Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music, Associate of Fine Arts


The Associate of Fine Arts in Music degree program prepares students for transfer into bachelor’s degree programs in music—whether B.M., B.A., B.F.A. or B.M.E.—at four-year colleges and universities such as Rutgers University, William Paterson University, Kean University, Montclair State University, The College of New Jersey, Rowan University, and Westminster Choir College of Rider University.

It is mandatory that a music major applicant contact the Arts and Design Department for an interview, placement testing and advisement with a member of the music faculty. It is recommended that this be done before May if a student is requesting September enrollment as an approved major. Students without adequate precollege background in music and who are not adequately prepared for the theory/musicianship sequence may be required to enroll in Fundamentals of Music as a prerequisite in the subsequent Summer Session or in the student’s first semester.

Students develop their performance skills by four semesters of private lessons (Applied Music) and by participating each semester in at least one major performing ensemble. On-campus ensemble experiences include the RVCC Chorale and the RVCC Jazz Ensemble.  Arrangements may be made for participation with the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band,  the Central Jersey Symphony Orchestra or with another Department-approved community performing ensemble. Auditions are likely required for all ensembles.

All students who do not have piano as their primary instrument must take two semesters of Keyboard Skills or pass a proficiency examination. Students considering transfer to a four-year institution for a bachelor’s degree should consult with a counselor early in their program to determine academic transfer and music audition requirements.

Graduates are able to:

  •   understand the role of a musician as a creative, disciplined and performing artist
  •   display general musicianship skills
  •   analyze and apply certain theoretical concepts in music
  •   illustrate a historical perspective and knowledge of music literature
  •   identify composers and analyze compositions from the historical style periods
  •   display solo and ensemble performance skills appropriate to a vocal or instrumental concentration
  •   apply basic computer skills and selected music technologies and software to practical and educational music
      applications
     

Curriculum – A.F.A. Degree


Total Credits 60


1 Select a course from the appropriate category of the General Education  list.

2 All music majors must complete a keyboard proficiency placement test.  The two-semester requirement for students without prior keyboard proficiency will be Keyboard Skills I and II.  The two-semester requirement for students with adequate keyboard proficiency will be Keyboard Skills III and IV.  A keyboard major or a student with considerable keyboard proficiency will likely be exempt from some or all of this degree requirement, and must make the credits up with MUSC electives.  Music majors who are also in the honors college are encouraged to take MUSC 296H Music Capstone Research Honors  .

3 All music majors must participate each semester in a performing ensemble.  On-campus ensembles include the RVCC Chorale I-IV ( MUSC 151  , MUSC 152  , MUSC 251 ,MUSC 252  ) and the RVCC Jazz Ensemble I-IV (MUSC 157 , MUSC 158 , MUSC 257 , MUSC 258  ). Off-campus ensembles may include, as approved, Concert Band I-IV (MUSC 153, 154, 253, 254) and Orchestra I-IV (MUSC 155 , MUSC 156 , MUSC 255 , MUSC 256  ).  A student need not stay in the same ensemble all four semesters, and may join more than one, as time permits.  Please discuss your best options and preferences when you interview with the music faculty prior to enrollment.

4 Music majors who place out of MUSC 111 Music Theory I   and MUSC 113 Musicianship I   must make the credits up with MUSC electives.  Music majors who are also in the honors college are encouraged to take MUSC 296H Music Capstone Research Honors  .

5 Select a course from the appropriate category of the General Education  list except for ARTH, DANC, MUSC, and THEA. 

6 Mathematics by official placement.  Select any course from the appropriate category of the  General Education  list.

7 Students are advised to select from the following one-semester Science courses: BIOL 111 Principles of Biology ,BIOL 120 Human Biology , BIOL 150 Plants, Humans & the Environment , CHEM 102 Introduction to Chemistry , GEOL 157 Introduction to Geology ,PHYS 112 Concepts of Physics , PHYS 130 Astronomy .