May 20, 2024  
Butler University Bulletin 2023-2024 
  
Butler University Bulletin 2023-2024

School of Music


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Administration
David Murray, MM, Director; Penny Dimmick, DA, Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies; Nicholas Johnson, PhD, Associate Director for Graduate Studies; Matthew Pivec, DMA, Assistant Director

Professors
Kathleen Boyd, DMA; Timothy R. Brimmer, DA; Lisa Brooks, DMA; Richard Auldon Clark, MM; Penny Dimmick, DA; Jeffrey Gillespie, PhD;David Murray, MM; Matthew Pivec, DMA; Michael Schelle, PhD; Doug Spaniol, DMA; Eric Stark, DMA

Associate Professors
Frank Felice, PhD; William Grubb, DMA; Nicholas Johnson, PhD; John Perkins, DMA; Oliver Worthington, DMA

Assistant Professors
Sophie Benn, PhD; Mélanie Clapiès, DMA; Zachary Cooper, DMA; Becky Marsh, PhD; Brian Weidner, PhD; Dana Zenobi, DMA,

Senior Lecturer and Artist-in-Residence
Jon Crabiel, MA

Lecturers
Trae Blanco, DMA; Melissa Johnson, MM; David Orvek, MA; Laura Storm, DA; Manòn Voice, MA
 

Instructors
David Orvek, MA

School of Music Website
www.butler.edu/jordan-arts/undergraduate-programs/music/

Mission

The mission of the Butler University School of Music is to provide the highest quality professional education in music within a liberal arts environment, preparing students for a lifetime of meaningful involvement in the global community. We are committed to studying, teaching, and creating music in ways that sustain and empower individuals and communities. We thus aspire to engage students, faculty, and staff in an inclusive learning environment that challenges oppression, embraces multiple perspectives, and advocates for social justice.

Music Student Learning Outcomes

By graduation, the Butler University School of Music will prepare our students to be able to:

  • Demonstrate a broad knowledge of music in diverse, historical, cultural, and social contexts
  • Demonstrate a proficiency in fundamental theoretical aspects of music, appropriate to the area of study
  • Perform using technical and artistic skills appropriate to the area of applied study, including solo and collaborative music making
  • Gather, evaluate, and communicate musical information and ideas verbally and in writing
  • Teach from their disciplines in a variety of settings

Music Preparation

The entrance requirements in all fields of music are similar to those adopted by the National Association of Schools of Music. An audition is required for majors. No audition is required for the music minor; an audition is required for the jazz studies minor. Applicants are admitted to the program on the basis of academic acceptance by the University and an audition.

Undergraduate Degree Programs

  • Bachelor of Arts in Music (BA)
  • Bachelor of Music in Composition (BM)
  • Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies (BM)
  • Bachelor of Music in Music Education–choral/general and instrumental/general (four-year program) (BM)
  • Bachelor of Music in Music Education–area (five-year program) (BM)
  • Bachelor of Music in Performance (instrumental, piano, and voice major) (BM)
  • Bachelor of Music in Performance and Music Education (five-year program) (BM)
  • Bachelor of Musical Arts (BMA)
  • Bachelor of Science in Arts Administration–Music (BS)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Music & Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Biomedical, Computer, Electrical, Energy, Mechanical, Motorsports)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Music & Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy
  • Bachelor of Music in Music Education (Choral, Instrumental) & Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy
  • Minor in Jazz Studies
  • Minor in Music

Butler University is a fully accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

Areas of Emphasis

The following emphases may be added to any music degree, although they are designed primarily for the BA degree. At least 50 percent of the credits in any emphasis must be unique to that program and may not overlap with another emphasis, major, or minor (except as free electives).

  • Composition
  • Jazz Studies
  • Music History
  • Music Performance–Instrumental or Piano
  • Music Performance–Vocal
  • Music Theory
  • Piano Pedagogy

Graduation Requirements Common to All Undergraduate Music Degree Curricula

  • The last two semesters of applied study must be earned in residence at the University.
  • In most areas, students are given a choice of applied instructor, dependent upon teacher availability and approval of the Director of the School of Music.
  • Each student who makes use of a University-owned band or orchestral instrument is responsible for any damage or loss. There is also a fine for unauthorized use of University-owned instruments.
  • An applied upper-divisional examination is required of all music majors whose degrees require applied major study beyond the sophomore level. Students must audition for upper-level applied study during jury examinations following the fourth semester of lower-level applied study. Failure to pass the upper-divisional exam will require repetition of lower-level applied study until such time as the exam is passed; applied credits taken during this period will count as electives but will not fulfill the required applied credits. A student who does not pass the upper-divisional exam may reapply by the end of the next semester of applied study. If a student does not pass on the second attempt, the student may not complete a music degree that requires the applied upper-divisional exam. A student must have obtained upper-level status in applied music in order to present a degree-required recital. Details of the contents of this exam are available online.
  • Students in a degree program that does not require an upper-divisional examination may continue to take lessons at the major level (200 level) without passing an upper-divisional examination, with the approval of the applied instructor.
  • If a Butler student, regardless of major, is taking applied lessons, they must register for the lessons for credit and pay the appropriate applied music fee. Students may not pay a music faculty member directly for private instruction.
  • Music education students are required to pass an upper-divisional examination in music education at the end of the sophomore year. Specific requirements are available online.
  • Music composition students are required to pass an upper-divisional examination in composition. This is normally done at the completion of the fourth semester of composition study. Specific requirements are available online.
  • Students must pass a recital hearing before presenting an instrumental or vocal degree-required recital. Details are available online.

Graduate Degree Programs

  • Master of Arts in Musicology (MA)
  • Master of Music in Composition (MM)
  • Master of Music in Conducting (choral or instrumental) (MM)
  • Master of Music in Music Education (MM)
  • Master of Music in Performance (MM)
  • Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy (MM)
  • Master of Music Degrees with a Double Major (MM)
  • Students may earn a master of music degree with a double major by combining two of the above areas. One area will be declared the primary major; the other will be the secondary major. Applicants will need to complete the relevant audition/interview for both majors.

Programs

    MajorGraduate ProgramMinor

    Courses

      Applied Music

      Instruction is offered in the following for either undergraduate or graduate credit for music majors: bassoon, bass clarinet, cello, clarinet, double bass, euphonium, flute, guitar, harp, harpsichord, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, piccolo, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, and voice.

      Students who are not majoring in music may study applied music as resources allow. To do so, students must complete an application requesting permission and generally must also be enrolled in an approved School of Music ensemble. Details are available online.

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