Contact Information
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, performance opportunities, and music production opportunities. The degree provides academic course work appropriate for students interested in transferring to four-year institutions that offer traditional and contemporary music programs in areas such as music education, music performance, music industry, music business, or music recording.
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, and performance opportunities. Students are offered opportunities for collaboration in audio recording and production, theatre arts, and dance.
Graduates from SUNY Niagara’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 University, SUNY at Buffalo, SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Purchase, Nazareth College in Rochester, Canisius College, Ithaca College and out-of-state schools such as Mansfield University in Pennsylvania and Ohio State University.
The SUNY Niagara 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 SUNY Niagara, 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.
Transfer Institutions
Students from this program typically transfer to:
SUNY Fredonia
SUNY Buffalo State University
Canisius College
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 MUS 102: Foundations of Music Theory, before enrolling in the recommended music course sequence. Upon acceptance into our music program, students may choose either the “Musicianship” track, for those students planning to transfer into 4-year programs, or the “Music Recording” track, for those planning to seek employment, transfer to a 4-year program, or continue their studies at SUNY Niagara in the Audio Recording & Production Certificate program. 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 SUNY Niagara Music Department features a spacious rehearsal and recording space with Steinway Grand pianos, instructional smart classrooms, private practice rooms, 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 and performance skills
- 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
Program 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
- Analyze compositional techniques in all musical style periods
- Compare and contrast characteristics of historical music time periods
- Describe characteristics of major composers
- Perform piano compositions in major and minor keys
- Perform in a variety of venues
- Demonstrate preparation for a transfer audition
