Fine Arts

Mission

The Department of Fine Arts will offer programs of study leading to the baccalaureate degree in the visual arts and music. Students who elect to major in the visual arts may choose from options in art education, studio art, and computer graphics. Those who major in music have options in music education, music business management, and merchandising. Graduates are prepared to teach in grades K-12, work in the music industry and allied fields in art and music, and pursue graduate study. The department also will provide instruction in art and music to students majoring in other disciplines as part of the university’s general core requirements and in an effort to promote the study and enjoyment of the fine arts as necessary for healthy and enriched living. Instruction will be provided by faculty committed to teaching effectiveness, scholarship as it relates to improving teaching and self-enrichment, and service toward the enhancement of the artistic and cultural life of the university and the greater community.

Goals

To provide degree programs in the areas of art and music.
To provide students with skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in their chosen field of study.
To prepare students for arts careers in studio and industry fields.
To prepare students to meet K-12 licensure and certification requirements in art and music.
To prepare students to pursue graduate study in art and music.
To promote faculty production in the areas of scholarship and teaching effectiveness.
To provide community outreach in the arts.

Art Program

Mission

The mission of the Art Program is to provide an intensive education in the visual arts through a diverse and comprehensive curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art or a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Teacher Education. The program addresses the needs of students working to become exhibiting artists, computer graphics and animation professionals, art teachers or scholars generally educated in the arts. It also prepares students for graduate school studies or for a wide range of career choices in art-related professions. Art majors may elect to specialize in studio art, computer graphics or art teacher education. An art minor is also available.

The program serves non-majors by providing art appreciation courses to fulfill general core requirements, by providing teacher education training courses in art to help prepare students for K-12 licensure and by making a large selection of courses available to all students wishing to pursue interests in selected areas of the curriculum.

The program supports excellence in teaching and fosters the aesthetic, intellectual, professional, personal and social development of its students. The curriculum balances the teaching of technical knowledge and skills with the development of critical, conceptual and creative abilities. Faculty members are well recognized professionally, with diverse viewpoints and educational training that encourages students to investigate and appreciate various forms of art expression.

Goals

To understand and appreciate the theatrical and philosophical nature of art, its meaning and contribution to the individual and society in contemporary and past cultures.
To offer a program that includes comprehensive studies in computer graphics, studio art, and art education for the preparation of art teachers in grades K-12.
To develop a basic level of skill and aesthetic understanding sensitivity in a variety of studio disciplines.
To prepare individuals for courses in various art fields and careers.
To provide adequate preparation for the pursuit of graduate work in art.
To offer art courses to non-art majors.
To create, analyze, and evaluate works of art from a wide variety of media.
To think logically and creatively and to function as practicing artists.

Program Objectives

Upon successful completion of the program, the students will be able to do the following:

Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills critical to the art profession.
Utilize and create multimedia and relevant technology critical to art education and the art profession.
Demonstrate skill and understanding in the basic art processes.
Demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of art and related philosophies from past and present cultures.
Demonstrate an understanding of the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development of learners in grades K-12 and the implications of their personal growth upon art education.
Develop a standards-based art education program that meets the needs and interests of learners in grades K-12 including exceptional learners.
Demonstrate a variety of teaching and evaluation methods, techniques, and strategies for application in art education.
Participate in group and individual art exhibits and successfully complete the Senior Exhibit requirements.
Participate effectively in a competitive art career market.

Music Program

Mission Statement

The mission of the music program is to offer courses of study leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education, and the Bachelor of Science degree in Music Business Management and Merchandising to diverse and motivated students.

The specialty courses in music develop the knowledge, musicianship, and skills needed to teach and direct music activities from early childhood through secondary school, and to pursue careers in or related to the music business industry. Students must be proficient in a major performance medium (voice, instrument, organ or piano), and earn a minimum of 6 semester hours in a minor performance instrument. All majors must take piano and be able to demonstrate acceptable levels of proficiency. All majors must also enroll for at least one semester of voice if their major area of performance is in another medium. The music unit program also offers instruction in music to students majoring in other disciplines as a part of the university’s general core requirements. Many events, performances, and seminars are provided for the university community and the greater community of Winston- Salem and Forsyth County by faculty and students alike. Faculty members are well-recognized professionally with diverse performance and educational training that encourages students to investigate and appreciate various forms of music expressions. The music program is a member of the National Association of Schools of Music, the North Carolina Association of Music Schools, and the Intercollegiate Music Association, Inc.

Goals

To understand and appreciate the theoretical and philosophical nature of music, its meaning and contribution to the individual and society in contemporary and past cultures.
To offer a curriculum that includes comprehensive studies in music education for grades K-12.
To prepare individuals for careers in the music industry and allied fields.
To provide preparation for the pursuit of graduate work in music.
To develop sound musicianship and performance skills through studies in applied music, theory, and music literature.
To offer music courses and musical participation to non-music majors.
To extend the role of Winston-Salem State University as a contributor to the music industry and business community.
To contribute to the enrichment of musical life of Winston- Salem State University and the community.

Program Objectives

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to do the following:

Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills critical to the music profession.
Utilize and create multimedia and relevant technology for music education and the music industry.
Demonstrate musicianship and proficiency in both a major and minor performance area as soloist and ensemble member.
Demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of music and related philosophies from past and present cultures.
Demonstrate an understanding of the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development of children and adolescents and the implications of personal growth upon music education.
Develop a standards-based music education program that meets the needs and interests of learners in grades K-12, including exceptional learners.
Demonstrate a variety of teaching and evaluation methods, techniques, and strategies for application in music education.
Demonstrate knowledge of music literature and repertoire to maintain a high level of interest and involvement of students.
Demonstrate proficiency in behavioral management skills that promote self-discipline, a positive learning climate, and selfconcept that are conducive to successful musicianship and teaching.
Participate effectively in a competitive music career market.

Entrance Requirements

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the university, entering freshmen and transfer students must meet the following requirements:

Submit a special supplementary application to the music area. This form is mailed to all students indicating music as their intended major in applying to the university.
Demonstrate performance proficiency in an applied area (voice, piano, flute, etc.) by auditioning on campus or by video tape recording, should distance prohibit a campus audition. The audition should occur prior to students’ actual matriculation at the university. A videotaped audition must be confirmed by an on-campus audition once the student arrives. A sample list of appropriate literature will be sent with the supplementary music area application at the student’s request. Students may select compositions other than those listed if they are comparable in musical and technical difficulty. The difficulty level must be intermediate or above.
Take a music theory skills assessment examination.
Take a keyboard skills assessment examination.
Complete a personal interview with music faculty.

Note: After being accepted, music majors failing to enroll in courses within the department for a year or longer will be required to re-audition for readmission into the department.

Minimum Grade Requirement

Music majors must earn a minimum grade of “C” on each required course in their respective content areas.

Graduation

To be a candidate for graduation, a student must pass all exit criteria, including the Music Proficiency Examination, all components of the sophomore screening process, and a recital and/or an extended research project. In addition, teacher education candidates must successfully pass the student teaching phase of their preparation. This is done with the cooperation of the applied music instructor(s) and the major advisor and with the approval of the music faculty. Guidelines for all criteria are available within the department.

Student Organizations

The WSSU chapter of the Collegiate Music Educators National Conference operates within the music area and is organized and governed by students with the assistance of the chapter advisor(s). All majors are eligible and encouraged to join this organization. Additional Greek music organizations include Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Tau Beta Sigma, and Kappa Kappa Psi.

Seminars, Master Classes, and Recitals

All music majors are required to attend faculty, student, and visiting artist recitals, and master classes sponsored by the Lyceum Concert Series held at the university. Students are required to participate as performers on regularly scheduled student recitals. In addition, the university encourages and supports student attendance at musical events in the Winston-Salem community including the Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestra and the Piedmont Opera series.

Participation in Performance Groups

All music majors are required to participate each semester in the music organization(s) representing their area(s) of performance concentration. Participation is expected and required of all music majors and is open to non-music majors. Qualified students may elect to participate in more than one ensemble.