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SoM Handbook for Music Students AY 24-25
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2024-2025 Handbook for Music Students

Table of Contents

Welcome        4

History, Vision and Mission        5

A Brief History of Music at Augustana        5

Vision Statement        5

Mission Statement        5

General Information        6

1. School of Music Faculty and Administration Directory        6

2. Student Employment Opportunities within the School of Music        6

2.1. Federal Work-Study        6

2.2. Campus Jobs        6

3. Student Employment Opportunities outside of the School of Music        6

■ Internships        6

■ Independent Contractor Work        7

■ Private Lesson Instruction        7

4. Student Organizations        7

5. Grants and Scholarships        8

6. Career Paths in Music        9

7. Musician’s Health and Wellness        9

General Policies        10

1. Grading Policies        10

2. Class Attendance Policies        10

3. Applied Music Policies        10

3.1. General Applied Music Policies        10

3.2. Attendance and Grading Policies        11

3.3. Scholarship Maintenance        11

3.4. Personal Practice Recommendations        11

3.5. Concerto Aria Guidelines        11

3.5.1. Eligibility        11

3.5.2. Process        12

3.6. Non-Music Majors Applied Lesson Enrollment        12

3.7. Music Majors/Minors Applied Lesson Enrollment        12

4. Ensemble Requirements        12

5. Facilities and Equipment        13

5.1. Hours of Operations        13

5.2. Practice Rooms        13

5.3. Hamre Recital Hall        13

5.3.3. Regulations for using Hamre Recital Hall        14

5.3.4. Student Use of Hamre Recital Hall        14

5.3.5. Hamre Recital Hall Pianos        14

5.4. Lockers        14

5.5. Facility Keys        14

5.6. Instrument Policies        14

5.7. Equipment Policies        15

6. Recording and Live Streaming Services        15

7. Copyright Laws        15

Programs of Study        16

Detailed Program Information        16

1. Admission to the Music Major        16

2. Students in Good Standing        16

3. Dismissal from the School of Music        16

4. General        17

5. Ensembles        17

6. Applied Lesson Enrollment        17

7. Applied Music Exams (Juries)        17

8. Piano Proficiency Exam        18

9. Upper Division Screening        18

9.1. Prerequisites for Upper Division Screening        18

9.2. Format of the Upper Division Screening        18

9.3. Assessment of the Upper Division Screening        18

10. Degree Recital Requirements        19

10.7. Degree Recital Pre-Screening        19

10.8. Degree Recital Etiquette        19

11. Colloquium and Performance Requirements        19

12. Recital and Concert Attendance Requirement        20

13. Honors Program in Music        20

Accreditation        21

Credit-Granting Policies        21

Welcome

"The rites of music are so excellent and so precious that words fail me whenever I attempt to discuss and describe them . . . next to the word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world . . . This precious gift has been given to humanity alone that they might thereby remind themselves that God created them for the express purpose of praising and extolling God."

Martin Luther

Greetings:

Welcome to the Augustana University School of Music. Music at Augustana is a vital part of our campus community. Whether you are interested in taking private lessons, joining an ensemble, fulfilling a General Education (SOPHIA) element or pursuing a major or minor in music, we have a place for everyone.

Our program strives to provide every student at the Augustana with a meaningful and enriching arts experience. Our talented faculty, drawn from the nation's finest conservatories and universities, work to develop your whole person in the context of a liberal arts education with the rigor of a premier School of Music accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.  Our facilities are designed to support and enrich your musical endeavors, as well as support the Sioux Falls community as an artistic hub for inquiry and expression.   

Please read this handbook carefully.  These policies pertain to graduation requirements for music majors and policies/requirements for scholarshipped students and non-music majors participating in ensembles and/or studying applied music.  This handbook is a supplement to the Augustana Course Catalog, the Student Handbook and general university policies.  This edition of the Handbook for Music Students applies to the catalog year that a student enters the program, with the exception of the updated attendance policy associated with concerts/recitals.

Welcome! We are glad that you are here, and we look forward to a great year of music making

together.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to seek clarification from your applied lesson teacher, advisor, ensemble conductor, program director and administrative team.

Sincerely,

Dr. Peter J. Folliard

Dean, Augustana University School of Music

History, Vision and Mission

A Brief History of Music at Augustana

The origins of ensemble music at Augustana have a long, rich and varied history, dating back to 1896 as the college began its move to South Dakota. In the early 1900’s, there are many references to an orchestra and a small band, but neither were formally organized. It was not until 1921 that our history as a music department really took shape. It was then when Dr. Carl R. Youngdahl was appointed Director of Music and tasked with building a music department.  He was to “develop the love of music throughout the student body, and market the college through the medium of music.” A music major was developed; the Augustana Choir was founded in 1921, the Augustana Orchestra in 1922, and the Augustana Band in 1931.  It was from these humble beginnings that Augustana became the “heart of the arts in Sioux Falls” and that our musical organizations rapidly gained national and international acclaim.

The newly founded Augustana University School of Music (2020) continues to be of central importance to Augustana University and the community. Each year, about one-third of the Augustana student body participates in music classes, lessons and ensembles. Community patrons support a varied schedule of concerts and recitals, helping to establish Augustana University as a valuable cultural resource in the region.

For further study, an in depth account of music at Augustana was written by Dr. Greg Handel, Class of 1991.

Vision Statement

Inspired by Lutheran scholarly tradition, the Augustana School of Music strives to be a leader and innovator in music education through excellence in performance, capitalizing on the power of multimedia technologies to share our talents and unleash our creativity.

Mission Statement

The Augustana University School of Music is a contemporary school of music, insofar as we recognize that the world is moving at a radical pace due to technological innovations, and artists and educators need to leverage digital technologies to more immediately connect with their audiences. Therefore, we are committed to traditional skill building in basic musicianship, exploration, and integration of digital technologies throughout our curriculum, and the study and performance of music of the past, present, and future to create, express, inspire, and impact the world.

General Information

  1. School of Music Faculty and Administration Directory

Please see this link.

  1. Student Employment Opportunities within the School of Music

  1. Federal Work-Study

  1. Campus Jobs

The instrumental and vocal areas employ a select number of students to support the logistics of ensemble rehearsal and performance.   This is a paid position and is renewable each semester, pending availability and job performance.  Interested candidates should contact the Director of Instrumental or Vocal Studies for more information.

We maintain a pool of interested students for employment opportunities to help with rehearsal/concert operations.  Students may assist in set-up/tear down, lights, sound, camera operation, live streaming assistance, equipment moving, and ushering. Interested candidates should contact the Manager of Operations and Studio Manager for more information.

Students in the Multimedia Entrepreneurship major may have the opportunity to be hired for recording projects.  Students must have completed AVID 210 and/or AVID 220 to be eligible for these opportunities. Interested candidates should contact the Studio Manager for more information.

Ensembles or individual musicians may be asked to perform at official Augustana events. These are paid opportunities for students to support community/university events. You will be contacted in the event your services are requested and will be required to complete university HR/payroll processes. For more information, please contact the Manager of Operations.

  1. Student Employment Opportunities outside of the School of Music

The School of Music supports students working during their time at Augustana so long as that work does not interfere consistently with preparation, performance and progress.  If extra-curricular activities interfere consistently with ensembles/lessons, the student who permits such conflicts of interest may be requested to drop his or her ensemble/applied music lessons, resulting in withdrawal from the music major and/or loss of music scholarship.

Internship opportunities are available throughout the year in the Sioux Falls region and beyond.  Internships through the School of Music should be for-credit and may be paid or unpaid.  Students interested in these opportunities should contact the Dean of the School of Music for more information.

The School of Music receives requests for musical support throughout the year and will forward those requests to students who express interest and exemplify academic excellence in their music courses.

Students who wish to use University facilities to teach private applied lessons must have the approval of the full time music faculty. The faculty regularly acts on approving student applied teachers each year. Interested students should discuss their interest with their applied instructor, and the student should fill out the “Applied Lesson Teacher Interest Form.” Their corresponding applied lesson instructor should fill out the “Instructor Recommendation Form.” Following the completion of both forms, the full time faculty will move to vote for approval or non-approval of the student.  The following criteria will be used to consider student applied teachers:

  1. Student Organizations

  1. Music students may wish to join one or more of the organizations sponsored by the School of Music. Some organizations are open only by special invitation or audition. For further information, contact the student president or the faculty sponsor.

Membership:

  1. Grants and Scholarships

  1. Students representing Augustana University in national-level competitions can petition the full time faculty for financial assistance for travel expenses up to $500.  These requests will be evaluated by the full time faculty once each semester and must be received by the Manager of Operations by mid-term to be considered for funding.
  2. Endowed Scholarships: a number of endowed scholarships and activity grants are available each year to music students based on financial need, annual funding, and upon faculty recommendation.  Some endowed scholarships are designated for music majors only; some are designated for a specific purpose or area of study. These scholarships and grants are awarded to student musicians on the basis of performance, academics, and service to the department. Awards are subject to an annual review/audition. For more information, contact the Dean of the School of Music or the Office of Financial Aid.

  1. Career Paths in Music

  1. Careers in the arts exist in every community. The changing workplace is shifting our view of education. Today's and tomorrow's workers must be multi-skilled, multi-dimensional, and intellectually flexible. Knowledge is the new wealth and the arts build ideas and nurture a place in the mind for them to grow. The cutting edge worker in the Information Age Economy is thus the "knowledge worker," a continuous and highly adaptable learner who possesses a wide range of skills. An education in the arts addresses and can deliver precisely these kinds of skills.  With the emphasis on creative discovery and the ability to stimulate a variety of learning styles, the arts engender enthusiasm and motivation for learning. The arts also teach the value of sustained effort to achieve excellence.
  2. The Berklee College of Music released this study in 2016 that outlines the various career paths in music, along with salary ranges in each specialization.

  1. Musician’s Health and Wellness

In recent years the number and extent of performance injuries to musicians has emerged as a major concern. Musicians at all levels need to be aware of resources for dealing with these issues. Below are resources that can be used to prevent and/or address injury caused by music performance.   If you believe you are developing a performance injury, please let your studio instructor or ensemble director know. There are resources available on campus and nearby to help you. For the AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTER, call x7337.

  1. BOOKS/ARTICLES/ONLINE SOURCES

General Policies 

The following section outlines policies that apply to all constituents (majors, minors, and non-majors) of the School of Music.  Policies are in place to help provide clarity of expectations for students, faculty, staff, and administrators within the School of Music.  When working to resolve matters related to policy, the responsibility rests with the student to seek solutions through the proper channels.  Resolution should be sought as early as possible in the administrative structure of the School of Music: your applied lesson teacher, advisor, ensemble conductor, program director, and dean.  Students may bring issues to the full faculty with prior approval from the Director of Instrumental Studies or Director of Vocal Studies.

  1. Grading Policies

  1. Grading policies are established by the faculty member responsible for a given course and should be made clear to each student in the course syllabus and at a class session early in each semester. All grades conform to the grading system of Augustana University as printed in the Augustana Academic Catalog.
  2. Please note that a grade of "D" in any music course does not count toward completion of graduation requirements for the major or minor. Also, note that this regulation applies to any course from another department that is specifically required for the major or minor. Such courses must be retaken to earn a final grade of "C-" or better.

  1. Class Attendance Policies

  1. Class attendance policies are established by the faculty member responsible for a given course and should be made clear to each student in the course syllabus and at a class session early in each semester. It is the student’s responsibility to acquaint themselves thoroughly with attendance policies. They must notify the faculty member in advance if an absence is necessary. The faculty member is not obligated to accept late assignments or to give make-up examinations resulting from unexcused absences.

  1. Applied Music Policies

  1. General Applied Music Policies

  1. All Augustana students may take lessons and participate in applied music lessons.  Registration for lessons is accomplished through the Registrar’s Office, and payment is made to the Business Office.
  2. Students taking applied music at Augustana must study with an Augustana faculty member unless the instruction is not offered here.
  3. Only music majors and minors are eligible to study privately with tenure-track faculty.
  4. Once registered for applied lessons, the student is responsible to contact the appropriate applied instructor to arrange lesson times.
  5. Accompanists must be compensated by students.  

  1. Attendance and Grading Policies

  1. The applied lesson instructor should make attendance policies clear to each student.  In case of illness or other unusual circumstances, notification should be made at the earliest opportunity.
  2. A missed lesson may be recorded as a failing grade for that week by the instructor. Except in documented cases of illness or a bona fide absence for a university activity (tours, field trips, etc.), the instructor is not expected to grant a make-up lesson.
  3. Grading is determined by technical and artistic progress, quality of preparedness and performance, and attendance in lessons and weekly colloquiems.

  1. Scholarship Maintenance

  1. All students receiving a music scholarship are required to participate in applied lessons and/or an ensemble(s) each semester they receive the award.  Participation is defined as follows:
  1. Enrolled in full-time status
  2. Maintain good academic standing in ensemble (C- or better)
  3. Adhere to syllabus requirements
  4. No unexcused absences from rehearsals/lessons

Students that do not meet the requirements above will be placed on probation for the subsequent semester, and risk losing their scholarship if the pattern of behavior continues.

  1. Personal Practice Recommendations

  1. Students are urged to set goals for themselves each semester in consultation with their instructors.  
  2. Majors are encouraged to practice a minimum of two hours per day.  It is in that third hour of practice (and beyond) that students will begin to see greater improvement in their skills and abilities.
  3. Non-majors are encouraged to practice a minimum of one hour per day.

When increasing the frequency of practice, it is paramount that this work should be viewed in a similar manner to physical exercise.  It takes time to develop a healthy regimen, and injuries are best avoided when changes to practice routines are implemented slowly and safely.

  1. Concerto Aria Guidelines

The Concerto Aria Competition is under the purview of the Augustana Orchestra conductor.  The number of winners will vary each year depending on the solo length, instrumentation, etc., in consultation with the conductor of the Augustana Orchestra.

  1. Eligibility

  1. Applicants must be enrolled in applied lessons during the fall and spring semesters.
  2. Past winners will not be eligible to compete for two consecutive years regardless of instrument and/or voice type.
  3. Competition repertoire must be made in consultation with the applied faculty instructor as well as the conductor of the Augustana Orchestra. Repertoire considerations will include rental cost, length of performance, available accompaniment, and difficulty of accompaniment.
  4. Students must audition with new repertoire each year.
  5. Time/repertoire requirements:
  1. Instrumental: Repertoire must be between 5-15 minutes in duration.
  2. Vocal: The repertoire should include an aria or orchestral art song.

  1. Process

  1. Non-Music Majors Applied Lesson Enrollment

  1. Non-music major vocal and instrumental (not including keyboard) scholarship recipients of $3,000 and above must register for applied lessons for credit according to their scholarship agreement.
  1. Pro Musica scholarshipped students are required to take private lessons all semesters that they receive the scholarship.
  2. All State & Studio scholarshipped students are required to take lessons during their first 4 semesters of study.
  3. Marching Band scholarshipped students are encouraged to take lessons, but are not required.
  4. Keyboard non-music major scholars will be assigned accompanying responsibilities or an ensemble to fulfill ensemble requirements in years one and two and must be registered for applied lessons every semester they receive their scholarship.  
  1. Non-majors may perform in a performance class, seminar, masterclass, recital, and applied music exam (jury); however, this is not required.  Performance expectations are to be determined in consultation with the assigned applied instructor.

  1. Music Majors/Minors Applied Lesson Enrollment

Details on the requirements of the music major/minor are detailed in the Programs of Study section below.

  1. Ensemble Requirements

  1. All Augustana students are welcome to participate in ensembles within the School of Music.  Registration for ensembles is accomplished through the Registrar’s Office.  
  2. Students must audition in the fall and/or spring, and assignments to specific ensembles will be made by the music faculty.
  3. If enrolling in a chamber ensemble (MUSI 096/097) for credit results in exceeding the credit limit, students may petition to take these ensembles for 0 credit. This must be done in consultation with the Director of Instrumental Studies or the Director of Vocal Studies. Students enrolled for 0 credit will still be held to the same ensemble expectations as those taking the course for credit.

  1. Facilities and Equipment

Keeping our facilities clean is everyone’s responsibility.  Please do not litter or leave piles of music, open instrument cases, etc., in the practice rooms, student lounge, or hallways.

  1. Hours of Operations

  1. The School of Music is open from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday and from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Sunday.  Hours are reduced when the university is not in session.  If access is needed outside of normal operating hours, the student should coordinate that request with the Manager of Operations.
  2. Any time a major rehearsal or performance space is used outside of regular building hours, a faculty member must be responsible for the room, including opening and locking the room and supervising the activity if necessary. If a Logistics Coordinator is on duty, they may substitute for a faculty member if arrangements have been made in advance.  

  1. Practice Rooms  

  1. Music students have ID swipe access to the practice rooms at all hours, located at the south entrances when the other entrances to the Humanities Center are locked. If the South outside doors are not open during the above hours when school is in session, call Campus Safety at 274-4014 and request that the doors be unlocked. If there happens to be a specific reason that the doors are to remain locked, the person on duty should be aware of it and will inform you that they are not to unlock the doors at that particular time. There should not be any reason for the practice rooms to be locked during the above hours while school is in session
  2. Augustana students are encouraged to be aware of others in the Humanities lower level. Only music students, faculty and Augustana staff staff should be in the lower level, under normal circumstances. If you notice non-Augustana people in the area of the practice rooms who do not appear to have a legitimate reason for being there, report them to the School of Music Administrative Suite (5451), or to Campus Safety (4014).
  3. The windows of the practice rooms are not to be covered at any time. This is for your protection as well as for security reasons. The organ practice room is available to students who are studying organ with the Augustana faculty.  Keys for the organ and piano practice rooms may be checked out from the Music Office. There is a $10 deposit which must be paid when the key is checked out, to be refunded when the key is returned.
  4. Students participating in school-sponsored musical organizations may use practice rooms when they are not in use by applied music students. Sectional rehearsals of University music groups and other small ensembles may also use practice rooms.
  5. Augustana students who are not members of organized Augustana music ensembles or who are not enrolled for applied lessons need the permission of the Manager of Operations for any use of practice rooms.    
  6. Students are encouraged to bring water bottles with them, but no other food or drink is allowed.  The Knutson Student Lounge is available for eating/drinking (room 53).

  1. Hamre Recital Hall

  1. Hamre Recital Hall is carefully scheduled, and approval for all of its use is determined by the Manager of Operations in coordination with the university’s Conferences and Scheduling Office.
  2. Hamre Recital Hall may be used by the following parties in order of priority:

  1. Regulations for using Hamre Recital Hall

  1. No smoking, food, drink, or gum at any time in the recital hall.
  2. Please do not touch or adjust the curtains. Students should ask trained staff to move them.
  3. The stage must be cleared of music stands, chairs, etc., after use unless other arrangements have been made in advance.

  1. Student Use of Hamre Recital Hall

  1. Students may request the use of Hamre Recital Hall in preparation for School of Music-oriented performances/exams, and will be granted access pending the hall’s availability scheduled through the Manager of Operations.  

  1. Hamre Recital Hall Pianos

Special care must be taken when moving pianos on and off the stage. Ensure they are covered when passing through doorways, and have at least two people involved in the move. Return the pianos to the storage area after use and keep the storage area doors closed to control humidity.

  1. Lockers  

Lockers are provided at no cost to Augustana students involved in applied music or university music organizations. We strongly recommend using lockers to prevent theft or vandalism. Do not leave instruments or valuables unattended in practice rooms, and remove all property from the room when leaving for an extended period.

  1. Facility Keys

  1. A $10 deposit is required for each key to the School of Music facilities checked out by students. This deposit is credited to your student account and refunded by the Business Office upon return of the keys. No cash, check, or digital payment options are accepted for this deposit.

  1. Students must return all keys at the end of the spring semester unless they obtain special permission from the School of Music Program Coordinator to retain them over the summer. If a key is lost, the $10 deposit is forfeited to the School of Music, and an additional $10 deposit is required for a replacement key. University policy prohibits unauthorized copying or distribution of keys to university facilities.

  1. Instrument Policies

  1. No one may use School of Music instruments without permission from a faculty or administrative member of the School of Music.
  2. Available instruments belonging to the university may be used provided that the student is registered for ensembles and/or applied lessons.  Students interested in using a university instrument should fill out this request form.
  3. Special consideration for unusual requests will be handled by the applied music teacher in charge of the instrument involved. The ultimate responsibility for the use of an instrument is with the Director of Instrumental Studies.
  4. Instruments may be loaned to non-university entities for a fee determined by the Director of Instrumental Studies.
  5. The School of Music reserves the right to recall any instrument that may be checked out by a student if needed for an Augustana performance and/or pedagogy class. This particularly applies to instruments which, because of cost, are available in limited quantities (such as bassoons, oboes, etc.).
  6. Any person who uses an Augustana instrument assumes full financial responsibility for that instrument while it is in their care, from theft, vandalism, or abnormal wear or damage.
  7. The university will bear the expense of repair for normal wear of Augustana instruments. The need for such repair should be reported to the faculty member in charge, who will obtain authorization for the repairs and/or have the work done.

  1. Equipment Policies

  1. No one may use School of Music equipment without permission from a faculty or administrative member of the School of Music.
  2. School of Music equipment, such as music stands, stand lights, or other items not covered in the instrument policy, may be made available for a fee provided that such equipment is thoroughly inventoried by the Manager of Operations.  
  3. Augustana students and faculty have priority in using University equipment in the Fryxell Humanities Building when preparing for recitals or other performances.

  1. Recording and Live Streaming Services

  1. Onsite recording and live streaming services are available through Studio 47 and the Midco Media Production Center for a fee.  Students may request recording services for independent projects via this link.  

  1. Copyright Laws

  1. Under the U.S. copyright law, it is illegal to copy a publication in any way without the written permission of the copyright owner, subject only to the very specific provisions of the copyright law. Anyone found making illegal copies or otherwise infringing could face fines, imprisonment, or both.
  2. The Augustana University School of Music recognizes its obligation to be in full compliance with the provisions of the 1976 United States Copyright Act.
  3. Appendix A from "Guidelines with Respect to Copyrighted Music Material" lists the following prohibitions:
  1. Copying to create, replace, or substitute for anthologies, compilations, or collective works.
  2. Copying of or for works intended to be "consumable" in the course of study or teaching, such as workbooks, exercises, standard tests, answer sheets, and like material.
  3. Copying for the purpose of performance except as in A-1 below.
  4. Copying for the purpose of substituting for the purchase of music except as in A-1 and 2 below.
  5. Copying without inclusion of the copyright notice, which appears on the printed copy.
  1. Appendix A also lists the following permissible uses:
  1. Emergency copying to replace purchased copies which for any reason are not available for an imminent performance provided purchased replacement copies shall be substituted in due course.
  2. For academic purposes other than performance, multiple copies of excerpts of works may be made, provided that the excerpts do not comprise a part of the whole which would constitute a performable unit such as a section, movement or aria but in no case more than 10 percent of the whole work. The number of copies shall not exceed one copy per pupil.
  3. Printed copies, which have been purchased, may be edited OR simplified provided that the fundamental character of the work is not distorted or the lyrics, if any, altered or lyrics added if none exist.
  1. In order to comply with the Copyright Act, the Music Faculty has agreed to the following guidelines:
  1. Students may not photocopy any copyrighted music.
  2. The faculty will not permit the use of illegal copies of music in lessons or in seminars, except for the occasional brief period when a student is awaiting the arrival of a purchased copy of the music.
  3. Ensemble directors will destroy any "Fair Use" photocopies of music immediately following ensemble and festival performances.
  4. Music students are responsible for providing their accompanists with original copies of the music that they are studying.

Programs of Study

The School of Music offers the following degree programs:

Published requirements for the programs below appear in the Augustana Catalog.  Please check carefully to determine which classes are offered in which year so that you may complete their degree in four years.

Detailed Program Information

  1. Admission to the Music Major

  1. Students entering Augustana for the first time who plan to major in music should declare their intention to major in music immediately following their acceptance by the University. The "Declaration of Music Major" form is available at the Registrar’s Office.  
  2. Students who are already enrolled at Augustana and elect to change to a music major should make this declaration as soon as this decision is made.  If a change of advisor is necessary, the Dean of the School of Music will assign a faculty advisor in music. The student is to immediately make the change of major and/or advisor at the Registrar's Office.  

  1. Students in Good Standing

  1. Music majors must maintain acceptable levels of work in music courses, university courses generally, and especially in applied music and ensembles. All music majors must complete each required music course listed in the university catalog with a grade of "C-" or better. Any student receiving a grade of "D+ or lower must repeat the required music course.
  2. Music majors must fulfill all other regulations enforced by the School of Music, including the regulations on recital and concert attendance and piano proficiency.

  1. Dismissal from the School of Music

  1. Music majors who fail to satisfy the requirements above may be dismissed from the program or placed on probationary status by the faculty at its option.
  2. Appeals of this, or any other action by the School of Music, may be made by petition to the Faculty full-time faculty.

  1. General

  1. While Music Scholarship recipients are singularly honored by the university, this honor does not automatically admit the student to the music major. This application must be made separately.
  2. Music majors in good standing will have first priority in enrolling in classes necessary for them to complete the graduation requirements.
  3. The academic and musical progress of each music major will be reviewed semi-annually by the School of Music.
  4. Only those students who have been admitted into the music major and who have maintained this status "in good standing" for a period of one calendar year immediately prior to completing the major will be allowed to graduate from the university as a music major.

  1. Ensembles

  1. All full-time music majors except keyboard majors must be enrolled in a major ensemble each semester in residence.  Keyboard majors must be enrolled in a major ensemble on an approved instrument for four semesters.
  1. The ensembles that meet the requirements for music majors are categorized as MUSI 095 in our course catalog.  These include the Augustana Choir, Augustana Band, Blue and Gold Band, VikingKor, Angelus, Augustana Orchestra, and Northlanders Jazz Band.
  2. MMEN students can elect to take MUSI 095 or MUSI 096/7 to fulfill their ensemble requirements.

  1. Applied Lesson Enrollment

  1. All majors and minors are required to register for 50-minute applied lessons for credit in their primary applied area.  Music majors and minors must complete their applied music requirements in the same performance area. Exceptions are permitted only upon petition to the Director of Instrumental Studies or Director of Vocal Studies.
  2. Only majors and minors are eligible to study with tenure-track faculty.
  3. MUED students must take seven semesters of lessons, allowing a semester for student teaching without applied lessons. Education students may, if desired, take eight semesters of applied lessons.
  1. Music Education - Vocal Emphasis majors whose major applied area is piano or organ must take a minimum of four terms in voice of either 30 or 50-minute lessons.
  2. Music Education - Instrumental Emphasis majors whose major applied area is piano or organ must take a minimum of four terms on one other approved instrument.
  1. BA students are required to take eight semesters of applied lessons.
  2. MMEN students and music minors are required to take four semesters of applied lessons.
  1. MMEN students may elect to take applied lessons in different performance areas.

  1. Applied Music Exams (Juries)

  1. Applied examinations are under the purview of the Director of Instrumental Studies and the Director of Vocal Studies.  Music majors taking applied lessons are required to participate in juries before the faculty in their applied music area.  Performance expectations are to be determined in consultation with the assigned applied instructor.
  2. Sight reading ability should be assessed as part of the applied music exam.
  3. Applied exams are expected in each semester of study except for the first semester of study and the semester of upper-division screening/degree recital.
  4. The applied music exam occurs in place of the last lesson at the end of each semester, typically scheduled prior to or the week of final examinations in academic classes.
  5. MMEN students may work with their instructor to have an end-of-semester assessment that combines their work in applied lessons with the multimedia/entrepreneurial skills they are learning (e.g., content creation).

  1. Piano Proficiency Exam

  1. MUSI and MUED majors at Augustana University must pass the piano proficiency exam before they will be permitted to graduate with a major in music. To assist you in preparing for the proficiency exam, Keyboard skills courses (MUSI 152-155) are designed to assist students prepare for the exam through a sequenced curriculum.  Students may opt to not take this sequence of classes and enroll in piano lessons (fee required) as an alternative.
  2. To pass the piano proficiency exam, the following procedures and competencies will be required:
  1. The exam will be heard by the Augustana University keyboard faculty as the adjudication panel.
  2. The exam will assess the requirements for piano proficiency (no partial testing is allowed).
  3. Failure to pass the exam will require enrollment for piano for credit (class or private lessons) at Augustana University until all piano proficiency requirements have been completed.
  4. Piano Proficiency requirements are available via this link.

  1. Upper Division Screening

At the end of the fourth semester of a music major's program at Augustana, the "Upper Division Screening" examination will be given in place of the regular applied music examination.  The purpose of this examination is to assess if the student is prepared to enroll in upper-level applied lessons (300-level course registration).  All music majors must pass the Upper Division Screening in order to register for a degree recital.

  1. Prerequisites for Upper Division Screening

All Freshman and Sophomore music major coursework must be completed with a grade of  "C-" or better.  Additionally, students must have completed or be in their final semester of Piano Proficiency.

  1. Format of the Upper Division Screening

  1. Prior to the screening, the student’s advisor will compile the full academic and musical performance records of the student for the larger faculty’s review.
  2. Those students who will be performing an Upper Division Screening must complete this Student Vitae prior to the exam and schedule their exam with the Manager of Operations.
  3. The Upper Division Screening is approximately 20 minutes in length and consists of three distinct sections:
  1. Performance – The full-time music faculty will hear and evaluate each student's performance.  The performance will be no less than seven minutes.  After seven minutes, the student may be interrupted in order to proceed to the interview portion..
  2. Sight Reading – Students will be assessed in sight reading.  The sight reading examples will be selected by the applied instructor.
  3. Interview – Following the performance, students will be asked questions about their goals, practice methods, music performed, self-evaluation, and other questions relevant to pursuing a degree in music.

  1. Assessment of the Upper Division Screening

The upper division screening is a satisfactory/unsatisfactory assessment determined by a majority faculty vote and shall be delivered to the student in a meeting with the Director of Instrumental or Vocal Studies. A satisfactory assessment indicates that the student will be accepted for 300-level applied lessons at the beginning of the Junior year.  In the event of an unsatisfactory assessment, students are barred from enrolling in 300-level applied lessons until they pass the screening.  The screening must be retaken in subsequent semesters.

  1. Degree Recital Requirements

  1. In the student’s junior or senior year, a performance in the student’s primary performance area of no less than thirty minutes of solo repertoire is required.  Additional ensemble pieces may be part of the recital but will not be counted as part of the required thirty minutes of solo repertoire.
  2. This degree recital will be evaluated by the applied instructor and one other member of the music faculty. The other faculty member is to be selected by the applied instructor.
  3. Students are strongly advised not to present the degree (senior) recital during the semester of student teaching.
  4. Accompanists for degree recitals should be paid by the student prior to the performance.  
  5. Students should schedule their recital as early in the semester as possible in coordination with their applied lesson instructor and the Manager of Operations.  Do not schedule a recital until you and your teacher agree that you will indeed be ready for the performance.
  6. A professional audio recording may be made for the student’s recital.  Students should request this service at the same time they schedule their recital date/time with the Manager of Operations.

  7. Degree Recital Pre-Screening

  1. To encourage adequate preparation of degree recitals, each student must perform a pre-screening hearing no less than two weeks before the scheduled recital date.  Students should schedule this pre-screening with the Manager of Operations in consultation with their applied instructor and accompanist.
  2. This pre-screening is performed for the student’s applied instructor and one other member of the music faculty (appointed by the applied instructor).  This pre-screening may be recorded if faculty members are unable to attend.
  3. Students must present their program and program notes at the pre-screening.  Program templates:

Instrumental

Vocal

  1. Degree recital advertisements and invitations should not be distributed prior to the positive confirmation of the pre-screening hearing.

  1. Degree Recital Etiquette

  1. The recital hall will be available 45 minutes before the performance time and will be locked as soon as the hall has been vacated. The student giving a recital is responsible for providing any ushers or stagehands.
  2. Please consult with your applied instructor concerning proper dress and decorum for public performance.  

  1. Colloquia and Performance Requirements

  1. Thursday afternoons from 3:00 – 3:50 are devoted to seminars, studio classes, masterclasses, and recitals. All performances will be open to the public; hence, dress and decorum will need to be appropriate for a public performance.
  2. Music majors are required to perform twice a semester, except for the first term of study.
  3. Appropriate repertoire includes one or two complete art song(s), aria(s), complete movement(s) from larger works, concert etude(s), and/or complete character piece(s).
  4. Majors and minors are required to attend all Thursday afternoon programming.
  5. Non-major requirements are determined by the applied instructor.

  1. Recital and Concert Attendance Requirement

Professional competence in music is achieved through academic studies, the development of individual performance skills, and a deep commitment to the art of music. This is reflected in the student's eagerness to explore music of all styles, eras, and media. Attendance at School of Music Colloquium is mandatory for all music majors and minors. Additionally, music majors and minors are expected to attend all student degree recitals and faculty recitals each semester.  Music majors are required to attend 10 concerts or recitals per semester, with performances by the student counting towards this requirement. Music minors are required to attend 5 concerts or recitals per semester, with performances by the student counting towards this requirement.

  1. Honors Program in Music

This program is designed for students seeking academic and performance challenges beyond graduation requirements, offering an opportunity to enhance their musical skills. Due to the significant challenges, participants will be honored with recognition in the commencement booklet and on their transcripts.

  1. Application to the Honors Program

The student, in consultation with their advisor, determines the potential for the completion of the Honors Program. The Dean of the School of Music must be informed in writing by the students during the fall semester of their junior year about their intentions to complete the requirements for the Honors Program.  

  1. Requirements for Completion of the Honors Program
  1. Comprehensive final university grade point average of 3.5  
  2. School of Music final grade point average of 3.66
  3. Junior Degree Recital – This recital should be completed during the spring semester of the student’s junior year. The requirements for a junior-level degree recital mirror the requirements for the senior degree recital.
  4. Senior Degree recital
  5. Cumulative project (to be submitted in conjunction with the Senior Degree Recital) – the cumulative project should be agreed upon by the student and the academic advisor to establish how the project will mirror professional work in a specific discipline, and it should explore the personal and professional directions central to your calling in the world beyond Augustana.  Examples of a cumulative project include:  

Accreditation

Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 1972.

National Association of Schools of Music
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, VA 20190-5248

Telephone: 703-437-0700
Facsimile: 703-437-6312

As a member of NASM, music degrees from Augustana University have the same essential requirements and expectations for competencies as more than 500 other member institutions in the U.S.

Credit-Granting Policies

Augustana University exceeds the NASM standard for graduation credits by requiring 124 semester credits for graduation for any baccalaureate degree. It is reasonable and encouraged that all students complete their chosen degree in four years, even music education degrees. Credits are awarded by the University based on NASM, NCA and 26 NCATE standards and are published in the Augustana University catalog and on-line at www.augie.edu.

A three-credit course represents a 50-minute class which meets three times weekly or a 75-minute class which meets twice weekly. Semesters are 15 weeks in length with an interim term during the month of January. Equivalent class time is required for interim classes. See Appendix K for specifics on current faculty load.

Lecture Courses: 1 student credit hour = 1 hour of classroom instruction + 2 hours of work outside the classroom.

*Caveat: In our music theory and aural skills classes currently break from this formula.

Music theory = 2 student credit hours

Aural skills = 1 student credit hour.

Most other courses are standardized with Augustana University policy of 3 hours of faculty contact time per week with the associate out of class preparation time with the exception of some pedagogy classes and ensembles.

Exceptions:

Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion pedagogy classes receive 3 student credit hours of teaching load credit, and up to 4 hours of classroom instruction per week.

Students in ensembles are given one hour of course credit despite the fact that large ensembles rehearse from 3 to 5 hours per week.

Applied lessons are offered for 1 credit with a recommendation of a minimum of 1 hour of practice each day. Lessons for majors are 50 minutes in length and non-majors take 30 minute lessons.

Independent study is offered by every department through special permission from the student’s advisor, course supervisor and Department Chair. Students may take up to 18 hours of credit as independent study. Independent study is designed by the student and instructor and a form must be completed explaining the intent of the study and work to be completed. This form is signed by those mentioned above and approved by the Registrar. Independent Scholarship is defined as taking a course normally offered by the University in an independent setting. It requires the same information and approval as independent study. The School of Music has rarely offered independent study or scholarship since major requirements are stringent and few electives are available. Scholarship may be supported for a student with extraordinary circumstances.

Transfer students admitted to the University must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.25 (on a 4.0 scale) at the institution from which the student is transferring. All grades transfer in from other colleges and universities and are eligible for transfer credit. All music major courses will require a grade of C- or higher to be counted toward graduation.  A maximum of 65 credit hours are accepted from two-year institutions. The cumulative grade point average of the transfer student will include only grades earned at Augustana. The University will accept credit for courses corresponding to courses offered at Augustana from institutions which meet the following criteria:

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