BMus Year: Fourth Year

MUS 412

Class Description: Exploration of strategies for creating conditions for successful performances, auditions, and lasting careers. Topics include: tactics and solutions for dealing with performance anxiety, centered performance, and skills for focused practice and rehearsal. Required for Artist Diploma.

MUS 411

Class Description: Topics include: defining artistic and professional objectives; job application, interview and audition processes; understanding the concert presenter's perspective; concert programming; audience development; marketing and expanding opportunities; and arts business realities. The goal is to enable students to achieve greater impact and forge successful musical careers.

MUS 441

Class Description: Each college student receives 32 one-hour private lessons during the academic year.  Students also participate in master classes/technique classes/repertoire classes.  Recital appearances are expected.  Students may request a particular private instruction teacher. The Executive Director will assign the student to the requested teacher whenever space permits.

MUS 441a OR MUS 461

Class Description: MUS 441a – The examination of piano teaching material for beginning and professional students. Discussion will include the development of good musical taste, technical skills, memorization and intelligent practice. For piano majors only. OR MUS 461 – Preparation and public performance of representative works from the symphonic literature. All instrumental students must be enrolled in the orchestra program. VAM Symphony Orchestra gives three concerts each year.

MUS 442

Class Description: Each college student receives 32 one-hour private lessons during the academic year.  Students also participate in master classes/technique classes/repertoire classes.  Recital appearances are expected.  Students may request a particular private instruction teacher. The Executive Director will assign the student to the requested teacher whenever space permits.

MUS 442a OR MUS 462

Class Description: MUS 442a – The examination of piano teaching material for beginning and professional students. Discussion will include the development of good musical taste, technical skills, memorization and intelligent practice. For piano majors only. OR MUS 462 – Preparation and public performance of representative works from the symphonic literature. All instrumental students must be enrolled in the orchestra program. VAM Symphony Orchestra gives three concerts each year.

MUS 451

Class Description: Coaching in representative repertoire by members of the VAM teaching staff. Students are auditioned and placed in an ensemble.

MUS 453

Class Description: Composition students must arrange a public performance of an original composition.  This involves preparation of the score, editing, finding performers, organizing rehearsals and arranging a performance date and venue.  It may include performing, or conducting a group of performers.  In second year the original composition will normally be short and involve one or two performers.  In third and fourth years, compositions can be longer and for larger ensembles.  Compositions may be used on the final graduation recital.  For composition majors only.n

MUS 463

Class Description: The Vocal Theatre Workshop provides an eight-week performance workshop in each semester to develop the vocal and dramatic interpretative powers of students through practical experience on selected vocal repertoire.

MUS 464

Class Description: The Vocal Theatre Workshop provides an eight-week performance workshop in each semester to develop the vocal and dramatic interpretative powers of students through practical experience on selected vocal repertoire.