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2008-2009 Student Handbook (PDF)


Program Information Form (.PDF)
Performance Assessment Form (.PDF)
Performance Assessment Rubric (.PDF)
Recital Program Template (.DOC)
Authorization Request Form (.PDF)

Department of Music (Student Advisory Council) BLOG

Music Department Office
3rd Floor Robinson Hall Building

Royce Lumpkin is the Chair of the Department. He is ready to aid you in any way he can with your musical education. If you need to see him, please schedule appointments with Denise Shropshire in the Music Office.

Denise Shropshire and Melanie Johnson are the Departmental Secretaries and they are responsible for student records. See them also for registration permits, drop-add, degree plans, special requests, change of major, or for guidance on university procedures. Faculty mailboxes (to leave messages) are located in the department office. To leave phone messages, call 687-2472 or 687-2899.

During the freshman year, the College of Arts and Sciences will provide academic advising. Following that, you will be assigned a music-faculty adviser, who will oversee your course of study, help you prepare your semester schedules, and provide academic counseling. In most cases, this individual will be your applied music teacher. Please note that it is ultimately your responsibility to make sure that you meet all requirements for graduation.

The bulletin board outside the Band Rehearsal Room and the Choral Rehearsal Room is the central place for posting information for students. Bulletin boards are also located outside the department office. Students should check the boards regularly.

Auditions

Ensembles

All music majors are required to perform with a major ensemble every semester they are enrolled at UNC Charlotte (see below for the major ensemble requirements for specific areas), except for the semester during which they are enrolled in Student Teaching or the Senior Project. Similarly, any non-majors who are enrolled in Applied Music must participate in at least one major ensemble that semester. Any exception to these requirements must be granted in writing on a case-by-case basis by the department chair. Only grades of "C" or better will be accepted as passing grades for these courses.

With the concurrence of their advisor, music majors can perform in up to two additional ensembles. In any event, all students are limited to participation in a total of three ensembles, including the required large ensemble.

Major Ensemble Policy Statements

Choral Area. As determined by audition and placement by the Director of Choral Activities, University Chorale or Chamber Singers will serve as the major ensemble for all voice majors and concentrations (performance, music education, B.A. degree). Vocalists are also encouraged to participate in Opera Workshop and/or Vocal Jazz Ensemble, with the permission of their advisor.

Instrumental Area. As determined by audition and placement by the Director of Bands, Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Band will serve as the major ensemble for all wind and percussion majors and concentrations. The Orchestra will serve as the major ensemble for string majors and concentrations, and the Guitar Ensemble will serve as the major ensemble for guitar majors and concentrations. Instrumentalists are also encouraged to participate in chamber music groups and/or the Jazz Ensemble, with the permission of their advisor. Music Education majors are especially encouraged to participate in the jazz program for at least two semesters.

Piano Area. Piano majors and concentrations must consult each semester with Dr. Dylan Savage to determine their ensemble requirements.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS OF ALL MAJORS

In addition to the course requirements for the major and the general education requirements, ALL MUSIC MAJORS MUST also meet the following requirements:

  1. Perform with a major ensemble each semester enrolled at UNC Charlotte, except for the semester the student is enrolled in Student Teaching or the Senior Project.

  2. Take applied lessons every semester and perform a jury for music faculty at the end of each semester, except for the semester the student is enrolled in Student Teaching or the Senior Project.

  3. Successfully complete two semesters of Music Practicum (MUSC 1401).

  4. Successfully complete six semesters of Recital and Concert Attendance (MUSC 1300)

  5. Pass the Sophomore Screening examination.

  • B.A. in Music majors must prepare and present a Senior Project.

  • B.M. in Music Education majors must present a 30-minute senior recital.

  • B.M. in Performance majors must present a 30-minute junior recital and a 50-minute senior recital.

Juries

All students enrolled in Applied Music must perform before a jury at the end of each semester, with exceptions granted for juniors and seniors who have given solo recitals in that particular semester. Juries will be held during the final examination period, and the performance will consist of appropriate repertoire for the instrument or voice, to be selected by the applied music teacher. Music majors may also be requested to sight-read and/or play scales in their principal applied area. Juries will be approximately 10 minutes in duration. Evaluations will be made available to the applied music instructor by no later than the last day of the final exam period. The departmental grading policy for juries states that the final grade given by the instructor for Applied Music cannot be more than one grade removed (higher or lower) from the jury grade. The private teacher is encouraged to attend the jury but will not grade his/her own student for this performance. An unexcused absence from a jury will result in failure in Applied Music.

Sophomore Screening

  1. All music majors are required to meet basic proficiency standards in keyboard skills (a prepared piece, scales and arpeggios, harmonization, transposition, and sight-reading), sight-singing (major and minor melodies), and sight-reading on the principal instrument. Collectively, these proficiency exams are referred to as the Sophomore Screening.

  2. To optimize each students chances of successful completion of the Sophomore Screening, attendance policies will be in place in all music theory classes and class piano.

  3. Syllabi for each music theory and piano class will clearly spell out the level of achievement expected for that particular course

  4. At the end of their freshman year, students whose progress in music theory or class piano has not been sufficient to demonstrate the likelihood of completing a degree will be so notified in writing of the facultys concerns.

  5. Each music student will be required to take the Sophomore Screening Exam at the end of their sophomore year, or at the time they complete their fourth semester of Class Piano and/or Ear Training.

  6. If after three attempts of the piano proficiency the student has not passed all requirements, he or she must register for Class Piano IV again.

  7. If after three attempts of sight-singing and sight-reading the student has not passed all requirements, he or she must register for Ear Training IV again.

  8. If a student has to repeat a course as above, and completes it with a passing grade, the student will have met the Sophomore Screening requirement for that particular area of competence.

PLEASE NOTE: All aspects of the Sophomore Screening must be passed before a Junior or Senior Recital hearing, the MESSE (for Music Education majors), or the Senior Project (for B.A. students) may be scheduled.

Guidelines for Piano Proficiency

  1. Prepared Piece. This piece should be an approved selection from a list recommended by the Class Piano instructor.

  2. Scales. Each student should be able to demonstrate two-octave major and minor scales up to and through four sharps and flats. They will be asked to play two major and two minor scales, and will have two opportunities to successfully play each scale. Correct fingerings are required.

  3. Arpeggios. Students will have two opportunities to play two major and two minor arpeggios (associated with the scales above) successfully over a range of two octaves.

  4. Harmonization. Students will be invited to play through the melody alone and to play the I, IV, and V chords alone. They then have two opportunities to play the example with appropriate harmony.

  5. Transposition. Students will have two opportunities to successfully play a melody up or down a step or a half-step.

  6. Sight-Reading. Students will have two opportunities at playing through the sight-reading example at a reasonable tempo.

*In the grading of each part of the piano proficiency exam, more than three errors per example will result in a fail on that attempt.

Junior/Senior Recital Requirements

Each performance major must present both a Junior Recital (at least 30 minutes of music) and a Senior Recital (at least 50 minutes) as a requirement for graduation. Music Education majors will be required to play a Senior Recital (at least 30 minutes) only. No student may present a recital until authorized by the faculty, following a Hearing to be scheduled no less than three weeks prior to the projected recital date. Authorization by the faculty will be contingent upon the quality of the performance at the Hearing. Recitals may be performed during the fall and spring terms only, and Music Education majors should perform the recital the semester prior to Student Teaching.

Attendance and Repertoire Requirements

Students are expected to attend punctually all scheduled sessions in the courses for which they are registered and are responsible for completing the work from all class sessions. Absences from class may be excused by the instructor for such reasons as personal illness, religious holidays, or participating as an authorized University representative in an out-of-town event. Absences for other reasons, including fulfilling the requirements of another class, will not be excused. Whenever possible, students are expected to seek the permission of the instructor prior to absences. Each instructor determines the attendance regulations for his or her classes, including rehearsals and/or applied lessons. It is the responsibility of teachers to communicate these requirements to students, and for students to inquire about them at the beginning of each semester. All students will receive course syllabi, which will outline the attendance requirements for those classes.

Since performance in an ensemble is a group activity and a team effort, and since the musical result will be diminished for the entire group if individuals are absent, no unexcused absences are allowed from either rehearsals or performances. Any unexcused absence or excess absences for any reason can result in the lowering of the grade for the course, and failure to attend a performance will result in a failing grade for the class. Students must present excuses to the instructor in writing.

Applied teachers will determine their own repertoire requirements, although majors with an emphasis in voice, piano, and guitar must follow specific guidelines. Students have the right to request repertoire requirements in writing at the beginning of each semester.

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