School of Music Guides:Graduate Student Music Handbook

General Information for Areas of Instruction

Principal Applied Instruction – Master of Music in Performance Degree

A graduate music student pursuing a Performance Degree must master the requisite technical skills for artistic expression in at least one performance area through study in principal applied lessons. As a culmination of the MUS 552 process, all graduate students will perform a recital (50-60 minutes of music.) See recital scheduling information further below in this document.Jury Exams

All graduate music majors must successfully complete a jury examination at the conclusion of each semester of principal applied (MUS 552) and minor applied (MUS 551) study. Students performing a recital may have the recital graded by the appropriate faculty in lieu of the jury for the semester in which the recital is performed at the discretion of the applied instructor. Students may perform on a minor applied instrument on a student recital and have that performance graded by the appropriate faculty in lieu of the minor applied jury for the semester in which the recital is performed at the discretion of the applied instructor.

The material and repertoire performed for the jury exam comes from material assigned in applied study during the semester. For instrumental majors, the assigned material may include, but is not limited to, scales, exercises, etudes, solos, chamber literature, and orchestral excerpts. The assigned vocal repertoire comprises memorized art songs in multiple languages, folk song arrangements, recitatives, and arias. Keyboard majors perform literature from the major style periods (e.g., Baroque, Classic, Romantic, Contemporary, etc.) In general, each member of the applied faculty establishes and states the grading policy in the course syllabus; thus, the value or weight of the jury exam on the final grade may differ between studios.

Recital Performance Requirements for Graduate Music Majors

Graduate music majors must perform at least once each semester on a solo recital, student recital, studio recital, master class, convocation, or closed recital. Then, depending upon the student's course of study and studio requirements, he or she performs a full recital (50-60 minutes of music). Students may choose to perform a non-degree recital, with approval from the Program Advisor.

All graduate students pursuing a performance degree will be required to write program notes as part of their degree recital. It is the student's responsibility to prepare and copy the program notes.

The School of Music mandates the following procedure to document a student’s performance of a recital on his or her transcript:

  1. At the beginning of the semester, the applied faculty will notify the Music Office of any students performing a recital that semester.
  2. The staff will create a section of upper division applied, MUS 555 Principal Applied Recital, 2-4 semester hours (sh).
  3. The student(s) will enroll in the newly created section of MUS 552 Principal Applied Recital as their principal applied studies for that semester. If a student fails to complete the recital, the student and must follow the procedure for receiving and removing an Incomplete (X) if appropriate.
  4. Students must perform their recital before the Last Class Day of the semester.

Ensembles

Performing in ensembles is not part of the degree plan for graduate students. However, some Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA's) and Graduate Assistants (GA's) might have ensemble participation as part of their assistantship duties. The School of Music and individual advisors will assign all GTA's and GA's their specific responsibilities prior to the semester.

Grades

Only courses in which a student earns a grade of C or better may be included in the Program of Study for a graduate degree. Students are required to present an overall average of B (3.0 GPA) or better at the end of their program of study, as well as averages of B or better in the major and minor areas of study. Therefore, every semester hour of C must be balanced by one of A to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA.

Independent Study (Mus 589)

All Independent Study course topics may be assigned at the discretion of the instructor and GraduateCoordinator.

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Graduate Committees

Comprehensive Exam Committee

All graduate students will have a faculty comprehensive exam committee, set at the beginning of the second year of study. The committee will consist of three faculty members:

  • Program Advisor
  • The following Graduate Musicology/Theory faculty will serve each student's comprehensive exam committee: Dr. Jessica Stearns and Dr. Judy Bozone

Students must complete the Comprehensive Exam Committee Form at the beginning of the semester of the scheduled exam to the Graduate Coordinator.

Recital Performance Committee

Students pursuing the Performance Degree will have a Recital Performance Committee in addition to the Comprehensive Exam Committee. Consult the Program Advisor for committee selection direction. The committee will consist of three faculty members:

  1. Program Advisor
  2. Student choice, as determined by the student and approved by the Program Advisor.
  3. Student choice, as determined by the student and approved by the Program Advisor.

Students must complete the Recital Performance Committee Form no later than October 31st of the semester prior to the exam date and turn this form into the Graduate Coordinator.

Recital Hearing

All degree recitals require a “recital hearing” to be scheduled prior to the recital in order for the instructor to give final approval to move forward with the recital. The hearing will be graded Pass/Fail. Committee members will use the Recital Performance Scoring Rubric to determine their score. The rubric consists of explanations of Performance Technique, Musicianship/Interpretation, and Professionalism/Presence. The principal applied teacher is required to be present at the hearing and the recital. Two of the three committee members must evaluate the hearing and recital and at least two committee members should be in attendance at the hearing.

The recital hearing must be scheduled no less than 10 days before the recital date. While the hearing is recommended to occur in the performance venue, it is not required. If the student fails the hearing, or individual pieces at the hearing, another hearing must be scheduled or the recital can be cancelled/postponed. The primary instructor may cancel a student recital at any time for the following reasons:

  • Lack of progress/preparation
  • Failure to schedule a recital hearing, for degree recitals
  • Failure to turn in the proper scheduling paperwork on time
  • Failure to submit program or program notes (when applicable)
  • Failure to cover accompanist fees (when applicable)

The scheduled dress rehearsal is merely a rehearsal and will not be graded by the committee. The student is ultimately responsible for the coordination of all aspects of the hearing. This includes, but is not limited to: establishing the date and time for the hearing, and ensuring all parties involved are able to attend, and reserving the performance/rehearsal space for the hearing.

Graduate Student Examinations

Written Comprehensive Examinations

A written comprehensive examination is required of all master’s candidates in the final semester of study. Students should contact the Program Advisor and/or Graduate Coordinator for specific information concerning the format of this examination in their field of study.

The comprehensive exams are administered on two consecutive days. Day 1 consists of questions related to the individual core classes (Music Theory, Music History, Music Education) taken during the degree and lasts three hours. Day 2 consists of questions related to the specific field/instrument of study (literature, pedagogy, and performance courses) and lasts three hours.

All comprehensive exams will occur on Wednesday (Day 1) and Thursday (Day 2) after Spring Break in the spring semester or equivalent times during the fall semester. There will be two sessions available both days, 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm. Make plans to be available both of these days to take the exams.

Oral Examination

The oral portion of the exams occurs one-week after the written comprehensive exam, on the second Thursday after Spring Break in the spring semester or equivalent day in the fall semester. The Graduate Coordinator will provide copies of written exams to the committee immediately after the completion of the written exams. The oral exam will include all three members of the comprehensive exam committee and include questions pertaining to, but not limited to, the answers from the written exam. Students should be prepared to discuss topics, and answer questions, related to their core classes and primary field of study. The oral exam lasts approximately one-hour.

Comprehensive Exams evaluation

The committee will complete the Comprehensive Exam Scoring Rubric and submit completed forms tothe Graduate Coordinator. The Graduate Coordinator will complete the evaluation section of the comprehensive exams form, collect the signatures of the other committee members, and submit it to the Graduate School. In some instances, a student may be required to submit additional work or retake the examination. Any additional work required from the student should be noted in the form. There is a limit of one retake for any portion of the comprehensive exam.

* Students may request a different date of the Comprehensive Exam and/or Oral Exam for extenuating circumstances only. Approval may be granted to students who are participating and involved at a significant conference and/or major performance where the dates coincide with the comprehensive exam and/or oral exams. A written request must be sent to the Graduate Coordinator, Program Advisor and Head of the School of Music during the semester prior of the semester of the scheduled exam. Provide all necessary information of the extenuating situation to be considered for an exception. If an exception is granted, students will take the exam portions prior to the posted dates.

Financial Aid

Assistantships

Many graduate students are awarded an assistantship during their studies. The specific duties and expectations of each award will be clearly outlined in the award letter sent to the student and reviewed annually. Changes in assignment or duties within an assignment are at the discretion of the School of Music and will be forwarded to the student by the School of Music or the student's program advisor.

All students receiving an assistantship must complete online training assignments by the due date. Reprimands and possible removal of assistantship may result if a student fails to complete the required trainings by the due date.

Contact the Graduate Office for specific questions related to stipend payment schedule and the Human Resources Department to sign-up for medical benefits that might be available and paperwork required to finalize the appointment.

Scholarships

The School of Music awards the Music Scholarship and determines the amount according to the talent and musicianship displayed by the student in the audition, the ensembles' need for the instrument or voice type, and the student's proposed major. Scholarships are extended to the student each successive semester for a total of four semesters subject to the student's:

  • satisfactory participation and progress in the assigned ensemble(s) and applied lesson(s) each semester,
  • satisfactory progress as a full-time student (register for minimum 6 sh),
  • minimum GPA of 3.0 to retain the Music Scholarship,

At the end of each semester, the Scholarship Committee, comprising the division directors and the School of Music Head, reviews the academic progress of all students receiving a Music Scholarship. At that time, the Committee terminates the scholarship of any student who does not meet the stated GPA and enrollment requirements or places that student on scholarship probation or suspension. Regardless, the Committee notifies the student of the action in writing. Music Scholarships appear as a credit on the student's bill. In general, students’ accounts are credited with the scholarship and waiver sometime in the first three weeks of the semester.

Music Facilities and Equipment

Music Building Hours

The Music Building will be open the following hours:

  • Monday–Friday 6:00 am to 12:00 am (limited access 11:00-12:00)
  • Saturday 8:00 am to 11:00 pm (limited access all day)
  • Sunday 12:00 pm to 12:00 am (limited access all day)

During Limited Access times, students will only be able to access the building using the swipe lock system on the front doors. Only authorized personnel are to be in the building during Limited Access hours. Students who allow non-authorized personnel to enter or who are in the building after hours are subject to disciplinary action, including the revocation of access privileges.

On evenings when the stadium is used by high schools for football games or track meets, the custodians will lock the building at 5:00 p.m. If you are in the building at that time, you may remain and practice until midnight; however, if you leave after 5:00 p.m. you must use the swipe card system to gain entry.

Building Security

The faculty, staff and students assume responsibility for building security. Faculty members may confiscate University-owned instrument left unattended by a student and levy a fine against the offending student; thus, it is the student's responsibility to make sure all instruments are secure when not in use.

Keys

Keys will be assigned to students for specific rooms and venues as they pertain to either graduate assistantships. Once a need for the key arises, a student should see the Administrative Assistant in the Music Office to order and/or sign out the appropriate key.

The Music Building Lobby and Lounge Areas

The Music Building lobby and lounge areas are designed for informal gatherings, study sessions, or as a reception area for performances. Since these spaces are used by students, faculty, and members of the audience, please make a concerted effort to keep these clean so that all may enjoy them. Please do not practice or participate in other activities in these spaces that may interfere with rehearsals or performances. You may eat in the first floor east entrance lobby; however, please do not bring any food or beverages other than capped water containers to the second floor or into any rehearsal hall, performance hall, or carpeted space in the Music Building.

Lockers

The graduate assistant for bands assigns lockers in the instrument storage rooms for University owned-instruments. Students interested in using a hallway locker must check out a locker from the Music Office during the first week of class in the fall for a $10.00 fee. Since the University owns the lockers, the University may inspect the locker and evict the user at any time. Lockers are intended for the storage of items that are in direct support of artistic and curricular activities (instruments, sheet music, text books, etc.). Items that may cause harm to the building or its occupants, including flammable or combustible items, and those that are not allowed in other campus facilities are prohibited. Empty lockers may not be claimed or used without an official request from the music office. Items that are found in a locker that has not been issued by the Music Office will be removed. If you wish to change lockers after one has been issued to you, you may request a change through the office. You are responsible to report any damage to the music office and may be expected to pay for repair or replacement if the locker was damaged due to negligence or misuse. Lockers should remain locked at all times. The university is not responsible for lost or stolen property, especially if you fail to lock your locker.

Practice Rooms

The practice rooms are a vital part of any music institution. To maintain clean practice rooms with usable pianos, please be individually and collectively accountable. Care and Maintenance of the Practice Rooms

  • Leave practice rooms in a clean, orderly state.
  • Do not bring food or drink into the practice rooms. You may bring water in a capped container and set the container on the floor, but never on the piano!
  • Throw away your trash and any other found refuse into the trash cans located in the hallway.
  • Plastic bottles and aluminum cans may be placed in the recycling bin located in the east lobby entrance
  • Do not attempt to reserve practice rooms by leaving instruments, music, or cases in them.
  • Do not move stands from the rehearsal halls; rather, provide your own wire stand for the practice rooms.
  • Do not practice in the hallways, sound locks, or any undesignated space at any time.
  • Do not leave cases in the hallway during your practice session.

Finally, to ensure that every music major has the opportunity to practice the School of Music has established the following guidelines:Daytime Practice Hours

  • Monday through Friday: 6:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. (Evening Rules in effect after 5:00 p.m.)

Daytime Rules

  • The occupant is limited to 30-minute sessions.
  • The occupant must vacate at the half-hour.
  • The occupant may reclaim the room for an additional 30-minute session is no one is waiting.
  • Wind players are limited to the 12 rooms in the East Wing. Pianists and vocalists are strongly encouraged to use the practice rooms in the Central Wing when available.

Evening Rules (Sunday through Thursday: 5:00 to 10:30 p.m.)

  • Woodwind majors may use Rms. 168, 170, 172, 174.
  • Brass majors may use Rms. 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 176.
  • Voice majors may use Rms. 169, 171 in the East Wing and 137, 138, 140, 142, and 144 in the Central Wing.
  • Piano majors may use Rms. 136, 137, 138, 140, 141, 142, 144, and 145 in the Central Wing.
  • Percussion majors may sign up through Percussion GA for weekly time in percussion practice rooms and the percussion ensemble room. The percussion students may also sign up for practice times in the band hall and Ellison Hall when those rooms are not in use for sectional rehearsals. (NB: The Dual-Purpose Classroom (Rm. 158) is not available for percussion practice in the evenings.)
  • The occupant must vacate at the half-hour.
  • The occupant may reclaim the room for an additional 30-minute session if no one is waiting.
  • If unoccupied 5 minutes after the half-hour, the room is considered open to all instruments or voice; however, winds are still restricted to the 12 rooms of the East Wing. Dual Purpose Classroom, Band Room, and Ellison Hall (5:00 to 10:30 p.m.)
  • These rooms are open for chamber ensembles and sectionals. (NB: Percussionists may sign up for a time in the band room or Ellison Hall when those rooms are not in use for chamber ensembles or sectionals.)
  • The Dual Purpose Classroom (Rm. 158) and Ellison Hall are regularly scheduled by ensemble directors or, in the case of chamber ensembles, scheduled by sponsoring applied faculty through Nancy Melton.

After-Hours (Sunday through Thursday: 10:30 pm to 12:00 a.m.)

  • The building will be locked at 11:00 p.m.; however, students who are in good standing as music majors have permission to stay later and practice.
  • The UPD will make spot checks of the building after closing time. Any students found in the building after posted hours will be instructed to leave immediately and will be subject to disciplinary action, including the revocation of access privileges. (NB: the custodial staff has been instructed to tell the students they need to leave and if there is an issue, they will call UPD.)
  • All students staying after-hours must exit through a panic-bar door and double-check that it locks behind them.
  • The Music Office will compile a list of qualified students. This list will be regularly updated and given to UPD and the Facilities Office.

Music Library

The School of Music's music holdings (e.g., books, recordings, scores) are housed in the Waters Library. Currently, Sarah Northam is the designated faculty liaison for the School of Music. Students may check out printed music materials at the Circulation Desk once they have acquired a call number for the respective material. Students may listen to audio materials on the 3rd floor in the curriculum area of the library. Students may only listen to recordings in the library—they may not check out audio materials. Additionally, the Waters Library has acquired subscriptions to a wide variety of online reference, audio, and video resources. Students may access these resources after contacting the Waters Library staff and completing all registration requirements.

Music Fraternities, Sororities, and Student Organizations

Students at A&M-Commerce have the opportunity to join an music fraternity or sorority or other student association. These organizations provide academic recognition for the members, service to the School of Music, and the opportunity for social interaction among those interested in music. Students may learn more about and join these organizations during rush week each spring. The music organizations comprise:

  • Kappa Kappa Psi
  • Tau Beta Sigma
  • Mu Phi Epsilon
  • Phi Mu Alpha
  • MTNA Student Chapter
  • Roaring Trombones
  • Mariachi
  • Clarinet Coalition
  • Percussion Association
  • A&M-Commerce Affiliate Chapter of the International Trumpet Guild
  • Student NATS

Scheduling Recitals, Concerts and Other Events

Students must adhere to the procedure for scheduling events if all aspects of a performance are to run smoothly.

  1. Check with your applied instructor about the procedure in your instrument area. All A&MCommerce students must obtain the permission of the instructors in their instrument area (e.g., piano, brass, percussion, string, voice, woodwinds) to perform a recital on campus. Some areas require a recital preview; in other areas the procedure is less formal.
  2. Check the Performance Hall calendars on the School of Music web-site for possible recital dates. The School will not permit a simultaneous ensemble performance in the Concert Hall and a recital performance in the Recital Hall. Concert times:
    • Monday-Friday: 6:00 and 7:30
    • Saturday and Sunday: 3:00, 4:30, 6:00 and 7:30
  3. Complete the Recital Scheduling Form from the music web-site to officially schedule a recital. All wind and voice recitals will be in the Recital Hall; the percussion and piano recitals will be in the Concert Hall. A student performing a recital may have one two-hour dress rehearsal in the performance venue (2 two-hour rehearsals for percussion students) and must note that rehearsal date and time on the scheduling form. Additional rehearsal time in the venue may be arranged— depending upon the availability of the facility—by the respective applied teacher through the Music Office.
  4. Obtain the permission/signatures required by the scheduling form.
  5. Check with ALL faculty/committee members who will be evaluating your recital.
  6. Submit the form to the Music Office no later than three weeks prior to event. Any changes to the event must be made at the earliest possible moment through the Music Office.
  7. Please see the section on piano accompanists for information regarding accompanist fees.
  8. Provide a check payable to the A&M-Commerce School of Music for $45 with the submission of the form, or use a credit card to pay through the campus Marketplace system. Students performing a recital must have the performance recorded using the School of Music’s equipment and Recording Crew—an archival copy is required for accreditation and grade. The Music Office will provide a receipt to the student. Then, the student will give the receipt to the Recording Crew captain. Following the recital, the crew will provide both the student and the applied instructor one copy of the recording and will place another copy in the office archives.
  9. If you plan a reception prior to or after the recital, provide a $50 deposit with the submission of the form. If the prep kitchen is clean with all utensils put away the following morning, the Department will return the deposit check. If not, the Music Office will cash the check.
  10. Program information should be sent to School of Music no less than 14 days before the recital. Include ALL information required for program: composition titles, movement titles, composers, composer dates, additional musicians, instrument, date of recital, time of recital, degree or non-degree recital, and primary instructor(s) for recital material.
  11. Program Notes: All program notes will be formatted and copied by the performer. The School of Music will not print program notes.
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