2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Music
For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section in this catalog.
Website: gvsu.edu/music
The Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance offers curricula leading to the Bachelor of Arts in music, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, certificate in piano pedagogy, Bachelor of Arts in theatre, Bachelor of Science in theatre, and the Bachelor of Arts in dance. Minors in music, theatre and dance are also offered. These degree programs provide personalized attention, career-building opportunities, and professional and extensive training in the various idioms of music, theatre, and dance. In the context of a broad liberal education that fosters critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and cultural understanding, these degree programs prepare students well to answer the call of rewarding careers in music, theatre, and dance.
Grand Valley State University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
Admission
In addition to formal admission to Grand Valley, each applicant wanting to major or minor in music is required to arrange for a personal audition with the music department. When considerable geographical distance or extreme hardship prevents a personal audition, the applicant may, with the permission of the department, submit an audio recording of an appropriate performance. Entering first-year and transfer students will be required to take a theory placement exam on audition day. A student with two or more years of piano experience will also be required to take a keyboard musicianship placement exam*. Audition appointments should be made at least one month in advance. Recommended audition repertoire and an application can be found at gvsu.edu/music.
*Students transferring from GRCC with a completed associate degree in music will not need to complete the placement testing in theory or keyboard musicianship.
Requirements for Major and Minor Programs
In addition to requirements outlined in the programs, all music majors must fulfill the department recital and Music Major Seminar attendance requirements, fulfill the keyboard musicianship requirements, and perform one or two faculty-approved recitals, as appropriate to the degree program selected. Music majors and minors should consult the music department student handbook for additional information and helpful suggestions.
Transfer students are required to complete a minimum of 30 hours at Grand Valley, which includes at least eight hours in applied music, three hours in major ensembles, and nine additional hours in music to be determined by the advisor. Any exceptions to these requirements are left to the discretion of the music department.
Program Requirements
The following programs are available: