Music Handbook
The Music Department handbook provides music majors and minors with a description of policies and procedures adopted by the music faculty at Adrian College. This handbook is updated periodically. When a policy is updated, students shall be notified and the policy will take effect immediately. Students "grandfathered" out of certain policies will be decided upon by the department chair in consultation with other music faculty on an individual basis. Questions regarding the policies of the department should be directed to the department chair.
Little else supersedes the importance of your weekly private lesson. At the same time, you may not use your lesson time as an excuse to miss or be late to your other classes. You are expected to arrive on time to your lesson fully prepared with music, pencil, and any other materials required by your instructor. An instructor has the right to dismiss you from your lesson if you are not prepared.
Choosing to study with an applied instructor at Adrian College is
regarded as a commitment to that particular instructor's teaching
philosophy. For this reason, it is not appropriate for a student to
take ongoing concurrent lessons with another teacher without the
approval of the Adrian College applied instructor. Outside
instruction during the summer is permitted and encouraged.
Your applied instructor may have specific policies regarding absences described in their syllabus which you will receive at the beginning of each semester of study. In general, if you are ill or must miss a lesson, you MUST notify your instructor 24 hours in advance either in person, by phone, or by e-mail. Notifying an instructor 24 hours in advance allows you the opportunity to have a make-up lesson. Less than a 24-hour notice results in a forfeiture of your lesson for that week.
Your applied instructor may have specific policies regarding grading described in their syllabus which you will receive at the beginning of each semester of study. Your instructor is the only faculty member that determines your applied lesson grade. In addition to preparation and progress in your weekly lesson, your applied lesson grade will also reflect your consistent attendance and performance in studio class, as well as your concert attendance.
record (as described below).
All music majors and minors are allowed one 30-minute coaching session with a staff accompanist each week. A schedule of coaching hours will be posted two weeks in advance on the bulletin board outside the music office. Sign-ups for coaching is done on a first-come, first served basis. Only students preparing for a recital may "lock" a regular weekly coaching session on the schedule. Coaching instructors reserve the right to adjust the schedule as necessary.
You MUST sign up at least 24 hours in advance for a coaching session! If you register for a coaching session and realize later that you can not attend, please remove your name from the sign-up sheet as soon as possible so that another student may sign-up into your spot. If a student misses a coaching session without notice, he/she must pay a $20 fine to the music office before they are allowed to sign up for another coaching session.
Music majors and minors are expected to regularly attend department-sponsored concerts and recitals, including the "on-campus" ASO concerts (see schedule). While no student is expected to attend 100% of all concerts and recitals, students should make an effort to attend a majority of these events. Attendance of music majors and minors will be taken to ensure students are meeting this expectation. Lack of attendance at recitals and concerts will result in a lowered applied music grade. Obviously, students should not miss class in order to attend a concert. BM, BA and Musical Theatre students must meet this requirement each semester; BME students must meet this requirement each semester except during student teaching; BA in Arts Mgt and Minors are expected to meet this requirement for four semesters (same as applied lessons).
All music majors and minors must perform a jury each semester of their applied study. Music faculty members provide written feedback to students using a Jury Sheet. Students may review their jury sheets in the days following their jury with their applied instructor. All jury sheets are filed in each student's portfolio and may be reviewed at any time.
The jury provides the music faculty an opportunity to hear and discuss the progress of every student in the program. Students are expected to demonstrate consistent progress in their jury performances. If the faculty, in consultation with the applied instructor, feel that a student is not demonstrating sufficient progress, that student may be placed on probation.
While every jury is important, the jury at the end of the sophomore year is a landmark jury called the sophomore barrier. If a student does not pass the sophomore barrier, then it will be necessary for that student to meet with his/her advisor and other faculty to consider other degree alternatives outside of music.
Students do not perform a jury during the same semester as their junior or senior recitals.
Students must provide sheet music to their jury accompanist at least two weeks in advance. Students may not perform a piece in juries without having at least one coaching session prior to jury day with the accompanist on the music to be performed. If a student is unable to adequately rehearse with his/her accompanist, that student will perform their jury without accompaniment. It is the student's responsibility to find adequate rehearsal time with the accompanist. The best way to accomplish this is to sign-up for a coaching time early and always arrive on time to your coaching appointment.
Our department secretary, Ann Konz, will post a sign-up sheet outside the Music Office two weeks prior to juries. There will be instructions and Jury Sheets for you to pick up and fill out.
Ann Konz, the department secretary, will provide jury sheets to students two weeks prior to juries. These sheets must be completed, signed by your applied instructor, and returned to Ann Konz no later than 48 hours prior to your jury day. Failure to complete your jury sheet on time may result in your jury being cancelled.
Jury sheets are used by the faculty to assess each student's performance. The rating scales on the sheet are used for departmental assessment. Only your applied music instructor will determine your final grade for your applied lessons. Juries will provide your instructor one of several assessment tools for determining your final grade.
Completed jury sheets are filed in your student portfolio which is kept in the Music Office. You may review your jury sheets at any time. Only you and the music faculty have access to your portfolio. No other students have access to your jury sheets.
Illness is bound to strike during juries. If you are ill, inform your applied instructor and ask him/her for an evaluation as to whether you should perform or not. Only your applied instructor can excuse you from juries. If you are excused from juries, please inform your accompanist as soon as possible. Being excused from a jury does not affect your grade or standing in the department.
An Unexcused absence from jury will result in probation and may result in being excused from the degree program.
Freshman Requirements for Juries
Instrumental: Prepare a minimum of two works; an extended work may take the place of multiple works.
Vocal: Fall - perform 2 works
Spring - perform 3 works (in two languages)
Sophomore Requirements for Juries
Instrumental: Prepare a minimum of three works; an extended work may take the place of multiple works.
Vocal: Fall - perform 4 works (in three languages)
Spring - perform 6 works (In three languages)
A student performing their sophomore barrier jury should sign up for two consecutive jury time slots.
Junior Requirements for Juries
Instrumental: Prepare a minimum of four works; an extended work may take the place of multiple works.
Vocal: Fall - perform 4 works (in three languages)
Spring - perform 4 works (in three languages)
Senior Requirements for Juries
Instrumental: Prepare a minimum of four works; extended works may take the place of multiple works.
Vocal: Fall - perform 5 works (in four languages)
Spring - Senior Recital
Students pursuing a Music Minor will follow the repertoire guidelines required for freshmen and sophomores.
Musical Theatre Senior Project
A
music theatre senior project requires that the student put together
a 60-minute performance of solo songs, duets, monologues and scenes
from published dramatic scripts and musical theatre repertory.
Choreography created by the student will also be included. The
recital should include pieces from several different musical theatre
eras. The recital should include at least one duet with another
singer. The recital should include at least one monologue from a
play and one scene from a play with another actor. Scenes and
monologues cannot be from films or original work. The recital should
include at least two dance numbers that the student has
choreographed. One number should feature the student in a solo dance
and the other should include the student with at least one other
dancer. The student will need to present a variety of character
types, for example, age, comedy/tragedy, class.
The student must contact their advisor to establish a performance
date within the first two weeks of the fall term, regardless of the
term they are performing. The student should be in regular
consultation with faculty in both the Theatre and Music departments.
If there is going to be a recording of the show, all of these
expenses and arrangements will be handled by the student.
The written documentation of this project includes a statement by
the student explaining his/her rationale for the inclusion of each
role element in the recital and a self-assessment project paper. A
rehearsal journal that contains notes, thoughts, and ideas about
approaches to characterizations, insights and/or problems areas that
arise is not required but is highly recommended.
The Musical Theatre Senior Project may be performed in either the
fall or spring semester of the senior year.
The program in Music challenges students to achieve excellence in musical performance through active and creative learning in a supportive community. Students are educated through a series of required and elective courses in applied music, performance, theory, history, and a senior capstone solo recital. Students graduating with a major in music will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in the synthesis of preparing and performing music based on informed historical and theoretical practice. The program is designed to prepare students to engage fully in the creative arts; think critically as they explore multiple points of view; make connections across disciplines; and continue to pursue knowledge throughout one’s life.
The following degree programs require a Piano Proficiency Exam:
BM - Performance
BME - Music Education
BA - Music
Students prepare for the exam by taking Keyboard I - IV or electing to take Applied Piano in place of the Keyboard classes. The final exam for Keyboard IV is the Piano Proficiency Exam (usually taken at the end of the sophomore year). The exam includes scales, chord construction, chord progressions, 5-note exercises, transposition, accompanying a melody, playing 4-part harmony (hymn), and performance of a prepared piano piece. The exam is adjudicated by the keyboard professor and department chair. The exam must be repeated if a student fails one or more parts of the test. Music Education majors must pass the exam prior to student teaching. BM and BA students must pass the exam prior to performing their Senior Recital or project.
All music majors and minors have a portfolio file in the Music Office. Jury sheets, recital programs, copies of harmony and ear training final exams, and copies of music history papers are all collected in this file. A student may review his or her folder at any time by simply requesting the file from Ann Konz, the department secretary. Portfolios are used by the Music Department in the program assessment process.
A music student may be put on probation as a result of poor performance in jury, low GPA in music course work, lack of progress in applied lessons.
The following music degree tracks have a recital requirement:
BM - Bachelor of Music in Performance - requires a Junior and Senior Recital
BME - Bachelor of Music in Music Education - requires a senior recital
BA - Bachelor of Arts in Music - requires a senior recital
BA - Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre - please see Musical Theatre Senior Project
Students pursuing a degree in Arts Management or a Minor in Music may elect to perform a recital, but it is not required for the degree. Please see non-academic recital for information regarding the accompanist fee.
The recital should consist of repertoire drawn primarily from the traditional oeuvre of classic musical literature. A senior recital is traditionally 45 to 60 minutes in length and usually contains an intermission. The junior recital is traditionally 25 to 35 minutes in length and may or may not have an intermission. Junior recitals are usually coupled with other junior recital performances (two at a time). Senior recitals usually stand alone.
The repertoire should reflect a variety of composers and stylistic periods appropriate to the instrument. The applied instructor MUST approve all selections performed on a recital.
Program notes are required to be written by the student for each piece on the program. The program notes will be printed as part of the program and must be turned in to Ann Konz one week prior to performance.
Recital dates should be put on the music calendar at least four months in advance. Be sure to set the date for your Recital Jury when you set your recital date. See Ann Konz, department secretary, to get your Recital Checklist as you begin to plan your recital. Students must confirm with the following personnel to set a recital date:
- your applied music instructor
- your accompanist
- music department secretary
- music department chair
Only when these four parties agree on dates for both the recital jury and the recital, can the date be set in the calendar.
If a recital must be postponed, the student may NOT take an incomplete. The student must re-take the recital course (junior or senior) and register for applied lessons as well.
Your first step to setting up your recital is to stop by the Music Office to pick up a recital checklist from Ann Konz, the department secretary. The checklist provides you a step-by-step process for choosing a date, getting departmental permission, reserving the space with the Conferences Office, and begins the process of preparing the printed program, program notes, invitations, and posters.
Students must communicate with their accompanist as soon as he/she begins planning the recital. The accompanist MUST have copies of ALL music at least one month in advance of the recital. It is the student's responsibility to organize and prepare copies of music for the accompanist. Failure to provide this service will result in the cancellation of the recital.
Before a student is permitted to perform a recital, he/she must first pass the recital jury. A recital jury must take place AT LEAST ten days prior the actual recital date. It is performed in the actual recital space and is attended by the department chair and the applied instructor. The student is required to perform the entire recital as it will be presented in the actual recital performance (with the accompanist and any other performers who will be appearing in the recital). Final approval for the actual recital performance is granted only after the student successfully passes the recital jury. Lack of preparation at the recital jury will result in the postponement of the Recital performance. If a recital must be postponed, the student may NOT take an incomplete. The student will receive an "F" for the course and then retake the course for a new grade. The student who must repeat their recital course work must also register and pay for applied lessons.
Students should write program notes based on their own research of the music being performed. Each piece should include notes. They should appear as a single paragraph under each title or separately with the title and composer clearly listed. Notes should contain general information about the composer and explain why the composer is important in music. They should also include information about the piece being performed, including: why it was written, whether it is an arrangement, why the piece is important in music or to the particular instrument, and whether there are any structural elements the audience should listen for. If the student is performing a set of pieces by a single composer, then each piece or movement in the set should be briefly discussed (i.e. the Largo movement and the Allegro movement are two distinct pieces and deserve individual commentary). Resources for program notes include the internet, Grove’s Dictionary of Music, recording jacket notes, the student’s own analysis, and other library resources. If there is a particular reason why a piece was included on the program that should be explained as well. The student’s program notes should be original, and the notes should be approximately 200 words in length. Singers must also provide translations of all songs in foreign languages - this does not count as part of the "program notes". The recital notes MUST be proof read by at least two faculty members prior to printing.
A student may elect to do a recital not required for their particular degree. For instance, a student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in music may choose to do a junior recital. Any recital, whether it be elective or required, must be approved by the applied instructor of that instrument and the department chair. No recital jury is required for elective recitals. There is a $250 accompanist fee for all elective recitals (recitals required by a degree track will not have this fee). The fee is to be paid directly to the accompanist at the time of the recital.
The jury that takes place at the end of the sophomore year is called the sophomore barrier. Music faculty will decide at this time whether a student is permitted to continue with their degree work in music. If a student is making good progress in applied lessons and doing "B" or better work in academic course work, he or she will pass the sophomore barrier. If a student does not pass the sophomore barrier, they are put on probation.
Sophomore barrier requirements:
- Copies of music must be provided to
faculty
- 30 minutes in length allows for
adequate performance and discussion
- Take place at the end of the jury day
- Applied instructor should make every
effort to attend. If unable to attend, the applied
instructor should provide a written statement to the faculty
regarding their position on the student’s progress and
potential to continue in the degree.
Students who perform in Studio Class may be selected to perform on a Student Recital Hour, a formal student recital featuring several singers and instrumentalists. The Studio Class coordinator shall select who will perform on a Student Recital Hour. These recitals take place in Dawson Auditorium three or four times each semester (See Schedule).
Studio Class (View Schedule)
All music majors and minors are required to participate in studio class which takes place on Tuesdays 12:00-12:50 for singers and on Thursdays 12:00 - 12:50 for instrumentalists. Studio class is managed by a faculty coordinator who will take roll, make announcements, organize student performances, and facilitate discussion after performances. Students are expected to perform twice each semester in studio class. Students must rehearse with an accompanist prior to performing in studio class. There may be times when a student must perform without accompaniment. Every three to four weeks, some students will be selected by the coordinator to perform on Student Recital Hour.