School of the Performing Arts

The School of the Performing Arts offers the following undergraduate degrees:

Department of Music

Bachelor of Arts in Music with four concentrations: Liberal Arts, Performance, Music Education – Instrumental Grades K-12, or Music Education - Vocal Grades K-12.

Department of Theatre

Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Theatre: The theatre concentration is designed for those interested in the performance, technical, and management aspects of theatre training within a liberal arts education.

Admission to the Theatre Program Concentration. Auditions/interviews for placement within the program are required. These occur prior to enrollment or within the first two weeks on campus. Auditions may take place in a variety of formats: prepared performance pieces, portfolio presentation, or interviews. Students may contact the Coordinator of Theatre or the Director for the School of the Performing Arts for additional information.

Requirements for the Theatre Concentration. Theatre students will enroll in the Theatre Practicum (THTR 260 /THTR 460 ) for no less than 7 quarters before graduating. Boards will be held during the year so that the faculty can evaluate each student’s progress and set goals for the future. Students are required to attend weekly major/minor meetings, which serve as a forum for information, discussion of issues, and notification of departmental concerns and professional opportunities.

Mission

The Louisiana Tech University School of the Performing Arts provides comprehensive training in the fields of music, theatre, dance, and arts management, which connects the broad spectrum of historical and contemporary issues related to arts in product and process. It promotes the relationship between theory and practice, prepares professionals and teachers for leadership in national and international culture and art for the twenty-first century.

Objective

The School of the Performing Arts has as its primary purpose the education of students for careers as performers, teachers, and scholars in the performing arts fields of theatre, music, dance, and theatre management. It also recognizes the interrelationships of the academic disciplines and provides instruction in the performing arts as a humanistic study. Further, the School endeavors to meet its obligations of service and assistance to its various communities, both within and beyond the University environment. The School is dedicated to the advancement of performing arts culture both in the academic setting and in society.

Department of Music

Mission

The mission of the Department of Music is four-fold:

To lay the foundation for personal and professional growth in music performance, pedagogy, and education.
To foster the development of knowledge, skills, achievement, and integrity in the field of music.
To enrich the cultural life of the campus and surrounding communities.
To maintain the highest quality of academic, performance, and professional standards for students and faculty.

Objectives

The primary purpose of the Department of Music, accredited through the National Association of Schools of Music, is to provide its students with well-rounded preparation for the professional and teaching careers within the many branches of music. The Department strives to combine the high standards of performance characteristic of the conservatory, the scholarly approach to music of the academically oriented university, and the proficiency in pedagogical skills and educational research associated with the leading teacher training institutions, as well as rendering service to the University, local and state communities.

The specific department objectives (as set forth in the Louisiana Tech University Department of Music Handbook and curriculum guides) are designed to meet requirements as established by the Louisiana Board of Regents. The basic objectives of the Department of Music are:

To assist students in becoming competent, qualified musicians by providing quality instruction and programs in music.
To provide a variety of experiences that will prepare prospective musicians/music teachers to assume their professional roles in the fields of music performance and/or music education.
To provide educational experiences that will develop the individual’s knowledge in both breadth and depth.
To provide consultation service, workshops, seminars, and extension programs for teachers, administrators, school boards, and other community members interested in the development of music and music education through lecture/demonstrations, clinics, recital programs, and adjudicators for district and state music festivals.
To evaluate on a continuing basis the curricula, course offerings and services of the Department of Music in light of new knowledge, career requirements, and opportunities for college graduates.
For further details, visit the Department of Music Web site at music.latech.edu or contact the Coordinator of Music.

Requirements for Admission and Degrees

Entering first-year and transfer music majors are required to audition in the major performance medium prior to acceptance. The audition may be on site or via recording. Contact the Coordinator of Music for further details. Transfer students must also take placement exams in piano, music theory, and music history. Credit for music coursework from other institutions and placement in the curricula will be based on the scores achieved on placement exams.

All students are enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts as music majors and follow the appropriate curriculum corresponding to the academic year of entry. In addition to completion of the requirements of the music degree and chosen concentration, students must complete the University’s general education requirements (GER).

Ensembles

All music department ensembles are open to qualified students regardless of major. Membership is by audition and can be arranged by contacting the appropriate director or conductor.

Additional information can be found at music.latech.edu.

Vocal Ensembles: University Concert Choir, Chamber Singers; Opera Workshop
Instrumental Ensembles: Marching Band of Pride; Hoop Troop; University Wind Ensemble; University Symphonic Band; University Concert Band; University Jazz Ensemble; Percussion Ensemble; Low Brass Ensemble; Woodwind Choir; Chamber Orchestra; Brass Quintet; Guitar Ensemble; Piano Ensemble; various chamber ensembles.

Programs

Bachelor Degree Programs

Minor

Music Minor