MUSIC HANDBOOK

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this handbook is to provide music students with pertinent information during their tenure at UAH. In no way is the handbook to replace personal counseling with faculty members and it should be used in conjunction with the UAH catalog. Students are urged to discuss their needs with their faculty advisor or the department chairman.

TELEPHONE (256) 824-6436

FAX
(256) 824-6411

CONCERT INFORMATION
(256) 824-6437

FACULTY PHONE NUMBERS
Dr. Don Bowyer, 824-2582
Dr. Erin Colwitz, 824-2581
Dr. C. David Ragsdale, 824-2583
Dr. Carolyn Sanders, 824-2580
Dr. Sarkis Baltaian, 824-2579
Dr. Ron Wray, 824-3302
Ms. Ingrid von Spakovsky, 824-2585
Mr. Phil Weaver, 824-2585

PERSONNEL
Chair: Dr. Don Bowyer
Administrative Professional:  Ms. Cil Spina

Additional information may be obtained
on the Music Department's Web Page:

http://www.uah.edu/music

FACULTY

STUDENT PROCEDURES

The UAH Catalog supplies a wealth of information concerning the many steps students must take, from gaining admission to the University on through graduation. It should be remembered that the music faculty and the department administrative professional are genuinely interested in each student's progress. They want to help you in every possible way. Students, however, should first check the catalog for advice on clear-cut University policies before requesting help from a faculty advisor. Freshmen must always gain the approval of the Academic Advisement Center prior to registration.

The link to "Planning Documents" on the Music Department web site's Student Information Page is an important source of information about curriculum. The following list may be helpful to you during your University career:

1. Application for admission to UAH: See catalog "Admission Information"

2. Freshman Orientation: Prior to fall term enrollment

General University policies and procedures
Placement tests given
Audition in Music Department
Music students meet music faculty representatives

3. Academic Advisement Center: Faculty advisement for freshman and sophomore students -- University Center. See catalog under "Student Development" for helpful information regarding advisement.)

4. Admission to Teacher Education Program:  For those students pursuing the Emphasis in Music Education, this should be done during spring term of sophomore year in Department of Education, Morton Hall. See catalog under "Education" for more information.

5. Declaring a Major: This is an important step to be initiated during the sophomore year -- generally called "Declaring a Program of Study." Completion of this step essentially concludes a written contract between the student and the university stating that, "if you satisfactorily fulfill the courses listed then you will receive a degree." See catalog under "Program of Study" for more information. Students may initiate this process in the Music Department office, or with the College of Liberal Arts advisor, Mr. Frank Bell.

6. Application for Student Teaching: Before April 15 of the Junior year, students admitted to the Teacher Education Program should make application for a student teaching assignment for one term of the senior year. (See catalog under "Education" for additional information.)

7. Application for Graduation" Must be completed at least three months prior to expected graduation date. Application forms may be obtained in the Office of Admissions and Records in the University Center.

8. Application for Teacher Certification: Forms available in Office of Admission and Records, to be filled out near end of the teacher education program.

MUSIC BUILDING FACILITIES

1. Practice Rooms: The practice rooms are available to students enrolled in studio instruction and departmental ensembles. Special requests for other practice room use must be made to the department chairman. In the past, students have occasionally used practice rooms to teach private students. As long as space is available and no conflict with practice of music students develops, students may request the use of a practice room for teaching in limited amounts. However, a written request with stated times of usage must be made to the department chairman. Special authorization will be granted whenever possible.

2. Classrooms: The percussion studio can be used as a practice room when not being used for teaching. The upstairs classroom is reserved for class use, overflow studio teaching and special group rehearsals and meetings.

3. Rehearsal Hall: This room may also be used for practice when it is free and when an activity on the recital hall stage will not be disrupted. As a courtesy, please allow piano majors to utilize this grand piano for practice.

4. Recital Hall: This room is reserved for recital preparation and performances. All usage must be scheduled with the department secretary. No general practicing can be done in this room.

5. Computer Rooms (RH 109): When not utilized by a class, these rooms are available for student work, such as composition assignments, use of eartraining software, and listening to recordings. They are equipped with computers and electronic keyboards. Students must provide their own earphones, so that other users will not be interrupted. Because of the equipment in the room, the door should be kept locked.

6. Salmon Library Computer Lab (Rm. 211): This computer lab is equipped with 30 computer workstations, complete with appropriate music software and keyboards.  This room is for class use only.  The Information Arcade on the first floor of the library includes five computers with music software, and may be used any time the library is open.

7. Department Office: The department office is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The department telephone is a business telephone; personal calls should be restricted to the pay telephone in the elevator lobby. Students may leave a message on the department phone (256-824-6436) at any time. Voice mail is also available for individual faculty members, so students are encouraged to call the appropriate faculty member directly. The numbers are given at the beginning of this document.

8. Lockers: Lockers are available on a first come, first served basis. Locker reservations are made through the department secretary; who must have the combination to the lock. Failure to comply may result in a lock being removed if the occupant of the locker cannot be identified.

9. General Guidelines: Drinks and food are not allowed in the practice or rehearsal rooms. Smoking is strictly prohibited throughout the building.

It will be to every music student's advantage to keep all outside doors closed for the control of building temperature and humidity, which greatly affects piano tuning. Any misuse of the facilities must be reported to a faculty or staff member.

The building is open from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight daily. The building is sometimes closed during term breaks and vacations.

Please remember: the use of a university-owned instrument is a privilege--not a right.

1. Woodwind, Brass, String, and Percussion: Any student who wishes to use an instrument owned by the university must:

a. Be a member of an appropriate performing organization or class at UAH.
b. Determine the availability of an instrument with the conductor or instructor directly involved.
c. Sign a document (parent's signature required for persons under legal age).
d. Agree to properly maintain the instrument and pay for any repairs needed while the instrument is signed out.
e. Return the instrument immediately upon request of the music faculty member from whom the instrument was signed out.

2. Pianos: Most pianos in our building are provided on a loan basis by A.B. Stephens Music Co. and Yamaha Corporation. In order that this program may not be jeopardized, we must maintain these instruments in good condition. Treat the instruments like fine pieces of furniture; no food or beverages should be placed on any piano at any time. The Steinway concert grand in the Recital Hall must be kept covered and in it's humidity-controlled closet when not in use, and is available for student use only in performances and in preparation for junior and senior recitals. Please report any abuse of pianos to the department office.

3. Listening Facilities: The Computer rooms may be used to listen to CDs. Listening facilities in each classroom and rehearsal area are also available. A sizable collection of compact discs is located in the department office, and is available for you to check out and listen to in the building, The catalog is available online on the Student Information page. Be prepared to leave your ID card or Drivers License as collateral. Students are now expected to provide their own earphones for listening and computer work. Think of this as one of your most inexpensive pieces of musical equipment!

Report to the department secretary concerning any defective equipment.

The UAH Library has a growing collection in the area of music. The Library's music collection includes over 4535 monographs (performance editions, composers' collected works, reprints of musical classics, encyclopedias, dictionaries, histories, biographies, pedagogical and theoretical works, etc.), 40 current subscriptions to music periodicals of various types, and about 965 recorded titles. The strongest areas of the music collection are probably those of biographical works, general and period histories, and collected sets (Musica Brittanica, Monuments of Music in Austria, etc.). Additions are continually being made to the collection in practical editions, composers' collected works, 20th century scores, and works on vocal and instrumental pedagogy.

The music scores and monographs are located under M and ML and MT on the second floor of the library. These may be checked out for four weeks and renewed once by any student having a UAH identification card. Music Reference works (encyclopedias, dictionaries, collective biographies, thematic catalogues, etc.) are located in the reference section. These may not be taken out of the library except with the express permission of the music reference librarian. The music periodicals are shelved alphabetically by title and may be checked out for three days.

Compact discs, mentioned above, are housed in the department office and may be checked out by students only for use in the music building.  Additionally, there are a number of compact discs in the Salmon Library for listening there.

Jazz play-along books and CDs are also available in the Salmon Library for checkout.

Materials assigned as supplementary reading or study for classes may be placed behind the circulation desk on one of three different types of reserve:

1. Overnight Reserve: one hour before library closing to one hour after library opening the following day.

2. Room Reserve: for use only in the library.

3. Class-Reserve: before or after a class to before or after the next meeting of the same class.

Students are referred to the Salmon Library website for further information on library facilities, holdings, procedures and policies.

1. Registration and Audition Procedures:

A student who wishes to register for instruction in any area of applied music should speak with the department chair or with the faculty member under whom he or she wishes to study, and complete a "Request for Studio Instruction." Students may be required to audition in order to demonstrate their level of proficiency. If accepted as an applied music student, they will then be assigned a course number on the basis of their performance level and plans for music study at UAH. Often, transfer students are requested to perform a placement jury at the end of their first term of study.

2. Applied Music Course Numbers and Their Meanings:

a) Course numbers in applied music have the "MUA" prefix. Those beginning with "1" (111 for voice, 121 for organ, 131 for piano, etc.) denote instruction for music minors or for non-majors. A student receives 1 semester hour credit for this level of instruction, and will normally have one 30 minute lesson per week.

b) Course numbers beginning with "2" or "4" (211 and 411 for voice, 221 and 421 for organ, 231 and 431 for piano, etc.) denote the principal performance area for music majors. A student receives 1.5 or 2 semester hours credit for this level of instruction and will normally have one fifty-minute lesson per week.

c) Students in 200- and 400-level studio instruction must perform before a faculty jury each term in their principal instrument area.  Music minors are required to jury every other term. The jury may retain students at any level until proper achievement is reached for advancement. The jury may also raise or lower the instructor's grade one degree.  Students who are neither majoring nor minoring in music are not required to perform before the jury.

3. Practice Requirements for Students taking Studio Instruction at UAH:

Applied music instruction at the 200- and 400-level carries a minimum practice requirement of at least two hours a day. Applied music instruction at the 100-level carries a minimum practice requirement of at least one hour a day. These requirements may be increased or decreased for various reasons at the discretion of the individual instructor.

4. Jury Examinations:

a) Students in 200- and 400-level studio instruction will perform a full-faculty jury examination at the completion of each semester in their principal instrument area.

b) Music minors will perform a jury examination at the completion of each two semesters of instruction.

c) Juries are normally held on the study day before the first day of final exams. Students can select a time on the Jury Schedule which is posted approximately ten days prior to jury day.

d) Each student must complete a Studio Instruction Report and submit it to his/her instructor before the end of each term. Students who do not submit this report will receive an "incomplete (I)" grade. These reports become a part of the student's file, which is circulated at the jury.

e) A minimum of three faculty members will constitute the jury, but all music faculty are invited to attend. The jury may retain students at any level until proper achievement is reached for advancement. The jury's grade is averaged together with the instructor's grade, according to the formulas set forth in the studio instruction syllabus. Students who are neither majoring nor minoring in music are not required to perform before the jury.

f) The faculty jury provides a broad and impartial evaluation tool at regular intervals during a student's progress in his/her applied area. It also familiarizes the faculty with all music students while providing students an opportunity to function under performance conditions.

g) The jury will advise students of their potential for continued success as a major or minor in music.

h) The jury should be considered a form of public performance. Dress and stage decorum must therefore be handled accordingly. Normally, a student will perform a composition of their choice (with instructor's approval) at the beginning of the jury. Then the jury may ask to hear examples of works and materials listed on the Studio Instruction Report as well as asking questions concerning the repertoire and technical study.

5. Studio Instruction Priorities:

Due to limited faculty time and funding, a system of priorities has been developed to fulfill equitably student requests for studio instruction. All students must fill out a "Request for Studio Instruction" prior to registration each term; this may be done online.. New students may be asked to audition prior to enrolling. The chairman of the department assigns students to studio instruction each term according to requests, teacher availability and the following priority system:

a) Major or Principal instrument (full-time music student)
b) Secondary instrument (full-time music student)
c) Major or Principal instrument (part-time music student)
d) Secondary Instrument (part-time music student)
e) Full-time UAH students (minoring in Music)
f) Part-time UAH students (minoring in Music)
g) Full-time UAH student (non-music student)
h) Part-time UAH students (non-music student)
i) Dual Enrollment and Early Start students

6. Other expectations and requirements:

The department faculty has established the following common requirements for studio instruction:

This section includes a general outline of requirements in music majors, music minors, and non-music majors enrolled for studio instruction. All students will be expected to meet the general requirements as listed; additional studio instruction requirements will be at the discretion of the individual instructor.

1. Lesson Attendance: The lesson grade will be affected by a student not attending a minimum of 13 lessons. In the case of a lesson that is missed with no advance notification, the instructor will not make up the lesson; instructors will make up lessons with advance notification from students and in cases where the instructor misses a lesson.

2. Thursday morning attendance: All music majors and minors will be expected to attend the initial Convocation as well as all Student Recitals on Thursdays from 9:30-10:30 AM. In addition, all music majors and minors will be expected to attend classes in their area of specialization: Voice, wind and percussion, strings, guitar, and piano. These classes will also meet on Thursdays from 9:30-10:30. Please consult the Thursday Morning Calendar attached to the syllabus for specific dates.

3. General Concert and Recital Attendance:  In addition to Thursday morning events (see above) all music majors must attend eight concerts or recitals every semester, including no more than four in which the student is performing.  In addition to Thursday morning events (see above) all music minors and are required to attend four concerts or recitals every semester, including no more than two in which the student is performing.  Please consult the Music Department Calendar for events taking place at Roberts Hall. Other community events are acceptable; please clear these events with the instructor.

4. Faculty Recital Attendance: All music majors and music minors will be required to attend all faculty recitals, even if doing so exceeds the requirements listed under General Concert and Recital Attendance. Required faculty recitals will be indicated by an asterisk(*) on the Music Department Calendar.

5. Student Recital Attendance: All music majors and music minors will be required to attend all student recitals presented by music majors. Required student recitals will be indicated by an asterisk(*) on the Music Department Calendar.

A sign-in sheet will be placed at the entrance for all faculty and student recitals, and must be signed by the student to receive proper credit for each event attended.

These requirements represent part of the coursework for which each student assumes responsibility when enrolling for studio instruction. The studio instruction grade will be dropped one letter for each required recital, concert or class not attended.

1. Junior and Senior Recitals:

There are many aspects of performing a Junior or Senior recital. Consulting with their studio instructor, students are expected to prepare their own program copy, clearly typed and ready for the department secretary. Any program notes, translations or special comments should be accurately prepared; composer's dates should be included.

Publicity articles should be written by the student for submission to local newspapers and the Music Department's Concerts Email List by the department secretary. Students should submit their own copy to the UAH Exponent well in advance of the recital date. Physical arrangements for stage decoration, lighting, ushers, etc. must not be forgotten for this learning experience.

Time in the Recital Hall is limited due to a very crowded schedule for that facility. Dates for recitals should be set early in the school year to insure availability of the hall.

Please be sure to leave the hall doors closed and the piano properly covered.

3. Ensemble Requirements:

The music faculty considers ensemble participation one of the most important experiences in the curriculum. One music ensemble is required each term in which a student is enrolled as a full-time music major. Only four to eight hours of ensemble credit (depending upon the degree program) may be applied toward a degree. However, the ensemble grade continues to apply toward a student's GPA.

An audition is required before enrollment in many of the music ensembles, and a student is required to attend all rehearsals and concerts unless excused. Students should consult the conductor of the ensemble for more specific information and requirements.

Descriptions of the various ensembles offered can be found in the music section of the UAH catalog.

1. Time is reserved one hour each week for student recitals (Thursdays 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.) or for piano, voice, and instrument classes. The student recitals are most valuable as this is an opportunity to test one's musical skills before peers and faculty. It is also an occasion when upper classmen preparing a junior or senior recital can perform a portion of their program in a performance situation.

The student recital also brings the student in hearing contact with various kinds of literature, i.e., instrumental, vocal, keyboard. Occasionally the student recital hour may be used for a visiting musician and lecturer, student groups from high school or colleges, or an unusual lecture by our own music faculty. Music majors are required to attend every student recital and should arrange their schedules accordingly.

2. Attendance at concerts on campus or in Huntsville is extremely important for the musical development of students. It is the unusual student who has attended, or even had the opportunity to attend concerts of various kinds in his junior and senior high school days. Going to concerts is one major tool for developing a broad concept of musicianship, sensitivity and standards of performance. One becomes aware of the high level of performance attainable when hearing experienced or professional musicians who are considered outstanding in their special area of performance.

Music majors should attend at least eight concerts per term; music minors enrolled in studio instruction are required to attend four concerts per term. Concerts in which the student performs may count towards no more than half of these requirements. A listing of the concerts attended must be included on the "studio instruction report."

3. Specific attendance requirements for students enrolled in studio instruction are outlined in the section on "Guidelines and Expectations for Studio Instruction."

Each student has the opportunity each term to evaluate his or her individual instructor and each course in which he is enrolled. There are two forms which will be used--one is the SIR which is a university-wide evaluation required. The other is a form which was compiled by the music department and which applies only to the department. Through the careful, thoughtful completion of these forms by students, the faculty members are able to improve their teaching and be responsive to student needs.