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Applied Music Curriculum Guide

For Undergraduate Degree Programs at
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette School of Music

All Students Are Responsible for This Information

Approved Spring 2015

The School of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

 

  1. General School of Music Requirements
    1. Placement in the School Of Music
      1. For all degree programs except the B.A. in Music with a Concentration in Music Business, a student must first audition on a primary instrument and take a theory placement exam. The applied teacher for each studio has the audition requirements for each instrument.
      2. A student may take a credit exam for any course in which he/she feels proficient and, by examination, be excused from this course if a successful grade is attained. Application is made in the appropriate academic dean’s office and requires a fee of $50 per credit hour. See the current university bulletin for detailed information on this and other means of testing for credit.
    2. Undergraduate Music Major Requirements
      1. Students receive at least one private lesson each week for a total of at least 14 per semester.
      2. Full-time students are required to register in AMUS 333 Recital Seminar.
      3. Full-time music majors (including graduate students) are required to enroll in an ensemble until they have met the ensemble requirements for their degree. All undergraduate students must earn the minimum number of ensemble credits for their degree program whether or not they attend full time or part time. Scholarship recipients may have additional ensemble participation requirements placed upon them.

        Ensemble participation should be on the music major’s primary instrument; exceptions to this rule and which ensembles count toward this ensemble requirement vary according to the student’s degree program and primary instrument. The ensemble requirements for each degree program, in terms of which ensembles and what exceptions are allowed according to primary instrument, are given on the curriculum sheet for that program. The following courses fulfill a music major’s ensemble requirement in one or more of the School’s degree programs. In cases where "any ensemble course" is allowed, courses should be chosen from this list.

        Course number Course title       Course number Course title
        AMUS 117/317 Percussion Ensemble   AMUS 206/406 Collaborative Piano
        AMUS 140/340 University Chorus   AMUS 250/450 Chamber Music Ensemble
        AMUS 145/345 University Chorale   AMUS 240/440 Piano Ensemble
        AMUS 146/346 Chamber Singers   AMUS 451 Introduction To Operatic Performance
        AMUS 152/352 Marching Band   MUS 544 Graduate Ensemble (all sections)
        AMUS 153/353 Concert Band        
        AMUS 154/354 Symphonic Band        
        AMUS 155/355 Wind Ensemble        
        AMUS 158 Marching Percussion Fundamentals        
        AMUS 160/360 Traditional Music Ensemble        
        AMUS 170/370 Jazz Ensemble        
        AMUS 180/380 Jazz Combo        
        AMUS 190/390 University Orchestra        

        Standards for accreditation (NASM Handbook 2014-15) call on institutions to "maintain sufficient enrollment to support the specific programs offered including... Requisite ensemble experience (a) at an advanced level and (b) consistent with major areas of study and degree or program levels" (58-59). "Growth in artistry, technical skills, collaborative competence, and knowledge of repertory through regular ensemble experiences" are essential, according to the standards (91, 98).

        The goal of the ensemble requirement over the course of a student's degree program is to foster growth in skills and artistry, leading to performance at an advanced level consistent with the chosen degree program, on her primary instrument. The expected skill level will be highest for Performance majors, slightly lower for other Bachelor of Music degrees and B.A. in Music Education, and lower yet for B.A. concentrations in Music Business and Traditional Music. As a student progresses through his program, it will be expected that he performs in ensembles requiring steadily increasing skill levels, e.g., a Jazz Studies major from Jazz Combo 3 to Jazz Combo 2 to Jazz Combo 1, or a vocal performance major from University Chorale to Chamber Singers and Opera Workshop. A student who moves from an ensemble of higher skill level to a lower level ensemble in a subsequent semester (on the primary instrument, by audition or by choice) may be counseled to consider changing majors.

        At the same time, a balance must be struck between a student's specialization in and mastery of an instrument and musical tradition, on the one hand, and the benefits to be obtained from a variety of experiences. The NASM standards also state that students must "participate in at least one chamber or large ensemble each semester" (92, emphasis added) and that "ensembles should be varied both in size and nature" (98, 117, 118). Therefore advisors should keep diversity of experience as well as skill-building in mind when counseling students on how to fulfill the ensemble requirement each semester. Diversity means not only small versus large groups within classical music or jazz, but also the opportunity to gain fluency in a different musical style, such as a voice student who sings with a jazz combo, or a music business major who sings in the choir one year and the next year plays drums in the zydeco ensemble. Diversity in ensemble experience may be achieved by playing in multiple ensembles in the same semester, if the student's grade point average is high enough (see E. 3. below).

      4. Students are required to perform a jury in their major area of performance at the end of each semester. Music minors and others taking applied lessons may be required to take semester juries at the discretion of the applied teacher.
      5. Students are required to attend a weekly master class led by the instructor.
      6. Students are required to attend departmental and studio recitals, performance class seminars, and any other master classes deemed necessary by the applied faculty.
      7. Students are required to perform as a member of small ensembles at the discretion of the applied teacher.
      8. Students are required to perform in recitals as required by the specific degree plan.
  2. General Departmental Policies
    1. Lesson Credit
      1. All full-time music majors and music minors must register for applied music according to the degree curriculum.
      2. Students other than music majors and music minors may take applied lessons if there is available faculty. An additional fee is required for these lessons.
      3. At the end of each semester, it will be the responsibility of the student to make an appointment with the applied teacher for the purpose of reviewing jury results and establishing goals for the coming semester. Each faculty member will make written comments and suggestions during the juries and these sheets will be given to the respective teachers to assist in this review appointment. Students giving a required junior or senior recital will have a recital hearing in lieu of the semester jury.
      4. Applied lessons will begin the first week of school each semester. Students should see their applied music teacher for a lesson time as soon as possible at the beginning of each semester. The teacher has no obligation to make up lessons which are unexcused. An unexcused absence from a semester jury will constitute a failure in applied music study for that semester. If an absence from a jury is excused, the student should plan to perform the jury as soon as possible the next semester (these arrangements should be made with the applied music teacher).
      5. The semester applied grade will be composite of the following considerations:
        • Weekly lesson performance
        • Performance participation as required by the applied teacher.
        • Semester jury
        • Attendance at required studio recitals and required seminars.
        • Participation in small ensembles as required by the applied teacher.
      6. The music unit follows the same formula as the university in all lecture courses (see above). Ensembles require from 2-5 rehearsal hours (laboratory hours) per week for 1 credit hour, with the exception of Marching Band, which has 7 rehearsal hours for 2 credit hours. For individual instruction, credit is variable from 1-4 credit hours per semester. The amount of individual instruction credit taken each semester is based on a student’s particular degree program. The weekly recital hour class (AMUS 333) meets 1 hour per week for zero credits.
    2. Semester Applied Requirements
      1. Each music major will be required to perform before a faculty jury at the end of each semester. The purpose of this jury is to assess the student's semester progress and help the student identify and solve performance problems through the jury’s written comments.
      2. The jury level system is designed to keep a student apprised of their progress in the applied area. Music Media, Education, Jazz Studies, Piano Pedagogy, and Theory/Composition students must have sufficient skills to start at level 1 as determined by the entrance audition.

        A student at a level 1 remains there until he or she successfully completes the jury at the end of that semester. If they successfully complete that jury it will be noted on the jury sheet that they have completed level 1. The student will then be at level 2 during the next semester. If they do not successfully complete the jury for level 1, they will remain at level 1 for the next semester. For these Music Media, Jazz Studies, Piano Pedagogy, and Theory/Composition students, the barrier exam will take place at the level 4 jury. The senior recital will occur in place of the level jury. Music Media, Jazz Studies, Piano Pedagogy, and Theory/Composition students must successfully complete eight levels:
        Level Description
        1 recommended level of 1st semester jury
        2 recommended level of 2nd semester jury
        3 recommended level of 3rd semester jury
        4 recommended level of 4th semester jury (Barrier Exam)
        5 recommended level of 5th semester jury
        6 recommended level of 6th semester jury
        7 able to give senior recital next semester
        8 able to graduate (Senior Recital)
        Education students must successfully complete seven levels. The barrier exam will take place at the level 4 jury. The senior recital will occur in place of the level 7 jury.
        Level Description
        1 recommended level of 1st semester jury
        2 recommended level of 2nd semester jury
        3 recommended level of 3rd semester jury
        4 recommended level of 4th semester jury (Barrier Exam)
        5 recommended level of 5th semester jury
        6 able to give senior recital next semester
        7 able to graduate (Senior Recital)
        Performance majors will be expected to maintain higher levels than other majors. Performance major must have sufficient skills to start at level 3 as determined by the entrance audition and must successfully complete eight levels to end at level 10. The barrier exam will take place at the level 6 jury. The senior recital will occur in place of the level 10 jury.
        Level Description
        3 recommended level of 1st semester jury
        4 recommended level of 2nd semester jury
        5 recommended level of 3rd semester jury
        6 recommended level of 4th semester jury (Barrier Exam)
        7 recommended level of 5th semester jury
        8 recommended level of 6th semester jury
        9 able to give senior recital next semester
        10 able to graduate (Senior Recital)
        In all degree programs, sufficient progress is recognized with the advancement of one level. Exceptional progress can be rewarded with the advancement of two levels. Lack of progress is denoted by not changing the level and deterioration is denoted by moving the level back. A student who does not advance two semesters in a row will be advised to pursue another major.
      3. Before the end of each semester as indicated by the departmental calendar, a sheet will be posted and all students will sign up for a jury to be performed before a faculty committee. All students must present a repertoire list to the chairman of the jury. A form for this will be available through the applied teacher. This form should list all material studied that semester with appropriate information as to whether performable, and whether or not memorized (for those juries who value memorization). This form will be placed in the student's file at the end of each semester. The jury faculty will write critiques and supply grades. The Master Jury Form (supplied by each applied teacher) will contain places for the grade of each jury member, the teacher's grade for the semester, the final semester grade, and the jury's recommendation as to what level that student should pursue the next semester. This Master Jury Form will be returned to the office and placed in the student's file with a copy retained by the applied teacher.

        Those students taking a junior proficiency exam should sign up for a double jury time. This double jury is known as the barrier jury. The purpose of this barrier jury is to better create the atmosphere of a professional audition. Requirements for successfully passing this exam will be given to the student at the beginning of the semester by the applied teacher. Students should bring to each jury a list of all materials studied and ready for performance and will be expected to perform excerpts from the list in addition to the prepared jury piece.
      4. A student who does not make acceptable progress in applied study will be given a maximum of two probationary semesters to improve work in order to continue as a music major.
    3. Information Concerning Degree Plan Recital Requirements
      1. For the B. M. performance degree, the presentation of a public half or full recital during the junior year and a public full-length recital in the senior year is required before graduation. The junior recital cannot be given until the student has completed at least 4 semesters as a music major. Earlier public recitals may be presented with departmental approval.
      2. For other B.M. emphases and B.A., Music ed. candidates, a public recital performance will be required before graduation. This type of recital is often done as a joint recital with another senior music major matriculating in a like program.
      3. All required recitals must be played before a faculty committee at a recital hearing at least two weeks prior to the recital date and approved before they can be presented publicly and fulfill degree requirements. If the jury rejects the recital, it cannot be rescheduled until the following semester.
      4. The final proof-read copy of the recital program should be turned in to the School of Music office no later than two weeks before the recital is to be given and must have the written approval of the jury members.
      5. Should the performing student wish news coverage of the recital, he/she should hand carry all information, photo, etc., involved with the event to the Publicity Coordinator at least two weeks prior to the event.
    4. Recital Seminar (Student Recital)
      1. This course (AMUS 333) meets weekly on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Eight semesters of satisfactory Recital Seminar is required with a minimum attendance at 10 Wednesday recitals and 5 approved evening concerts per semester for graduation in all music curricula. Education majors are excused from attendance requirements during the semester of practice teaching.
      2. Grades of Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory are based upon attendance requirements. Any student who receives a grade of Unsatisfactory must repeat a full semester of attendance requirements.
    5. Miscellaneous
      1. Some ensembles require auditions at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters and others only require an audition in the Fall semester. Audition sign-up sheets will be posted and students should sign for an audition time at their earliest convenience. Seating will be posted as soon as possible so that all ensemble rehearsals can begin on schedule.
      2. Accompanying Policy: Depending on availability and instructor's recommendation, a collaborative pianist (either the staff collaborative pianist or a qualified student pianist) may be provided for the following events/services free-of-charge for students:
        • Student degree recital
        • Recital seminar performances
        • Juries of students who have performed with the staff collaborative pianist on recital seminar or with whom he or she regularly works (assuming the repertoire is the same)
        • Concerto and vocal competitions on the UL campus
        • NATS preparation
      3. For all other juries or additional performances, students should contract individually with a collaborative pianist. We have recommended a fee of $40 for one lesson, one rehearsal, and the actual jury. However, we have no control over what community pianists wish to charge.
      4. Ensemble Guidelines
        Multiple Ensemble Participation Guidelines
        Curriculum Credits Enrolled Minimum GPA Ensembles Allowed1
        16 2.3 2
        18 3.0 3
        • A student is allowed to participate in two ensembles if they are enrolled with at least 16 credits that count towards their degree and have a G.P.A of 2.3 or above. Only one ensemble may be counted in this total. First semester freshmen may enroll for a minimum of 14 credit hours and must have a high school GPA of 2.3 (on a 4 point scale).
        • A student is allowed to participate in three or more ensembles if they are enrolled with at least 18 credits that count towards their degree and have a G.P.A of 3.0 or above. Only one ensemble may be counted in this total.
      5. Grade Appeal Policies and Procedures for all Music Classes. Any student that believes the final grade for any course is incorrect or unfair should take the following steps:
        • First meet with the instructor to voice concerns and try to resolve the matter.
        • If a resolution cannot be made, then the student should meet with the Director of the School of Music and Performing Arts to explain the case.
        • If a resolution cannot be found, the student should then meet with the Dean of the College.
        • If a resolution still cannot be found, the student should then meet with the University Ombudsman: (337) 482-6947, ombudsman@louisiana.edu
      6. The following are the hours that music majors can practice, rehearse, study, or work in a recording studio or music technology lab in Angelle Hall:
        • During the semester: 7:00 A.M to midnight
        • During holidays, intersession: 7:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M
        Students who cannot provide a university I.D. at these times can be asked to leave the building. Students in the building at times other than listed above will be asked to leave the building.

1Only one ensemble per semester will count towards graduation.