Program Overview:
The Music Industry major enables creative musicians who have a desire to forge a career in one of the many areas within today’s music industry the opportunity to engage in a multi-faceted course of study. The Music Industry Program curriculum contains three areas of equal focus, which all students are engaged in: songwriting and composition, audio recording and music production, and music business and entrepreneurship. Music Industry program graduates are knowledgeable in the areas of music production, songwriting, composing, arranging, music technology, sound recording and reinforcement, artist management, intellectual property and music law. Each student will complete an internship with a music company and a senior Capstone project consisting of a full length CD written, produced, engineered, performed, and recorded by the student in the Saints and Sinners Recording Studio at Saint Rose.
The Music Industry Program is housed in The Hearst Center for Communications and Interactive Media. It provides access to state of the art recording studios, audio post-production rooms, television and radio studios, computer labs, and a showcase studio for live performances. The Hearst Center fosters a creative and interactive environment in which young professionals take concepts and skills learned in the classroom and studio and apply them in pre-occupational settings. The Music Industry curriculum is complimented with a core education in liberal arts, the Music Industry Program at Saint Rose a unique blend of progressive studies in contemporary music housed within a vibrant academic community.
Program Contacts:
To email the Department Chair,
Mary Anne Nelson, Music Department
Program Webpage:
Music Industry, BS
Program Requirements:
Auditions
There are two auditions occurring on the same day for applicants for the Music Industry Program. Both are required for acceptance into the Music Industry Program at Saint Rose:
1. The College of Saint Rose Music Industry Program Audition
2. The College of Saint Rose Music Department Audition
See below for specific information for each audition and instrumental or vocal discipline.
Note: Guitar and Electric Bass applicants will only take one audition, which fulfills both the Music Industry Program Audition and the Music Department Audition.
1. Music Industry Program Auditions
Occurring immediately after the Music Department Auditions, there will be an additional audition for Music Industry Program applicants. The Music Industry Program Audition will provide a space for students to demonstrate additional talents (songwriting/composing, alternate instruments, commercial or jazz styles). The applicant should choose ONE of the following options for the audition:
Singers: Sing a song from the list below. Accompaniment will be provided. Or, you may sing/play any song that you accompany yourself on with acoustic guitar or piano. No recordings or backing tracks.
Songwriters: Play/sing a song you wrote.
Composers or producers: Present a score or recording of some of your music you have composed or produced.
Jazz or Rock/Pop Instrumentalists: Select material from the following list below.
Non-classical traditional instrumentalists (Americana, Fiddle Traditions, etc): Play a traditional song.
Classical Instrumentalists or Vocalists: Perform a classical selection from your Music Department audition.
If none of the above options describe you, repeat a selection from your Music Department audition.
Music Industry Program Audition – Singers
Sing a song from the following list. Accompaniment will be provided. Or, you may sing/play any song that you accompany yourself on with acoustic guitar or piano. No recordings or backing tracks.
Choose ONE song that fits your vocal range:
Female Vocalist:
- "Oh, What a Day" Ingrid Michaelson
- "I Will Always Love You" (either Dolly Parton or Whitney Houston versions)
- "My Immortal" Evanescence
- "Turning Tables" Adele
- "City" Sara Bareiles
- "At Last" Etta James
- "Landslide" Fleetwood Mac
Male Vocalists:
- "Come Home" OneRepublic
- "Still Crazy After All These Years" Paul Simon
- "Overjoyed" Stevie Wonder
- “Stay With Me” Sam Smith
- "Can't Help Falling in Love" Elvis Presley
- “All of Me” John Ledgend
-or-
Any voice types:
You may choose to sing one of the following in any key:
- "Someone to Watch Over Me" George and Ira Gershwin
- "My Romance" Rogers/Hart
- "The Way You Look Tonight" Kern/Fields
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Steel String Guitar, and Electric Bass
Electric guitarists and electric bassists have the option of presenting material in a jazz idiom or a popular music idiom. The audition should include two pieces total, but one can be selected from either category. For each example in a jazz idiom, play the melody and improvise a solo over the chord changes. Applicants are also permitted to play one chorus of a transcribed solo, but it is not required. Bass players should be able to demonstrate walking over the chord changes in any selection from the jazz list. Guitarists may choose one Electric example and one Acoustic Steel String example, or one jazz example and one popular music example. Electric Bassists may also choose one popular music example and one jazz example. The audition will also consist of a sight-reading example. In addition to the required two pieces, Electric Guitarists and Electric Bassists should also demonstrate an example from the Music Industry Program Audition list (see above).
Jazz Examples: (If playing two jazz examples, select one from each list below)
(Choose One)
- “Billie's Bounce”
- “Now's the Time”
- “Thing Ain't What They Used to Be”
(Choose One)
- “Autumn Leaves”
- “All the Things You Are”
- “Stella by Starlight”
- “Softly as a Morning Sunrise”
Popular Music Examples:
Electric Guitar:
- “Scuttle Buttin’” – Stevie Ray Vaughn
- “Eruption” - Van Halen
- “Mister Sandman” - Chet Atkins (First guitar)
- “Cliffs of Dover” – Eric Johnson
- “Satch Boogie” – Joe Satriani
Acoustic Steel String Guitar:
- “When She Cries” - Andy McKee
- “Bourree in E Minor” (BWV 996) - J.S. Bach
- “Crazy On You” – Heart (Beginning to :59, Acoustic Guitar part only)
- “Ragamuffin” – Michael Hedges
Electric Bass:
- “Donna Lee” - Jaco Pastorius (play transcribed Jaco solo or improvise a solo over the chord changes)
- “Portrait of Tracy “- Jaco Pastorius
- “U Can’t Hold No Groove” - Victor Wooten
- “Overjoyed “– Victor Wooten
Jazz or Rock/Pop Instrumentalist List
Jazz Instrumentalists (all instruments):
Play One:
1. “Billie's Bounce”
2. “All the Things You Are” (with Charlie Parker Intro)
Rock/Pop Rhythm Section Instrumentalists:
Drums:
Play One:
1. “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” - Paul Simon
2. “Good Times Bad Times” - Led Zeppelin
Songwriting/Composition:
In place of primary study on an instrument or voice type, Music Industry majors may apply to concentrate in Songwriting/Composition. Applicants for Songwriting/Composition should present 2-3 songs/compositions in the form of recordings, musical manuscripts, and/or a live performance audition. At least one song must be submitted in score form (voice and accompaniment reduction, minimum requirement). Instrumental works must be submitted in full score. Applicants’ portfolios are expected to exhibit a command of form, notation, and musical fundamentals demonstrating a broad pallet of expressive capabilities.
In addition to a portfolio submission, Songwriting/Composition applicants must show proficiency on an instrument or voice during the audition. Proficiency may be demonstrated through a performance of a prepared piece, in the context of an original song/composition, or by consulting the repertoire listed for the Music Industry Program or Music Department Auditions.
Talent awards may be awarded to students concentrating in songwriting/composition; however, those wishing to be considered for talent awards in an applied discipline outside of songwriting/composition must audition with their instrument or voice type at the Music Department Auditions following the requirements listed.
2. Music Department Auditions
An audition with members of the Music Department faculty is required for everyone who wishes to major in Music at The College of Saint Rose. The ability to read music notation is required for all instrumentalists and vocalists. All students may be asked to demonstrate their sight-reading abilities during their audition.
Brass and Woodwinds should prepare at least one solo, a minimum of five minutes in length, with at least two contrasting sections from the standard repertoire for their primary instrument. All perspective String students should prepare two contrasting works or movements from the standard repertoire. There are several instruments
that have listed examples of appropriate repertoire in detail. This is to better help you as a guide for literature selection.
Organists will perform a solo organ selection, play a hymn, and demonstrate manual and pedal technique.
Percussionists should demonstrate skills on at least two of the following percussion units: snare drum, timpani, keyboard percussion, multiple percussion, or drum set.
Percussionists may be asked to demonstrate ability to sight read basic notation on mallet instruments if a keyboard percussion work is not one of your selected solos.
Pianists are expected to demonstrate all Major and harmonic minor scales and arpeggios, and perform from memory at least two contrasting solos including:
1. A work by J. S. Bach (such as a Two or Three Part Invention, a Prelude and Fugue from the Well Tempered Clavier, or two to three movements from a keyboard suites) OR one movement of sonata by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven (a fast movement preferred).
2. A work from the Romantic period OR a work by an impressionist or 20th century composer.
Saxophonists should be prepared to play 10-15 minutes of music that includes two contrasting movements (a slow section and a technically-challenging section) from the standard saxophone repertoire such as the Creston Sonata, Glazanouv Concerto, Concertino da Camera by Ibert, or Heiden Sonata. Students with jazz experience are encouraged to also perform a jazz piece. It is recommended that saxophone auditions be performed on the alto saxophone.
Vocalists should be prepared to present two solos from memory. One solo should be in English and the second in another language. An accompanist will be provided for the audition should a student not be able to bring his/her own.
String applicants see below for specific audition information for string instruments. (Violin, Viola, Cello, and Double Bass.)
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Steel String Guitar, and Electric Bass, see above for specific audition information. Students may audition on acoustic or electric instruments.
All other instrumentalists should prepare at least one solo, a minimum of five minutes in length, with at least two contrasting sections from the standard repertoire for their primary instrument.
Requirements for String Applicants
All perspective string students should prepare two contrasting works or movements from the standard repertoire (suggested examples of acceptable literature are listed below), scales, and applicants may be asked to sight-read in the audition. Please work with your teacher to select appropriate pieces and scales for your skill level that demonstrate your technical and musical abilities.
Violin
Scales: At least two scales of your choice (major or minor) in three octaves.
Standard Repertoire Examples (comparable literature may be substituted):
Sonatas: Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms
Concertos: Viotti, Haydn, Mozart, Bruch, Mendelssohn, Lalo, Saint-Saens, J. S. Bach – Solo Sonatas and Partitas (Any movement)
Viola
Scales: At least two scales of your choice (major or minor) in three octaves.
Standard Repertoire Examples (comparable literature may be substituted):
J. S. Bach – Cello Suites (Any movement)
P. Nardini – Sonata (Any)
G. Telemann – Concerto in G Major (any two movements)
A. Glazunov – Elegy
H. Sitt – Concertpiece in G Minor
Cello
Scales: At least two scales of your choice (major or minor) in three octaves.
Standard Repertoire Examples (comparable literature may be substituted):
Henry Eccles – Sonata in G Minor (Any two contrasting movements)
Johannes Brahms – Sonata in E Minor (Any movement)
J. S. Bach – Cello Suites (Any movement)
C. Saint-Saens – Concerto in A Minor (Any movement)
F.J. Haydn – Concerto in C Major (Any movement)
L. Boccherini –Concerto in B-flat Major (Any movement)
Double Bass
Scales: At least two scales of your choice (major or minor) in three octaves.
2 contrasting selections from the following list:
Any movement of a concerto or sonata for double bass
Any movement of a Bach Cello Suite
Choose from the following orchestral excerpts:
Beethoven: Symphony no. 5 - movement III, Scherzo (mm. 1-100)
Beethoven: Symphony no. 5 - movement III, Trio (mm. 140-218)
Beethoven: Symphony no. 9 - movement IV - Recetative - (mm. 8-115)
Mahler: Symphony no. 2 - movement 1 (1st page)
Mozart: Symphony no. 39 - movement 1 (mm.40-98)
Mozart: Symphony no. 40 - movement 1 (mm. 114-198)
Stravinsky - Pulcinella Suite - Bass Solo
Jazz repertoire:
Donna Lee - Charlie Parker (play head and solo)
Whims of Chambers - Paul Chambers (play head and solo over F blues, or play Paul Chambers' solo).
Transfer Credit and Advanced Placement Theory Credit
Entering students with an advanced placement grade of 4 or 5 in the written and/or aural section of the AP Music Theory Exam will be advanced to MUS 201 Music Theory III and/or MUS 203 Ear Training and Sight Singing, respectively.
Acceptance of transfer credit will be evaluated at the time of entry by way of course placement tests in the appropriate areas at the time of audition and through a review of student transcripts. Based upon skill and work, music faculty may approve up to 4 semesters of applied lessons.
Music Talent Awards
Music talent awards and academic scholarships are available to qualified entering students on the basis of their musical and academic abilities. Music talent scholarship recipients are required maintain a minimum average of 3.0 in their music courses and a minimum cumulative average of 2.0. Those who perform at an acceptable level on a secondary instrument or voice that may serve the needs of Department ensembles are also eligible for awards.
As part of the responsibility for accepting this award, students will be required to perform in 1 to 2 ensembles in addition to the required performing ensemble, as determined by the Talent Award Committee. This responsibility is required for seven semesters for Music Industry and Music Education majors and eight semesters for Bachelor of Arts in Music majors. Students seeking scholarship beyond the standard 8-semester sequence may submit their request to the Talent Award Committee for consideration.
Applied Music
All Music Industry majors are required to complete eight semesters of applied study on their major instrument or voice. Repertoire Class and Music Convocation are required for seven semesters. Semester and annual juries are part of the assessment tools used in applied study. Please consult specific syllabi for detailed requirements.
Music Industry Majors may audition to concentrate in applied Songwriting/Composition. Those students who are admitted to this option will take primary applied Songwriting/Composition (MUS 397) in place of applied instrument or vocal lessons (MUS393). Songwriters/Composers will also take MUS300: Composition Seminar in place of MUS100: Repertoire Class. Students are also required to fulfill 6 semesters of applied study in a secondary instrument or voice (MUS394).
Major Ensembles
Music Industry majors are required to participate in the major performing group appropriate to their applied concentration for a minimum of seven semesters, four of which may be in The Commercial Music Recording Ensemble, MUS 280 (audition required). All Music Industry guitar and electric bass players are assigned to be in Jazz Guitar Ensemble, MUS 287, as their major performing ensemble. All Music majors are required to earn a minimum of four college credits of major ensemble participation. All transfer Music majors are required to take a minimum of four semesters of their major performing ensemble at The College of Saint Rose.
MUS 291 Masterworks Chorale: Participation in this ensemble is required of all vocal and piano Music Industry majors.
MUS 292 Wind Ensemble: Participation in this ensemble is required of all Music Industry brass, woodwind and percussion majors, as well as students receiving talent awards for the above categories. MUS 290 Symphonic Band may be substituted in this area for proper placement after an approved successful audition each semester.
MUS 287 Jazz Guitar Ensemble: Participation in this ensemble is required of all Music Industry guitar and electric bass majors.
MUS 289 Symphony Orchestra: Participation in this ensemble is required of all Music majors whose applied area is violin, viola, cello, harp or double bass.
Small Ensembles
All Music majors may participate in non-required ensembles. These include Brass Choir, Chamber Choir, Madrigal Singers, Women’s Chorale, Glee Club, Clarinet Choir, Flute Choir, Instrumental Jazz Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble, Vocal Chamber Music Ensemble, Opera Workshop, Brass Quintet, Women’s Chorale, Percussion Ensemble, Campus/Community Band, Chamber Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Winds.
Final Projects
Music Industry majors are required to complete a capstone project in the form of full length CD during the senior year. The project requires the student to compose, record, perform, produce, and engineer all aspects of the album and present the final CD at the end of the semester as a playback presentation. Music Industry faculty must approve a proposal in order to begin the project.
Overall Music Student Requirements
Music majors are required to earn a minimum grade of C in all required music courses. Any and all of these courses in which a student receives a grade below C, are required to be repeated at Saint Rose until a grade of C or higher is attained. All entering Freshman Music Majors are required to pass a basic musicianship test. Students who do not pass this exam will be placed in MUS The Music Fundamentals class, MUS 110, before being placed in MUS 101.
Music students will be assessed on their knowledge of and familiarity with a body of music literature selected by the music faculty in MUS 302.
All music students, major and/or minor, will be required to take a Music Theory/Ear training placement test. Those students who do not achieve a passing score will be placed into MUS 110 (Fundamentals of Music) as a prerequisite to MUS 101 (Music Theory I).
Concert Attendance Requirements
Students enrolled in music degree programs are required to attend ten live performances per semester as a member of the audience. Performances that will fulfill the concert attendance requirement are those presented by college and university ensembles, college student recitals, college faculty recitals, professional orchestras, chamber ensembles, soloists, student playbacks and selected commercial music performances which are approved by the music faculty of the individual Repertoire classes (MUS 100).
Students are required to arrive before the beginning of the concert and stay until the end. For performances at The College of Saint Rose, students are required to submit programs signed by a member of the Saint Rose music faculty as evidence of attendance. For performances not at The College of Saint Rose, a program signed at the concert by a concert participant, or someone related to the performance, is required. The programs are to be submitted to their Repertoire Class Instructor (MUS 100) in accordance with the class syllabus.
Piano Proficiency (MUSS 484)
Music Industry majors are required to pass the piano proficiency prior to being approved to begin their senior project. It is administered during final exam week and may be taken during subsequent semesters until passed. Students will play scales, progressions, four-part open score, harmonization, solo repertoire, and an accompaniment for four performers. Prerequisites: MUS 281 and MUS 282.
Major Core
Summary: Music Industry Major (Total credits 122)
| Core Curriculum |
38 |
| Ensembles* |
4 |
| Commercial Music |
13 |
| Music Business |
15 |
| Music Technology |
17 |
| Liberal Education Courses** |
41 |
** MUS 257 Music Technology fulfills L08 and Music courses fulfill LO5
Core Curriculum (38)
Music Theory and History (18 credits)
Ear Training and Solfege (8 credits)
Keyboard Harmony (4 credits)
Applied Music (8 credits)
(for Music Industry and Bachelor of Arts in Music majors)
| MUS 393 | Applied Music Primary Instr | 1 |
Students must take a total of 8 credits of MUS 393 (1+1, 1+1, 1+1, 1+1 credit each).
Songwriting/Composition concentration substitutes MUS 397: Applied Composition Lessons for MUS 393. Students must also take 6 semesters of MUS 394: Secondary Applied Lessons.
Semester and annual individual music juries are part of the assessment tool in all primary applied study.
Music Industry Major
Commercial Music (13 credits)
Music Business (15 credits)
Music Technology (17 credits)
MUS 453: To be eligible for this option, students are required to complete MUS 350, MUS 351, MUS 354 and MUS 452 with a B in each and receive approval of the project proposal.
Internship/Field Experiences/Service:
Required Course
Culminating Academic Experiences:
Required Course
| MUS 453 | Senior Studio Project/Seminar | 3 |
Professional Accreditation:
The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.
The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org
The Department of Music at The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U. S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://nasm.arts-accredit.org/
Minors:
Complete minors listing
Admissions and Financial Aid Information:
The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of Freshman applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete an application as early as November. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.
What Makes an Application Complete
- Online or Paper application (fee waived for online applicants!)
- Official High School Transcripts
- Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
- SAT or ACT scores (See Test Optional FAQ's)
- Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
- Essay or Graded Paper
- Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
- Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.
Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)
Scholarships and Financial Aid
See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.
The Bottom Line
The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we still award more than $25 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.
Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.
More about Financial Aid
Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make you education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.
The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.
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