The Limestone Program of Music, in accordance with the university's liberal arts philosophy and mission, provides a wide range of musical experiences and educational opportunities for students pursuing professional studies in music, liberal studies in music, and for students seeking personal enrichment through music. Limestone is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The mission of the Program of Music is to provide quality education, developing the student personally, professionally, and academically.
Related Occupations
The Bachelor of Arts in Music provides a broad base for a number of careers in music. Graduate study is, primarily, the next intended step for students.
General Requirements
Entrance Audition
All prospective music majors must perform an admissions audition on their instrument of concentration for the music faculty. A description of repertoire expectations and the standard procedure for the audition can be found on the college website at https://finearts.limestone.edu/music/future-students.
Entrance Examination
All incoming freshmen music majors must undergo an entrance examination in order to determine their knowledge of music theory and to evaluate basic musicianship such as aural skills. Success on this examination may permit the student to exempt Music 119, Fundamentals of Music Theory. Performance on the examination will not prevent a student from becoming a music major.
Piano Proficiency
Students may take a piano proficiency pre-examination in order to determine proper placement in the piano class sequence. All music students are required to pass a piano proficiency examination. This examination is generally given upon successful completion of required piano classes. Those not completing all portions of this examination must continue class piano study or private study until the proficiency is passed. The requirements of the proficiency may be found in the Music Department Handbook.
Primary and Secondary Ensembles
Music majors are required to take the following ensemble courses based on their primary instrument if those courses are offered (unless Music faculty approve and exemption): Participation in the appropriate principal ensemble is required of every music student each semester of enrollment unless registered for Music 452 or 453.
- Vocal
- Primary: ME 320 Chorus
- Secondary: ME 422 Vocal Ensemble
- Winds and Percussion
- Primary: ME 326 Wind Ensemble, and ME 236 Marching Band
- Secondary: ME 324 Jazz Ensemble, ME 423 Jazz Combo, ME 427 Woodwind Ensemble, ME 428 Brass Ensemble, or ME 429 Percussion Ensemble
- "Must align with primary instrument family"
Music Seminar/Recital Attendance
All music majors are required to attend the weekly seminars and various student, faculty, and guest artist recitals. Only one absence will be permitted during a semester. Excessive absences will result in the lowering of the student’s applied lesson grade and may jeopardize the music scholarship award.
Junior Qualifying Examinations
Music students are required to pass a Junior Qualifying Examination at the end of their sophomore year, or the fourth semester of college study, demonstrating an appropriate level of proficiency. Detailed requirements may be found in the Music Program Handbook.
Recital Requirements
Music students are required to perform in a student recital each semester they are enrolled in applied study. All music students are required to present a half-recital (30 minutes minimum) in their Senior year. All formal recitals are auditioned by the music faculty at least one month prior to their presentation. Students are expected to play a complete program at their pre-hearing, which will be judged by the faculty on a pass-fail basis. The student must pass the pre-hearing in order to gain approval to schedule the recital. Students may perform only one pre-hearing per semester. Letter grades will be given by the music faculty following the formal recital.
Exit Examination
The recitals presented in partial fulfillment of the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Music and the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education are considered Exit Examinations in the applied music area. In addition, all music degree candidates are required to take a written Exit Examination which is given during the first week of the final semester of the student's program of study.
