ADRIAN COLLEGE
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
HANDBOOK
August 2012
Mission Statement
The program in Music challenges students to achieve excellence
in musical performance through active and creative learning in
a supportive community. Students are educated through a series
of required and elective courses in applied music, performance, theory, history, and a senior
capstone solo recital. Students
graduating with a major in music will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in the synthesis of
preparing and performing music based on informed historical and theoretical practice. The
program is designed to prepare students to engage fully in the
creative arts; think critically as they explore multiple points of view; make connections across
disciplines; and continue to pursue knowledge throughout one’s life.
The Music Department Handbook provides music majors and
minors with a description of policies and procedures adopted
by the music faculty at Adrian College. This handbook is
updated periodically. When a policy is updated, students will
be notified and the policy will take effect immediately.
Students "grandfathered" out of certain policies will be decided upon by the department chair in
consultation with other music faculty on an individual basis. Questions regarding the policies of
the department should be directed to the department chair.
Applied Lessons
Little else supersedes the importance of the student’s weekly private lesson. At the same time,
the student may not use the
applied lesson time as an excuse to miss or be late to his/her
other classes. The student is expected to arrive on time to their lesson fully prepared with music,
pencil, and any other materials required by the student’s instructor. An instructor has the right to
dismiss the student from the lesson if the student is not prepared.
Choosing to study with an applied instructor at Adrian College is regarded as a commitment to
that particular instructor's teaching philosophy. For this reason, it is not appropriate for a student
to take ongoing concurrent lessons with another teacher without the approval of the Adrian
College applied instructor. Outside
instruction during the summer is permitted and encouraged.
Applied Lesson Absences
The student’s applied instructor may have specific policies regarding absences described in the
syllabus which the student
will receive at the beginning of each semester of study. In general, if the student is ill or must
miss a lesson, the student MUST notify the instructor 24 hours in advance either in person, by
phone, or
by e-mail. Notifying an instructor 24 hours in advance allows the
student the opportunity to have a make-up lesson. Less than a 24-hour notice results in a
forfeiture of the student’s lesson for that week.
Applied Lesson Grading
The applied instructor may have specific policies regarding
grading described in the the applied instructor’s syllabus. The
student’s instructor is the only faculty member that determines
the student’s applied lesson grade. In addition to preparation and progress in the student’s
weekly lesson, the student’s applied lesson grade will also reflect the student’s consistent
attendance and performance twice per semester in Studio Class, as well as the
student’s concert attendance record.
Practice/SmartMusic/Coaching
Students are expected to practice and learn all music assigned to them weekly by their applied
instructor on their own or with the help of the SmartMusic program which is available on all
music department practice room and classroom computers. Coaching with an
accompanist is allowed ONLY with permission of the applied
instructor to help perfect the repertoire that the student has already learned to prepare for
performance in studio class, recitals and juries.
In a semester where a student is preparing for a recital, extra coaching time can be allotted by the
applied instructor. A schedule of coaching hours will be posted two weeks in advance. Sign-up
for coaching is done on a first-come, first served basis. Only students preparing for a recital may
"lock" a regular weekly coaching session on the schedule with applied instructor permission.
The student MUST sign up at least 24 hours in advance for a coaching session. If the student
registers for a coaching session
and is unable to keep the appointment, the student must notify the accompanist and/or the
department secretary as far in advance as
possible. The student’s account will be charged $11.50 for a missed coaching session. If a
student misses two coaching sessions, the
student will forfeit the right to have any coaching sessions for the remainder of the semester.
Studio Class
All music majors and minors are required to participate in studio
class which takes place every Tuesday at noon for vocalists and every Thursday at noon for
instrumentalists. During studio class students perform for one another in an informal setting
under the guidance of music faculty. The faculty coordinator will take roll, make
announcements, organize student performances, and facilitate discussion after performances.
Students are expected to perform at least twice each semester in studio class. Students sign up to
perform on the sheets located on the bulletin board. If the student is
performing a piece which requires accompaniment, the student must meet with the accompanist
at least once prior to performing in studio class. There may be times when a student must
perform without accompaniment.
Juries
All music majors and minors must perform a jury each semester
of their applied study. Music faculty members provide written feedback to students using a jury
sheet. Students may review their jury sheets during the next semester with their applied
instructor.
All jury sheets are filed in each student's portfolio and may be reviewed at any time.
The jury provides the music faculty an opportunity to hear and
discuss the progress of every student in the program. Students
are expected to demonstrate consistent progress in their jury
performances. If the faculty, in consultation with the applied
instructor, feel that a student is not demonstrating sufficient
progress, that student may be placed on probation.
While every jury is important, the jury at the end of the sophomore year is a landmark jury called
the Sophomore Barrier. If a
student does not pass the sophomore barrier, then it will be
necessary for that student to meet with his/her advisor and other faculty to consider other degree
alternatives outside of music.
Students do not perform a jury during the same semester as their junior or senior recital.
Accompanist for Juries
Students must provide sheet music to their jury accompanist at least three weeks in
advance. Students may not perform a piece in juries without having at least one coaching
session prior to jury day with the accompanist on the music to be performed. If a student is
unable to adequately rehearse with his/her accompanist, that student will perform their jury
without accompaniment. It is the student's responsibility to find adequate rehearsal time with the
accompanist. The best way to accomplish this is to sign-up for a coaching time early and always
arrive on time to the coaching appointment.
Jury Sheets
The department secretary will provide jury sheets and post a sign up sheet and instructions for
students two weeks prior to juries. These sheets must be completed, signed by the student’s
applied instructor, and returned to the department secretary by the date specified on the sign up
sheet. Failure to complete the jury sheet and turn it in on time may result in the student’s jury
being cancelled.
Jury sheets are used by the faculty to assess each student's
performance. The rating scales on the sheet are used for
departmental assessment and may be used by the applied instructor to as part of the student’s
grade. Only the student’s applied music instructor will determine the student’s final grade for
applied lessons. Juries will provide the student’s instructor one of several assessment tools for
determining the student’s final grade.
Completed jury sheets are filed in the student’s student portfolio which is on file in the Music
building. The student may review their jury sheets at any time. Only the student and the music
faculty have access to the student’s portfolio. No other students have access to the student’s jury
sheets.
Missing a Jury
If a student is ill, he/she must inform their applied instructor and ask him/her for an evaluation as
to whether he/she should perform or not. Only the student’s applied instructor can excuse the
student from juries. If the student is excused from juries, the instructor will
inform the student’s accompanist as soon as possible. Being
excused from a jury does not affect the student’s grade or standing
in the department. A make-up jury will take place early in the next semester.
Unexcused absence from jury will result in probation and may
result in being excused from the degree program.
Freshman Requirements for Juries
Instrumental: Prepare a minimum of two works; an extended work may take the place of
multiple works.
Vocal: Fall - perform 2 works
Spring - perform 3 works (in two languages)
Sophomore Requirements for Juries
Instrumental: Prepare a minimum of three works; an extended work may take the place of
multiple works.
Vocal: Fall - perform 4 works (in three languages)
Spring - perform 6 works (In three languages)
Instrumental and Vocal Sophomore Barrier
(See "sophomore barrier")
A student performing their sophomore barrier jury should
sign up in the spots designated at the bottom of the sign up sheet.
Junior Requirements for Juries
Instrumental: Prepare a minimum of four works; an extended work may take the place of
multiple works.
Vocal: Fall - perform 4 works (in three languages)
Spring - perform 6 works (in three languages)
Senior Requirements for Juries
Instrumental: Prepare a minimum of four works; extended works may take the place of
multiple works.
Vocal: Fall - perform 5 works (in four languages)
Spring - Senior Recital
Minor Requirements for Juries
Students pursuing a Music Minor will follow the repertoire
guidelines required for freshmen and sophomores. Music minors must perform four consecutive
juries (2 years) demonstrating
appropriate development as expected from Music majors during
their first two years of study.
Sophomore Barrier
The jury that takes place at the end of the sophomore year is called the sophomore barrier. Music
faculty will decide at this time whether a student is permitted to continue with their degree work
in music. If a student is making good progress in applied lessons and doing "B" or better work in
academic course work, he or she will pass the sophomore barrier. If a student does not pass the
sophomore barrier, they are put on probation and advised to consider other degree options. A
student who is performing their sophomore barrier jury will sign up in the area designated on the
sign up sheet. This longer time period allows for faculty discussion time regarding the student's
performance and progress.
Probation
A music student may be put on probation as a result of poor
performance in jury, low GPA in music course work, lack of
progress in applied lessons, or lack of participation in studio class, performances, or related
events. A student has one semester to correct the problem or will need to meet with his/her
advisor to find alternative degree programs.
Piano Proficiency Exam
The following degree programs require a Piano Proficiency Exam:
BM - Performance
BME - Music Education
BA - Music
Students prepare for the exam by taking Keyboard I - IV or
electing to take Applied Piano in place of the Keyboard classes. The final exam for Keyboard IV
is the Piano Proficiency Exam (usually taken at the end of the sophomore year). The exam
includes scales, chord construction, chord progressions, 5-note exercises, transposition,
accompanying a melody, playing 4-part harmony (hymn), and performance of a prepared piano
piece. The exam is adjudicated by the keyboard professor and department chair. The exam must
be repeated if a student fails one or more parts of the test.
Music Education majors must pass the exam prior to student teaching. BM and BA students must
pass the exam prior to
graduation.
Student Recital Hour
Students who perform in Studio Class may be selected to perform
on a Student Recital Hour, a formal student recital featuring
several singers or instrumentalists. The Studio Class coordinator shall select which students
have earned the right to perform at Student Recital Hour. This recital will take place in Dawson
Auditorium near the end of the semester. Students must provide music to the accompanist at
least two weeks in advance of the recital and schedule a coaching with him/her prior to the
performance date.
Concert / Recital Attendance
Music majors and minors are expected to regularly attend department-sponsored concerts and
recitals, including the "on-campus" ASO concerts listed on the department concert attendance
sheet. While no student is expected to attend 100% of all concerts and recitals, students should
make an effort to attend a majority of these events. Attendance of music majors and minors will
be taken to ensure students are meeting this expectation. Lack of attendance at recitals and
concerts will result in a lowered applied music grade. Obviously, students should not miss class
in order to attend a concert.
Portfolio
All music majors and minors have a portfolio file in the music
department. Jury sheets, recital programs, copies of harmony and
ear training final exams, and copies of music history papers are all
collected in this file. A student may review his or her folder at any time by simply requesting the
file from the department
secretary. Portfolios are used by the music department in the program assessment process.
Recitals
The following music degree tracks have a recital requirement:
BM - Bachelor of Music in Performance - requires a Junior and
Senior Recital
BME - Bachelor of Music in Music Education - requires a
senior recital
BA - Bachelor of Arts in Music - requires a senior recital
BA - Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre - see Musical Theatre Senior Project
Students pursuing a degree in Arts Management or a Minor in
Music may elect to perform a recital, but it is not required for the
degree. Please see non-academic recital for information regarding
the accompanist fee.
The recital should consist of repertoire drawn primarily from the
traditional oeuvre of classic musical literature. A senior recital is
traditionally 45 to 60 minutes in length and usually contains an
intermission. The junior recital is traditionally 25 to 35 minutes in length and may or may not
have an intermission. Junior recitals are usually coupled with other junior recital performances
(two at a time). Senior recitals usually stand alone.
The repertoire should reflect a variety of composers and
stylistic periods appropriate to the instrument. The applied
instructor MUST approve all selections performed on a recital.
Program notes are required to be written by the student for each piece on the program. The
program notes will be printed as part of the program and must be turned in to the department
secretary two
weeks prior to performance.
Recital Dates
Recital dates should be put on the music calendar at least
four months in advance. The date for the student’s recital jury and dress rehearsal are also set at
that time. The department secretary will provide the student with a recital checklist as the
student begins to plan his/her recital. Students must confirm with the following personnel to set
a recital date:
 the student’s applied music instructor
 the student’s accompanist
 music department chair
 music department secretary
Only when these four parties agree on dates for both the recital jury and the recital, can the date
be set in the calendar.
If a recital must be postponed, the student may NOT take an
incomplete. The student must re-take the recital course (junior or senior) and register for applied
lessons as well.
Recital Checklist
The student’s first step to setting up the student’s recital is to
stop by the Music Office to pick up a recital checklist from the department secretary. The
checklist provides the student a stepby-step process for choosing a date, getting departmental
permission, reserving the space with the Conferences Office,
and begins the process of preparing the printed program,
program notes, and posters.
Recital Accompanist
Students must communicate with their accompanist as soon
as they begin planning the recital. The accompanist MUST have copies of ALL music at least
one month in advance of the recital. It is the student's responsibility to organize and prepare
copies of music for the accompanist. Failure to provide this service will result in the cancellation
of the recital. Students
performing a recital may “lock in” a weekly 1/2 hour time with the accompanist.
Recital Jury
Before a student is permitted to perform a recital, he/she must first pass the recital jury. A recital
jury must take place AT LEAST ten days prior the actual recital date. It is performed in the
actual
recital space and is attended by the department chair and the
applied instructor. The student is required to perform the entire
recital as it will be presented in the actual recital performance (with the accompanist and any
other performers who will be appearing in the recital). Final approval for the actual recital
performance is granted only after the student successfully passes the recital jury. Lack of
preparation at the recital jury will result in the postponement of the recital performance. If a
recital must be postponed, the student may NOT take an incomplete. The student will receive an
"F" for the course and then retake the course for a
new grade. The student who must repeat their recital course work must also register and pay for
applied lessons.
Program Notes
Students must provide program notes for their recital. Program
notes consist of information about each composer and any
information that might be available regarding each particular work being performed. Singers
must also provide translations of all songs in foreign languages. The general expectation is that
each piece performed in the recital will have an informative paragraph in the program notes. The
recital notes MUST be proof read by at least two faculty members prior to printing.
Non-Academic Recital
A student may elect to do a recital not required for their particular degree. For instance, a student
pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in
music may choose to do a recital. Any recital, whether it be elective or required, must be
approved by the applied instructor and the department chair. A recital jury is required for elective
recitals as well.
There is a $250 accompanist fee for all elective recitals (recitals
required by a degree track will not have this fee). The fee is to be paid directly to the
accompanist at the time of the recital.
Musical Theatre Senior Project
A music theatre senior project requires that the student put
together a 60-minute performance of solo songs, duets, monologues and scenes from published
dramatic scripts and musical theatre repertory. Choreography created by the student will also be
included. The recital should include pieces from several different musical theatre eras. The
recital should include at least one duet with another singer. The recital should include at least one
monologue from a
play and one scene from a play with another actor. Scenes and
monologues cannot be from films or original work. The recital
should include at least two dance numbers that the student has choreographed. One number
should feature the student in a solo dance and the other should include the student with at least
one
other dancer. The student will need to present a variety of character types, for example, age,
comedy/tragedy, class.
The student must contact their advisor to establish a performance
date within the first two weeks of the fall term, regardless of the term they are performing. The
student should be in regular consultation with faculty in both the Theatre and Music departments.
If there is going to be a recording of the show, all of these expenses and arrangements will be
handled by the student.
The written documentation of this project includes a statement by the student explaining his/her
rationale for the inclusion of each role element in the recital and a self-assessment project paper.
A rehearsal journal that contains notes, thoughts, and ideas about approaches to
characterizations, insights and/or problems areas that arise is not required but is highly
recommended.
The Musical Theatre Senior Project may be performed in
either the fall or spring semester of the senior year