Music Student Handbook

Admission to the Department of Music as an undergraduate music major or minor is by audition. Those with piano experience will be evaluated by the piano faculty for placement.

1. Applied lessons are scheduled on an individual basis. Students enrolled in applied music must contact their applied instructors prior to or during the first week of classes to schedule their lessons.
2. There is no extra fee for applied music study. (Excluding cost of accompanists)
3. Most music majors, including all freshmen, register for 2 credits of applied music (one 1⁄2 -hour lesson per week) each semester for each instrument studied. Beginning in the sophomore year performance majors register for 4 credits (one 1-hour lesson per week) per semester on their major instrument. If they desire to do so non-applied majors may elect to take 4 credits of applied music on their major instrument with the consent of the instructor and the approval of the Department Chair.
4. Non-music majors may enroll in applied music if the instructor’s schedule permits.
5. Every student enrolled in applied music must also enroll in a major ensemble as assigned by the appropriate director and applied studio teacher.

1. Performance Assessments are performance examinations performed for a jury of faculty members at the end of each semester. Requirements for these performance assessments vary according to the applied area. Further details are available from the applied teachers.

2. The purposes of performance assessments are:
   1. To evaluate the student’s progress as a musician and instrumentalist or vocalist, and
   2. To determine whether or not the student has achieved the minimum proficiency level required for his/her year in school

3. The required proficiency levels for each year of applied study, listed under Satisfactory Progress in Applied Music, represent the minimum skills a student must achieve in order to continue as a music major. The proficiency level given at the performance assessment is not intended as a measure of the student’s total musical achievement. It indicates only whether or not the student has met the minimum requirements for their year in school. Thus, a wind player who is an instrumental music education major and who demonstrates at least the minimum requirements for the 100 Level at the end of their freshman year will pass 100 Level Proficiency, regardless of how much they may have progressed beyond the minimum requirements.

4. A student who has achieved the proficiency level required for graduation on their degree is no longer required by the department to take performance assessments; however, individual applied teachers may require them at their discretion.

1. All music ensembles are open to all students regardless of major. Some ensembles require audition. Contact the ensemble director a few weeks prior to the semester to learn more about ensemble audition requirements and scheduling. Campus Band, Campus Orchestra, Campus Choir and Pep Band do not require audition.
   1. Every music major must enroll, participate and receive a passing grade in a major ensemble every semester except the student teaching semester. Any student not doing so will be dropped from the major. Exceptions may be made with the approval of the Department Chair.

3. Major Ensemble Requirements must be satisfied in the following ways:
   1. A student in any instrumental music degree program whose major instrument is a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument must register for Music 342 (orchestra) and/or Music 343 (wind bands) and/or Music 344/345 (jazz ensembles) as assigned by the Director of Bands, the Director of Orchestral Activities, Director of Jazz and the applied teacher, based on auditions.
   2. A student in any instrumental music degree program whose major instrument is an orchestral stringed instrument must register for Music 342.
   3. A student in any vocal/choral/general music degree program must register for Music 341 (choir) as assigned by the Director of Choral Activities, based on auditions.
   4. 1. Students may have the opportunity to participate in chamber music ensembles such as string quartets, woodwind quintets, brass quintets, jazz combos, etc. Participants in these ensembles are required to enroll in the appropriate 1 credit course. Instructor permission required.
      2. Exceptions to these policies will be made only with the approval of the student’s applied teacher, advisor, the Department Chair and the appropriate ensemble director.

Pianists or guitarists in instrumental music degree programs normally enroll in Music 341 (choir) to fulfill the ensemble requirement. Additionally, MUS 342 (orchestra), 343 (wind bands), and MUS 345 (jazz) regularly require pianists to participate and can also fulfill the ensemble requirement. Students that also play a wind band or orchestral instrument may audition for one of those ensembles to fulfill the requirement.

Recitals and other performance events: Attendance at 15 recitals/performances each semester will be expected for each student studying applied music during their undergraduate study in the Music Department, including 5 Colloquia. Administration and enforcement of this policy will be through the applied studio instructors.

It is the basic philosophy of this policy that the expected 15 recitals/performances will include experiences outside of the performance medium of each student. Students failing to fulfill this requirement will receive an Incomplete for their applied grade until the requirement is fulfilled.

Some Colloquia are required, along with the recitals given by the student’s primary instructor and other members of the studio. Attendance at all Colloquia and a variety of concerts and recitals is encouraged.

1. Satisfactory Progress in Applied Music: Each student’s performance ability is assessed at the end of each semester of applied study. This performance assessment is presented during exam week to each student’s applied teacher and respective faculty. Twenty-five (25%) percent of the semester grade for the applied study is determined by the performance assessment for all music majors. If a student is placed on probation, the highest grade they may receive that semester for applied study is a “C”. Exceptions can only be granted through consultation with the area coordinator and the department chair.

1. A student may be put on probation twice in the course of their applied study, but not in two consecutive semesters. If probation is indicated in two consecutive semesters, the student will be dropped from the major. Exceptions may be made by the applied area faculty in consultation with the department chair. This applies to students put on probation based on their performance.
2. Students who must miss a performance assessment based on health or personal reasons (which must be approved by their applied teacher and applied area coordinator) must complete the performance assessment during the first week of classes during the next semester.
3. Students should be given the opportunity for a post-performance assessment consultation with their studio teacher before the end of each semester.
4. Applied teachers should give each student an area-approved document detailing the technical requirements and expectations for each level.
5. Any distinction between requirements for the Performance, Music Education and BA degrees will be at the discretion of the applied faculty.
6. Music minors must complete the 100 level of study, BA students must fulfill the 200 level, Music Education majors must fulfill the 300 level and Jazz Studies and Performance majors must fulfill the 400 level requirements.

100 Level        Entry Level for all first-year music majors who have been accepted into the degree program. This level is typically completed at the end of the second semester of study, pending a successful performance assessment.

200 Level        This level is typically completed at the end of the fourth semester of study, pending a successful performance assessment.

300 Level        This level is typically completed at the end of the sixth semester of study, pending a successful performance assessment or degree fulfilling performance.

400 Level        This level is typically completed at the end of the eighth semester of study, pending a successful performance assessment or degree fulfilling performance.

Any student failing to achieve the satisfactory progress will be placed on probation for one semester. The required level must be achieved by the end of the probationary semester to continue as a music major. Students on probation will be eligible to participate only in the required ensemble for their degree program. Exceptions can be made only with the approval of the applied teacher and the department chair.

To schedule a public recital, music students must receive recital permission from area faculty at their semester performance assessment.

Requirements for fulfillment of applied study will be as follows:

Performance Degrees: A juried half recital will be presented in the 3^rd year of study. A recital hearing is required at least 28 days before the recital. A juried full recital will be presented in the 4^th year of study. A recital preview is required at least 28 days before the recital. Each area has the option of conducting live or recorded previews. 

Music Education Degrees: A juried performance is required before the student teaching semester, either in a Colloquium, half recital, or full recital. If a student wishes to perform a half or full recital to fulfill this requirement, a recital preview is required at least 28 days before the recital. Each area has the option of conducting live or recorded previews.

Bachelor of Arts Degree: A juried performance is required before graduation, either in a Colloquium, half recital, or full recital. This performance may be performed as early as the second semester of 200 level study. If a student wishes to perform a half or full recital to fulfill this requirement, a recital preview is required at least 28 days before the recital. Each area has the option of conducting live or recorded previews.

1. Satisfactory Academic Progress must be demonstrated by maintaining the following minimum grade averages:
   1. By the end of the freshman year:
      2. 2.00 overall.
      3. 2.25 in major.

1. During the sophomore year:
   2. 2.00 overall (2.50 for Music Education Majors).
   3. 2.50 in major.

1. Music Education majors are reminded that a 2.75 average in the major is required to student teach.
2. A grade of C- or better is required in each instrumental methods and conducting course to continue as a Music Education major.

2. Any student who does not maintain the above GPAs will be placed on probation for one semester. While on probation, a student will be eligible to enroll only in the ensemble required for their degree program. Exceptions can be made only with the approval of the applied teacher and the Department Chair. If the student has not attained the required grade average at the end of the probationary semester, they will be refused permission to continue as a music major.

3. Probation and expulsion: In cases of probation or expulsion from the music major, the student will be informed in writing by the Department Chair. A signed copy of the notification letter is to be returned by the student and will be placed in the student’s Music Department file.

4. In exceptional circumstances, the department chair, in consultation with the faculty, may waive these requirements for determining satisfactory progress.