2. Home»
  3. Academics»
  4. Academic Departments»
  5. Music»
  6. Current Students

Academics

Music Majors

Anna Miller The purposes of these pages is to keep Albion College Music Majors informed and up to date with policies and procedures that have a direct impact on the success of our students. This site is an invaluable resource for our majors as they prepare for juries, recitals, apply for scholarships within the department, and for preparing for their career beyond Albion College.

Use the links below to learn more about the specific aspects of being a Music Major at Albion College.

Contents

 

Music Department Handbook

The pdf Music Department Handbook is the survival guide of the Albion College Music Major. In it you will find all the departmental policies and procedures for virtually everything a major will need to know. Should students not find the answers to their specific questions, they are encouraged to speak with the chair person or any other full-time faculty member.

    End of Semester Juries

  • Who has to do a Jury?
    • All music majors studying applied lessons are expected to perform a jury at the end of each semester that they take lessons. Non-majors are not required to perform a jury, but may opt to do so after consultation with their applied teacher.
  • What is a Jury?
    • The "jury" is the equivalent of a final exam, and is a venue for students studying privately to perform in front of members of the Music Department Faculty.
  • What do I have to do in a Jury?
    • The jury traditionally consists of (1) a prepared solo with piano accompaniment, or piano solo(s), as well as (2) major and minor scales performed from memory. Students should consult with their studio teacher to determine what scales are expected of them during each semester.
    • Note that the Sophomore Jury is slightly different, and its requirements are outlined below.
    • ALL students performing a jury are required to complete a Repertoire Sheet as well as a Jury Form every semester, and make ample copies for the number of Music Department faculty sitting in the jury.
  • Is the Jury graded?
    • The jury is considered the final exam for a student's lessons, and is therefore graded. The jury consists of 15% of a student's overall grade for lessons, and the jury grade is given only by the student's studio teacher.
    • Additionally, the other members of the Music Department faculty in attendance will fill out Jury Forms that offer helpful comments and criticisms designed to improve a student's solo performance ability. However, only your studio teacher gives you a grade for the jury.
  • Why do we have Juries?
    • The jury is required as part of the Music Department's NASM certification. But beyond that, the jury serves as an opportunity for students to experience performing in a solo setting in front of an audience. This experience is one which, especially if a student is a music major, will occur often throughout a musician's career and must be practiced.

  Sophomore Jury

At the end of a 12.5-unit Music Major's third semester of study (usually Fall semester, Sophomore year), the student is expected to perform a Sophomore Jury. This jury is more in-depth than the regular jury and consists of an interview in addition to the student's usual performance. Sophomore Juries are also completed at the end of the semester, but are scheduled separate from the regular juries. See the pdf Music Department Handbook for more information. Note: 8 unit majors are not required to do a sophomore jury, but do have to complete the standard end of semester jury.

Performance Expectations for the Sophomore Jury
  • Piano: Please contact Dr. David Abbott ( ) regarding the requirements for the Sophomore Jury for piano majors.
  • Voice
    • Three songs/arias (with at least two foreign language selections) from memory. Students should perform repertoire which clearly demonstrates technical ability and solid musicianship.
  • Strings
    • 1 - Solo demonstrating technical ability
    • 1 - Solo demonstrating lyrical ability
    • All major and minor scales from memory
    • Note: One sonata or concerto with contrasting movements is acceptable.
    • Consult with you studio teacher to determine repertoire well in advance.
  • Winds and Brass
    • 1 - Solo demonstrating technical ability
    • 1 - Solo demonstrating lyrical ability
    • All major and minor scales from memory
    • Note: One sonata or concerto with contrasting movements is acceptable.
    • Consult with you studio teacher to determine repertoire well in advance.
  • Percussion
    • Mallet Percussion
      • 1 - 2 mallet keyboard solo or orchestral excerpts,
      • 1 - 4 mallet keyboard solo, and
      • All major and minor scales/arpeggios and standard rudiments from memory (to be selected at sophomore jury)
    • Snare Drum
      • 1 - Rudimental snare drum etude, and
      • 1 - Orchestral snare drum etude or orchestral excerpts
    • Timpani
      • 1 - long roll timpani etude or minimum demonstration of tuning ability and tone production
      • Consult with you studio teacher to determine repertoire well in advance.

  Jury Forms

All students taking lessons at Albion College are expected to perform a jury at the end of each semester. As part of that jury, students must complete a jury performance evaluation form and repertoire sheet that is to be signed by their studio teacher. Below you will find jury sheets and repertoire sheets for all applied lessons.

  Recital Forms

12.5-unit Music Majors are required, as part of their private study, to perform a Senior Recital in their 4th year as a major. See the Music Department Handbook for details concerning length, repertoire, logistics, et al.

8-unit Music Majors are encouraged, but not required, to perform a senior recital. In addition, 12.5-unit juniors are also encouraged to perform on recitals.

pdf Recital Request Form

  Piano Repair Form

It is in everyone's best interest to keep our pianos in the best shape possible. To that end, it is up to you to inform the appropriate faculty when you notice problems with pianos.

Take a few minutes and print out a pdf Piano Repair Form , fill it out, and drop it off in the Music Department Office for Dr. David Abbott, or deliver it to him in person. We would all greatly appreciate your help in this matter.

  Scholarships and Applications

Koether Scholarship

The Helen Sue Koether Memorial Music Scholarship was established by her husband, Bernard A. Koether, '29, in 1987. The monetary prize is presented annually to 1-3 sophomore or junior music students who excel in music. The recipients are selected by the music faculty. The award is presented at the Honors Convocation and student's names are engraved upon a plaque displayed in the Music Department. Deadlines for the Koether and other scholarships are posted downstairs in Goodrich Chapel.

pdf Koether Memorial Scholarship Criteria and Guidelines
pdf Koether Memorial Scholarship Application

Presser Scholarship

The Presser Scholarship Award is provided by the Presser Foundation of Bryn Mawr, PA. The award is presented to an outstanding music major, at or after the end of the student's junior year, and the student is to be known as a Presser Scholar. The student is to be selected by the music faculty solely on the basis of merit. The scholarship is for one year and no application is required.

Other scholarships available in the Music Department are based on the decisions of the Music Department faculty and applications are not required. For a complete listing of scholarships available to Albion College students consult the Music Department Handbook.

  Concerto Competition and Application Form

Each year the Albion College Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. James Ball, holds a concerto competition open to all Albion College musicians. The deadline for applications will be posted downstairs in Goodrich Chapel. Requirements for the competition can be found in the Music Department Handbook. You can download an application by clicking on the link below, or contacting the Music Department secretary. For more information about the Concerto Competition, contact Dr. James Ball.

pdf Competition Rules
pdf Concerto Competition Application Form  

  Musician Health and Safety

The Music Department places a strong emphasis on musician health and safety. Students, as well as faculty and staff, rely upon their hearing, vision, and general physical health to produce the highest quality music possible. To this end, the Music Department has adopted the following statement regarding health and safety of all musicians participating in our ensembles and other academic courses:

"Performers need to learn about health and safety issues in order to perform at a high level throughout their lives, and are expected to take steps to maintain best performance health throughout this course. For more information about physical health and hearing safety for performers, please consult the Student Handbook [ http://www.albion.edu/ academics/departments/music/ current-students]."

Additionally, below is a select list of web-based resources addressing general and specific issues related to the topic of musician health and safety (check back regularly as the list is frequently updated). The Music Department also has on file many hard copy documents available for perusal and/or photocopying pertaining to the same topic. If a student is experiencing difficulty with a particular issue related to health and safety, the Music Department strongly recommends the student schedule an appointment with their primary care physician, and/or campus health services.

General:

Performing Arts Medicine Association, PAMA (website) - link
The Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique (Alexander Technique website) - link
Musical America Sepcial Reports - Musicians and their Healthcare, June 2012 (PDF) - link  
Musician's Way (website) - link  
The American Tinnitis Association (website) - link
Musicians and Injuries (website/resource) - link
Healthy Musician Workshop (website) - link  
Body Mapping - Andover Educators (website) - link
Musicians Health - Dr. Timothy Jameson (website) - link
Hearing Health Matters - Hearing Loss Prevention for Musicians (website) - link
Beta Blockers (Brass Musician & Forum) -  link  
Stress - How to Control the Body's Responses (PDF) - link

Brass Musicians:

Embouchure Overuse Syndrome (Polyphonic.org - The Orchestra Musician Forum) - link
trumpetdoctors.org (website) - link

Woodwind Musicians:

Hearing Health Matters - Woodwind and Large Stringed Instruments (website) - link

Percussion Musicians:

Hearing Health Matters - Bass Players and Drummers (website) - link  
Healthy Practice and Performance Measures for the Percussionist (PDF) - link  

Vocal Musicians:

Hearing Health Matters - Guitar and Rock/Blues Vocalists (website) - link  
Voice Health Institute (website) - link  
McClosky Institute of Voice (website) - link  
Singers and Stress - How to Control the Body's Responses (PDF) - link

String Musicians:

Hearing Health Matters - Violin and Viola Players (website) - link 
Hearing Health Matters - Bass Players and Drummers (website) -  link
Hearing Health Matters - Woodwind and Large Stringed Instruments (website) -  link
Hearing Health Matters - Guitar and Rock/Blues Vocalists (website) -  link

Keyboard Musicians:

pianomap.com (website) - link  

  Music Organization Links