Student Handbook
Rev. 6/1/07

MUSIC THEORY PLACEMENT

Students following a music major, music minor, or music concentration curriculum must demonstrate fundamental music theory proficiency prior to enrollment in MUS 103 (Harmony & Analysis I) & MUS 104 (Aural Skills I). This may be accomplished through completing MUS 090 - Fundamentals of Music or through a placement exam. This exam is administered during the first week of fall semester classes or by appointment.

The proficiency exam consists of terminology, clefs, major and minor scales, including the harmonic minor and melodic minor forms, key signatures, rhythm, and triads. You may download (PDF) a study guide to help you decide whether you wish to take the placement exam. Terminology and general format for the exam are consistent with the material presented in the MUS 090 text as listed below.

Ottman, Robert W. and Mainous, Frank. Rudiments of Music Theory, Pearson--Prentice Hall, Copyright © 2004. ISBN 0-13-182655-7

Also included as part of the proficiency exam is a demonstrated ability to tap rhythms at sight, which is facilitated through computer testing. With the guidance of the professor, students may work at their convenience and at their own pace to complete the necessary computer rhythm modules.

Students who have prior course work in music theory and/or aural skills may request advanced placement into the music theory sequence. Assessment exams will be scheduled on an individual basis.

PIANO PROFICIENCY

All non-keyboard music majors and sacred music concentration students are required to take the piano proficiency as the final exam for the second semester of class piano. Students not passing the proficiency will be required to repeat second semester class piano (MUS 106) until they pass the exam.  

Students must pass each section of the proficiency exam with an average grade of C- or better in order to pass the exam. For example, if a student earns a B on Part One and a D on Part Two, the student has failed the exam.

Requirements:

Part One--Technique Skills (Average grade must be C- or better)

·         All major and minor scales, two octaves, ascending and descending in eighth notes, hands separately. Metronome speed: quarter note=50. Correct fingering is required.

·         All major and minor triad inversions, one octave, ascending and descending in half notes, hands separately. Metronome speed: quarter note=72. Correct fingering is required.

·         Vocal warm up beginning in any key (vocal warm up sheet available).

·         Chord progressions in all major and minor keys (sheet available).

Part Two--Reading/Repertoire Skills (Average grade must be C- or better)

·         Two contrasting solos, one of which should demonstrate correct use of the damper pedal. Music education majors must play a patriotic song as one of the two selections. Memory is not required.

·         Prepared harmonization: harmonize two melodies assigned in advance by the piano faculty. Be prepared to play ONE of the two melodies transposed up or down a whole step.

·         Sight Reading : After a 10-minute preparation, play three short selections, one of which may be a lead sheet with letter or Roman Numeral symbols.

APPLIED MUSIC COURSES

Applied music courses are offered in three divisions, Preparatory Division, Lower Division, and Upper Division. These divisions are characterized by the level of proficiency required and by the amount of literature covered in your lessons.

Preparatory division applied music courses are appropriate for students who:

·         Are enrolled in majors other than music

·         Have not yet completed an entrance audition

·         Are preparing to pass the piano proficiency

·         Do not yet demonstrate college level performance.

Prep division applied music courses do not meet the requirements for a music major or minor, but they do fulfill the applied music requirement for students holding a Music Participation Scholarship.

Lower division applied music courses generally serve students following a music major or minor as well as students in other majors who demonstrate appropriate technique and musicianship. All of the music majors and minors require lower division.

Upper division applied music courses require the successful completion of an Upper-Division Applied Exam. This exam generally follows the sophomore year and is designed to ensure that students entering their junior year have developed the necessary technical and artistic proficiency. Students not successfully completing their Upper-Division Applied Exam are not eligible to enroll in upper division applied music courses.  

As part of the Upper-Division Applied Exam, students following a music major curriculum will present an oral presentation at the time of their applied exam. This presentation will involve a formal evaluation of verbal communication skills through a ten-minute presentation of the history, style, and any unusual musical or technical elements of the literature being performed on that applied exam. Students should provide a brief bibliography on sources consulted. Students will be evaluated based on the following rubric.

PRACTICE GUIDELINES

Each student will be studying applied music in a principal area, and some will choose to study in secondary areas as well.  Although practice requirements will vary with the difficulty of literature studied and a variety of other considerations, students should spend at least five hours per week practicing lesson materials per hour of semester credit.

Practicing is certainly the most critical element in the development of one's musicianship and technique.  It is therefore critical that each student is allowed to practice without interruption.  Please respect the practice time of your colleagues and refrain from interrupting others.  As it is critical to the development of your own technical and musical skills, you will find it most helpful to develop a consistent and regular pattern of practice.

Please promptly report any problems with the practice rooms and pianos. The Music Program will make every effort to provide a suitable practice environment; please do your part by keeping the windows closed, keeping food and drink out of the practice rooms, and keeping the practice rooms clean.  As practice rooms should be available to all students, it is not appropriate to store personal items, (books, music, instruments, coats) in practice rooms.

As space permits, percussionists will be assigned practice facilities in which they may store personal percussion equipment.

APPLIED MUSIC EXAMS

Applied music exams, sometimes called juries, are essentially final performances in applied music courses which are evaluated by the music faculty.  Repertoire for jury exams is at the discretion of the applied instructor and will be representative of the literature studied during the semester. 

Students may expect to perform between eight and ten minutes of music for the exam.  Although students are encouraged to study privately in more than one applied area, exams are required by the Music Program only in one's principal area.  However, your instructor in a secondary applied course may exercise the option of requiring you to perform an applied exam. 

Only individuals who have maintained an average grade of C or higher during the semester will be permitted to perform applied exams.

Juries are required for students following a music major or a music minor. The Music Program does not require students enrolled in Prep Division courses to perform applied exams. However, your instructor in Prep Division applied music may exercise the option of requiring you to perform a jury.

Students performing jury exams will present (at the time of the jury) a list of repertoire submitted for the jury as well as a list of repertoire, including etudes, studied during the semester.  In this manner the music department will maintain a progressive record of the quality and quantity of repertoire studied by each student in applied music.  Applied jury and repertoire forms are available in the MIDI lab.

Repertoire for jury exams must be different from that performed in required Friday morning student recitals. Honors recital literature may be used as jury literature provided that the student has performed on another student recital.

Jury exams may include solo pieces, etudes, orchestral excerpts, scales, and other literature appropriate to the performance area.  However, students will usually perform at least one piece of "recital" literature on each exam.

Jury exams will be weighted as 20% of the student’s semester grade.

As with any formal performance, appropriate dress is in order.  Students need not appear in formal concert dress, but shorts, T-shirts, and bare feet are not appropriate to the occasion.

Students performing a half or full solo recital are exempt from the jury exam during that semester.  First-semester students may be exempted from the jury exam by the applied instructor.

STUDENT RECITALS

Students are encouraged to perform in as many settings as possible and to perform as often as possible.  The music faculty believes strongly that it is essential to the development of strong musical and performance skills for students to prepare and perform solo repertoire on a regular basis.

Students studying at the lower division or at the Upper Division are required to perform at least one solo piece/movement on a student recital (principal applied area only) each semester. Upon the recommendation of the instructor and when appropriate, first-semester students and prep division students may be exempted from the recital requirement.

If time permits, students are encouraged to perform more regularly.

Although duets, trios, and other chamber experiences are important to the development of a well-rounded musician, such performances will not usually fulfill the student recital requirement for the semester. Student recitals are usually held Friday morning at 9:20.

Program forms (available on the MIDI Lab computer) for student recitals must be typed, signed by the applied instructor, and submitted to the music department office by 10:00 Wednesday morning prior to the recital.  Please refer to the section below on junior and senior recitals for program information to be submitted.

HONORS RECITAL

A student honors recital is scheduled toward the conclusion of each academic year.  Students are nominated for this performance by their applied instructor and selected by the music faculty based upon their performance achievement, progress during the semester, contribution to the art of music at Lenoir-Rhyne, and enthusiasm.

JUNIOR AND SENIOR RECITALS

Junior and/or senior recitals are required in the music performance and music education degree programs.  Unless specifically designated as a full recital in the curriculum, students generally perform a half recital during their junior and/or senior years.  Below are a few guidelines to help in planning degree recitals.

Recitals should be limited to approximately one hour in length, including a brief intermission.  Usually each student performing a half recital will program twenty to twenty-five minutes of music. Students are encouraged to share recitals, and they generally find that the programs work best if the performers alternate.  This approach allows each performer to relax a little between pieces and gives the audience as much variety as possible.

Repertoire for degree recitals is left to the discretion of the applied instructor and the student.  In general, students are encouraged to program mostly traditional solo literature, although some chamber music within a recital is certainly appropriate.

Students must petition the music program for the privilege of presenting a solo recital.  The chair will then appoint a faculty committee which will schedule a recital hearing. Your hearing should be presented at least three weeks prior to your anticipated recital date.  The hearing committee may decide to:

·         Approve the recital with no restrictions

·         Approve a closed (non public) recital

·         Request to hear the program again in its entirety prior to scheduling the recital

·         Request to hear a portion of the literature again prior to approving the recital

Programs for student recitals will be provided by the music office.  Students should submit a recital form (available in the MIDI lab), signed by the applied instructor, at least two weeks prior to the recital.  Form includes:

·         Date, and time of the recital.

·         Names and instruments/voice parts of each performer.

·         Each piece (in program order) listing the full title, composer, arranger/editor, movement designations, and performers.

·         Program notes and translations–submitted on disc or electronically

Programs must be proofread by the applied instructor and must have all corrections made before being submitted in electronic form to the music office. Please do not format the text in any way. The music office will provide music program standard format for your program.

Formal dress is appropriate for students involved in recital performances.  Performers should consult applied instructors before choosing recital attire. Students wishing to perform off campus must petition the faculty for permission to do so.

Some students desire to host a reception in the lobby after the recital.  Receptions must be approved by the music department prior to the recital.

RECITAL ATTENDANCE

Because listening to musical performances is a critical part of any musical education and because supporting one's colleagues is a critical part of the community of learning in the Lenoir-Rhyne Music Program, students are required to attend a specified number of approved performances each semester.  Near the beginning of each semester the music office will publish and post a preliminary list of the events from which students may choose to meet the recital attendance requirement. Updates will be posted frequently on the music program web page and on the bulletin board outside of the music office..

Approved recitals will usually include: Band concerts, A Cappella Choir concerts, LRYC concerts, Western Piedmont Symphony Master Works concerts, faculty recitals, junior and senior recitals, Friday student recitals, and selected seminars or masterclasses.

Suitable dress is appropriate for individuals attending recitals and concerts.  It is generally seen as a sign of respect for the performers and for the performance to dress nicely.  School dress is, however, appropriate for Friday morning student recitals.  

Because the purpose of the recital attendance requirement is to both support departmental events and to broaden the listening experiences of students, with the exception of the Friday morning recitals, only events in which the student does not participate will fulfill attendance requirements. Students assisting on a single piece, and not as regular member of the performing ensemble, may receive attendance credit for that event. Where circumstances warrant, students may petition the department chair to substitute an outside event for an approved event. This request should be made in advance of the outside event.

Students should check the student recital schedule and the college convocation schedule at the beginning of each semester in order to ensure that both requirements will be met. Generally students find it helpful to attend several convocations near the beginning of the semester.

Concert attendance, as audience members, requirements are as follows:

Full Time Students

·         Music Major: Twelve events

·         Music Concentration: Twelve events

·         Arts Management Major: Eight events

·         Music Minor: Eight events

Part Time Students (6-11 credits)

·         Music Major: Eight events

·         Music Concentration: Eight events

·         Music Minor: None

Special Students

·         Certification Only: None

·         Part Time (1-5 credits): None

MUSIC ENSEMBLE PARTICIPATION

There are a number of ensembles which are available for your participation and education.  All instrumental majors are required to participate each semester in the concert band.  All vocal principals are required to participate each semester in the A Cappella Choir.  Keyboard majors must participate each semester in either (or both) of the above ensembles.

As degree programs may vary, please check with your advisor for the specific ensemble requirements in your program.

MUSIC LIBRARY

The music library on the second floor of the music building houses the entire collection of recordings and scores.  Hours are determined by the main library and are posted on the music library door.  Students are encouraged to make consistent use of the music library, both for study assigned in music courses and for personal enrichment.

Recordings may be checked out of the music library on overnight loan by any student.  Scores and other books may be checked out following library guidelines.  If you find that you need a book or study score which is not in our collection, please alert a faculty member and we will try to secure it for you.

Additionally, the college provides extensive online resources for its students. Music students find the NAXOS library of recordings and Grove Music Online to be particularly useful for music study.

MIDI LAB

The music building MIDI computer lab is open to students enrolled in music classes. This is a state-of-the-art facility with software and hardware for music engraving, limited sequencing, music theory drill, and aural skills development. 

Although students may use the MIDI lab for general work, such as email, internet browsing, and word processing, students using the MIDI lab for class projects will receive priority.

In order to best maintain the MIDI lab, we would ask that students not bring any food or drinks into the lab. And, we would ask students to be diligent about maintaining the lab and putting trash in the appropriate containers.

Please report any technical problems to the music office. We will attend to them as soon as we are able.

RECORDING STUDIO

Recording studio services are available to students for the following purposes.

·         Recording of junior and senior recitals

·         Copies of student recitals (Friday mornings)

·         Copies of ensemble recordings

·         Production of audition recordings

·         Other recording services as approved by the music faculty

Friday morning student recitals and Honors recitals will be recorded routinely.  Students wishing to request recording of junior and senior recitals (on campus) must complete a request form (available in the music office) at least two weeks prior to the event.  Fees for recording services must be remitted prior to the event.

Request for recording services will be processed through the music office.  The department reserves the right to honor requests as services are available.  

LOCKERS

Each music student will be assigned a locker outside of the music office.  This locker is available for storage of music, books, small instruments, coats, etc. and is assigned to the student for both semesters.  Although lockers are available for use, students assume all responsibility for articles and books left in their lockers.  It is a good idea to keep your locker secured at all times.  Lockers should be cleaned out and the locks removed at the conclusion of the spring semester.

KEYS

Keys for band instrument lockers are available in the music office.  Each student requesting a locker key must submit a $10 cash deposit which will be returned at the conclusion of the academic year when you turn in your key.

Keys for the band room, organ practice room, percussion practice rooms, and other music building rooms may be obtained through campus security upon the recommendation of the department.  Students needing keys should submit a request to the department head.

Students holding music facilities keys should be aware that they are responsible to use these keys only for appropriate functions.  Students with facilities keys must maintain possession of the keys and may not loan them to others.