Program Overview:
The Music Industry program 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 in the Saints and Sinners Recording Studio.
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 Studio G3 for showcases 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 program at Saint Rose is a unique blend of progressive studies in contemporary music housed within a vibrant academic community.
Program Contacts:
Dr. Sherwood Wise
Chair, Music Department
Email: wises@strose.edu
Mary Anne Nelson
Music Industry Program Coordinator
Email: nelsonm@strose.edu
Program Webpage: Music Industry, BS
Program Requirements:
Auditions
An audition is required for everyone who wishes to major in Music at The College of Saint Rose. For examples of appropriate audition repertoire, please consult The College of Saint Rose Music webpage (www.strose.edu/music). All Music Industry majors must demonstrate proficiency on an applied instrument or voice type at the audition. In addition to the audition requirements stated on the website for each instrument or voice area, applicants will also have an opportunity to present an original song or composition, a performance in a jazz, vernacular, rock/pop or commercial style, or to demonstrate facility on an additional instrument or voice.
Songwriting/Composition:
As an alternative to primary study on an instrument or voice type, Music Industry majors may apply to concentrate in Songwriting/Composition. This program is designed for students who demonstrate exceptional ability across multiple disciplines including composition, songwriting, instrumental arranging, and instrumental/vocal performance. Due to the competitive nature of the Songwriting/Composition program, applicants will also be considered for acceptance into a voice or instrumental area of study in the event they are not accepted into the Songwriting/Composition program.
For information about auditions, including required and suggested music to perform, please consult the Music Department Audition webpage: https://www.strose.edu/academics/schools/school-of-arts-humanities/music/auditions/.
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 Advanced 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 award 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 majors. Students seeking scholarship beyond the standard 8-semester sequence may submit their request to the Talent Award Committee for consideration (contact the Music Department for more information).
Any student, regardless of major or applied area, who receives a Talent Award scholarship as a result of a string audition will have MUS 289 Symphony Orchestra as their first Talent Award assignment. If the case that MUS 289 Symphony Orchestra is a required ensemble for that semester, other performing ensembles can serve as the student's first Talent Award assignment. In the case that there are four or more double basses in MUS 289 Symphony Orchestra, Music Industry double bassists may be assigned another ensemble as their first Talent Award assignment.
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 concentrating in applied Songwriting/Composition will take primary applied Songwriting/Composition (MUS 397) in place of applied instrument or vocal lessons (MUS 393). Songwriters/Composers will also take MUS 300: Composition Seminar in place of MUS 100: Repertoire Class. Students are also required to fulfill 6 semesters of applied study in a secondary instrument or voice (MUS 394).
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. All Music majors are required to earn a minimum of four 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. Music Industry majors may substitute up to 4 semesters of MUS 280, MUS 298, or MUS 299 for another major ensemble.
MUS 280 Music Industry Ensembles
MUS 287 Electric Guitar Ensemble
MUS 289 Symphony Orchestra
MUS 290 Symphonic Band
MUS 291 Masterworks Chorale
MUS 292 Wind Ensemble
MUS 293 Chamber Choir
MUS 298 Instrumental Jazz Ensemble
MUS 299 Chamber Jazz Ensemble
Major Ensemble Placement and Auditions
All Music Industry guitar and electric bass majors must audition for placement in MUS 280 (Music Industry Ensembles) and MUS 287 (Electric Guitar Ensemble) each semester. Participation in MUS 287 is required of all Music Industry guitar and electric bass majors, unless successfully placed in MUS 280, MUS 298 (Instrumental Jazz Ensemble), or MUS 299 (Chamber Jazz Ensemble).
Each semester, auditions are held to determine placement in MUS 289 (Symphony Orchestra), MUS 290 (Symphonic Band), and MUS 292 (Wind Ensemble) for Music Industry strings, winds, brass, and percussion majors. Participation in MUS 289 is required of all Music Industry majors whose applied area is violin, viola, cello, harp or double bass. Participation in MUS 290, or 292 is required of all Music Industry brass, woodwind and percussion majors.
Participation in MUS 291 (Masterworks) or MUS 293 (Chamber Choir) is required of all vocal and piano Music Industry majors.
Small Ensembles
All Music majors may participate in non-required ensembles. These include Brass Choir, Madrigal Singers, Women’s Chorale, Glee Club, Clarinet Choir, Flute Choir, Saxophone Ensemble, Vocal Chamber Music Ensemble, Opera Workshop, Brass Quintet, Women’s Chorale, Percussion Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Winds.
Capstone Project
The Senior Capstone Project (MUS 453) is the culmination of the 45 specialized credits for the Music Industry major. A 3-credit course, it is standard that Senior Capstone Projects become the dominant academic unit for semester, depending on the vision and scope presented by the student in the proposal stage. In order to help successfully complete all aspects of the Senior Capstone Project (recording, editing, mixing, and mastering), students are not required to participate in performance-related courses, such as Repertoire Class (MUS100/300), Convocation (MUS 200), or performance ensembles, each of which have 7 semester requirements to fulfill the Music Industry major.
The Senior Capstone Project will be a full-length LP that requires the student to compose, record, perform, produce, and engineer all aspects of the album and present the final masters 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.
Music Department Listening List: 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.
Music Theory Placement Exam: All entering 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) and MUS 103 Ear Training 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 100/300).
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 100/300) in accordance with the class syllabus.
Piano Proficiency (MUS 484)
The piano proficiency exam is administered during final exam week and may be taken during subsequent semesters until passed. Prerequisites: MUS 281 and MUS 282.
Core Curriculum
Music Theory and History (18 credits)
Ear Training and Solfege (8 credits)
Keyboard Harmony (4 credits)
Applied Music (8 credits)
Major Performing Ensembles (7 semesters/4 credits)
Students must take Ensemble for 4 semesters at 1 credit and 3 semesters at 0-1 credit. Ensemble is based on applied area.
Music Industry
Commercial Music (13 credits)
Music Business (15 credits)
Music Technology (17 credits)
Music-Music Industry Major Summary (Total Credits 122)
| Core Curriculum |
42 |
| Commercial Music |
13 |
| Music Business |
15 |
| Music Technology |
17 |
| Liberal Education Courses** |
41 |
** MUS 257 Music Technology fulfills L08 and Music courses fulfill L05.
Internship/Field Experiences/Service:
Required Course:
Culminating Academic Experiences:
Required Course:
| MUS 453 | Senior Studio Project/Seminar | 3 |
Suggested 4 Year Course Plan:
This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 122 overall credits. It should be used along with your Degree Works worksheet and in consultation with your faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide, not a definitive list of courses that must be taken as written. Your faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement.
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Year 1:
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Fall (14-16 credits)
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Spring (16-18 credits)
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MUS 393 or 397: Applied Music (1)
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MUS 393 or 397: Applied Music (1)
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MUS 100 or 300: Repertoire Class/Comp Seminar (0)
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MUS 100 or 300: Repertoire Class/Comp Seminar (0)
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MUS 200: Convocation (0)
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MUS 200: Convocation (0)
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Ensemble: MUS 280, 287, 289, 290, 292, 298, 299 (1)
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Ensemble: MUS 280, 287, 289, 290, 292, 298, 299 (0)
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MUS 101: Music Theory I (3)
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MUS 102: Music Theory II (3)
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MUS 103: Ear Training/Solfege (2)
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MUS 104: Ear Training/Solfege (2)
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MUS 181: Keyboard Harmony (2) *
*If haven’t passed exam*
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MUS 182: Keyboard Harmony II (2) *
*If haven’t passed exam*
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MUS 353 Music Business Survey (3)
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MUS 257 Music Tech (3)
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ENG 105 (4)
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Choice: Language L02 (3)
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Choice: Literature L04 (4)
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Year 2:
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Fall (17 credits)
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Spring (15 credits)
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MUS 393 or 397: Applied Music (1)
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MUS 393 or 397: Applied Music (1)
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MUS 100 or 300: Repertoire Class/Comp Seminar (0)
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MUS 100 or 300: Repertoire Class/Comp Seminar (0)
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MUS 200: Convocation (0)
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MUS 200: Convocation (0)
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Ensemble: MUS 280, 287, 289, 290, 292, 298, 299 (1)
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Ensemble: MUS 280, 287, 289, 290, 292, 298, 299 (0)
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MUS 201: Music Theory III (3)
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MUS 202: Form & Analysis (3)
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MUS 203: Ear Training/Solfege (2)
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MUS 204: Ear Training/Solfege (2)
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MUS 281: Keyboard Harmony III (2)
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MUS 282: Keyboard Harmony IV (2)
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MUS 350 Recording Engineering (4)
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MUS 452 Record Production (4)
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MUS 359 Record Label or History L03 (3)
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MUS 359 Record Label or History L03 (3)
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Phys Ed Lib Ed (1)
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MUS 484: Piano Proficiency (0)
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Business Lib Ed L10 (3)
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Year 3:
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Fall (18 credits)
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Spring (15 credits)
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MUS 393 or 397: Applied Music (1)
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MUS 393 or 397: Applied Music (1)
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MUS 100 or 300: Repertoire Class/Comp Seminar (0)
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MUS 100 or : Repertoire Class or Comp Seminar (0)
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MUS 200: Convocation (0)
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MUS 200: Convocation (0)
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Ensemble: 280, 287, 289, 290, 292, 298, 299 (1)
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Ensemble: 280, 287, 289, 290, 292, 298, 299 (1)
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MUS 301: Music History I (3) *Fall*
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MUS 302: Music History II (3) *Spring* |
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MUS 354 Pro Tools (3)
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Lib Ed (3) |
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MUS 367 Improv 1 (1)
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MUS 334 Orchestration (3) |
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Math Lib Ed (3)
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Choice: Lib Ed Lab Science (4) |
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MUS 358 Artist Management (3)
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MUS 352 Songwriting (3)
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Choice: Lib Ed-L12 (1) *Phys Ed*
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Year 4:
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Fall (14 credits)
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Spring (14 credits)
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MUS 454 Internship (3)
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MUS 453 Senior Project (3)
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MUS 393 or 397: Applied Music (1)
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MUS 393 or 397: Applied Music (1)
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MUS 100 or 300: Repertoire Class/Comp Seminar (0)
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Choice: Lab Science L09 (4)
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MUS 200: Convocation (0)
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Choice: Philosophy Lib Ed (3)
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MUS 351 Jazz Arranging (3)
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Elective/Lib Ed (3)
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Ensemble: MUS 280, 287, 289, 290, 292, 298, 299 (1)
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MUS 455 Topics MI (3)
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| Further Disciplinary (3) |
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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/
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.
Find Out More: