Undergraduate Music Student Handbook

Department of Music Undergraduate Student Handbook

This document is intended to supplement the Eastern Michigan University Undergraduate Catalog, the on-line version of which is considered authoritative. This document expresses the official policy of the Department of Music in matters affecting students.

Consult this handbook for help in answering your questions about Department of Music policies and procedures. The online version of this handbook includes links to university web resources, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses.

Contents

Auditions
Scholarships
Advising
Enrollment and Registration
Retention and Continuation
Programs of Study
Applied Music
Recital Attendance
Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses
Facilities, Building Hours, Equipment, and Safety
Student Rights and Responsibilities

1. Auditions

Students are admitted into a major or minor program and into applied instruction (private lessons) based on applications (both Eastern Michigan University and Department of Music), an audition, and on certain other procedures (including theory-literature and piano placement exams and interviews with Department of Music faculty). No student may enroll for private applied music instruction without approval of the Department of Music faculty through an audition. Audition standards are set by the appropriate faculty members and by the Head of the Department of Music.

Auditioning for Regular Admission (including transfer)
Auditions are arranged through the Music Office of the Department of Music (N-101 Alexander Music Bldg.). Most auditions take place on regularly-scheduled audition days. In unusual circumstances, auditions may be specially arranged. Please call 734.487.4380 or consult the Department of Music Auditions web page for audition information.

Audition results may be as follows:

Accepted. The student is accepted for a certain program and for applied study commensurate with it. The standards for applied music fall into one of three categories:

Performance. Highest standards, indicating potential and preparation as a professional performer and continuing progress toward that goal.
Music Education, Therapy, Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science. Standards that reflect significant talent and promise as a musician and performer, though directed towards teaching, therapy, or the academic study of music.
Minor or elective. Standards that reflect a student's interest in the performing area and modest amount of preparation or talent.

Accepted, but recommended for a different program. In the judgment of the faculty, the student's level of ability is not appropriate for the desired program, but is appropriate for a different one.

Accepted on probation. The student is accepted for applied study, but at a probationary level. The student may re-audition for regular status at a later date. Probationary study does not count toward the major requirement.

Accepted, but on a waiting list. Since studio places are limited by resources, a student who is otherwise qualified for applied study may be placed on a waiting list for an available place.

Not accepted, but encouraged to re-apply after additional preparation. The student shows talent but needs additional preparation in the form of outside study or class instruction.

Not accepted. The faculty believes that the student is not prepared and/or qualified for music major or minor study.
The audition process may include other forms of assessment. Music Education and Music Therapy students may be interviewed. All students will take a placement exam in theory and may choose to play a piano placement audition. Students hoping to receive transfer credit for music theory courses taken in other NASM-accredited music programs will take an advanced-placement music theory exam. To receive transfer credit for other music courses, consult with the Coordinator of Music Advising.

Auditions for Music Therapy Equivalency
Students seeking music therapy equivalency who hold a degree in music from an NASM-accredited institution and who do not need or wish to enroll in applied music will not need to take a performing audition. These students must fill out Eastern Michigan University and Department of Music applications and be interviewed for suitability. Certification students will take the advanced theory placement test.

Audition Results
Official audition results are determined by the Department Head based on the recommendations of the music faculty and are mailed to the applicant, normally within ten days.

2. Scholarships

The Department of Music handles scholarship matters in accordance with the guidelines of the Office of Financial Aid. A student may be eligible for a university scholarship or for a Department of Music scholarship.

University Scholarships
Academic scholarships are awarded by the university. Returning students are urged to apply for University Scholarships; the application deadline is typically in mid-January for the following academic year. For details please consult the official guidelines of the Office of Financial Aid.

Department of Music Scholarships.
The Department holds a number of endowed scholarships, each with its own criteria and process. Many of these awards are based on talent. Some (e.g., Dillman, Olmstead, Manilow) are open to all majors. Determination of the recipient is made by recommendation of the Department Honors Committee. The application or audition process, where needed, will be posted. Other scholarships are specific to certain subject areas. Consult the appropriate faculty for details on these.The Department recommends potential Scholarship recipients to the Office of Financial Aid. The Office of Financial Aid verifies that criteria have been met and that the student is eligible. Awards are posted to the student's account when the process is complete.

3. Advising

Through advising, the music student may be assisted by the faculty in planning an academic curriculum, may be granted permission for exceptions, and may seek help in answering questions about programs, graduation requirements, achieving career goals, etc. Advising is intended to supplement, not replace, the student's own planning. A student is responsible for his/her own curriculum and for meeting certification requirements. Since music majors begin taking music major courses the first year, all advising is done in the Department of Music. New undergraduate students normally are advised during Fast Track by the Coordinator of Music Advising. Advising normally is not available during July and early August. During the Fall and Winter terms of the first year, students should attend one of the group advising sessions.

All music faculty members serve as advisors. A returning student should first consult his/her major teacher for advising. The student and/or music faculty member may need to contact the Coordinator of Music Advising for answers to non-routine questions, to solve problems, to make recommendations about transfer credit, and to perform graduation audits. Contact the Coordinator of Music Advising by e-mail or make an appointment in the Music Office.

Students are strongly encouraged to consult the catalog and obtain departmental pattern sheets in order to be responsible for their own college career. The on-line catalog is official.

Coordinator of Music Advising Phone: 734.487.4380

4. Enrollment and Registration

Registration for most non-music classes can done by the student using the telephone, touch-tone registration system. See instructions in the Course Schedule Booklets. For music courses, there are five types of registration procedures.

Regular classes (no department permission). These may be registered for by telephone like any other course, assuming all pre-requisites have been met. Many academic music courses fall into this category.

Regular classes (department permission required). If a class is marked in the course schedule booklet as requiring department permission, that permission must be entered in the computer system by the Senior Secretary or by the Coordinator of Music Advising. To obtain permission, fill out a Permission Request Form (available in the rack outside the music office) and give it to the office staff. Please allow one week for processing.

Ensembles. While procedures vary, most ensembles require an audition with the ensemble director. The Senior Secretary or the Coordinator of Music Advising will enter permission to register (or complete the registration) at the request of the ensemble director. Please ask the ensemble director for dates and details.

Independent Study. The student must fill out a Permission Request Form and provide a letter or an e-mail to the Senior Secretary or Coordinator of Music Advising from a faculty member agreeing to supervise the Independent Study.

Applied Music. Registration for applied music study is by permission of the music faculty. The student must fill out an Applied Music Request form and obtain the signature of the appropriate music faculty member.

Overrides. Class size is set to provide an optimal educational experience for all students and to correlate with room size and equipment. Overrides (permission to enroll in a class that is full) are given only with the written permission of the professor. A form may be obtained in the rack outside the music office.

Substitutions. The curriculum as presented in the catalog reflects the educational needs of students and the standards of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), which accredits music programs. For this reason, substitutions (replacing a required course with a different one) must be approved by the Coordinator of Music Advising and the Department Head. A substitution will be approved only when the course being used as a substitution fills the same educational purpose as the required course and when there appears to be some important need for a substitution.

All students should be sure to check their printed course confirmations and progress reports to be sure courses taken are correctly on the record.

5. Retention and Continuation

Students are strongly encouraged to stay enrolled for consecutive semesters until achieving a degree. Music study benefits from regular, longitudinal, systematic and consistent study and suffers from extended breaks. Since enrollment capacity in music subjects is limited, a student who discontinues study is not guaranteed a place in classes or in applied music upon returning. Students who face unusual circumstances that may cause them not to re-enroll should consult with their applied teacher and with the Coordinator of Music Advising as soon as possible to seek a solution or to reserve a place for their return.

6. Programs of Study

Music Education
The major in music education is a challenging curriculum designed to develop the student's potential for excellent musicianship and for superior teaching skills. A student may follow a program in either a vocal or instrumental teaching. Normally, keyboard majors and voice majors follow the vocal track; wind, percussion, and string majors follow the instrumental track. Since some teaching positions may combine vocal and instrumental teaching, students are encouraged to develop skills in both tracks.

Several check-points insure that students are continuing to progress in a way that forecasts success in teaching.

Audition. The initial audition involves an interview to determine commitment to a career in music education.

Admission to the College of Education. Music Education students must be admitted to the College of Education before any professional sequence courses, including MUSC 330 and MUSC 332, can be taken. Application to the College of Education should be made at the end of the sophomore year.

Minimum criteria for admission to the College of Education:

Eastern Michigan University G.P.A. of 2.5 or betterMajor (music) G.P.A. of 2.5 or better
Completion of 56 credit hours.
Successful completion of the Basic Skills test (see College of Education information for test dates and procedures)
Completion of one or two courses in speech with a minimum grade of C; completion of Eastern Michigan University General Education mathematics and science requirements
Demonstration of satisfactory health status and social and emotional adjustment.
Freedom from any kind of probation.

Student Teaching screening. Application for student teaching must be made in the Office of Student Teaching. Deadlines are: January 15 for Winter or Spring placement; June 15 for Fall placement.

Vocal/Choral Screening. Screening takes place as a component of MUSC 331. Students will be required to read open score at the piano, sing vocal parts using solfege, and and play simple piano accompaniments.

Instrumental Screening. Instrumental students (BMEI) must successfully complete student teaching screening examinations before being placed for student teaching. Examinations are in three areas: Secondary Instruments, a Written examination covering all instruments; and an Oral/Conducting examination. For complete information, see the Student Teaching Screening in Instrumental Music Education information published by the Wind/Percussion and String area faculty.

Pre-Student Teaching. Education curricula at Eastern Michigan University require successful completion of 100 hours of pre-student teaching before students may register for student teaching. Please see requirements in the Pre-Student Teaching Handbook.

Certification Exams. In order to be certified in the state of Michigan, students in all curricula must pass the appropriate subject area from the Michigan teacher Certification Examination. Instrumental and Vocal students must pass the music subject area examination, which is given four times a year. Apply through the College of Education. The subject area examination may be taken concurrently with the Basic Skills exam, but most students take the subject area exam while Student Teaching.

Music Therapy
The field of Music Therapy requires both excellence in music and skill as a therapist. This demanding program includes significant work in music, science, and psychology. Admission to the music therapy program is based on a performance audition and also on an interview that assesses suitability for a career as a music therapist. Many therapy courses include a practicum, which often takes place off campus; there the student observes and practices music therapy in action. Rigorous screening for competencies takes place throughout the program to insure that the therapist possesses all the necessary skills. After completion of all work, the student therapist spends 1,040 hours (6 months, full time) as an intern in a professional music therapy environment. The internship often takes place at some distance from campus. Upon completion of the internship, the student may take the national exam to become a Music Therapist--Board Certified. Additional information is contained in the music therapy handbook.

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science, with a Major in Music
These degree programs allow a student to pursue the study of music in the context of a broadly liberal education. The number of music requirements is somewhat lower than in the professional music curricula, and an outside minor is required. By taking advantage of the minor, Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science music majors combine music study with study in another field. Common combinations are Music and Business, Music and Communications, and Music and Computer Science. The Coordinator of Music Advising can assist in working out a program that will meet specific needs. The Bachelor of Arts requires a foreign language.

Bachelor of Music (Performance)
The Bachelor of Music program is intended for those students whose advanced level of talent (as verified by an audition) suggests that they may be suited to a professional career in music performance. Bachelor of Music students normally enroll for four credits of applied music each semester and are expected to commit several hours daily to practice. The culminating experiences of the Bachelor of Music are the recitals, normally a 30-minute junior recital and a one-hour senior recital.

7. Applied Music

The study of Applied Music is a central feature of all music curricula and continues throughout the degree program. Private lessons, typically one per week, must be supplemented with diligent outside daily practice. Depending on the performance area and the level of the student's work, the outside practice requirement may be quite substantial. The student must recognize that applied instruction is not primarily for the purpose of earning credits toward a degree, but rather to develop musical talent under the care of a skilled teacher. There is no substitute for regular, diligent practice.

Admission to applied music study is by audition, which typically takes place at the time of application for admission to Eastern Michigan University. Any change in applied study (degree program, performance medium, level) also takes place by audition. A change of instructor (where applicable) is normally handled between the student and the faculty members involved.

Registration for applied-music courses is by departmental permission, and is done by the Department of Music staff. Students must fill out an Applied Music Request form, obtain the appropriate applied professor's signature and assignment to an applied level, and return the form to the Music Office. Allow at least one week for enrollment to be completed.

Post-degree Elective Study. A student may continue to enroll for applied music after completing all applied credits that count toward a degree only at the discretion of the major teacher and with the approval of the Department Head.

Continuation in Applied Study. Since applied study is offered by means of individual instruction, it is a privilege and not a right. If the applied teacher believes that a student's progress toward the level of competency in applied music needed to complete a degree is insufficient, the student may be asked to re-audition for continuation. A possible result of the re-audition may be the recommendation to the Department Head that the student not continue in applied music or as a music major.

Levels and Credit. Major-level applied music for students in the Bachelor of Music Education-Instrumental, Bachelor of Music Education-Vocal, Bachelor of Music Therapy, or Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science curricula is one 60-minute lesson per week for two credits. Major-level instruction for performance majors is one 60-minute lesson per week for four credits, with a corresponding increase in the expectation for practice and progress.Music minors, electives, and those majors studying an instrument/voice other than their major normally enroll for one credit and receive a half-hour lesson weekly.A new student may be assigned to one or more semesters of probationary applied study. Such study does not count toward the major requirement.

Spring/Summer Applied Lessons. Because of the high cost of offering applied instruction, the Department's capacity to teach applied music during the spring and summer terms is quite limited. Students wishing to request applied instruction during the spring and or summer terms must do the following:

Fill out an applied music request form and obtain the instructor's signature. This verifies that the instructor will be available to teach during the requested term.
Write a brief note explaining why Spring or Summer lessons are needed.
Submit the two items together to the Department Head before April 15th.
The Department Head will prioritize the requests and approve or deny them based on student need and fiscal constraints.

Applied Music Fees. Enrollment in applied music requires the payment of an applied music fee, as set by the Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents. This fee serves primarily to offset the cost of individual instruction. The current fee schedule is published in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Juries. At the discretion of the faculty, a jury may be required as a final examination in applied music. Details are made explicit in the applied music syllabus. The jury, which involves performing before a panel of faculty, takes place during exam week.

Recitals. Several degree programs have a public-performance requirement, either one or more recitals or some other related means of assessing that the performance component of the educational experience has been met.

Bachelor of Music. Bachelor of Music majors present a half recital (typically 30 minutes) in the junior year and a full recital (typically 60 minutes) in the senior year. Specific requirements are set by the faculty in the particular performance area. Each solo recital is preceded by a recital hearing, where the student's readiness for public presentation is verified by the faculty.
Bachelor of Music Education. Bachelor of Music Education students normally are expected to present a full recital, typically in the senior year. Exceptions to this must be approved by the appropriate area applied faculty (Winds/Percussion, Strings, Voice, or Keyboard).
Bachelor of Music Therapy, Bachelor of Arts/Sciences. Students in these programs are expected to perform publicly in general student recitals and the like. Readiness to perform is determined by the major teacher.
Optional recitals. Any students may request permission to present additional, non-degree recitals. Priority for scheduling dates, however, goes to degree recitals. Approval for non-degree recitals must be secured from the major teacher or other appropriate applied faculty.

Additional Recital Information. Student recitals are normally given in Alexander Recital Hall (or the Organ Recital Hall, as appropriate). Student recitals may be given in Pease Auditorium if verifiable need exists or if the auditorium would be otherwise unused.

Scheduling of Alexander Recital Hall. Scheduling will start at the beginning of each semester. Scheduling of Pease Auditorium for student recitals may be done no more than eight weeks in advance of the desired date. A recital schedule form may be obtained from the music office.

Programs for degree recitals only will be prepared by the department staff. These will have a format consistent with other department events. A style sample may be obtained in the music office. Any additional content such as acknowledgments, texts of vocal repertoire, and program notes, must be prepared and duplicated by the student. Copy for degree recital programs must be submitted to the music office no later than two weeks prior to the performance (if hard copy) or 10 days (if submitted by e-mail).

8. Recital Attendance

An important part of an education in music is listening to music intelligently. This component, which involves hearing music performed publicly, is fulfilled in two ways. The Department of Music maintains a recital attendance requirement, and students are often required to attend certain events as part of a course's requirements or as part of applied music study.

Recital-Attendance Requirement. Each music major must attend a total of 80 recitals in the course of the undergraduate career, but will receive credit for no more than 25 per year. This number will be pro-rated for transfer students and for those seeking a second bachelor's degree to reflect the number of semesters of work remaining at the time of matriculation. Normally each semester the student will attend at least ten musical events, of which five are usually the departmental recitals that take place each Tuesday at 11:00 a.m.

Recital attendance credit may be received for other musical events sponsored by the Department of Music, before which recital attendance cards are distributed. Late-comers will not be given a card. The cards are collected at the end of the program. A student who is performing on a recital or concert may receive recital attendance credit for that recital or concert if the student is performing in less than 50% of the event.

Attendance at many outside musical events may be credited toward the recital-attendance requirement. To obtain credit for a non-EMU event, please bring a ticket stub and program to the music office. The Head of the Department of Music will determine whether or not the event qualifies for recital credit.

The recital-attendance requirement must be completed before a student will be cleared for graduation.

9. Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses

It is possible for advanced undergraduate students to register for 500-level graduate courses. For specific regulations and procedures, refer to either the undergraduate or graduate catalogues. The required recommendation form is available from the Office of Records and Registration (Pierce Hall) or the Graduate School (Starkweather Hall). Discuss the proposed course and have the form signed in the Department of Music by either your advisor, by the Coordinator of Music Advising, or by the Head of the Department of Music. Return the completed form to the Graduate School. Approval to take the course will arrive by mail. You may then register for the course in the usual manner.

10. Facilities, Equipment, and Safety

Eastern Michigan University has invested a great deal in facilities and equipment to support music instruction. Students, faculty, and staff alike must recognize the value of this investment and act appropriately to maintain it for the common good. This means that all must help ensure that the building and its contents are secure, that equipment is treated with appropriate care, and that security systems such as locks are not circumvented. Students attempting to bypass security systems will be referred to the Student Judicial Office for disciplinary action. Students damaging University-owned equipment may be liable for the cost of repair or replacement.

Building Hours for Alexander Music Building. Fall and Winter Semesters: Monday-Saturday: 7:00am-10:00pm. Sunday: 1:00pm-10:00pm. Access is restricted to the south courtyard door. Music students who are practicing in the building after 10:00pm are permitted to stay until midnight. The building is closed during any university recess. Spring and Summer Semesters: Monday-Thursday: 7:00am-9:00pm. Friday: 7:00am-5:00pm. Special Events: Open only as needed for the duration of the approved event. Access is restricted to the south courtyard door. Music student practice is restricted to posted building hours. The building is closed during any university recess.

Lockers. Students may be eligible to check out a locker at the discretion of the office staff of the department. Since it is not always possible to provide a large locker, students needing large lockers may be asked to share. Decisions about locker assignments will be based on need, as reflected by course enrollments.

Keys. Occasionally a student needs to check out a key, such as for the piano corridor, the organ corridor, or various storage rooms. This may take place with the recommendation of a faculty member and the approval (signature) of the Department Head. Please inquire in the music office for details. A key deposit is required.

Uniforms. Many ensembles require a uniform. For policies pertaining to check-out, deposit, and return of uniforms, ask the ensemble director.

Practice rooms. A large number of small practice rooms, with and without pianos, are kept unlocked and are available to all students. Please take care of the rooms and their contents and report any misuse to the Music Office immediately. A few practice rooms are reserved for special purposes, such as percussion, harpsichord, harp, organ, and piano (for piano majors). Authorization to obtain a key for these rooms is given by the appropriate faculty, with the approval (signature) of the Head of the Department of Music. The doors to the piano corridor and the organ corridor are to be kept locked at all times.

Music Stands. Each music major and/or minor is required to supply his/her own portable folding music stand for use in applied music lessons, secondary instrument classes, small ensemble rehearsals, etc. Students in Dept. of Music large ensembles (bands, orchestra, etc.) may expect to use music stands belonging to the Dept. of Music for rehearsals and concerts.

11. Student Rights & Responsibilities; Conflict Resolution; Grade Grievance

Student Rights. Every student has the right to be treated with respect by other students and by faculty and staff. Discrimination, harassment and intimidation of others will not be tolerated. Students have a right to review their records.

Student Responsibilities. Each student is responsible for his/her own academic career. This includes being aware of the catalog requirements and the contents of this handbook. It also means taking responsibility for meeting obligations, caring for the property of the University and of other people, and demonstrating the commitment and pride that make a great music department. A student who acts in violation of the Student Code of Conduct will be referred to Student Judicial Services for disciplinary action.

Conflict Resolution. Conflicts between students or between a student and a faculty member may occasionally occur. Every effort should be exerted to minimize these by being aware of the rights and needs of others, and by recognizing shared goals.

When attempts to resolve conflicts privately have proven unsuccessful, a student may bring a conflict to the attention of the Department Head, who will serve as mediator. If the conflict involves a breach of the Student Code of Conduct, the matter will be referred to Student Judicial Services.

Grade Grievance. The policies on grade grievance are presented in detail at the Office of Academic Programming.