:
    FYI 169MUOPENING PANDORA'S MUSIC BOX3
    MUS 330AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC3