Program Requirements
Typical Program
Degree/Certificate: Associate in Science
HEGIS Code: 5610
SUNY Code: 0682
Major Code: MUSI
The Career
The associate in science degree program offers students quality music academics and performance opportunities in both acoustic and electronic media. The degree provides academic course work appropriate for students interested in transferring to four-year institutions that offer traditional and contemporary music programs.
The associate in science program is designed for students who have had previous music experience in an academic setting. The degree program continues to develop the students’ musicianship skills through music history, music theory, aural skills, basic piano skills, coaching and performance opportunities in electronic music as well as classical music styles.
Graduates from NCCC’s Music program have successfully completed transfer auditions and attended four-year programs in: Music Education, Music Business, Music Therapy, Music Performance, Sound Recording Technology, Musical Theatre and Minister of Music programs at schools such as Buffalo State College, SUNY at Buffalo, SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Purchase, Nazareth College in Rochester, Ithaca College and out-of-state schools such as Mansfield University in Pennsylvania and Ohio State University.
The NCCC Approach
Successful Music students enter the curriculum having studied classical music on their major instrument (instrument or voice) with a private instructor. They also have basic piano skills, experience in the application of aural and written music theory and some music history knowledge.
At NCCC, students will concentrate on the performance of their major instruments as the degree program prepares them for transfer into baccalaureate programs. Exposure to all musical genres is stressed with emphasis in classical, electronic, jazz and popular music. Students are afforded abundant performing opportunities in a variety of ensemble courses. Campus concerts and community recitals offer students many venues to fine-tune their music making experiences.
Successful transfer auditions demonstrate the student’s proficiency in performing music requiring a high caliber of skill and technical ability. It will demonstrate the student’s ability to read music at sight and recall and repeat musical patterns. Students will be required to exhibit appropriate audition decorum. In addition, transfer students will require placement tests in aural and keyboard skills, written theory and music history.
Private lesson instruction is encouraged for students preparing transfer auditions. All lesson fees for private instruction must be paid by the student directly to the teacher. When applying for financial aid the cost of private lesson instruction, keyboards and instruments can be included. In addition, some music students have qualified for financial assistance through the NCCC Foundation.
At NCCC, required degree courses include New York State’s General Education r\Requirements for the Arts (AR), Communication (BC), Humanities (H), Foreign Language (FL), Mathematics (M), Natural Science (NS) or Social Sciences (SS). With advisement, elective courses can fulfill all additional required General Education courses, Other World Civilization (OW), American History (AH), Western Civilization (WC).
Transfer Institutions
The Music program currently has transfer agreements with:
SUNY College at Buffalo
SUNY College at Cortland
SUNY College at Fredonia
SUNY College at Potsdam
Admissions Requirements
Prospective students are not required to audition for acceptance into the Music degree program. The program is designed for students who have had previous music experience in an academic setting. Prospective students whose background lacks academic musical training are encouraged to enroll in fundamental music courses including MUS 101: Music Appreciation, and MUS 102: Foundations of Music Theory, before enrolling in the recommended music course sequence. Students who wish to pursue college music studies, but do not want an associate in science degree may enroll in the Music certificate program. Once complete, the certificate’s thirty credit hours complete the first thirty credit hours of the associate in Music degree.
It is essential for students to have access to a computer and the internet as music degree courses require the use of such technology.
Facilities
The NCCC Music Department features a spacious rehearsal and recording space with Steinway Grand pianos, an instructional smart classroom and a 700 seat, state-of-the-art theater. Access to such facilities enables the music student to experience true-to-life performance practice.
Program Goals and Objectives
- To prepare students for a successful audition leading to acceptance as transfer students into Music Education, Music Performance, Recording Technology, Music Business or other music-related programs at four-year colleges, universities and conservatories
- To improve musicianship in a variety of classical and contemporary music experiences
- To provide students with a well-rounded music and liberal arts education
- To assist students in meeting a minimum of seven of the ten SUNY General Education requirements
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Identify, distinguish and notate written and aural elements of music theory
- Sing with accurate intonation in a variety of tonalities and meters
- Discuss compositional techniques in all musical style periods
- Describe characteristics of historical music time periods
- Describe characteristics of major composers
- Perform simple piano compositions in major and minor keys
- Perform in a variety of settings
- Performance experience in a variety of venues
- Demonstrate preparation for a transfer audition
