Lessons

Bachelor of Music students have differing requirements in performance depending on their majors.

 
  Jazz Studies     8 semesters    2 credits/semester 
  Performance      8 semesters    3 credits/semester 
  Music Education  6 semesters    2 credits/semester 
                 + 1 semester     1 credit

After this requirement has been completed, a student may continue taking lessons if there is studio space available, but priority shifts to new students.

All Bachelor of Music students should receive one 60-minute lesson each week. A student must have a minimum of 11 lessons during a semester to receive credit. If an instructor is not available for 11 lessons, the student should inform the Department Chair. If a student exceeds 3 absences, excused or unexcused, the instructor may consider the semester's work incomplete and submit a temporary grade. How the grade itself is affected by the number of excused and unexcused absences in a semester is determined by each individual instructor.

At the end of each semester the student must perform a jury examination, which is evaluated by three or more faculty members. In the semester (normally the eighth) in which a senior recital is presented, students in the Performance and Jazz Studies concentrations are not required to perform a jury.

Any student taking a private lesson in voice or any instrument must also be enrolled in one of the large ensembles listed at Ensemble Participation. Neither the course called Chamber Music nor any of the small ensembles that count as chamber music will satisfy this requirement.

How to Register for Lessons

More mistakes in registration occur here than in any other kind of course. You should note the following concerning the way performance lessons are listed in the course booklet each semester:

• Course numbers for each instrument and voice are listed at four levels, which correspond to your year in the program. Thus, for example, Voice is listed as

    Fall 701:169        Spring 701:170 
             269                   270 
             369                   370 
             469                   470

• For voice and some instruments there are several teachers, listed in the course booklet with different section numbers. If you are not sure to which teacher you have been assigned, ask Mrs. Fromer.
• Credit for lessons is "By Arrangement". The computer will ask you to enter the correct number of credits each time you register. You do this by entering the following:

           1 credit  = "010"  
           2 credits = "020"  
           3 credits = "030"

  Be sure that you register for the correct level, the correct section, and the correct number of credits each semester.

Off-campus and Summer Lessons

No student at MGSA may study simultaneously with a teacher outside the University. This is a direct violation of ethical standards and contrary to the best interests of the student. Any student caught doing so may be dismissed from the program or lose scholarship aid.

If a student wishes to study when school is not in session, the major teacher should be consulted. If the major teacher is not able to provide the extra lessons sought by the student, he/she may have recommendations about the person best able to continue the student's progress.

Changing Your Performance Teacher

If a problem develops between you and your performance teacher, a solution should first be sought by discussing the problem in the lesson. If no resolution seems possible, you should discuss your problem with the Department Chair. The Chair will attempt to work out a solution that takes into account the sensibilities of everyone concerned. Keep in mind that a change of teacher will not always be possible. Under no circumstances should you approach a new teacher before the Chair has been consulted.

Ensemble Participation

All Bachelor of Music students are expected to be in a large ensemble every semester. The Department may assign any student to the ensemble of its choice. Completion of the B.M. degree requires the following:

• Music Education - 7 semesters of a large ensemble at 1 credit per semester
• Jazz Studies - 12 semesters total of Jazz Ensemble and/or Jazz Combo at 1 credit each per semester
• Performance - 8 semesters of a large ensemble at 1 credit per semester

Beyond this basic guideline, the Department requires that any student taking a private lesson must also be enrolled in a large ensemble in that semester, even if the required number of semesters of ensemble have already been completed.

With the restrictions listed below, the following ensembles qualify as large ensembles that satisfy this requirement:

All voice majors, whether in Music Education or Performance, must participate in Rutgers Kirkpatrick Choir every semester unless excused from this obligation by the conductor of the Choir.

Art of Accompanying may be used as large ensemble by keyboard majors who have reached the appropriate level. Four semesters of Art of Accompanying are required of all keyboard Performance majors (see Note under Performance Concentration: Keyboard Majors...). Those majors who are not in Art of Accompanying will normally satisfy their large ensemble requirement by singing in a choir. (Note: Art of Accompanying may also be used to satisfy the Chamber Music requirement.)

It is recommended that Music Education instrumental majors participate in Marching Band for at least two years.

Brass Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble, Salsa Band, and Collegium Musicum are viewed as small ensembles and may be used only to satisfy the Chamber Music requirement (see below).

Chamber Music

The Bachelor of Music requirement in Chamber Music is as follows:

 
   Performance         4 semesters 
   Music Education     1 semester

This requirement may be satisfied by the course called Chamber Music or by any of the following small ensembles:

The course Diction for Singers (701:201-202), which is required of all Performance majors in voice, may be used for two of the required semesters of Chamber Music.

Music Assembly

All students in the Bachelor of Music program must register for Music Assembly in every semester of full-time matriculation. For registration purposes this is a one-credit course, but the course is graded "Satisfactory" or "Unsatisfactory", and the credits do not count towards the total required for graduation.

The Music Department views attendance at the regular meetings of Music Assembly and at concerts as an important part of every student's professional training. As of May, 2002, Department policy is that students may not graduate unless all Unsatisfactory grades have been changed to Satisfactory (the procedure for this is described below). Upon receiving a second grade of Unsatisfactory a student will be subject to Artistic Probation. And no student will be permitted to student teach or to schedule a senior recital until all Unsatisfactory grades in Music Assembly have been changed to Satisfactory.

The requirements for a Satisfactory grade in Music Assembly consist of attendance at the Monday meetings of the course and attendance at Department-sponsored recitals or concerts. Signed programs from at least six recitals/concerts are required. The number of required Monday meetings is set each semester by the faculty member in charge of the course (it is currently seven).

A student who receives an Unsatisfactory grade for Music Assembly based on fewer than six submitted programs in any semester can have the grade changed to Satisfactory by submitting two additional programs (beyond the required six)in the next semester for each one missed in the failed semester. Two additional programs are also required to make up for each class missed beyond the allowed number of absences. A change of grade should be requested within one semester, however, since signed programs are not normally kept by the Department for more than a semester.

Recitals

No student may give a recital without the consent and presence of the major teacher.

The performance faculty have established clear and detailed rules governing the preparation of degree recitals.

Recital scheduling, concert program submission and other vital points are covered in the sections listed below.

Recital Scheduling
Recital Programs
Piano Tuning
Room Set-Up
Recording and Tapes
Receptions

Recital Scheduling

Please note: So that the Department has adequate time to process evaluations, all degree recitals must take place before the last two weeks in the semester of graduation.

There are strict procedures that must be followed in scheduling a recital.

1. A specific sign-up period will be announced each semester during which students may meet with the Department Administrator to reserve a time and place for the recital.
2. The student should obtain the form called the Recital Program Application from the Music Dept office; this form, signed by the major teacher, must be shown to Department Administrator at the time when the recital is scheduled.
3. Several additional signatures must then be obtained, and the completed form must be submitted no later than four weeks prior to the recital date.
4. When scheduling the recital, it is also wise to schedule the dress rehearsal, since it may not be possible to do so at a later date.
5. The senior recital cannot be scheduled if a student has a grade of Unsatisfactory in any semester of Music Assembly.

(See also the deadline for Recital Programs.)

Undergraduate degree recitals may be scheduled through the Music Department for the Auditorium in the Marryott Music Building or for Rehearsal Hall 104.

Voorhees Chapel and Kirkpatrick Chapel may also be used. To reserve Voorhees Chapel the student must contact the Administrative Office in the Douglass Student Center at 932-9374; to reserve Kirkpatrick Chapel, contact the Chapel Office at 932-7808.

Only doctoral recitals may be scheduled in Nicholas Music Center.

A non-degree recital may be scheduled using the same process that is described above. Because of heavy demand at certain times of the year, not all requests can be accommodated.

Piano Tuning

The scheduling of piano tunings is the responsibility of the Department Administrator. The Department will try to schedule a tuning as close to the day of a degree recital as possible. Tuning for a non-degree recital is the performer's responsibility.

Recital Programs

The Music Department types and duplicates programs to be distributed at degree recitals. All program information must be proof-read and approved by the teacher and submitted to the Music Dept office no later than four weeks prior to the recital. Completed programs are placed in the student's mailbox for pick-up just prior to the recital. It is the student's responsibility to have the programs distributed to the audience. This may be done by placing them on a music stand outside the performance venue or by having friends distribute them at the door. Normally the Department will make 70 copies of a program. The printing of program notes or translations is the student's responsibility.

Preparation and duplication of programs for non-degree recitals are entirely the student's responsibility.

Room Set-Up

Because the room may be in use just prior to a scheduled recital, it is the student's responsibility to check the set-up at least a half-hour before the recital. Nothing is to be placed on the piano before, during, or after a recital. The student must leave the room in usable condition; this means returning borrowed instruments or stands, clearing the stage, picking up extra programs, and so forth. This is common courtesy from one performer to another. A custodial fee may be imposed if the room is not left in appropriate condition.

Recital/Concert Recording

It is the policy of the Music Department to make an audio recording of all degree recitals. Copies of recordings made by the Department of recitals or ensemble concerts can be purchased for a pre-paid fee. The order form for this purpose is available in the Department office.

For non-degree recitals students can arrange for taping with the Department's Recording Staff or bring their own taping equipment.

Recital Receptions

If there will be a reception following a recital, its location should be noted at the end of the program. In MMB, receptions may only be held in the downstairs lobby. If an elaborate reception is planned (with a caterer, for example) or the space is left in an unacceptable condition, a fee may be charged for custodial services.

Practice Facilities

Practice rooms are located in the Marryott Music Building and the Annex. When the University is in session, the practice rooms are available whenever the buildings are open. This includes evenings and weekends (normally during daytime hours on Saturday and afternoons and evenings on Sunday), when both buildings can be provided with student monitors. A few additional spaces are available on a restricted basis for practice on specific instruments (harpsichord/fortepiano, percussion, etc.).

It is not necessary (or possible) to reserve a practice room in advance. When all rooms are in use, sign your name on the board in the downstairs lobby; the order of names on the board will be honored as rooms become available.

As a general rule, practice rooms are open to anyone enrolled in a music course. Students not taking music courses must obtain special permission to use the practice rooms.

A clear distinction should be maintained between practice rooms and areas for socializing with friends. No food or drink is to be brought into the practice room. No smoking is allowed anywhere in the buildings. If you plan to be gone from a room for more than 10 minutes, you should remove your things and make the room available to someone else.

The practice rooms are not to be used for teaching purposes without the authorization of the Music Department Administrator.

A few basic rules govern the use of practice room pianos:

• Don't put anything on them except your music and metronome.
• If you find that a piano is damaged in any way, notify the Music Department Administrator. Don't remove any broken parts.
• Don't move the practice room pianos.
• The pianos used for concert performances (in the Auditorium in MMB or in Nicholas Music Center) are not to be used for normal practice. Access to them must be authorized by the Music Department Administrator.
• Don't practice on classroom pianos.

The pianos in the Music Department are vital to everything we do. We must all take responsibility for keeping them in the best possible condition.

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