Department of Art | School of Music | Department of Performance Studies in Music | Department of Academic Studies in Music | Department of Theatre and Drama

Bachelor of Music Degree | Admission Requirements | Bachelor of Music Degree Programs | Major in Church Music | Major in Commercial Music | Major in Composition | Major in Music Education | Major in Music Theatre | Major in Performance | Major in Piano Pedagogy | Major in Theory | Bachelor of Arts Degree Program | Applied Music Study | Music Ensembles | Music Minor | Music w/Outside Minor

Music Ensembles

Music ensembles play an important role in the various curricula of the School of Music and are open to all students of the university, with or without credit. A detailed description of each ensemble may be found in the course listings. Approved School of Music ensembles include:

General Ensemble Requirements

All music majors except Music Education majors and Bachelor of Arts majors are required to enroll in at least one of the approved ensembles every semester enrolled as a full-time student, earning a minimum of 8 semester hours credit. Music Education majors must earn a minimum of 7 semester hours credit and Bachelor of Arts and Music Minors must earn a minimum of 6 semester hours credit. This number of credits only may count toward degree requirements.

Choral Ensemble Requirements

Voice majors and principals* except Music Education majors and Musical Theatre Majors must enroll in a choral or vocal ensemble each semester enrolled as a full-time student and earn a minimum of eight (8) hours credit. Music Education majors must take seven (7) and Bachelor of Arts and Musical Theatre Majors and Music Minors must take six (6) semesters of vocal ensemble.

*Musical Theatre majors must take four (4) semesters of MUN 397, Musical Theatre and two (2) semesters of ensemble other than Musical Theatre. Classical Voice Performance majors must take two (2) semesters of MUN 396, Opera Theatre or MUN 397, Musical Theatre.

Oratorio Requirements

All majors and minors are required to enroll in MUN 390, Oratorio Chorus, for a prescribed number of semesters. All voice majors, principals, and minors are required five (5) semesters of MUN 390. All other principals and music minors are required two (2) semesters of MUN 390. MUN 390 does not fulfill the requirement that music majors and minors must be enrolled in at least one of the approved ensembles every semester enrolled as a full-time student.

Ensemble Requirements for Instrumental Principals

Instrumental majors (band, orchestra), principals, or minors except Music Education majors must participate in an instrumental ensemble each semester enrolled as a full-time student and earn a minimum of eight (8) hours credit (6 hours for a minor and a Bachelor of Arts). All instrumental music education majors must take a minimum of seven (7) semesters of MUN 490, Band; or MUN 493, Orchestra.

Instrumental majors (guitar, electric bass, piano, organ), principals or minors, except Music Education majors, must participate in an ensemble each semester enrolled as a full-time student and earn a minimum of eight (8) hours credit (6 hours for a minor and a Bachelor of Arts). Music Education majors must take a minimum of seven (7) semester hours of ensembles. Instrumental majors (guitar, piano, organ) may participate in either choral or vocal ensembles, or instrumental ensembles. Decision as to appropriate choice of ensemble should be made in consultation with the student's advisor.

Commencement Attendance

Various ensembles perform as a part of commencement exercises. Participation in these exercises is expected of all members of the performing group and is regarded as partial completion of the requirements of the course.

Ensembles in Residence

The School of Music has three ensembles in residence—The Belmont Chamber Winds, The Belmont Brass, and The Belmont Camerata Musicale. These ensembles present recitals and workshops each semester on the campus and throughout the Middle-Tennessee area. Members of these ensembles are faculty members who teach in their areas of performance.

Music Organizations

The following are national music organizations with active chapters at Belmont University:

The Epsilon Eta Chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society recognizes high academic achievement and superior musicianship.

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia advances the cause of music in America. Membership is based on scholastic standing and is by invitation only to men interested in the development and furtherance of music.

Sigma Alpha Iota brings a bond of sisterhood and mutual interests with great artists, teachers, composers, and students of music throughout the world. Membership is by invitation and is based on scholarship and performance ability.

The Student Chapter of Music Educators National Conference is dedicated to advancing the Profession of Teaching Music.

The American Choral Directors Association is a professional association of active choral directors and those interested in the choral art.

The International Association of Jazz Educators promotes understanding and performance of jazz.