UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT Department of Music. Undergraduate Student Handbook

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1 UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT Department of Music Undergraduate Student Handbook A. Introduction This document provides to students faculty information about significant organizational aspects, degrees and programs, people, events, and activities in the Department of Music. While some of the information is extracted directly from the department s website at music.uconn.edu, the document also contains links back to this and other websites, so that additional information can be obtained. It is hoped that many of the questions that arise most frequently throughout the academic year are addressed in the following material. However, suggestions for clarification or additional material to be included are welcome and may be addressed to the department s Director of Undergraduate Studies. Of course the first important matter is a music student s entry into the department. B. Admission to the Department of Music: First-year, transfer, branchfer, school change Students wishing to enroll as first-year students and major in music at the University of Connecticut are encouraged to make informal contact with a music faculty member, preferably the appropriate applied (lesson) teacher or ensemble conductor. Information about the department and its programs is available on line at music.uconn.edu and through visits either during scheduled Open Houses or by arrangement through the department office. An on-site audition, including an aural-skills assessment, is required. Application procedures are detailed at music.uconn.edu/index.php/applications-and-auditions. Procedures for transfer students, branchfer students (from another UConn campus), and students already on the Storrs campus are essentially the same. Mid-year admission for these students is possible, providing that they audition on the date scheduled in December. Additional information about University requirements can be found at admissions.uconn.edu/content/freshman and admissions.uconn.edu/content/transfer. Financial Assistance A limited number of music scholarships are awarded each year, both to facilitate enrolling new students in areas of departmental need and to recognize the achievement of continuing students. No special application or audition is required to be considered for a departmental scholarship. Music scholarships are renewed annually during the degree, as long as the full time student

2 DoM UG Handbook 2 enrolls for a minimum 6 credits in music per semester, maintains a 3.0 grade point average, and demonstrates timely persistence to graduation. As part of the assistance detailed in financial-aid packages, some additional support may be available through campus employment of various kinds. Work study, a federally funded student-employment provision, may be part of a student s financial-aid award. Campus employment opportunities can be accessed at studentjobs.uconn.edu/jobx_findajob.aspx. Majors Fee A majors fee is charged every semester to each student majoring in music until all requirements have been met, and the degree is awarded. This fee, established by the Boardof-Trustees, is a feature of majors across campus whose instructional costs exceed the norm. No waivers are permitted. C. Departmental Organization Administrative leadership in the Department of Music rests resides in the head and associate heads, with assistance provided by an administrative assistant (Deb Trahan) and office assistant (Russell Ficarra). School of Fine Arts Staff such as the IT coordinator (David Logan) and von der Mehden Recital Hall director (Kirk Matson) support the Department as well. Faculty and Staff The Department s faculty members are organized into areas, each with a Coordinator. Irma Vallecillo, Coordinator of Keyboard Studies, Accompanying, and Chamber Music Louis Hanzlik, Coordinator of Instrumental Studies Jeffrey Renshaw, Coordinator of Conducting and Ensembles Earl MacDonald, Coordinator of Jazz Studies Alain Frogley, Coordinator of Music History and Theory Constance Rock, Coordinator of Vocal Studies Biographical and contact information for all members of the music faculty can be found at music.uconn.edu/index.php/faculty-roster. Full-time faculty members are assigned as advisors of one or more groups of students. The assigned advisor s name is indicated on the student s Student Administration site. As a general guide, questions can be directed to: Administrative Assistant Deb Trahan: advising (after student-advisor consultation), changing majors, add/drop, and plans of study. Also student information, facilities/equipment issues, scholarships, registrarial matters, campus referrals. Office Assistant Russell Ficarra: Lockers, departmentally-owned instruments, auditions, jury results, student payroll, independent study proposals, Concerto Competition applications, website.

3 DoM UG Handbook 3 D. Degrees, Majors, Areas, and Programs Undergraduate music degrees offered in the School of Fine Arts include: Bachelor of Music in Composition Bachelor of Music in Music Theory Bachelor of Music in Performance Instrumental Vocal Piano/Organ Bachelor of Arts in Music General Jazz Emphasis Music History Emphasis In addition, students interested in pursuing a major leading to certification to teach music in public schools begin their course of study as BA students in the Department of Music s Pre- Music Teaching program After applying and being admitted to the School of Education in their fourth semester, they complete also requirements for the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Music Education and finally for the Master of Arts (MA) in Teaching. The BS and MA are awarded by the Neag School of Education. Additional information about curricular requirements for all majors can be found in the university s Undergraduate Catalog and at music.uconn.edu/index.php/areas-of-study, where PDFs present sample curricular outlines showing coursework that is normally taken in each semester. The university s academic regulations, including distribution requirements pertaining to general-education coursework, are detailed at catalog.uconn.edu/acad.htm. The core music curriculum, i.e., those classes taken by all music majors, regardless of program, includes both academic and applied/performance study. Coursework includes music history, harmony, ear training, and piano. All students receive an hour of private applied instruction per week and perform in at least one major ensemble and in chamber ensembles as required. As part of applied study, they attend at least three performance classes overseen by their teachers. They also attend weekly Convocations and meet requirements for performing in them* (see endnote for table of core requirements). In addition to the core, students enroll in classes, lessons, and ensembles particular to their individual program. Specific requirements are found on the sample course outline at music.uconn.edu/index.php/areas-of-study. Also, music and most other fine arts majors are subject to the School of Fine Arts Six-credit Rule. Unless an exemption is granted by the School of Fine Arts Assistant Dean for Advising, majors must enroll in a minimum of six credits in departmental courses during each semester of full-time study. Information about special opportunities such as dual major or degree, study abroad, and the Honors Program is found on the uconn.edu website, where each program of interest can be searched individually. Assistant Dean Eva Gorbants can be consulted for additional information. E. Classes, Lessons, and Ensembles

4 DoM UG Handbook 4 Course registration occurs for incoming students during June orientation sessions with Assistant Dean Eva Gorbants (eva.gorbants@uconn.edu) and in subsequent semesters with faculty advisors. Students first consult the appropriate sample curricular outline to determine met and unmet requirements and then meet with their advisor(s) to discuss course selections. (Some courses require permission numbers obtained from the professors teaching those courses.) The advisor then releases the hold in the online registration system ( lifts the bar ), which permits a student to enter the system and complete enrollment. It is essential that students report any change in curricular plans to both their advisor and to Deb Trahan in the Department of Music Office. During the first ten days of a semester, a student may add and/or drop courses without penalty. Later changes may be possible with requisite signatures on an add-drop form. Students should receive or be able to access studio policies or syllabi for all classes, lessons, and ensembles. These documents detail instructional goals, student expectations, attendance policies, important calendar dates, and other information pertinent to the setting. Professors also make known scheduled times ( office hours ) they are available to meet individually with students. Classes, lessons, and rehearsals cancelled because of university closure need not be rescheduled. Professors are expected to make up or make substitute arrangements for classes missed for personal or professional reasons. At or near the end of each semester, students are asked to provide feedback about their experience in classes, lessons, and ensembles. Course evaluations provide instructors, departments, and the University information critical to developing and modifying curricular offerings and instructional methods. Lessons All music majors receive fourteen one-hour lessons per semester. The amount of credit varies according to major and level, and expectations for the amount and type of practice, the repertoire to be studied, the technique to be mastered, etc., are detailed by the instructor in the relevant studio policy. Unless an exception is made by the department head, participation in an appropriate ensemble, MUSI 1110, 1111, or 1112, is required each semester for students registered in MUSI The same requirement is in place for secondary lessons (MUSI 1221). One-credit lessons (30 minutes) on secondary instruments (MUSI 1221) may be available with the consent of the instructor and the department head. Accompanying Depending upon their applied area, students have varying needs for the services of one or more accompanists and must pay individually for those services, unless the accompanist is fulfilling requirements for an accompanying class or a scholarship. Students must arrive at

5 DoM UG Handbook 5 rehearsals with accompanists thoroughly prepared; lack of preparation entitles an accompanist to cancel the scheduled rehearsal. Irma Vallecillo, Accompanying Coordinator, can help students identify and contact appropriate accompanists for lessons, juries, and other performances. Accompanists set their own fees. Convocation After their initial semester, when students are enrolled in Introduction to Music Study, music majors attend a weekly, zero-credit performance workshop designed to provide exposure to music outside the major area and a venue for a yearly performance. Requests to perform at Convocation are completed on a form that requires the signatures of the applied teacher or coach and any accompanist. The Department of Music records and archives all Convocation performances. A single copy of the recording of each Convocation is placed in the Music and Dramatic Arts Library on reserve, and students may listen to their performances there. These recordings do not circulate outside the library. They are removed from the library reserve at the end of each academic term. Juries At the end of each semester, all students enrolled in applied study perform a 10-minute jury for a faculty panel of no fewer than two. Students receive from each member of the faculty panel a letter grade for the jury that is averaged with the other(s) to constitute a certain percentage of the applied-lesson grade for the semester, as specified in the grading policy on the teacher s studio syllabus. Typically at the end of the fourth semester, Bachelor of Music and Pre-Teaching majors perform for a faculty panel of no fewer than two a 20-minute promotional jury that must be passed for admission into upper-level study. As with other juries, students receive from each member of the faculty panel a letter grade for the jury that is averaged with the other(s) to constitute a certain percentage of the applied-lesson grade for the semester, as specified in the grading policy on the teacher s studio syllabus. A student must receive a B average from the panel to be considered to have passed the promotional jury. A student not passing the promotional jury is permitted one re-take, preferably during the next semester s add/drop period (the first 10 days). However, if the faculty deems another semester s study at the lower level to be in the student s best interest, the re-take can occur at the end of the fifth semester. (As three semesters of upper-level study are required for a music education major, this would necessitate taking lessons during the student-teaching semester [i.e., semester 8]). In the case of a student not passing the promotional jury, the applied teacher will communicate to the department head the panel s recommendation for an appropriate course of action. Ensembles

6 DoM UG Handbook 6 Concert Choir, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra compose the department s major ensembles. Auditions for these ensembles occur during each semester s first week of classes and are open to the entire campus. Repertoire requirements and sign-up sheets are posted on relevant bulletin boards. Assignment of students to particular ensembles is the province of the conducting faculty. Expectations for each ensemble are detailed in the appropriate syllabus. Students in the last two years of the BA Jazz Emphasis Program may enroll in Jazz Ensemble as their major ensemble. Vocal performance majors in their final year may substitute Opera Workshop for Concert Choir. A limited number of small ensembles perhaps for like instruments and generally conducted may be offered and, depending on the major, required. Additional performing opportunities are available in other departmental ensembles, in student organizations advised by departmental faculty, and in other campus organizations. Students earn credit only for participating in departmental ensembles and must be prepared to meet attendance, preparation, and the performance-attire requirements of any ensemble. Chamber Music Chamber music is for two or more players, each playing a separate part, and is not conducted. Chamber groups can be formed by students, with the approval of their applied teachers and the Chamber Music Coordinator, or assigned by the coordinator in conjunction with the relevant applied teachers. Each group is assigned a faculty or graduate-student coach who meets with them for an hour each week. Groups are expected to rehearse several times on their own between coachings. 1 The Department of Music records and places into an archive all chamber music and largeensemble performances. A rough mix version of these is placed in the Music and Dramatic Arts Library for student use (usually the morning after the performance). These rough 1 All performances presented by The University of Connecticut as part of its academic concert calendar and/or its instructional programs may be audio recorded, filmed, photographed, or videotaped. These sound and/or image recordings include performances by University of Connecticut ensembles, performing groups and organizations, as well as performances by individuals given on or off campus as part of the academic program of the University of Connecticut. Also, the University of Connecticut may photograph students or video record their images as during university-related daily activities. The University of Connecticut reserves all rights to these audio recordings, films, videotapes, and images (known collectively hereafter as Recordings ), including the right to publish, reproduce, broadcast, license, assign, and distribute the Recordings and derivatives thereof in all media, including electronic media and publication on the World Wide Web, for any purpose and without limitation including commercial release, in perpetuity. All students who are members of musical performance ensembles and/or enrolled in music classes assign to the University of Connecticut all copyright and other rights in such performances and Recordings, including any proceeds earned from commercial distribution or other use of the Recordings. In addition, a student s name and likeness may be used by the University of Connecticut and its agents in the published materials associated with these Recordings. The University of Connecticut is released from any claims arising out of broadcast, commercial distribution, and promotion of these recordings.

7 DoM UG Handbook 7 recordings are for reference and teaching purposes only, and they do not remain permanently in the library. In addition to the rough mixes, archive recordings of major ensembles are mixed and mastered professionally, catalogued, and kept as a regular part of the library collection for instructional purposes. Some compositions performed by major ensembles are selected by the conductor of those ensembles to be placed for a limited period of time as streaming files on the department s web site. It generally takes several weeks for these finished archive recordings to be mastered by the audio staff and cataloged by the library staff. In keeping with present interpretations of copyright, we pull the rough mix recordings when the finished archive recording is placed in the collection, thus maintaining only a single copy in the library. Recitals Recitals required for graduation, i.e., junior half-recital and senior recital, are preceded no later than 14 days prior to the recital date by a pre-recital jury before a panel of faculty of no fewer than two. Students receive a letter grade for the jury from each member of the faculty panel, which are averaged. A student must receive a B average from the panel to be considered to have passed the pre-recital jury and permitted to present the scheduled recital. A student who does not pass the jury is permitted one additional jury. Recitals are graded by a panel of no fewer than two faculty members. Students receive a letter grade for the jury from each member of the faculty panel, which are averaged. A student must receive a B average from the panel to be considered to have passed the recital. The applied teacher reports in writing the result of this average to the teacher-of-record for Senior Recital, i.e., the Director of Undergraduate Studies. A student performing a recital during the final eight weeks of school is exempt from taking a semester jury. Recording In addition to requests for recital recording, students can request audio/video recording sessions to prepare audition/application material or for other purposes. Most occur in von der Mehden Recital Hall, and all are approved on a case-by-case basis depending on the time required and available. Dr. Miller receives and approves the requests. It is the responsibility of the student requesting the recording first to reserve von der Mehden, and as soon as a date has been obtained, to complete the Audio Services Request form and pay the fee. Recording sessions are charged on a per-hour basis with payment for one hour of engineering time and one reference cd made at the time of the request. If the session takes more than one hour, the additional fees must be paid before the recording is released to the student. F. Facilities, Instruments, and Equipment

8 DoM UG Handbook 8 Music instruction and performance occur in a main building in separately named segments (Music, Music Library, Drama/Music) and in von der Mehden Recital Hall. Less frequent use is made of other classroom buildings and nearby church spaces, as well as Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts and the Benton Museum of Art. The use of any University/State facility for personal gain (i.e., offering private lessons) is expressly prohibited. Except for the Music and Dramatic Arts Library, which has its own hours (see music.lib.uconn.edu), the main building is open daily from 6:00 a.m. until midnight. In general, keys to locked spaces are distributed only to faculty members and teaching assistants; temporary use of keys may be available to students for specific, authorized use. Practice Rooms are located on the ground and second floors of the Music Building, and, except for those designated for restricted use, remain unlocked. Students are asked to observe the following rules for the use of practice rooms: 1. Only non-amplified instruments may be played in the practice rooms. 2. Percussion instruments may be used in percussion rooms only. 3. Rooms are to be occupied by five (5) or fewer. 4. With the exception of covered water, no food or beverages are permitted. 5. Covered water may not be placed on pianos. Most lockers are assigned at the beginning of each semester, but locker requests can be made throughout the academic year. For maximum security, locker combinations are changed every semester. A locker-request form must be submitted to obtain a locker. Computer Lab (L008) The Department of Music maintains a computer/music laboratory in room L008 of the Music Library Building. The facility houses a number of Macintosh computers equipped with MIDI keyboards, as well as office, sequencing, musical notation, and DAW software. The facility is used by several classes in the department. It is staffed and open for public use Sunday through Thursday evenings from 6:00PM to 11:00PM. Food and drink is prohibited in this facility, and students are not permitted to install or modify software on department-owned computers. Recording Studio (L007) The Department of Music maintains three recording facilities: a main recording control room and mastering studio (Music Library L007) reserved for instructional and faculty use; a remote recording facility in von der Mehden Recital Hall, used for documenting concerts and recitals, and for recording sessions for both faculty and students; and a project studio in the Music Building for use by student recording staff and students enrolled in audio, electronic music, and certain composition classes as assigned by faculty. Off-campus recording also can be arranged. The department does not lend equipment to students other than those who work as student recordists and those who use the equipment in class work. The A number of student

9 DoM UG Handbook 9 recording engineers are hired and trained each year; interested students should contact Dr. Robert Miller at Von der Mehden Recital Hall Von der Mehden is the venue for most of the department s performances, both recitals and concerts. It also provides rehearsal space for some ensembles and instructional space for a few of the university s large lecture classes. As the schedule permits, the hall sometimes can be scheduled for individual student practice. Pianos The Department of Music owns a large collection of pianos that are tuned and maintained during a weekly visit by a piano technician. While the technician s first weekly concern is the von der Mehden grands, he attends to others on an as-needed basis, using written notifications left for him in the Department of Music Office. (Forms for indicating tuning/maintenance issue are on a table outside the Office.) Any student or faculty member can make such a request, and all have responsibility for doing so. Respecting and protecting the collection is essential and includes preventing contact with food and beverages as well as personal belongings. It is useful to remember that pianos are instruments, not furniture. Instrument Collection Another large collection is the department s store of instruments, both student grade, for use in pre-music-teaching classes, and professional quality, such as specialty instruments for temporary use in lessons or ensembles and those used by the Collegium Musicum. The latter are overseen by Dr. Eric Rice and loaned to students specifically for use in the ensemble; borrowing of others can be done through Russell Ficarra. Borrowing requires signing a contract that specifies the borrower s responsibility for maintaining and securing the instrument and reporting immediately any need for repair. An instrument lost or stolen is the responsibility of the borrower; replacement cost is indicated on the contract. An instrument shared by more than one student is the responsibility of the student signing the contract. G. Events In addition to a full schedule of performances recitals, concerts, opera the Department of Music on an annual basis hosts or participates in: Admission Auditions Performances (at von der Mehden, the Jorgensen Center, the Benton Museum, or a local house of worship) Open Houses Concerto Competition Colloquia First Chair Honor Band and Directors' Clinic Commencement

10 DoM UG Handbook 10 Student assistance with some of these events ensures both smooth running and positive interactions with prospective students and other visitors. H. Student Organizations and Service Kappa Kappa Psi KKP, a National Honorary Fraternity for College Bandmembers, is a fraternal organization that promotes the advancement of college and university bands through dedicated service and support to bands, comprehensive education, leadership opportunities, and recognition for the benefit of its members and society. National Association for Music Educators NAfME is the professional organization for music educators. Collegiate members have opportunities to network with active music educators, attend workshops and clinics, and participate in activities beneficial to career preparation. NAfME s online resources provide information and materials that can be used for school assignments and research. Networking opportunities play a significant role in securing job interviews, landing jobs, and successful careers. Tau Beta Sigma TBΣ is a co-ed honorary service sorority based on serving music programs at the university level as well as in local communities while recognizing outstanding members of university bands. Committee Representation Both of the department s curricular committees, the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and the Graduate Studies Committee, request a student representative to serve with faculty members. Student representatives are instrumental in gathering student input into matters under discussion, particularly to identify potential impediments and benefits to timely degree completion. I. Student Services Students experiencing academic or health challenges are urged to seek assistance from relevant campus offices and centers. The Musicians Clinic and the Student Services Center offer multiple kinds of assistance. Access for links to other support provisions. *Core Requirements

11 DoM UG Handbook 11 All Music Students MUSI 1101, 1103, 1222, 1311, 1312, 1313, 1314 MUSI 3311, 3312, 3313, 3314, 3401, 3402, 3403 One 3000-level-or-above music history course Notes/Exceptions MUSI 1103 required of all music students during first fall semester of residence; substitutes for MUSI MUSI 1101; 1222 or 3222; and 1110, 1111, or 1112 required each semester. BA/BM voice may substitute MUSI 1119 for 1111 last 2 semesters. BM Theory & Composition-7 semesters private lessons; BA/BM keyboard-4 semesters ensemble. Four performances (1/yr.) in applied area in Convocation and/or elective recitals, approved by teacher or coach. Performance majors at least 3 solo appearances. Others solo, accompanying, chamber music. Piano proficiency equivalent to MUSI Keyboard 4 semesters MUSI Literacy requirement: Met in MUSI 1103, 3322W, 3410W, 3411, 3412, 3413, or 3421W. Writing requirement: Met in MUSI 3322W, 3410W, 3421W, any 3000-level-or-above W course in major Technology requirement: Met in MUSI 1103; 1110, 1111, or BA Jazz Also MUSI BM-Theory Also MUSI 3331 and 3351.