USD to Offer State's Only Bachelor of Science Degree in Music in Fall 2023
This unique program, which will be launched in fall 2023, is the first and only of its kind offered at a South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) institution, providing students with an exciting avenue to pursue their passion for music.
The new program was approved by the SDBOR and accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Students will take classes in the Department of Music, as well as supporting coursework from departments across campus – covering topics such as business, mass communication, theatre, art, entrepreneurship, marketing and economics. This interdisciplinary education provides students with a well-rounded foundation of skills and experiences that will set them apart in the job market.
“We want students to graduate and find jobs, and we also want to fulfill a need in what we see as employment gaps in South Dakota,” said Bruce Kelley, Ph.D., dean of the College of Fine Arts. “Our students will be prepared for a changing occupational world which values a broad technological and business background, in addition to core competencies in music.”
“This new degree is designed to provide an avenue for musicians to follow if they would like to be involved in the music field but don’t want to follow the more traditional path of becoming teachers or performers,” said David Holdhusen, Ph.D., director of choral activities and the Douglas and Susan Tuve Distinguished Professor of Choral Music. “This program will enable the fine arts to evolve to meet changing workforce demands and will provide outstanding, cutting-edge education in music.”
Kelley and Holdhusen were key proponents in launching this new music program.
The program’s multidisciplinary curriculum will capitalize on USD’s state-of-the-art resources, and courses will be offered by the College of Fine Arts, the College of Arts & Sciences and the Beacom School of Business. Students will have the option of pursuing either the production and design track or the business and marketing track.
“Through collaboration across campus, David was able to piece together a curriculum using the different resources and assets that we already have here at USD,” said Kelley. “David deserves a lot of credit for putting together a program that meets the needs that we were seeing and doing it in a way that was really resourceful. We do not have to hire new faculty or create a new infrastructure with this program because we already have everything we need for a successful, comprehensive curriculum.”
This innovative curriculum will enable students to learn the vocabulary, principles and skills necessary to perform the work of a music technology and industry professional, better preparing them for careers that utilize the ever-expanding world of technology.
