HELP 2023-24 Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: Content may no longer be accurate. School 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: Jessica Greenberg
Location: BC 331
Telephone: 801-626-6437
Professors: Karen Bruestle, Tracy Callahan, Carey Campbell, Francisco de Galvez, David Feller, Mark Henderson, Thomas Priest, Amanda Sowerby, Erik Stern, Viktor Uzur, Shi-Hwa Wang, Yu-Jane Yang; Associate Professors: Tamara Goldbogen, Jessica Greenberg, Daniel Jonas, Andrew Lewis; Assistant Professors: Esther Ahn, Joseph Blake, Sarah Grunnah, Cully Long, Fan Zhang; Visiting Assistant Professor: Kenneth Plain; Instructors: Samuel Bryson, Juan Carlos Claudio, Steven Henricks, Francesca Mintowt-Czyz

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, Bachelor of Integrated Studies, Minor in Music Performance, Music Studies Minor, Sound Production/Recording Minor. Certificate of Proficiency in Jazz Studies and Certificate of Proficiency in Music Entrepreneurship.                                  

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 should register for the following courses: MUSC 1006 , MUSC 1110 , MUSC 1130 , MUSC 1150 , MUSC 1901 , MUSC 1681  or MUSC 1682 , and large 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. A $445 Applied Music Fee is charged to music majors and minors for instrumental or vocal lessons. These lessons are 45 minutes in length and require attendance at a weekly master class. These lessons may be taken for one or two credit hours. There is also an option for two 45 minute lessons each week for two credit hours plus master class attendance and a research paper or project. The fee is $890.
3. A $320 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.
4. All music education, vocal, keyboard and string pedagogy majors should consult with the latest student handbook, and their major advisor.

Schedule for Performance Evaluations (Juries)

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 or senior recital are excused from that performance area’s performance evaluation the semester in which the recital is completed.

Procedures for Performance Evaluation (Juries)

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. A student will not be permitted to progress to the 3000 level until they have met with their major advisor. The advisor will review the student’s graduation progress and determine whether it is in the student’s best interest to move to the 3000 level.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 pedagogy programs, must present a half-hour formal junior recital upon reaching the 3000 competency level. All music performance 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.
4. Repertoire for the senior recital must not contain music performed on the junior recital. Completion of a senior recital will exempt a student from further proficiency level evaluations.
5. 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 music faculty member of the student’s choice.
6. The review committee will be present at the public performance of the senior recital and will recommend pass/fail for the recital.
7. All students must complete a recital approval form for junior or senior recitals. The recital form must be completed and signed by the area head and applied teacher prior to scheduling any required faculty preview performance.
8. 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.

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.

Music Major Foreign Language Requirement

The Bachelor of Music 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. The Bachelor of Music Education degree with a Choral Emphasis requirement is one semester of foreign language chosen from French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

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. 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 (2)  
MUSC 1130 - Sight-Singing & Aural Skills I (1)  
MUSC 1120 - Music Theory II (2)  
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 - 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

Bachelor of Music in Performance & Pedagogy Advisors

Bachelor of Integrated Studies Advisor

Bachelor of Arts Advisor

Bachelor of Music Education Advisors

Music Minors Advisor

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 (AA)
• Technical Theatre (AA)

• Sound Production/Recording (AS)
• Technical Theatre (AS)

• Jazz Studies Certificate of Proficiency
• Music Entrepreneurship Certificate of Proficiency
• Therapeutic Dance Certificate of Proficiency

• Dance (BA)
• Dance Education (BA)
• Music (BA)
• Musical Theatre (BA)
• Theatre Arts (BA)
• Theatre Arts (BA), Acting/Directing Emphasis
• Theatre Arts (BA), Design/Technical/Management Emphasis
• Theatre Arts (BA), Theatre Generalist Emphasis
• Theatre Arts Teaching (BA)

• Music (BM)
• Music (BM), Instrumental Performance Emphasis
• Music (BM), Keyboard Pedagogy Emphasis
• Music (BM), Keyboard Performance Emphasis
• Music (BM), Stringed Instrument Pedagogy Emphasis
• Music (BM), Vocal Pedagogy Emphasis
• Music (BM), Vocal Performance Emphasis

• Music Education Teaching (BME)
• Music Education Teaching (BME), Choral Emphasis
• Music Education Teaching (BME), Instrumental Emphasis

• Dance Education (BS)

   BIS emphases are also offered for most programs with a minor.

• Music (BIS)
• Theatre Arts (BIS)

• Music/Fine Arts Concentration for Elementary Education

• Dance Minor/BIS
• Minor in Music Performance
• Music Studies Minor
• Sound Production/Recording Minor or BIS
• Theatre Arts Minor

• Dance Teaching Minor
• Theatre Arts Teaching Minor