User:Marglenn/sandbox

   Ball State School of Music    

The Ball State School of Music, or BSSOM, is the music department at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. It is comprised mainly of the Voice area and the Instrumental area. Degrees of many types are offered at both the Undergraduate level, as well as the Graduate level, and minors are also offered. The school boasts many fine facilities that enhance both the learning experiences for the students, as well as the listening experiences for people that come to observe many of the fine recitals, concerts, and operas offered each year. Nationally recognized faculty are on staff to assist students throughout their entire educational experience within the musical realm during their time at Ball State. The school also boasts several ensembles ranging from choirs to orchestras, many of which are open for participation from any student, regardless of their major. This ensures that everyone is granted equal opportunity to participate in music. The BSSOM also supports chapters of several different professional and social organizations to aid students in their connection building processes and to provide leadership opportunities within their respective fields.

 Undergraduate Study  

The degrees offered to undergraduate students are all Bachelor's of Music degrees. An undergraduate student can obtain a B.M. in Performance, Music Education, Music Composition or Music Media Production. The B.M. Performance can be earned on guitar, piano, symphonic instruments, voice, or organ. The B.M. Music Education can have emphasis on either Choral or Instrumental Education.

There are also several music minors available to undergraduate students, including minors in Sacred Music, Jazz/Commercial Music, Symphonic Instruments or Guitar, Piano, Voice, Music History, Music Theory, and Music Literature.

 Graduate Study  

There are degree options at an Artist Diploma level, as well as a Master's or Doctorate level of study. The foci for these degree programs include Conducting, Performance, Music Education, Music History, Musicology, Music Theory, and Composition.

  Facilities  

The two main facilities that house the Ball State School of Music are the Music Instruction Building, and the Hargreaves Music Building. The first facility, Music Instruction Building, is the newest facility and was completed in August of 2004. It houses Sursa Performance Hall, a large tunable performance facility that can seat an audience of 600. Also in the Music Instruction Building is the music technology wing which features 11 fully functioning recording studios that allow students to create full recording projects from start to publication. It is because of this facility that the extensive Music Media Production major is available to Ball State students. The other building that is operated by the BSSOM is Hargreaves Music Building. This building holds many of the faculty offices, and is also the location of classrooms for instruction in areas such as music history and music theory.

 Faculty  

The faculty within the Ball State School of Music are diverse and all boast excellent resumes in their respective fields. Their are over 80 professors of music who have chosen to share their expertise in order to further the development of music in the United States and throughout the world. Names and departments of the faculty are as follows:

 Ensembles  

The BSSOM has several ensembles for varying disciplines of music. They have choirs and orchestras, as well as bands and even an opera.

The bands include the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, the "Pride of Mid-America" Marching Band, Basketball Band, and Summer Band.

Choirs Include Concert Choir, University Choral Union, Women's Chorus, Statesmen, and University Singers.

The school also has a Symphony Orchestra as well as several small ensembles such as jazz ensembles and summer performance opportunities. All ensembles are open to all students regardless of their major, however several require auditions to ensure that the student is at a level of ability that will ensure a high quality learning experience for all who are involved in the group.

 Opera 

Ball State also supports a strong opera program. Every season two full scale operas are put on, and there is a small scale pocket opera offered every fall that is free for audience members, and always performed in English. Recent full scale opera productions have included Madama Butterfly, Die Zauberflote, Giulio Cesare in Egitto, Don Giovanni, L'amico Fritz, Cosi Fan Tutte, Dido and Aeneas, and Der Schauspieldirektor. Pocket Operas have included The Medium and Suor Angelica.

 Organizations and Affiliations  

There are several organizations that are affiliated with the BSSOM and provide opportunities for student involvement. These organizations include:

American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)

Indiana Music Educators Association (IMEA)

Indiana Music Teachers Association

MENC: The National Association for Music Education (NAfME)

Mu Phi Epsilon

National Band Association

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia

Pi Kappa Lambda

Sigma Alpha Iota

Students for Classical Music