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Department of Music

The Music Department aims to provide a flexible career-oriented education to accommodate students' career options within the broad field of music.

The Â鶹´«Ã½ University Department of Music has been an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 2004, and its degree requirements are in accordance with the latest published regulations of that association. The Music Education Program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Admissions

  • Policies and Procedures for Admission to the Department of Music
    Audition Policy

    Hello Future Â鶹´«Ã½ Music Student! 

    We are excited for your interest in Â鶹´«Ã½ University, and we hope to make your audition process as easy as possible.  If you have any questions about the Department or Audition process you can set up a meeting by contacting the interim department chair, Dr. Eric Crawford (ercrawford@claflin.edu ). You may also e-mail any of the faculty directly if you have questions about Â鶹´«Ã½, the music department, or the audition process. The contact information for the full music faculty can be found on the Â鶹´«Ã½ University Department of Music website.

    To apply to the Music Department, you will need to 1) complete the music department audition form (this is different from the general Â鶹´«Ã½ University application), 2) audition, and 3) complete a theory diagnostic. 

    All parts of the application can be completed digitally. Detailed instructions are below. If you have questions or need assistance with any of these steps, please contact interim department chair, Dr. Eric Crawford (ercrawford@claflin.edu).

    1. Music Department Audition Form
      Complete the audition application form for the Department of Music which can be found on the department website or can be completed online through the link below. Specific instructions can be found in the document. The completed form can be emailed to  Dr. Eric Crawford (ercrawford@claflin.edu).

    Audition Link: 

     

    1. Audition

    Audition Requirements 

    1) Introduction and Questions 

    At the start of your audition, introduce yourself and provide some background about your musical experience. Below is a list of questions we would like you to answer. Your answers can be as short or as long as you like, but typically students answer these questions in 3-5 minutes. 

    ·    What is your name?

    ·    What is your primary voice/instrument?

    ·    What is your intended major?

    2) Scales 

    You will perform scales to demonstrate range and technical ability. The specific requirements are listed below. Before performing each scale, tell us what is. 

    Example: “This is the F major scale, 2 octaves with arpeggio.” 

    ·    Vocal: Perform a major scale that demonstrates your vocal range

    o  You may sing on any syllable you like

    ·    Piano: At least 2 major scales of your choice

    o  One starting on a white key and one starting on a black key

    o  Hands together

    o  Two octaves

    o  Include arpeggios

    o  Optional - 2 minor scales (same requirements as above)

    ·    Instrumental: 2 major scales of your choice and 1 full-range chromatic scale

    o  Major scales

    §  One sharp key scale and one flat key scale.

    §  As many octaves as possible for the key

    §  Include arpeggios

    §  Comfortable performance range if full range is not possible

    o  Chromatic scale

    §  Full instrumental range (if possible)

     

    3) Music 

    You will perform two pieces of contrasting style to demonstrate your musical ability. Before performing each piece, tell us the title and composer. 

    Example: “This is “Alma del core” by Antonio Caldara.” 

    o  Vocal and Piano: Perform from memory if possible 

    o  Instrumental: May perform a single piece. Etudes are acceptable as audition repertoire to provide contrasting material. 

     

    1. Music Theory Diagnostic

    Complete the music theory diagnostic. This short test is designed to assess your knowledge of fundamentals of music notation and music theory (clefs, note names, rhythm and meter, and scales). The test is not timed, but it should not take you more than a half hour to complete. 

     

    We look forward to hearing from you!

    Â鶹´«Ã½ University Department of Music 

  • Dates for Audition

    MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP AUDITIONS 

    More than a quarter-of-a-million dollars available to both undergraduate music majors and non-majors who demonstrate superior musical ability.

     

    ON-CAMPUS AUDITION DATES

    Saturday, January 20, 2024

    Saturday, February 17, 2024

    Saturday, March 16, 2024

    Saturday, April 20, 2024     

       *Indicates the last audition date for Music Scholarship Eligibility 

     

    Requirements

    Play or sing two contrasting classical pieces from different eras

    *Sight-read musical excerpts* Scales* Letter of recommendation from
    an ensemble director or private instructor* Music Theory assessment

    In order to audition you must reserve a date and time.

    Please email Dr. Eric Crawford at ercrawford@claflin.edu 

    or call 803-535-5076

    Auditions are open to all students, but scholarships are only awarded to admitted students.  For more information contact:

     

    Interim Chair: Dr. Eric Crawford | 803.535.5076 | ercrawford@claflin.edu

    Theory: Dr. Jeremy Robins | 803.535.5320 | jrobins@claflin.edu       

    Music Education: Dr. Laura Keith | 803.535.5298 | lkeith@claflin.edu 

    Voice: Ms. Kristine Overman | 803.535.5236 | koverman@claflin.edu

    Piano: Dr. Eunjung Choi | 803.535.5355 | echoi@claflin.edu  

    Piano: Ms. Helen Meacham | 803.535.5564 | hmeacham@claflin.edu          

    Choir: Dr. Charlie Toomer| 803.535.5605 | ctoomer.edu

    Director of Jazz Studies:  Mr. Endre Rice | 803.535.5422 | erice@claflin.edu 

    Ethnomusicology: Dr. Eric Crawford | 803.535.5076 | ercrawford@claflin.edu 

    Director of Bands: Mr. Thurman Hollins | 803.535.5416 | tdhollins@claflin

     


PROGRAMS

Facilities

 

music-centerThe Department of Music is housed in the newly constructed University Music Center. The 1.8 million dollar structure is home to the University Bands, the University Choral Studies area, and the departmental administrative office. It also houses several teaching studios, classroom space, practice rooms, and a state-of-the-art audio/visual technology center.

Adjacent to the Music Center is the Whitaker V. Middleton Fine Arts Center. This facility contains several teaching studios, classrooms, and practice rooms. It also houses the Daniel C. Moss Auditorium, a 600-seat performance hall used for concerts, theatrical productions, recitals, and lectures.

In close proximity to the Fine Arts Center is Minister’s Hall, the University’s newly renovated Performing Arts Center and one of our most historic campus structures. It contains the 200-seat Ernest E. Finney, Jr. Auditorium, which provides an additional forum for master classes, chamber performances, faculty and student recitals, guest artists, workshops, and lectures.

  • Useful Forms and Documents
  • Credit Hour Definition
    Â鶹´«Ã½ University Department of Music Credit Hour Definition 

    Â鶹´«Ã½ University uses Carnegie units to measure semester credit hours awarded to students for course work. Academic credit is recorded in semester credit hours. One (I) fifty (50)-minute lecture period per week for one semester, or the equivalent time in laboratory work, constitutes a semester hour. 

    Lecture Classes (Traditional Class): A semester credit hour consists of the equivalent of at least one (I) hour (SO-minute period) per week of"in-class seat time" and two (2) hours per week of out-of-class student work for fifteen (15) weeks. A standard three (3) semester credit hour lecture class meets for at least forty-five (45) contact hours per semester, plus a minimum average of six (6) hours of activities outside of the classroom per week for fifteen (15) weeks. 

    Laboratory Classes: A semester credit hour consists of the equivalent of three (3) hours of laboratory work per week for fifteen (15) weeks. 

    Directed Independent Studies (includes Distance Education): Instructors should make adjustments so that the total number of hours of work required by students is equivalent to that of a traditional class that meets face-to-face. 

    Classes offered in a shortened format: The hours are prorated so that the classes contain the same total number of hours as if the classes were scheduled for a full fifteen (15) week semester. 

    Graduate and Professional students: The required academic work normally will exceed three (3) hours per credit per week. Additional information is outlined below for the Music Unit as it relates to specific courses in the Music department. 

    Credit Hour Definition specific for the Department of Music at Â鶹´«Ã½ University 

    The following constitutes the definition of a semester credit hour for various modes of instruction in the Department of Music that is consistent with the University's definition of credit hour. Music courses follow the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) required for awarding credit. Normally one semester hour of credit represents at least three hours of work each week for a period of fifteen weeks. 

    In lecture classes, such as music history normally one semester hour credit hour of credit is given for SO-minute session plus two hours of homework each week of the term. 

    For ensembles, like laboratory classes, normally one semester hour of credit is given for two to five 90-minute rehearsal sessions per week, depending on the ensemble. 

    For applied lessons, normally one semester hour of credit is given for each three hours of practice, plus the necessary individual 30-minute lesson per week with the instructor. For example, a two semester credit hour applied lesson would meet for two 30-minute lessons per week. 

    For music seminar, which is a laboratory class with the applied area, is zero hours of credit for one hour of class attendance, performance, and a suggested six hours of practice time that are acquired via applied and small ensemble combined practice times, per week, for 15 weeks 

    For online hybrid, and other nontraditional modes of delivery, credit hours are assigned based on learning outcome that are equivalent to those in a traditional course setting, forty-five ( 45) hours of work by a typical student for each semester hour of credit. Syllabi for each course will contain the appropriate credit hour from the list above. Each course should then follow this definition. 
Section Navigation

For more information on the Department of Music, please contact:

Dr. Isaiah McGee

Dr. Isaiah McGee 

Associate Professor of Music and Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
phone: (803) 535- 5234
email: imcgee@claflin.edu 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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