Bachelor of Arts in Music

Bachelor of Science in Music Education

The Bachelor of Science in Music Education is designed to prepare students for a career teaching instrumental or choral music P-12 in the public schools. This degree program meets national and state standards for the preparation of public school music teachers. In addition to the extensive music preparation, significant classroom observation experiences are included in the program, and a significant portion of coursework is devoted to Education courses and preparation.

For degree requirements, see degree requirements checklist.  

An audition is required for acceptance into the Music Department. For audition forms and requirements, please refer to the Music and Fine Arts Department webpage.

For further information, contact Dr. Ben Caston, chairman of the Division of Music and Fine Arts, at 706.865.2134, ext. 117, or by email  

It is also the purpose of the Music Department:

1.To develop functional and disciplined musicians, through the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree programs, who are able to adapt to a variety of professional situations, or to continue successfully advanced studies in graduate programs. To this end, the music faculty commit themselves to excellence in curriculum planning, instruction and student advisement.

2.To prepare music majors in the Associate in Music degree program to transfer to other four-year college and university music degree programs.

3.To be responsive to the needs of the Truett-McConnell College student body by providing opportunities for musical experiences through participation in vocal and instrumental ensembles, applied lessons, and through the offering of Music Appreciation classes.

4.To be responsive to the needs of the student body and the surrounding community by supporting the efforts of the Division of Fine Arts in producing and maintaining a Fine Arts Series. The Fine Arts series will include both ticketed and free events in which community members and students can participate or can attend. These events include recitals, choral and instrumental concerts and musical theater productions.

5.To be responsive to the needs of Georgia Baptists and to the Christian community at large by providing an example of musical excellence, by training future ministers of music, by providing music ensembles to assist congregational worship, and by assisting the Music Department of the Georgia Baptist Convention in providing music programs for Georgia Baptists.

A prospective music major is expected to audition for the music faculty on the instrument he/she wishes to major. A student may elect to audition on more than one instrument and, with the approval of the music faculty, major on two instruments. The music faculty schedules specific audition dates during each academic year. Special audition times may also be scheduled by making arrangements with the music faculty.

The music faculty also interviews each prospective student immediately after his/her audition. The purpose of the audition/interview is not only to demonstrate the student’s level of preparation upon entering Truett-McConnell College, but also to acquaint the music faculty with the student’s strengths and deficiencies. This allows the music faculty to advise the student more effectively in the selection of music and academic classes.

Brass and Woodwind auditions must include at least two solo works written for the specific instrument. One work may be an etude or study. The other work should be a solo, sonata, or concerto which specifically demonstrates a faster, articulate movement or section and a slower, lyrical movement or section. Major scales and a chromatic scale are required as well.

Guitar auditions must include at least two works of contrasting styles (i.e. slow and fast, or loud and soft).

Percussion auditions include demonstrations on as many of the following instruments as possible:

1. Snare drum - demonstrate knowledge of rudiments, orchestral style, and marching band style; one prepared piece.

2. Drumset - demonstration of basic swing, rock and Latin styles; one prepared piece.

3. Mallets - demonstration of sight reading ability; major scales (minor scales, if possible); one prepared piece.

4. Timpani – demonstration of sight reading ability, one prepared piece.

Piano auditions must include:

1. Two pieces from the classical piano literature, preferably from contrasting style periods.

2. All major scales, MM=120

Voice auditions must demonstrate good diction, accurate pitch, acceptable tone quality, breath control, and a concept of phrasing. Two memorized solo songs of contrasting nature (i.e. slow and fast, or loud and soft) are required. One song must be selected from the classical repertoire.

TMC Music Audition Form