Mar 18, 2024  
2018-2019 Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music, Associate of Fine Arts Degree


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 Visual and Performing Arts 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 in either degree program. 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 four 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


First Semester


Third Semester


Fourth Semester


  •  Science (lab) 4 Credits 1
  • Global & Cultural Awareness 3 Credits1

Total Credits 62


(plus 8 credits of keyboard skills, if required)

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

2 A total of 3 credits from Visual or Performing Arts (Studio or Appreciation)

3 Ensembles sponsored by the department include: MUSC 151 RVCC Chorale I , MUSC 152 RVCC Chorale II , MUSC 251 RVCC Chorale III , & MUSC 252 RVCC Chorale IV  and MUSC 157 RVCC Jazz Ensemble I , MUSC 158 RVCC Jazz Ensemble II , MUSC 257 RVCC Jazz Ensemble III , & MUSC 258 RVCC Jazz Ensemble IV . Arrangements may be made to perform off campus in MUSC 153 Concert Band I , MUSC 154 Concert Band II , MUSC 253 Concert Band III , & MUSC 254 Concert Band IV  or MUSC 155 Orchestra I ,MUSC 156 Orchestra II , MUSC 255 Orchestra III , & MUSC 256 Orchestra IV  as approved by the Department.

4 All students must complete a keyboard proficiency placement test. Students without prior proficiency must complete four semesters of Keyboard Skills (MUSC 121 Keyboard Skills I , MUSC 122 Keyboard Skills II , MUSC 221 Keyboard Skills III , and MUSC 222 Keyboard Skills IV  ).

5 Mathematics by official placement test. Students may not take courses below placement level.

6
The music technology degree requirement is satisfied by either 165 Music Technology: Fundamentals and Applications  , which is offered in the fall, or MUSC 190 Digital Music Composition I  , which is offered in the spring.

7 Select a course from these Music Electives: MUSC 103 Rock N’ Roll History and Culture  , or MUSC 105 Survey of Jazz Music  , or MUSC 107 Introduction to World Music  , or MUSC 270 Composition and Song Writing  .