HELP 2017-2018 Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: Content may no longer be accurate. Department of Performing Arts Print-Friendly Page (opens a new window) Facebook this Page (opens a new window) Tweet this Page (opens a new window)

Chair: Dr. Thomas Priest
Location: BC 331
Telephone Contact: Patty Coan 801-626-6437
Professors: Karen Bruestle, Tracy Callahan, David Feller, Mark Henderson, Joanne Lawrence,Thomas Priest, Amanda Sowerby, Erik Stern, Shi-Hwa Wang, Yu-Jane Yang, Catherine Zublin; Associate Professors: Ralph van der Beek, Carey Campbell, Francisco de Galvez, Jennifer Kokai, Viktor Uzur; Assistant Professors: Tamara Goldbogen, Jessica Greenberg, Daniel Jonas, Shannon Roberts, Cody Walker; Visiting Assistant Professors: Kenneth Plain, Samantha Transleau; Instructor: Shijun Wang

The Department of Performing Arts at Weber State is based on five primary purposes: 1) to develop aesthetically aware and artistically discriminating citizens; 2) to provide opportunities for all students to participate in creative, artistic experiences and to encourage community members to participate in the performing arts; 3) to develop artistic competence and sensitivity; 4) to provide for career development in the arts through the preparation of teachers, performing artists, scholars, and technical specialists; and 5) to expose students and community to classic and contemporary works in all genres of the performing arts and to continue to provide the finest possible performances in the arts.

The department’s degree programs prepare students for professional careers in teaching and performance as well as in technical specialties while providing the liberal arts background necessary for graduate study. In the department’s Performing Arts Series, students and faculty participate in professionally produced dance, musical, and theatrical events.

Moving Company

Dance Area

The primary goals of the Dance area of the Department of Performing Arts are: 1) To develop aesthetically aware and artistically discriminating citizens; 2) To promote cultural understanding of ourselves and others through the study of dance; 3) To encourage appreciation of dance through critical thinking; 4) To engage the community in a range of dance experiences; 5) To foster an understanding of and engagement in the creative process through dance performance, improvisation, choreography, pedagogical studies, technology, and collaborative endeavors; 6) To provide the guidance, class work, and experience necessary to prepare teachers, performing artists, and scholars; 7) To prepare students for careers or advanced study that require creativity, collaboration, and an understanding of the human experience as explored in the study of dance; 8) To provide rigorous dance training.

Two majors are offered: 1) a Bachelor of Arts in Dance, with a focus on creativity in performance and choreography; and 2) a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Dance Education, with a focus on education and pedagogy. Dance majors follow a program based on growth beginning with foundational theory courses, technique courses appropriate to each dancer’s ability, and a culminating senior project.

Dance Education majors follow a program based in the knowledge and understanding of dance education in relation to secondary education and/or studio teaching, focusing on pedagogy, choreography, history, and performance. The Dance Education major prepares students to be teachers of dance in the public sector, private sector, and non-profit environments. In addition, Education majors seeking secondary certification must satisfy all requirements for the Licensure Program as outlined by the Jerry and Vickie Moyes College of Education (including a minimum GPA of 3.0 for admission to the Education Program).

Two minors are offered: 1) Dance, with a focus on performance and choreography; and 2) Dance Teaching. Dance minors follow a program that provides for study in technique, creative and theoretical coursework. A minimum of eighteen (18) credit hours (GPA of 2.25 or better) must be completed in the Dance Area courses.

Dance Teaching minors must complete a minimum of eighteen (17-18) credit hours (GPA of 2.25 or better) from the Dance Area courses. This program is comprised of a dance teaching core (7-8 hours), dance history, technique in ballet and modern dance, additional dance forms and creative work. In addition, teaching minors seeking secondary certification must satisfy all requirements for the Licensure Program as outlined by the Jerry and Vickie Moyes College of Education (including a minimum GPA of 3.0 for admission to the Education Program). Dance teaching minors are strongly encouraged to select teaching majors in subject areas that are needed in Utah secondary schools.

Performance Opportunities

Orchesis Dance Theatre provides performance and production opportunities for qualified students who demonstrate technical abilities in dance. The company’s activities include on-campus and dance festival concerts. Its repertoire consists of traditional and experimental modern dances, contemporary ballets, and theatrical and performance works choreographed/directed by dance faculty, students, and well-known artists. Auditions are required for performances sponsored by Orchesis. WSU Moving Company is the Dance Area’s outreach program, which provides further performance, production and teaching opportunities. Significant dance works and lecture demonstrations are performed; teaching residencies are implemented in the public schools and for campus and community organizations.

School of Music

The School of Music is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music. Programs leading to the Bachelor of Music degree are offered for students seeking emphases in performance, keyboard pedagogy, stringed instrument pedagogy, vocal pedagogy, or music education. Additional programs include the Bachelor of Arts in music and a music minor.

The primary goals of the School of Music are: 1) To develop individuals who are aware, artistically discriminating, and devoted to a lifelong association with music; 2) To provide opportunities for students and community members to participate in creative musical experiences; 3) To develop musical competence, sensitivity, and purpose; 4) To expose students and community to classic and contemporary musical works, and to provide the finest possible performances; 5) To provide for career development in music through the preparation of teachers, performers, and scholars.

Policies and Procedures

The following policies are subject to change. For current information, see the latest Performing Arts | School of Music student handbook and make an appointment with a music area advisor.

Freshman Registration and the Music Core

All freshman music majors and minors entering WSU as full-time students must register for the 9 hour music core as follows: MUSC 1006 , MUSC 1110 , MUSC 1130 , MUSC 1150 , MUSC 1901 , major private lessons, master class, and major ensemble. Piano Pedagogy and Piano Performance majors do not register for MUSC 1150 .

General Policies and Performance Requirements

1. All entering music majors and minors, including transfer students, must audition with the respective program faculty for admittance to that program.
2. All music majors and minors at Weber State University must study privately each semester with a WSU faculty member or an approved adjunct faculty member.
3. All music majors pursuing the performance, keyboard pedagogy, stringed instrument pedagogy, or vocal pedagogy emphasis will study privately in their major area for a minimum of 6 semesters. All music majors pursuing one of these emphases will enroll in one of the major performing ensembles (concert choir, symphonic band, symphony orchestra, guitar ensemble, keyboard ensemble–as appropriate to the student’s major performance area) for a minimum of 8 credit hours.
4. Music education majors (instrumental or choral emphasis) will study privately in their major area for a minimum of 7 semesters. Music education majors will enroll in one of the major performing ensembles (concert choir, symphonic band, symphony orchestra, guitar ensemble-as appropriate to the student’s major area) for a minimum of 7 credit hours; music education majors are exempted from performance group participation during the semester of student teaching.
5. All music majors must participate in their major area performing group during each semester of school enrollment, except as noted in “D” above.
6. All music majors are expected to complete the four levels of competency in their major performance area of study prior to graduation.
7. All music minors will study privately until advancement to the 3000 level of proficiency is achieved, with a minimum of four semesters of study.
8. All music minors must participate in their concentration area major performing ensemble each semester until the minor is completed, with a minimum of two semesters of enrollment in the ensemble.
9. A $400 Applied Music Fee is charged to music majors and minors for one credit hour instrumental or vocal lessons. These lessons are 45 minutes in length and require attendance at a weekly master class. The fee for two credit hours lessons is $800. This is for two 45 minute lessons each week plus master class attendance and a research paper or project.
10. A $305 Applied Music Fee is charged to students registering as non-music majors or minors. These lessons are 30 minutes in length and may not be used as credit for music majors or minors in their primary performance area. A limited number of slots are available for students registering in this category.
11. All music education, vocal and keyboard pedagogy majors should consult the latest student handbook, and with their major advisors, for specific internship requirements.

Schedule for Performance Evaluations

1. Performance evaluations will be regularly conducted and scheduled:
   1. At the end of Fall and Spring semesters.
   2. By special request for evaluation during the year upon agreement of the student, the teacher and the committee. All special requests must be scheduled through the area head.
2. All music majors and minors must take performance evaluations each semester. Performance evaluations are required until completion of the student’s final recital as stipulated by the degree program.
3. Students completing a junior recital are excused from that performance area’s performance evaluation the semester in which the recital is completed.

Procedures for Performance Evaluation

1. All incoming music majors and minors and all transfer students and current students who change their major or minor to music subsequent to their initial enrollment at Weber State University will enroll at the 1000 level of private instruction.
2. A student may be placed in a higher competency level at the completion of any evaluation.
3. A student will not be permitted to progress to the 3000 level until the piano proficiency examination is passed.
4. Student admittance to each competency level is granted only by general consent of the area faculty upon satisfactory completion of a performance level evaluation appropriate to that level.
5. Refusal by the appropriate area faculty to allow admittance to the next level may be appealed by the student provided there is consent of the private teacher.
   1. This appeal should be made directly to the area head, who will in turn consult with the faculty regarding a repeat performance evaluation.
   2. Only one appeal will be accepted at each performance evaluation.
6. More than three (3) semesters of study at any one competency level due to lack of improvement on the part of the student will be cause for a recommendation from the appropriate faculty that the student not continue as a music major or minor.
7. Failure to attend proficiency evaluations will result in a grade of “E” being given for the private lesson during that semester.

Recital Performance

1. All Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education students must participate in at least one general student recital or master class per semester. This should normally be a solo appearance, but this determination is left to the discretion of the applied music teacher.
2. All music majors except those in the Bachelor of Arts and keyboard pedagogy programs, must present a half-hour formal junior recital upon reaching the 3000 competency level. All music minors must present a half-hour formal junior recital upon reaching the 3000 competency level. The student must register for MUSC 3991  during the semester the recital will be presented.
3. All Bachelor of Music students must present a one-hour senior recital while at the 4000 competency level. The student must register for MUSC 4991  during the semester the recital will be presented. See “Senior Project” in the next column for music education exceptions to this requirement.
4. Repertoire for the senior recital must not contain music performed on the junior recital.
5. Completion of a senior recital will exempt a student from further proficiency level evaluations but not from continued private study.
6. All students presenting a senior recital must perform that recital before a faculty review committee not less than two weeks prior to the recital date. The review committee will consist of the student’s applied teacher, the appropriate area head, and one other faculty member of the student’s choice.
7. A faculty committee selected by the area director will be present at the public performance of the senior recital and will recommend pass/fail of the recital.
8. All students must complete a recital approval form for junior or senior recitals. The recital form must be completed and signed by the music advisor and applied teacher prior to scheduling any required faculty preview performance.
9. Failure to complete a junior or senior recital in the semester in which the student is registered for the recital will result in a grade of “E” for the recital.

Senior Project

1. Music education majors have the option of completing a senior project in lieu of the senior recital and should register for MUSC 4992  during the semester in which they plan to complete the project.
2. The Director of Music Education in consultation with the music faculty must approve the senior project option at least one semester prior to the completion of the project. Students must enroll in MUSC 4830  at least one semester prior to completing the senior project. A written proposal must be approved and signed by a faculty committee before the student may enroll in MUSC 4992 .
3. The committee must be comprised of at least three members including the following:
   1. The Director of Music Education or his or her designee
   2. An appropriate Music Area Head or his or her designee
   3. A Weber State Faculty Member
      
      Appropriate outside members that are not members of the WSU faculty may be selected with the approval of the music faculty.
4. Upon receiving approval of the project, the student should proceed with the project in close consultation with the committee.
5. Upon completion of the project, the faculty committee shall meet and provide useful information to the student. Each member of the committee will assign a letter grade. These grades will be averaged for the final grade in MUSC 4992  (Senior Project).

Recital/Concert Attendance

All music majors and minors must attend 24 music area recitals, concerts, and/or community concert events per year while enrolled in applied music at the 1000 and 2000 level. Attendance reports are required for two years and are maintained in the music office. To receive credit for graduation, students enroll in MUSC 1006  for their first two semesters attending 12 recitals or concerts each semester and MUSC 2006  for their third and fourth semesters attending 12 recital or concerts each semester.

Piano Proficiency

All students must pass the piano proficiency examination and must be registered for Class Piano or private piano until the exam is passed. The requirements for piano proficiency should be completed by the end of the student’s sophomore year.

Music Major Foreign Language Requirement

The Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education degree requirement is for two semesters of foreign language chosen from French, German, Italian, and Spanish. The requirement may be satisfied by taking two semesters of the same language, or one semester each of two different languages.

For the Bachelor of Arts in Music, please see Language Courses Required   to fulfill the BA listed under the major requirements.

Bachelor of Integrated Studies

Students declaring an emphasis in music as one of their three BIS concentrations must abide by all guidelines and stipulations detailed in the BIS student handbook.

Courses taken in fulfillment of the music area emphasis must total a minimum of 18 credit hours and will be determined in consultation with the music BIS advisor and approved by the department chair (or dean, if the advisor and chair are the same person). These courses should directly and demonstratively contribute to the goals set forth by the student in his/her approved BIS application.

The following courses, however, are required for all music BIS students:
MUSC 1010 CA - Introduction to Music (3)  *
MUSC 1110 - Music Theory I (3)  
MUSC 1130 - Sight-Singing & Aural Skills I (1)  
MUSC 1120 - Music Theory II (3)  
MUSC 1140 - Sight-Singing & Aural Skills II (1)  

Additionally, music BIS students must take at least one of the following:
MUSC 1030 CA - Introduction to Jazz (3)  *
MUSC 1033 CA - Introduction to American Music (3)  *
MUSC 1035 CA - History of Rock and Roll (3)  *
MUSC 1040 CA/DV - Music of World Cultures (3)  *
MUSC 1043 HU - Music, the Arts & Civilizations (3)  *
MUSC 1063 CA - Music in Religion (3)  *
THEA 1043 CA - Introduction to American Musical Theatre (3)  *

* Please note that according to the BIS student handbook, courses taken in completion of the university General Education requirements will not count toward a BIS emphasis. In other words, “double-dipping” is not allowed.

School of Music Advisors

Advisors for Bachelor of Music in Performance & Pedagogy degrees are:

Advisor for the Bachelor of Integrated Studies degree is:

Advisor for the Bachelor of Arts degree is:

Advisors for the Bachelor of Music Education degree are:

Advisor for the Music Minor is:

Theatre Arts Area

The Theatre Arts area of the Department of Performing Arts provides scholarly, creative, collaborative and practical theatre experience for students.

The objectives of the program are to: 1) Encourage participation in and appreciation of theatre and drama; 2) Foster creativity and develop technical skills in acting, directing, costuming, scenic design, script writing and theatre management; 3) Prepare students for careers or  professional schooling in those fields that require strong presentational skills, creative problem solving, effective collaboration, and an understanding of human experience.

Theatre students must complete a sequence of formal course work that includes University general education, core theatre courses, and focus or specialty courses. Formal course work is complemented by a sequence of experiential learning opportunities in the theatre. Students and faculty develop individualized programs of course work and practical experience, including a junior seminar, annual juries, portfolio preparation, various practica, and opportunities for individual theatre projects.

Study of theatre provides students with useful tools to contribute to and make positive changes in society. Theatre students learn about diverse historical eras, communities and technologies. Theatre challenges students to be creative and to translate that creativity into applied processes - to think precisely, speak confidently in public, work productively with others, visualize abstract concepts and represent those concepts concretely. Theatre skills are useful in a variety of professions including, but not limited to, business, government, law, journalism, and public relations.

Major Requirements

The department offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Musical Theatre, Theatre Arts, and Theatre Arts Teaching. A minimum of 62 course units (2.0 or better GPA) or courses in the combined areas of Dance, Music, and Theatre are required to qualify for the Musical Theatre Major. A minimum of 45 course units (2.0 or better) of Theatre Arts courses must be completed to qualify for either the Theatre Arts or Theatre Arts Teaching programs.

Teaching majors must also satisfy all requirements for the Licensure Program as outlined by the Department of Teacher Education.

A $350 Applied Music Fee is charged to Theatre Arts Area majors and minors enrolled in Individual Training in Stage Voice (THEA 4651 ). These lessons are 45 minutes in length. A limited number of slots are available for students registering for these lessons.

Performance Opportunities

Involvement in theatre productions is an important part of the Theatre program. The Weber State Theatre produces a full season of plays in the Austad, Allred and Eccles theatres of the state-of-the-art Val A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts. Theatre facilities include a variety of proscenium and flexible staging situations. Students are given first priority in all department productions.

The theatre season is offered by the Department of Performing Arts as part of the Performing Arts Series. Because the season is generously supported by the Associated Students of Weber State through student fees, students receive substantial discounts for performances.

In addition to performance opportunities at Weber State, theatre majors are encouraged to seek summer employment in stock or repertory companies relating to their interests.

Courses

Performing Arts Course Descriptions  

Programs

• Dance (BA)
• Dance Education (BA)
• Music (BA)
• Musical Theatre (BA)
• Theatre Arts (BA)
• Theatre Arts Teaching (BA)

• Music Major Performance and Pedagogy (BM)

• Music Education Teaching (BME)

• Dance Education (BS)

• Music/Fine Arts Concentration for Elementary Education

• Dance Minor
• Music Minor
• Theatre Arts Minor

• Dance Teaching Minor
• Theatre Arts Teaching Minor

• Dance Departmental Honors
• Music Departmental Honors
• Theatre Departmental Honors