Identity area
Type of entity
Corporate body
Authorized form of name
South Dakota State University. Department of Music
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
Music has been taught at South Dakota State University since its founding in 1881. The department was first called the Department of Music and Physical Culture. During the 1904-05 school year, a four-year Department of Music was created with four faculty members. Courses in piano, voice, stringed instruments, orchestra, pipe organ, band instruments, and theoretical studies were available. The courses were continued until the Great Depression years when the music major was dropped. It was not reinstated until after World War II. Once the music major was reinstated, course work in music went on much as before. In addition to coursework, students interested in music could participate in a number of extracurricular activities, including chorus, orchestra, and band. / Significant curriculum changes occurred in 1975, resulting in a growth in enrollment of music majors that included the establishment of three-degree programs – BA in Music, BS in Music, BME (Bachelor of Music Education), and the National Accreditation of the Music Program. / According to the 1996-98 Bulletin, the Music Department offers three-degree options: BA-Music Major, MS-Music Merchandising Major, and Bachelor of Music Education. A Minor in Music is also available.