About Us

The Music Department at Truman State University is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (since 1948) and offers an outstanding performance and academic background in the field of music, the opportunity to study private applied music with well-known artists/teachers, and the opportunity to participate in instrumental and choral ensembles with national reputations for excellence. With approximately 200 music majors, Truman has the distinct advantage of being large enough to offer a variety of music classes, ensembles, and activities, yet small enough to allow individual time and attention for each student.  Music scholarships and financial aid are available to qualifying students.

Mission of the Department of Music

The Music Department will:

• attract a promising and diverse group of high achieving musician scholars who will become part of an academically rigorous arts community;
• provide challenging, comprehensive music instruction that will cultivate a depth of musical scholarship, pedagogy, and creative work within the breadth of a liberal arts context;
• enhance the culture of the university and surrounding communities;
• provide graduates with qualifications and experience to succeed professionally or in graduate study;
• cultivate a nationally recognized community of students, faculty, and alumni.

Prior to admission into the undergraduate music program and declaring a major in music, each student must audition for a committee of the appropriate studio faculty in order to determine that the student has reached a sufficiently advanced level of applied proficiency. While an in-person audition is highly recommended, in cases where such is not possible, a recording of the student's performance will be accepted. All transfer students are also subject to placement examinations in theory and music literature.

The Undergraduate Curricula at Truman offers three music degrees. The Bachelor of Music in performance is the professional degree in music with 65 percent of the program devoted to courses in music. It requires a high level of proficiency in the performance medium. The Bachelor of Arts with a general concentration in music is the preparatory track for the fifth-year Master of Arts in Education professional teaching degree. This degree provides four emphasis group options: vocal, instrumental, piano, and composition. The Bachelor of Arts with a liberal arts concentration is the traditional liberal arts degree providing students with an undergraduate background for careers in music scholarship and library science for professional schools emphasizing the humanities.

The Music Department also offers a Music Minor of 18 semester hours with an emphasis in one of the three following areas: applied instrument/voice, music theory/composition, or music history/literature.

The Graduate Curricula at Truman offers two graduate degrees for music students. The Master of Arts in Music offers instruction to prepare students for doctoral studies, to promote musical performance and composition skills, and to deepen the understanding of music research and scholarship. The Master of Arts in Education is offered in conjunction with the B.A. degree to provide students with professional teacher training.
 

Areas of Study:
Bands
Brass
Choral & Vocal
Jazz
Music Education
Music History
Percussion
Piano
Strings
Theory and Composition
Woodwinds

STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED to participate in as many different areas of music (vocal and instrumental ensembles, private piano, voice, instrumental, and composition lessons) as their schedule permits. Among the instrumental ensembles, students can participate in the Statesmen Marching Band, Concert Band, Wind Symphonies, Jazz Ensembles, Jazz Combos, Symphony Orchestra, Brass Choir, Clarinet Choir, and Percussion Ensemble. Choral ensembles include Cantoria, the University Chorus, Chamber Choir, and Franklin Street Singers.