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rev. 10.8.18
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The Undergraduate Student Handbook has been prepared as a reference tool for students pursuing degree programs in the Department of Music of Central Washington University. Information is included about the Department, its degree programs, major concentrations, student responsibilities and the Music Office procedures affecting student/office relationships.
The Department of Music has a number of financial scholarships ranging from $100.00 to $1,500.00 per year. These are available to both entering students and those currently enrolled at Central. Other scholarships are available through the University Financial Aid Office. All accepted students are automatically considered for academic scholarships based on the Admission Index (a combination of High School GPA and SAT/ACT scores), provided the application for admission to the university has been submitted before the published deadline. This scholarship is administered by the Admissions Office.
All entering students who plan to major in music must demonstrate their performance ability by auditioning with a faculty member. Based on this audition, the Department of Music will determine the student's admissibility into a specific major area.
Students who do not qualify for admission into the Department may be placed on departmental probation. Students who are admitted on probation have one quarter to take applied lessons at the 171 level to prove that they have the skill and determination to succeed as a music major. At the end of the quarter, probationary students will play a final examination in front of the applied faculty in their area. After reviewing the final examination results and the quarter’s academic records, it will be determined if students will continue in or be removed from the major. At the discretion of the area faculty, the probationary term can be extended to two quarters.
Audition dates for H.S. seniors planning to attend CWU the following year will be scheduled for fall and winter quarters and published on the department web site. However, other dates are available through prior scheduling. Information regarding audition dates, schedules, and repertoire requirements can also be obtained through the department web site.
PLEASE NOTE:
In addition to general education courses, transfer students wanting to major in music at CWU should have completed two years of Music Theory (Written and Aural Skills), Two years of Applied lessons on a major instrument or voice, and also developed basic piano skills (if piano is not your major instrument). For the BA degree a student MUST satisfy the world language requirement--either two years in H.S. or one year of college-level world language
If you do not have any courses in these areas, then you will begin at the first year level as a music major at CWU, and it will take a minimum of four years to complete your music degree. (see Freshman Entrance Requirements)
If you have taken music courses and you want to receive credit for taking these courses, then you need to do the following:
Please note: Completing these courses does not guarantee admission to Central Washington University or the degree program.
According to State policy, an earned AA degree from an accredited Washington State Community College automatically satisfies the General Education requirement for a Bachelor's degree.
In addition to general education classes:
We are happy to give transfer students credit for theory courses taken at other institutions. However, we need to be sure that your knowledge and skills are on a par with the students who have gone through our theory sequence. If you are transferring any theory courses from another institution, you must take our in house diagnostic exam in music theory. This exam is given during the summer orientation for transfer students. (Times can be found on our Admissions Page) To learn more about what this exam covers see the links below. Your registration for other music courses, including applied music (private lessons), will be in jeopardy if you do not take this exam.
Your entrance audition will determine your level of applied study, in order to prepare appropriate literature and to demonstrate the appropriate technique on your instrument for this audition, please visit your major instrument’s applied standards page. Transfer students wanting to enter into the 364 (junior) level of applied study must demonstrate a mastery of skills listed at the 264 (sophomore) level. Please contact the appropriate applied instructor on your instrument for more information. Transfer students placement in 164, 264, or 364 will be determined by the area faculty.
Transfer student applied standards
We are happy to give transfer students credit for basic piano skills courses taken at other institutions. However, we need to be sure that your knowledge and skills are on a par with the students who have gone through our piano class sequence. In order to receive credit for your basic piano skills, you will need to schedule an appointment to take the piano proficiency test with a piano faculty member, or you will need to complete our piano class sequence. The following is a link to the piano proficiency test:
The CWU music department will accept transfer credits for ensembles from other institutions. Once the transfer student arrives on campus the department policy requires that all music students participate in at least one large ensemble for each quarter a student is enrolled as a music major.
When you are fully-accepted as a music major, the office will declare your major using the Major Declaration Form and this will reflect on your MyCWU account. If you are accepted into a major in any quarter other than fall, you must fill out this Declaration Form at the time of your acceptance:
Admission to this degree program requires a separate audition with the Composition faculty. This audition consists of a short interview (10 15 minutes) during which time the student's compositional experience, interests, and orientations are discussed. The student is additionally expected to bring a small portfolio of representative compositions to the interview for evaluation. A typical portfolio will contain at least 2 to 3 conventionally notated scores for different forces (e.g. solo instrument, small chamber ensembles, etc.) that demonstrate the student's current level of achievement. There are no requirements for the duration of such works, nor are there any stylistic limitations per se, beyond the expectation that the works be in a "serious" (i.e. non popular) idiom. Students are also welcome to bring recordings of their portfolio works to the audition interview, although works existing solely in recorded form are generally not encouraged. Normally freshman students will not be admitted to the composition program until the first two quarters of theory have been successfully completed and passed with a "B" or better. Until admission to this degree has been attained, freshman will be declared as BA Majors.
NOTE: In order to be in good standing as a music major, the following requirements must be followed. If these requirements are not followed, students will be advised out of the music program into another major. Note: some requirements are major specific and do not apply to all majors.
In order to graduate from any music degree program, all music students are required to demonstrate a minimum level of piano proficiency. Students with piano skills can take the proficiency test, if they pass the proficiency test, then they will not be required to take the piano class sequence. These students will need to meet with their advisor to determine appropriate course substitutions for the required piano credits. All other music students must complete the piano class sequence (3 quarters) in order to complete the piano proficiency requirement.
Only students who are demonstrating adequate progress toward acquiring the skills necessary to pass the piano proficiency will be allowed to progress through the piano class sequence. Students who are not progressing in the sequence will receive the grade of “U”, these students will not be allowed to continue in the sequence, and will have to repeat that piano class the next quarter. Students in piano 3 will take the piano proficiency jury at the end of the quarter. If they pass the piano proficiency jury, then they have completed the piano proficiency requirement and will receive the grade of “S” for piano 3. If they do not pass the piano proficiency jury, then they will receive the grade of “U” and must repeat piano 3 until they pass the proficiency jury and receive the grade of “S” for piano 3.
A Piano Proficiency exam must be passed by all music majors as a graduation requirement. For Music Education Majors, this exam is part of the department's endorsement for student teaching. Student teaching placement cannot be scheduled without this endorsement. For all other majors, the Piano Proficiency Exam is a graduation requirement, and graduation will not be granted if the Registrar's Office does not receive notification that the exam has been passed. Exam particulars are available in the Music Office. The exam is administered by the members of the piano faculty and is scheduled during the Final Exam week at the end of each quarter. A sign-up sheet for the exam will be posted during the last week of classes outside the piano faculty member's office. The Piano Proficiency exam is separate from the three-quarter Class Piano sequence (MUS 154A I, MUS 154A II, MUS 154A III). This sequence of courses prepares the student for the Piano Proficiency exam, but successfully completing this sequence does NOT release a student from the obligation to take the Piano Proficiency exam.
All students enrolled in first year theory (MUS 144) must also be enrolled in the three-quarter Class Piano sequence (MUS 154A I, MUS 154A II, MUS 154A III). This requirement can be waived by demonstrating sufficient keyboard skills to a member of the piano faculty. Students should be aware that while a particular class may be waived upon demonstration of the appropriate skill, the credits are not waived. Taking an appropriate elective class and submitting a "Course Substitution" form will fulfill these credit requirements.
All music majors, including BM and BA degrees, must register for a major ensemble appropriate to their major performance area during each quarter of enrollment as a full time student. The ensembles designated as major ensembles are: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Choir, Chamber Choir and University Orchestra. Exceptions to this requirement are as follows:
Accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) requires that music departments ensure students hear live music as a part of their training. Attendance at recitals, concerts, and Music Department Convocation fulfill that requirement. In addition, Convocation promotes the department as an integrated community of students, faculty, and staff with announcements and sharing of information of broader interest.
Applied lessons are required in every music degree offered at CWU. Students accepted into the Music Education, Composition or BA degrees will register for 1-credit lessons, and those in the Performance degree will register for 2 credit lessons. As space allows, priority will be given to (in order):
All students, including transfer students, will be admitted as music majors with areas of specializations (performance, music ed., BA). The First-Year Confirmation will be used to validate the areas of specializations. The First-Year Confirmation occurs at the end of the first year of study in the department, normally at the time of the first advancement jury for performance majors.
At the completion of your sophomore year, all Music Education majors will complete a professional interview conducted by the Music Education committee member(s), the chair, and/or the advisor. The purpose of this interview is to discuss your academic record and to evaluate your progress in the Music Education program. The interview will take about 15-20 minutes and you will be asked to dress professionally. The results of the student’s Second Year Confirmation are a result of the review of the Music Advisor, Area Faculty, Private Instructor, and Music Office.
In order to be at least conditionally admitted to the Teacher Preparation Program, candidates must complete items 1 - 9 below. To be fully admitted to the Teacher Preparation Program, candidates must successfully complete all items listed below.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted, therefore, will be returned to the candidate. In order for an application to be accepted by the Teacher Preparation Program, items 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 listed below must be submitted together.
In order to receive an endorsement to student teach, the student must receive a satisfactory evaluation in all areas of music study. Before a student can apply for placement into student teaching, which takes place several months (see deadlines below) before the actual student teaching, all music education majors must pass the required piano proficiency examination and be in good standing with the music department's convocation/recital attendance requirement.
Deadlines for application for placement into student teaching: Ellensburg Campus - Fall Quarter (April 15), Winter Quarter (Oct. 15), Spring Quarter (Jan. 15), Summer Quarter (April 1) Student Teaching Requirements:
Admission to the Teacher Preparation Program, 3.0 GPA (cumulative or for the last 45 graded credits) and successful completion (grade of C or higher) of professional sequence, major and minor courses, and at least 75 percent of major and minor completed. Proof of purchase, $1M liability insurance, and submission of West-E scores or proof of registration for a date that will occur prior to the first day of the Student Teaching experience. All grades of Incomplete must be converted to C or higher prior to the beginning of the Student Teaching experience.
The following fees are applicable to all students registered for course work in the Department of Music. All fees are to be paid in the Cashiers Office and receipts shown to office staff when necessary. No Refunds will be made after the campus deadline for withdrawal from classes with permission (see quarterly class schedule for dates each quarter). Following is the list of Music courses and required fees:
Recitals are scheduled by first visiting the Music Office, to get a list of dates and times that are available for the recital. An Event Approval form is given to the student to take back to his or her applied instructor. Recital and recital date must be approved by the applied instructor (if a joint recital, both instructors must approve). After the instructor chooses a date and has signed the Event Approval form, the student returns the form to the office to complete the scheduling process. Students must be registered for applied music in the performance area during the quarter in which the recital is to be performed.
Due to space constraints in the Music building, the following resolutions were approved through a faculty majority vote.
After the Event Approval form is completed and returned to the Music Office, the student completes a simple form which authorizes the Music Department to place a $50 fee upon the student's university account.
Program information must be submitted to the office at least ten days before the recital date. This information should be emailed to music@cwu.edu. Programs will be typed and placed in the mailbox of faculty recitalist, sponsor or director within three days of its initial submission. Programs must be proofed and returned to the office at least five days before the recital date. Failure to adhere to these deadlines will result in no guarantee of program availability for distribution at the concert or recital. This procedure applies to student recitals, faculty recitals and ensemble concerts.
Posters can be made on campus at The Wildcat Shop Custom Printing located in the SURC. Production and printing costs are the responsibility of the student. Posters must be approved by the Scheduling Office prior to posting. Posters deemed inappropriate will not be allowed to be posted in the department. Posters in a landscape layout, rather than portrait, are preferred for display on the digital sign in the foyer.
364 recitals (1/2 recitals) should last a minimum of 20-25 minutes, not to exceed ½ hour and can be combined with another 364 recital not to exceed 1 hour combined.
464 and 564 recitals should last a minimum of 45-50 minutes, not to exceed 1 hour.
If students reschedule or cancel a recital less than one month prior to the scheduled recital date, the recital fee will be forfeited. If it is rescheduled, a new recital fee must be paid. The first time a recital is rescheduled there is no charge. For every reschedule following the first, the rescheduling fee (see above) will be applied.
The student lounge, Rm. 140, or the Rotunda, is available for receptions following recitals if the student wishes to have one. Set-up/cleanup, supplies, refreshments, etc. are the responsibility of the student. Additional cleaning fees that have been charged to the department, due to not properly cleaning up after a recital reception will be charged to the student(s) who had scheduled the recital reception.
Music Majors may request the use of department equipment to make audio, and or video, recordings in the Performance or Ensemble Rehearsal rooms. There are two methods for doing so.
1. Use of the Central Recording Room equipment requires the use of a recording tech. The following conditions apply:
2. Portable recording devices are available for student use without charge. Learning how to use this equipment is the responsibility of the user, but is quite simple. Students may schedule time with the program assistant in the front office.
Classrooms may be used for practice or rehearsal whenever the building is open and they are not being used for scheduled classes. Exceptions are as follows: a) the piano lab may not be checked out by students; b) use of the jazz room requires prior approval from the head of the jazz program.
Reservation requests may be made through the Music Office before 2:00 PM, Monday through Friday. All requests must be made in person, no phone calls. If a group of students (excluding sectionals) want to reserve a room on a regular basis throughout the quarter, written permission must be obtained by an instructor. For this purpose, a form for reserving classrooms can be obtained at the office front desk. Use of rooms by non-music students must be approved by the department chair.
Rooms may also be checked out on a first-come first-serve basis. To do this, you will need to check with the building monitor on duty for the evening. They may not be used for practice or rehearsal during department-sponsored recitals or concerts.
Use of these classrooms for rehearsal requires observation of the following protocol:
If any of the above three steps are omitted or the room is left in messy condition, a warning will be given for the first infraction (through the student's advisor or private instructor). The second time a student omits one of the above three steps, the privilege of the use of the room will be taken away for the rest of the quarter.
The Central Washington University Department of Music maintains an inventory of instruments for students to use for classes and ensembles. These instruments may be checked out at no charge. However, the student is responsible for the instrument according to the terms and conditions specified on the check-out form, which includes, but is not limited to the following summarized items:
To checkout instruments, go to the hall manager office; provide them with your student ID, and information along with your requested type of instrument. An agreement will be prepared for you to sign after agreeing to abide by the checkout agreement terms and conditions. Upon receipt you should confirm the instrument’s condition, and included accessories, are consistent with the description contained on the agreement. If any inconsistencies exist, notify the hall manager immediately. Included on the agreement, sent via email, is a due date for the instruments return. Please be sure to return the instrument by this due date. In fact, it’s a good idea to return the instrument as soon as you no longer are in need of it. This frees it up for use by other students who may be waiting for it.
To return the instrument you must physically bring it back to the hall manager’s office for inspection and check in. Please note it is your responsibility to return the instrument thoroughly cleaned. A good rule of thumb is to return the instrument in the condition you would like to check it out in. Upon confirmation that the instrument has been cleaned and no damage, other than typical wear and tear, has occurred, you will receive another document, via email, confirming return receipt of the instrument by the hall manager.
All lockers are assigned in the Hall Manager's Office, room 146. The student completes a simple form, which allows the Music Department to charge the student's account a rental fee of $5 for the academic year. The fee covers the use of a department locker and lock for that time period. After finals week of Spring quarter, or at such time that you no longer need it, the locker must be emptied. Leave the cleaned out locker locked and notify the hall manager you are finished using it. Students who wish to retain a locker for the summer may do so if the student is enrolled in summer courses and will actively be using the locker over the summer. Summer locker use must be arranged with the Hall Manager before the last day of finals week Spring quarter.
The Music department is not responsible for lost or stolen items stored in lockers, or left in the building. Make sure valuables (particularly instruments) are insured. Most homeowner and renter insurance covers personal items away from home, but double check with your insurance agent.
Food and drink are NOT PERMITTED in the practice rooms. Do not place anything on top of the pianos as this can leave marks. Reserving rooms by leaving belongings in the room is not permitted. Belongings left unattended for more than 10 minutes may be moved to a corner and the occupancy of the room surrendered. All practice rooms are left unlocked for use when building is open, except for the percussion practice rooms and those reserved for studying the piano. For permission to get keys for these rooms see appropriate instructor.
Music stands located in the concert and recital halls must remain in the concert and recital hall. Music stands are available in each practice room. If you have a scheduled rehearsal in a classroom, and there are not enough stands in the room, you may borrow one from an adjacent class or practice room. All borrowed stands must be returned to their original location immediately after the rehearsal.
All of the music stands in the McIntyre Music building that belong to the Department of Music are, under no circumstances, to be used for any function outside the building without the prior permission of the hall manager who will "check out" stands as needed.
Jobs may be available in the Department of Music for music students who qualify for either the Work-Study Program or Regular Student Employment. Students interested in a job in the Department of Music should apply in the Music Office for any available openings.
Students demonstrating financial need and requiring a job to help pay for college expenses are potentially eligible for employment in the Work-Study Program. Jobs are available both on and off campus. Qualifying students may work 19 hours per week. Contact the Financial Aid Office for complete information. Students who do not qualify for work-study, but still need assistance meeting college expenses, may qualify for Regular Student Employment.
If unable to find a position in the Music Department, students needing to work should look into the following job possibilities:
The Music Office posts information regarding summer workshops, music camps and festivals on the Summer Opportunities board located across from the first floor practice rooms. Information regarding Graduate School opportunities may be found on the bulletin board located on the second floor next to room 210. Scholarship and employment opportunities are posted on the bulletin board located across from the Music Office, next to the recital hall side entrance. To research additional scholarship opportunities visit the CWU Scholarship office web site at: http://www.cwu.edu/scholarships/. For student employment postings, visit the Student Employment web site at: http://www.cwu.edu/student-employment/.
The Music Office has copies of often-used forms, such as Add/Drop, Course Substitution, Piano Proficiency Exam, etc. available for student use. They are located on the front desk counter or can be requested from office staff.
The Music Office has copies of Advising/Checkout forms for each degree. These may be requested from office staff.
University policies for Ethics, Health and Safety, and Compliance can be found at the Office Of The President's web site along with all relevant University policies and procedures. Policies and procedures for emergency preparedness, along with important information about CWU's Emergency Notification System, can be found in the Campus Police portion of the University web site. (the following links will open in a new window or a new tab)
Organizations available for student membership in the Department of Music and respective Faculty to contact are:
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