Welcome to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln School of Music. As an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music, the School of Music offers its students an exciting range of opportunities and degree options. Whether a student is considering an education major, a performance major, a major with liberal arts emphasis, or a minor in music or dance, the School of Music offers a curriculum designed to provide the opportunities necessary for a chosen area and a faculty dedicated to the highest standards of excellence in music and dance.

This handbook is designed to help the student understand information concerning policies, procedures, undergraduate degree options, and guidelines of the School of Music. It is important to remember that it is the student’s responsibility to be aware of policies and requirements as they apply to degree programs. Personnel in the Music Office and faculty advisors are available to answer questions and assist the student. Further information that may be of use to the student can be found in the current UNL Undergraduate Bulletin.

School of Music announcements concerning academic updates, college-testing information, application deadlines, performance calendar and related events are posted in display cases in Westbrook and on Blackboard.

Good luck and please let us know if there is further information needed concerning the UNL School of Music.

The School of Music nurtures the creativity, artistry, and scholarship of students and faculty; educates students to achieve excellence as educators, performers, composers, and scholars; and enriches the education of all students through the study and practice of music and dance. The historic and continuing commitment of the School of Music to teacher education infuses a fundamental commitment to the teaching of comprehensive musicianship into all aspects of the curriculum. The School provides opportunities to understand, participate in, and enjoy music and dance. It has a responsibility for fulfilling this mission, not only for the citizens of Nebraska, but also for its constituency regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Students in the School of Music are enrolled in the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts. The following three undergraduate major programs are available, with each degree program including hours of general education course requirements as well as a core of classes which must be taken the freshman year.

The BM degree, designed to prepare students for graduate study and a professional career, is offered in music theory, music history, composition, or performance.

BM in Music History or Theory: Undergraduate Thesis
The BM degree in Music History or Theory requires completion of a final research paper as a capstone experience. This undergraduate thesis may be on any historical, theoretical or analytical topic of the student’s choice, upon approval by the faculty adviser, who must be a member of the music history or theory faculty corresponding to the degree pursued. The project is initiated by enrolling for Research Proposal Development (MUSC 384), for one (1) credit, with the project's faculty adviser as the instructor of record. The project is completed during a subsequent semester in which the student is enrolled in Undergraduate Thesis (MUSC 499, for two (2) credits, with the adviser again as the instructor of record. (Honors Program students may enroll in 499H, and they may enroll for three (3) rather than two (2) credits, if they so desire.) It is normally expected that MUSC 384 and MUSC 499 will be taken consecutively in fall and spring semesters of the same academic year. Completion of the project will require regular consultation with the adviser throughout the course of the project. From the beginning of MUSC 384 to the end of MUSC 499, the student will work to complete the project in stages according to a timeline established in consultation with the adviser.

Music: The BA degree in music offers a choice of two options: a) a research track, or b) a performance track. The performance track culminates with a recital and the research track culminates in the presentation of a final research project. At the end of the fourth semester the student, in consultation with the academic advisor and the student's applied area teacher, selects either the performance or research track. If the performance track is chosen, the student begins preparation for a half-recital (20-30 minutes) normally given during the sixth (and last) semester of study. If the research track is selected, the student has a research project advisor who is chosen by the student in consultation with the applied instructor and the Head of the Theory/History/Composition Area. This project may be on any research topic of the student’s choice, upon approval by the music faculty advisor. The project is initiated by enrolling for Research Proposal Development (MUSC 384), for one (1) credit, with the project’s faculty advisor as the instructor of record. It is completed during a subsequent semester in which the student is enrolled in Special Topics in Music (MUSC 398), at one (1) credit per semester, with the adviser again as the instructor of record. It is normally expected that MUSC 384 and MUSC 398 will be taken consecutively in the fall and spring semesters of the same academic year. Completion of the project requires regular consultation with the adviser throughout the duration of the project. During this period the student works to complete the project in stages according to a timeline established in consultation with the advisor. This degree includes a substantial program of music study requiring approximately three years of study in music. See Additional Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in the current UNL Undergraduate Bulletin.

Dance: The BA degree in Dance offers comprehensive training in modern and ballet dance styles. Ballet and modern classes are offered as primary techniques with jazz, tap and musical theatre styles as secondary. Students study a balanced and integrated course load which combines dance with a strong liberal studies core.

The BME degree is a professional degree, which, upon successful completion, certifies the student to teach vocal and instrumental music, K-12.

The music minor requires a total of 19 credit hours, including 4 consecutive semesters of applied music (4 cr.), 4 consecutive semesters of approved ensemble (4 cr.), and 11 credits in the music core curriculum.

The Music Theatre Minor requires a total of 25 credit hours, including 20 credits in the theatre core curriculum and 5 credits in dance

The Music Theatre minor requires a total of 25 credit hours, including 5 semesters of applied music (5 cr.), 4 credits of ensembles (2 semesters of choir and 2 credits of "productions"), 8 credits in the music core curriculum, 5 credits in Dance (movement courses) and 3 credits of THEA 455-Music Theatre & Techniques.

The Dance Minor requires a total of 18 credit hours, including the following courses:

Each student in the School of Music is assigned an academic advisor. This advisor helps the student plan an appropriate academic program.

Students with college credit from other institutions should meet with their advisor to complete the appropriate forms for credit transfer.

Students pursuing any music degree program must be readmitted following an absence of one year or more (i.e., students needing to be readmitted are those who have not taken at least one course that applies toward meeting their UNL music degree requirements during a 12-month period). Students seeking re-admittance should meet with the chief advisor of their degree program to complete the appropriate forms and follows the Bulletin in effect at the time they are seeking re-admittance.

If the student has taken UNL courses which are less than five years old and those courses have not been altered substantially, those courses still apply to the readmitted student's program at the discretion of the chief degree program advisor.

If the student has taken UNL courses which are more than five years old, the courses must be validated by an audition or competency examination given by designated area faculty before they can be applied to the readmitted student's program.

Students who demonstrate mastery of Music Core course content (typically MUSC 131, 132 or 165; MUAP 231, 232) will have the appropriate required degree courses waived. However, the total minimum credit hour degree requirement of 125 must still be satisfied, and the student may ‘fill in’ University credit from any department to satisfy the 125-hour requirement.

The University Honors Program requires students to take a 189H seminar and four additional honors classes (ideally, one per semester) for a total of 15 credits in their first two years, plus a 395H seminar and two additional honors classes (ideally, one per year) for a total of 9 credits in their next two years. To fulfill this requirement, the School of Music suggests the following options for its Honors Program students in music and dance:

If an undergraduate music or dance major cannot schedule a designated Honors class or class-section in a given semester, then the possibility exists to take a regular class for Honors credit by contracting with the professor. Contracting works with classes both inside and outside the major, and involves paperwork that is handled through the Honors Program office. Students must contract for three credits in a given semester, so if a class being considered for contracting is only a one-credit or two-credit class (for instance, some music lessons, ensembles, and literature/pedagogy classes), then one or more additional classes have to be contracted in the same semester to yield a total of three credits. (This is doable, but has usually proved to be an awkward solution.) NOTE: A Course Credit Hour Override will not be granted to adjust a one or two-credit course to make the course a three-credit course. School of Music courses recommended for contracting for Honors credit are (in order of most to least preferable):

Students who have completed the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Exam in Music are given credit for music courses at UNL according to the following guidelines:

Students who have earned a score of 5 on the College Board’s Advanced Placement Exam in Music Theory are given credit for MUSC 165, MUSC 165A, and MUSC 166, and will have the opportunity to earn credit for MUSC 166A by passing an aural skills and keyboard exam administered by music theory faculty. Students who have earned a score of 4 on the Advanced Placement exam are given credit for MUSC 165 and MUSC 165A, and have the opportunity to be given credit for MUSC 166 and MUSC 166A by passing appropriate aural skills and keyboard exams administered by music theory faculty.

Students who have studied music within the International Baccalaureate Program are given credit for music courses at UNL according to the following guidelines:

Any student who has completed the Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL) requirements in music, and has achieved a score of 4 or 5 on the Listening Paper Section B, Parts A (Aural Perception), B (Technical Language) and C (Structural Analysis), are given credit for MUSC 278 (Analytical Listening-3 cr) and MUSC 165A (Musicianship I Lab-1 cr).

All live auditions must include: (1) adjudication by at least 3 members of the faculty, (2) administration of all relevant diagnostic tests (theory, aural skills, keyboard skills), and (3) an advising session (including preliminary evaluation of transfer credit) with the chief advisor of the degree program into which the student intends to matriculate. NOTE: If a student has previously auditioned and was not accepted, a minimum of 5 months must pass between auditions.

The following times will be used to audition transfer students for acceptance into the School of Music:

For Spring Semester admission of transfer students coming from outside UNL (external transfers) or non-major or non-minor UNL students (internal UNL transfers):

November – Music: Thursday of the first full week of November;

Dance: Wednesday of the first full week of November.

For Fall Semester admission of transfer students coming from outside UNL (external transfers) or non-major or non-minor UNL students (internal UNL transfers):

Regularly scheduled audition days in the spring semester
Music – Thursday afternoon of Spring Semester finals week;
Dance – Wednesday of the first full week in April in a modern dance class.
Music & Dance – Thursday afternoon of the week before Fall classes begin.

All students must audition before any studio (private lessons) assignments are considered. Following a successful audition, students are assigned to applied faculty studios according to availability of space (faculty load). Registration is initiated by obtaining the applied course number and call number from the student’s advisor. Students are limited to one major applied area (a single 2- 3 credit hour applied lesson per semester).

In the case of multiple studios such as piano and voice, students may request a specific assignment, and a request for a specific professor is honored whenever possible. Students not pursuing a music degree or music as a minor field of concentration are, by necessity, given lowest priority for applied study. NOTE: Students not pursuing music degree requirements are assessed an $80 fee in addition to the credit hour charge for applied lessons.

Students may continue, but are not required, to take applied music once they have their degree-required hours. (Faculty load may be a consideration under these circumstances.)

Occasionally a student will request a change of the applied music instructor. Specific procedures are in place to help students who want to change studios, and this information, along with a form to request the change, is available in the Music Office.

If a studio change is being considered when obtaining applied call numbers for the next semester, the student should sign up for lessons with the present teacher. Then, if the request for a change of studio is approved, the Music Office sends through the schedule adjustment form for the student. (A change in studio assignment results in a change of section for the course, and section changes are made free of charge.)

For current dates, deadlines, and specific registration instructions for courses, please consult the most current official University of Nebraska-Lincoln Schedule of Classes.

An audition may be required for each ensemble. Contact the School of Music for audition information.

Music Ensembles for Degree Credit (MUDC) are exclusively for music majors and minors to fulfill major and minor degree requirements. Music Ensembles for Elective Credit Only (MUCO) are for all other students and music majors and minors who register for more than one ensemble per semester.  All students (full-time music majors, music minors, students registered for applied music, and students with majors or minors outside music) participating in an ensemble in a given semester must register for a minimum of 1 MUDC or MUCO credit.  Students participating in more than one ensemble during the same semester may register for zero credit for the additional ensemble(s) using a MUCO ensemble number. All students who do not take applied lessons for credit in a given semester and are in an ensemble must register for the ensemble MUDC or MUCO for credit.  No zero credit enrollment will be allowed for such students. Ensemble registrations may be repeated for credit. Ensembles taken in excess of degree requirements will only count as electives.

Every full-time music major (12 credit hours or more) enrolled in applied music lessons must perform in an ensemble from the List of Approved Ensembles (BA/BM keyboard and guitar players may also use MUDC 440A, 440B, 352) each semester. Students who have not fulfilled ensemble degree requirements should register for one (and only one) MUDC ensemble per semester. The ensembles under the MUDC listing are the only ensembles that fulfill the degree requirements. Only 1 credit under the MUDC listing may be taken per semester. Students may register for additional ensembles using the MUCO listing. Students in the music education degree program are exempt from ensemble participation during the semester in which they student teach. After the student has completed the minimum ensemble requirement for a degree, the student may participate in any ensembles listed below in the List of Approved Ensembles (plus MUDC 440A, 440B, or 352 for keyboard, composition or guitar majors).

Every music minor must perform in an ensemble from the List of Approved Ensembles during each semester enrolled in applied music lessons. A total of 4 credits from the List of Approved Ensembles from Group I, IA, or II in the student’s applied related area [piano, organ, guitar, harp, & harpsichord emphases may select from either vocal or instrumental group options or chamber music (MUDC 352)] fulfills the ensemble requirement for music minors. Music Theatre minors must perform in an ensemble from the Vocal Approved Ensemble list (two semesters of choir and two semesters of “productions”).

All students (with the exception of keyboard and guitar students) taking applied music must perform in an applied related ensemble from the List of Approved Ensembles unless their instructor determines they are not qualified to do so. Students audition and participate in an ensemble during each semester of applied study.

NOTE: Students registering to fulfill group I degree ensemble requirements must audition for and participate in a Group I ensemble. If it is not possible to accommodate the student in a Group I ensemble, the student must audition and participate in a Group IA ensemble to fulfill the Group IA requirement.

Students wanting to enroll in an independent study or special topics course must, in consultation with the instructor, complete the “Independent Study/Special Topics Course Contract” available from the Music Office and must be completed before the suppressed call number for registration can be obtained. The appropriate Committee then reviews the proposal to determine if the amount of coursework required is congruent with the number of credit hours requested. Students must complete this form on or before the end of the “add period” in any given semester. Student projects that are not acceptable are returned to the student for revision, with the help of the instructor.

All scholarship awards are made by the Director of the School of Music upon recommendation by the faculty. The stipulations governing the awards, including the duties and obligations attached thereto, are determined by the Director in consultation with the appropriate University of Nebraska official(s) or group(s).

All students must fill out an application, whether for renewal or for a new scholarship, in order to be considered for support. Failure to comply may result in forfeiture of scholarship support. The appropriate applications are available at the Music Office and must be completed by the posted deadlines. Scholarship support for each music student is reviewed each semester of the year.

All forms of financial aid are intended primarily to underwrite the education of the student.  Criteria followed in awarding a School of Music Scholarship include academic excellence and musicianship. Students requiring additional financial underwriting and assistance due to serious financial need should apply at the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid.

Students awarded a School of Music Scholarship should expect half the amount of the total annual award to be applied to the tuition for each academic semester. Exceptions to this procedure are rare and are authorized by the Director of the School of Music on a case-by-case basis.

As policy, the UNL School of Music typically provides music scholarship support for not more than 8 semesters for first-time-in-college (FTIC) BA and BM students and not more than 10 semesters for FTIC BME majors. UNL music students who cannot complete their degrees in 8 (or 10) semesters are encouraged strongly to inquire with the UNL Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for additional financial help. The deadline for application is March 1 of any academic year. The Office website is located at http://www.unl.edu/scholfa/.

For information concerning Pell Grants, University Loans, Scholarships, Guaranteed Student Loans, Job Location and Development, Work Study and Campus Employment, contact the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid (Room 16, Administration Building, 402-472-2030).

Students are expected to regularly attend all lectures, recitations, and laboratories. The University of Nebraska has no regulation which permits cuts. It is the responsibility of the student to abide by attendance rules an instructor may prescribe and should clear any absence with the instructor.

Notice of illness, injury, or hospitalization may be provided by the Student Health Service, a family physician, or the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. For unusual circumstances, a temporary leave of absence may be obtained from the Dean of the College or the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. However, neither absence nor notification of absence relieves the student of meeting all course requirements.

The UNL policy on class attendance applies to applied lessons as well. The highly specialized nature of individualized instruction and professional etiquette require that the instructor be notified in advance of any absence. Make-up lessons are given only for bona fide reasons, such as certifiable illness. Please check with the individual instructor regarding any additional stipulations.

As with lessons, the UNL policy on attendance applies to ensembles. Since participation in a rehearsal cannot be “made-up,” and professional ethics dictate professional behavior in the discipline, ensemble directors expect attendance at all rehearsals and performances.

All music majors are required to register for and pass 7 semesters of MUSR 068 (Recitals) (BA-major=Music; minor=Music-Technology emphasis and BA-Business emphasis require 5 semesters). Listed in the Schedule of Classes as Music Recitals 068, the convocation is a forum for student performances and a time when the faculty and students can consider issues of academic and musical importance. Music students are not only interested in their own performance, but also recognize the value of listening to the performances of others and learning about the various performing media. A grade of NO PASS received in MUSR 068 can only be removed during the subsequent semester, following which, it will be necessary to repeat the course in its entirety.

Students pursuing a BA or BM degree attend a specified number of School of Music convocations and a specified number of recitals from the approved list of recitals distributed at the beginning of each semester.

Students pursuing a BME degree attend a specified number of School of Music convocations, a specified number of recitals from the approved list of recitals and a specified number of music education convocations.

Note: Music minors are required to take two semesters of MUSR 068, to be taken concurrently with required music courses, and attend a specified number of School of Music convocations and approved recitals.

Students must be concurrently enrolled in major applied lessons during the semester the recital is given.

For Fall recitals students are required to sign-up for recitals during the 3rd week of each semester. For Spring recitals, students are required to signup up during Dead Week (16th week of the fall semester). If the scheduled date does not work for the instructor and/or the accompanist, students have one week to come in and change the date. Any changes must be made by the end of the fourth week of the semester during the fall recital scheduling and by the end of the fall finals week during the spring recital scheduling.

Monday is open for graduate recital scheduling. Tuesday is open to all students scheduling an undergraduate degree recital. Music education students cannot present senior recitals during student teaching. Any student who wishes to perform a recital within the first three weeks of the semester or needs to reserve a recital time in advance of the recital scheduling period may file an Early Recital Request form at the Music Office at least four weeks prior to the desired recital date. Scheduling of rehearsal space in the recital hall is not an option until the end of the recital scheduling week.

A recital contract is given to the student. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain signatures from the applied instructor and the accompanist, and return the contract to the Music Office by the due date on the contract

Students who are giving a recital outside of Westbrook Recital Hall or Kimball Recital Hall must have the date set four weeks in advance of their recital date and their program information turned in at least two weeks in advance. Failure to do so results in forfeiting program service. Upon forfeiting program service, the student must pick up a copy of the standard program format from the Music Office, type the program following the format precisely, and have the program approved by the applied instructor before having them printed.

A scheduling fee of $25 is charged at the time of scheduling. After remittance is made, then, and only then, are students given a date and time. The $25 covers the recital monitor/stage manager fee, 50 programs, and one CD to be given to the performer.

Undergraduate students are charged a $5 program/service charge. Recording of an off-campus recital is the responsibility of the student.

Students wishing to give a recital together must each pay the $25 fee. They need to reserve two adjacent available recital time slots (i.e., 7 pm and 8:45 pm). The two $25 fees cover the recital monitor/stage manager for both time slots, 100 programs and 2 CDs.

Prior to the week of sign-up, the list of available recital dates and times is given to the applied instructors and posted on the Music Office bulletin board. Requests for dates and times not listed are only approved by the Director of the School of Music or his designee. A Special Recital Request form can be obtained from the School of Music office.

The student’s allotted time in the recital hall begins 15 minutes before his/her scheduled recital time. The student is permitted 50 minutes of combined performance time, beginning when he/she walks on the stage and ending when he/she takes his/her final bow.

A student may only cancel, but not reschedule a recital within the same semester. The scheduling fee is not refunded and a $75 cancellation fee is assessed. A student is not permitted to reschedule until the $75 fee is paid in full. Any canceled recital necessary for graduation at the end of the semester is to be completed in the first two to four weeks of the session following his/her graduation. Graduation proceeds as scheduled, but the student has an incomplete on record and does not receive a signed diploma until an approved recital is given. For reason of illness (signified by a signed physician’s slip or proof of illness given to the Director of the School of Music and approved by the Director), a student may cancel the recital and receive a refund of the scheduling fee. However, the recital may not be rescheduled within the same semester. The following semester or first five-week summer session is available for rescheduling when a student is excused from his/her recital because of illness. Exceptions may arise and are dealt with by the Director of the School of Music or his designee.

Recital information and a printed hard copy must be turned in to the School of Music Office (room 113) two weeks prior to the performance date. Three working days later a draft of the recital program is placed in the applied professor's mailbox. Corrections must be made and returned to the School of Music Office by the designated time. Final printed programs are delivered to the applied professor's mailbox, 3 working days prior to the performance. The professor delivers the programs to the venue.

Recital information must be thorough and accurate. Email the information to music2@unl.edu. A printed hard copy must also be submitted to the School of Music office. The student's and the applied professor’s names, telephone numbers and email addresses must accompany the program information.

All programs are typed in the same format. No pictures, special designs, dedications, etc. are added to the standard format. All UNL School of Music programs will appear in the same format.

A Recital Monitor is scheduled to oversee each performance. The monitor is responsible for the following:

*Arrangements for these services should be noted and turned in on the “Recital Set Up Instruction” form at least 2 weeks in advance of the performance.

When planning to use additional equipment such as a harpsichord or any other keyboard instrument other than piano, it is imperative that arrangements be made well in advance (at least two weeks) to assure availability for rehearsal and performance. Arrangements are made with the School of Music piano technician, room 5 Westbrook Music Building.

In order to provide a positive studio and performance environment for students, the School of Music provides staff accompanists, graduate teaching assistants, and pianists registered in MUDC/MUCO 440/840 (A and/or B) to accompany applied studio lessons, departmental recitals and semester juries.

All faculty members receive an Accompanist Request Form for each applied major at the outset of each semester. The request form provides information such as students’ names, class standing, semester repertoire, and recital plans. Studio assignments are made based on a priority system that considers degree status, recital preparation, and the availability of accompanists.

It is the responsibility of the instructor, the student, and the accompanist to decide upon suitable lesson times for the semester. Additional services (such as degree recitals and/or recital preparation) may be contracted with the accompanists at their hourly rates. To avoid potential misunderstandings it is strongly recommended that students determine all costs with the accompanists prior to any engagement in order.

The performance jury is the equivalent of a final exam for the applied area(s) of semester study. Juries in the major applied areas, required of music majors and minors, are held during the week of final exams. Scheduling is done by individual sign-up.

All applied music students must take a jury examination at the end of each semester. Students may be exempted from jury examinations only if they have performed a recital in fulfillment of degree requirements.

Approximately 10 days prior to exams, sign-up sheets are posted on the appropriate applied faculty doors (usually the head of the area, such as brass, woodwinds, voice, etc.). Specific content and length of each student’s jury is determined by the applied area. A panel of area faculty members serves as the evaluating group; each member registers a grade for the performance and the results are averaged together. The final jury grade is weighed as one third of the current semester’s final applied studio grade.

Failure to meet expected standards in a jury can result in probationary status for one semester at the end of which significant improvement must be demonstrated. If standards are not sufficiently met, dismissal from the applied area and reduction or elimination of scholarship support are considered by the appropriate area faculty member.

Final examinations for all courses in the School of Music follow the scheduling of exams listed in the current semester’s University of Nebraska-Lincoln Schedule of Classes. By action of the UNL Faculty Senate, “ Final Examinations for full semester classes are to be given only at the regularly scheduled time as published in the official Schedule of Classes or at another time during finals week, mutually agreeable to all concerned.” Students should be wary of capriciously succumbing to peer pressure if asked to vote for a change. Altering an exam time can result in the student being deprived of adequate study and preparation time. Take care to avoid inadvertently voting yourself into a scheduling predicament. This is particularly the case if the exam is moved into Dead Week (the last week of classes). The only examinations that may be given during Dead Week are laboratory practical exams, make-up or repeat exams, and self-paced exams.

Check the final exam schedule early in the semester (before the eighth week of classes). In the event a student is scheduled (as published in the official Schedule of Classes) to take three or more final examinations in a single day, the student should refer to: FINAL EXAMINATIONS POLICY in the current Schedule of Classes.

Music majors are required to demonstrate adequate skills in applied music, functional keyboard, theory and sight singing before continuing toward completion of a BM, BME or BA degree in music. The following prerequisites are in place to secure this requirement.

Music majors must pass the Upper Divisional Qualifying Jury to be admitted into 300-level applied music. The UDQJ is usually taken in the fourth semester of applied study.

Part I - Basic Skills
Faculty evaluate the student’s minimal capabilities, including the ability to sight read and perform scales and arpeggios, to determine if the student may continue as a music major.

Part II - Musicianship
Faculty evaluate the student’s performance to determine if the student may continue as a music major.

The UDQJ is judged PASS/NO PASS, with Pass meaning that the student’s basic musical skills and musicianship are judged to be at least minimal for his/her instrument. The jury members in each area use a “general consensus” approach in determining the Pass/No Pass. A no-pass on the UDQJ indicates an interpretation by the faculty that the student has not completed the minimum requirements for the UDQJ resulting in a formal grade of INCOMPLETE. The student has two additional juries to remove the incomplete by passing the UDQJ. Following a pass, the student is permitted to register for 300-level applied music. If the student does not pass, the one-year time limit on the incomplete will expire, and the grade to reverts to a D or an F. The student may continue to register for applied study at the 200-level (maximum of two semesters) until the incomplete is removed. If the student passes the re-take before the beginning of the 2nd week of classes, he/she is permitted to register for 300-level applied music for that semester. (Note: A re-examination is scheduled only during the first week of classes following a semester in which the UDQJ was failed or during regularly scheduled jury times at the end of a semester.)

The status of music major is provisional pending a satisfactory completion of the UDQJ. The result of the UDQJ is validated on the UDQJ form with faculty signatures and filed in the Music Office.

Functional Keyboard, Theory and Sight Singing.

Students must earn a grade of C or better in Musicianship IV (MUSC 266/266A) and earn a grade of C or better in Piano Skills (MUAP 232) or pass the piano proficiency exam to be admitted into 300- or 400-level academic music courses.

The UNL Dance Program offers a progression of classes that enables students to take beginning, intermediate and advanced technique classes in a designated order. This has made for more skilled dancers who are able to participate in dance program concerts and department productions as well as community projects.

The BA degree in Dance offers comprehensive training in modern and ballet dance styles. Ballet and modern classes are offered as primary techniques with jazz, tap and musical theatre styles as secondary. Students study a balanced and integrated course load which combines dance with a strong liberal studies core. This program teaches the cultural, theatrical and performing aspects of dance. It emphasizes the development of working methods which are both safe and correct as it encourages students to explore and develop their personal creativity within a contemporary understanding of the dance field.

Students are expected to attend technique classes in order to improve technical skill and dance vocabulary. Make-up classes may be allowed at the discretion of the instructor. Poor attendance is grounds for failure of a dance technique course. Any absence beyond the number designated on the syllabus must have a written authorized excuse (i.e. doctor's note, school function) that must be approved by the Dance Coordinator. Assignments or exams can be made-up with a written authorized excuse by the Dance Coordinator. If students are too ill or injured and cannot participate in observations, they are considered absent.

The Dance Coordinator, in consultation with the dance faculty, determines placement progressions for dance students (i.e., when a student may move on to the next level of technique.) Dance majors must maintain a 2.0 in lower division dance courses and 2.5 in upper division dance courses for continued enrollment and advancement. When the grade point average (in dance courses) falls below 2.0, the Dance Coordinator reviews enrollment in dance courses for the following semester. Failure of two or more dance courses in any given semester constitutes automatic suspension from the dance program. Students may be required to refrain from enrolling in dance courses for the immediate semester, or other appropriate action as determined by the Dance Coordinator.

The concert season includes one major and two minor productions in any of the four performance spaces. A collection of student choreography, works in progress and classroom demonstrations are presented at the end of each semester.

Student evaluations are part of the materials submitted for annual review, promotion, and tenure of the faculty. In addition, evaluations are used by the faculty members for possible course modification, syllabus revision, and/or reinforcement of course content, materials, and teaching method effectiveness. It is important to complete carefully and thoroughly the evaluations.

Faculty members cannot access the evaluations until after final grade rosters have been submitted.

The Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts policy on cheating is:

1. Students are expected to be honest in all aspects of their academic work.
2. Academic judgments about a student’s work (including questions of cheating) are the responsibility if the instructor. (Normally disagreements are resolved by means of a conference between the student and the instructor.)
3. When a student has been judged by the instructor to have cheated the student may be given a grade of an F on that assignment by the instructor and if the work in question is the final examination or some large proportion of the work for the course, the F may be given for the whole course.
4. If the student disputes the instructor’s finding of academic dishonesty, the matter shall be referred to the UNL Judicial Officer as required by the UNL policy on Academic Dishonesty.
5. Appeals rights of the student
   • The instructor must inform a student of the right of appeal at the time the student is accused of cheating.
   • If a student feels he or she is treated unjustly, the student may take the case to his or her department or school’s Grading Appeals Committee.
   • The student may appeal the departmental committee’s decision to the College Grading Appeals Committee if he or she is not satisfied.

All School of Music courses should have a syllabus articulating a specific grading policy.

The grading scale used by the University of Nebraska is:

The School of Music Grading Appeals Committee is appointed on an ad hoc basis by the Director. This committee is the third of four sequential steps available to any student who feels that he/she has been unfairly graded. Most problems are resolved following step one, a talk with the instructor concerned. If dissatisfaction persists, the student makes an appointment with the Director of the School of Music. If necessary, the committee l reviews the case interviews both the student and the instructor.

Following consultations with the parties involved, the committee renders a decision, including recommendations. If the student is still dissatisfied, his/her final option is to take the case to the College Grading Appeals Committee.

Normal Building Hours

Monday-Friday: 7:00 a.m. — 10:45 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. — 10:45 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. — 10:45 p.m.

During vacation periods, summer sessions, and pre/post-vacation weekends, the building hours vary. Please consult the Music Office. Please cooperate with the building monitor and the custodial staff by leaving the building promptly at closing time.

Home Football Game Day Policy Rehearsal Hall (Room 304 Mable Lee Hall)

Performance Halls

Other off campus sites may be used for faculty and student organ recitals; Please contact applied instructor for additional information.

Cornerstone Grade Lutheran Church Cathedral of the Risen Christ First Plymouth Congregational Church St. Mark’s-On-The-Campus

630 North 16th Street 2225 Washington Street 3500 Sheridan Blvd. 20th & D Streets 1309 R Street

Practice Rooms Rehearsal Rooms

Music Library

Regular music library hours during fall and spring semesters are listed below. Hours vary during the summer and during vacation times.

Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. — 9:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 1:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m.

Loan time periods for music materials for undergraduates are:

• Books & Scores: 4 weeks (M2s and M3s do not circulate)
• Bound Journals: 3 days
• Unbound Journals: 1 day
• Microfilms: 4 weeks (mono) or 1 week (serial)
• Recordings: 1 week
• Videos and DVDs: 1 week

Reference and information assistance is provided by the library staff and includes aid in the use of the on-line catalog as well as paper and on-line indexes, bibliographies, and other reference materials, most of which are available in the Reference area in the main reading room or through the University Libraries’ web page at http://iris.unl.edu. Instruction in using library resources is available to individuals and to classes.

Scores, books, and recordings on reserve for courses taught in the School of Music may be requested at the Circulation Desk of the Music Library. Online sound reserves are available for some classes through Blackboard. Streaming audio is available to students on or off campus via Classical Music Library and Naxos Music Library.

For further information concerning interlibrary loan requests, proxy borrowing procedures, loan renewals, lost or damaged items, etc., please consult the University Libraries’ web page at http://iris.unl.edu or ask a member of the Music Library staff.

For further information about Music Library collections and services, please consult the Music Library’s web page at http://www.unl.edu/libr/libs/music/.

Clean Indoor Air Policy
Security
UNL ID Card Access
Music Stands

Music stands are not to be removed from the building other than for bona fide School of Music events under faculty supervision and must be returned following the performance. To ensure adequate availability of stands, the following color-coding system is used:

• Blue stands – 3rd floor only
• Tan stands – classrooms
• Black stands – rooms 132, 130, 119 and faculty studios

Lockers
Locker Usage Fee
Student Lounge
Use of Equipment and Westbrook Music Building by Outside Groups
INSTRUMENT USAGE & RENTAL FEE POLICY
Instrument Usage Procedures
Instrument Usage Fees
Piano Use for Recital Rehearsals in Westbrook Recital Hall and Kimball Hall
Kimball Hall Pianos:
Harpsichords/Fortepiano:
Disklaviers:
NOTE:
STUDENT SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

• Kappa Kappa Psi - honorary band fraternity
• Mu Phi Epsilon - professional music fraternity
• Pi Kappa Lambda - honorary academic society
• Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia – professional music fraternity for men
• Sigma Alpha Iota - professional music fraternity for women

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

• ACDA - American Choral Directors Association
• ASTA - American String Teachers Association
• MENC - Music Educators National Conference
• MTNA - Music Teachers National Association
• NAJE - National Association of Jazz Educators
• NMEA - Nebraska Music Educators Association
• NSBA - Nebraska State Bandmasters Association

In addition to those listed above, there are specific organizations for singers, specific instrumental areas, and persons interested in musicological research. Please consult with the appropriate faculty member for further information.

UNL UNDERGRADUATE SOLO COMPETITION
Rules and Guidelines

The application form for the competition will require:

1. The title, movement(s), composer (and arranger if applicable) with biographical dates and any other appropriate information, printed exactly as it should appear in a concert program.
2. Approval signatures of:
   • the applied instructor,
   • the appropriate music director of the accompanying ensemble to ensure accompaniment capability, appropriate instrumentation/ensemble size requirements, etc.,
   • the accompanist,
3. The length of the composition in minutes and seconds.

The length - actual concert performance time - of the music shall not exceed ten (10) minutes. Memorization is required in performance areas for which it is traditional. Multiple movements are permitted in the case of shorter works, and more than one vocal work may be presented, such as shorter arias. All vocal works must be in the original key. Rehearsal time in the audition venue cannot be provided.

Music performed in the competition is the same as that for the concert; it is expected that candidates supply one copy of the music for the judges. Photocopies are not permitted. The complete score and parts for the accompanying ensemble must be available for purchase or rental.

Three UNL School of Music faculty adjudicates the competition; UNL Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble Directors may serve in an ex-officio capacity. Applied faculty with students in the competition are ineligible to adjudicate; also, teachers cannot serve as an accompanist for their own students.

Assuming that all required rules and guidelines have been satisfied, the sole criteria for selections of the winner(s) is the quality of the performance. In the case of multiple movements, or arias for example, judges may specify those that qualify for the concert. The judges may select three, two, or no winner depending on the quality of the performance.

APPENDIX – SAMPLE SEMESTER PLANS & DEGREE REQUIREMENT CHECKSHEETS

Undergrad Student Recital Contract

SCHOOL OF MUSIC RECITAL SCHEDULE

 

HALL (SEM/DAYS)	PREP BEGIN	RECITAL START	RECITAL END	“MEET/GREET”
119 (/Fa/T,W,R)	6:45p	7:00p	8:15p	107 WMB
119 (Fa/T,W,R)	8:30p	8:45p	10:00p	107 WMB
119 (Fa/Su)	1:15p	1:30p	2:45p	107 WMB
119 (Fa/Su)	3:00p	3:15p	4:30p	107 WMB
119 (Fa/Su)	4:45p	5:00p	6:15p	107 WMB
119 (Fa/Su)	6:45p	7:00p	8:15p	107 WMB
119 (Fa/Su)	8:30p	8:45p	10:00p	107 WMB
119 (/Sp/T,W,R,F)	6:45p	7:00p	8:15p	107 WMB
119 (Sp/T,W,R,F)	8:30p	8:45p	10:00p	107 WMB
119 (Sp /St)	9:45a	10:00a	11:15a	107 WMB
119 (Sp/St)	11:30a	11:45a	1:00p	107 WMB
119 (Sp/St,Su)	1:15p	1:30p	2:45p	107 WMB
119 (Sp/St,Su)	3:00p	3:15p	4:30p	107 WMB
119 (Sp/St,Su)	4:45p	5:00p	6:15p	107 WMB
119 (Sp/St,Su)	6:45p	7:00p	8:15p	107 WMB
119 (Sp/St,Su)	8:30p	8:45p	10:00p	107 WMB
Kim (Fa,Sp/M,T,W,R,F)	4:45p	5:00p	6:15p	Kim Lobby
Kim (Fa,Sp/M,T,W,R,F)	7:15p	7:30p	8:45p	Kim Lobby
Kim (Fa,Sp/St,Su)	12:45p	1:00p	2:15p	Kim Lobby
Kim (Fa,Sp/St,Su)	2:45p	3:00p	4:15p	Kim Lobby
Kim (Fa,Sp/St,Su)	4:45p	5:00p	6:15p	Kim Lobby
Kim (Fa,Sp/St,Su)	7:15p	7:30p	8:45p	Kim Lobby

 

LEVEL	MIN MUSIC LENGTH	MAX MUSIC LENGTH	MAX ON-OFF TIME
Undergraduate	40	50	60
Masters	45 (Comp = 30)	60	75
Doctoral	50 (Comp = 30; Lec = 60)	60	75

Undergraduate Handbook August 2009