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Applied Music Program

Applied Music Requirements

Applied Music Requirements: All Levels

Applied Music, Principal

$350 Applied Music Fee
Take Concurrently With MUS 105 Performance Class

1-Hour Private Lesson

Applied Music is the sequence of private study on the student’s principal instrument/voice. 

MUS 161, MUS 162, MUS 261 and MUS 262 correspond to the four required levels of study during the first two years of college. 

  • Students will be placed at the appropriate applied level following their audition. 
  • Each student is responsible for completing 13, one-hour private lessons during the semester and performing the required number of times in Performance Class determined by their applied level.
  • Each applied music student will be charged an applied music fee of $350 in addition to the regular contact hour tuition. 
  • At the end of each semester the student will perform a jury exam (final exam performance) that demonstrates their semester progress. 
  • The MUS 162 Jury (Freshman Hearing) will be performed for the applied instructor and all full-time music faculty.  (See Applied Music Policy IV) 
  • MUS 161-262 must be completed for the AM degree curriculum codes 220 and 631.
  • Students who are pursuing a degree emphasis in Recording Technology, curriculum code 212 must complete the Applied Requirements for MUS 153-162 only.

Non-Music Majors

Note: Non-music majors should register for MUS 151. This level of Applied Music does not require a jury and mandatory Performance Class may be waived with permission from the program director.

Applied Music, Secondary

$175 Applied Music Fee
May be taken concurrently with MUS 105, Performance Class. MUS 105 may be waived with permission from the program director.
1/2-Hour Private Lesson

This applied music area is for students who wish to study an instrument/voice for their own musical enjoyment and musical development, or as a substitute for Piano Techniques.  Applied Music - MUS 143, MUS 144, MUS 243, and MUS 244 require 13 half-hour lessons during the semester. 

  • Each student is responsible for completing 13, one half hour private lessons during the semester and performing the required number of times in Performance Class.
  • Each applied music student will be charged an applied music fee of $175 in addition to the regular contact hour tuition. 
  • At the end of each semester the student will perform a jury exam (final exam performance) that demonstrates their semester progress. 

No credits in applied secondary are required for the AM degree.

Non-Music Majors

Note: Non-music majors should register for MUS 141. This level of Applied Music does not require a jury and mandatory Performance Class may be waived with permission from the program director.

 

Performance Class

Applied Performance Class, MUS 105, is an individual performance class which must be taken concurrently with any Applied Music class. Performance class is divided into four areas: instrumental, vocal, piano, and guitar. Each member of the class will be expected to perform in class on the instrument/voice which is taken for study in the Applied Music program. The class will discuss practice routines and habits, technical and stylistic problems, musical memorization, and pedagogical concerns.

Applied Music Policy

View all sections of the policy.

I. Student Information

  • Applied Lesson scheduling will be finalized when students meet with the applied faculty during the first week of each semester. These lessons will be scheduled at a time agreed upon by both the student and the instructor.  Most applied lessons will be taught on the GRCC campus in the Music Center.
  • In addition to tuition, an applied music fee will be charged to each student.  The amount is $350 for applied music principal and $175 for applied music secondary.
  • Students are to be prompt and consistent in their attendance at lesson appointments.  If the student must miss a lesson for a legitimate reason, he/she is obligated to give the instructor twenty-four hours advanced notification.
  • Lessons missed by the student are to be made up at the convenience of the instructor. However, the instructor is not obligated to make up a lesson that is missed by a student. Agreement on the time of the make-up lessons must be made within the week of the missed lesson.

Lesson Requirements for Primary and Secondary Levels

  • All applied students must have a minimum of 13 lessons to receive an A in applied study at GRCC.

  • Students will make an effort to attend every lesson!

  • Students must give the applied faculty member 24 hours notice if they must cancel a lesson. Applied faculty members may choose to make up these lessons at their discretion.

Grading rubric with respect to missed lessons

If a student receives:

12 lessons (1 lesson not made up due to student violation of this policy), the final applied lesson grade can be no higher than an A-.

11 lessons (2 lessons not made up due to student violation of this policy), the final applied lesson grade can be no higher than a B.

10 lessons (3 lessons not made up due to student violation of this policy), the student will not be allowed to perform a jury and the final applied lesson grade can be no higher than a C.

9 or fewer (4 or more lessons not made up due to student violation of this policy), the student will not be allowed to perform a jury and will receive an E as their final semester grade.

A grade of C or higher is required if the student wishes to apply course credit towards a music degree, however the student will not be permitted to perform a jury if their applied lesson grade is less than 83%

II. Applied Instructor Information

  • Performance Class, MUS 105, is a required course for all students studying privately for credit.  This class is specifically designed for students in the applied music program.  The instructor is encouraged to attend when his/her students perform.
  • The instructor is encouraged to report student progress to the full-time music faculty member in charge of the Performance Class section in which the student is enrolled.
  • Lessons missed by the instructor are to be made up at the convenience of the student and agreed to within the week of the lesson missed.
  • All students are to receive 13 lessons each semester. 
  • Major study (MUS 151-153, MUS 161, MUS 162, MUS 261 and MUS 262) requires an hour lesson each week and two hours of practice/applied study each day. 
  • Minor study (MUS 141, MUS 142, MUS 143, MUS 144, MUS 243, and MUS 244,) requires a half hour lesson each week and one hour of practice/applied study each day.
  • The applied instructor will choose literature for study during each semester which is appropriate to the applied music level in which the student is enrolled.
  • Please read the Applied Instructor Handbook for more detailed information.

III. Performance

  • All applied music students must be enrolled in MUS 105, Performance Class concurrently, and are required to perform in the class during the semester.  Your Performance Class instructor will determine the number of required performances.
  • Literature performed in class must be material the student is currently studying in applied lessons.
  • All instrumentalists and vocalists must rehearse with the staff accompanist prior to their performance. The accompanist must be given a sufficient amount of time to prepare adequately for a musical and artistic performance.

IV. Jury Exams

  • Each applied student will be formally assessed by their applied instructor at midterm to help them understand more clearly where they are in their progress and preparation for the jury.
  • Each applied instructor will assess students based on their progress and the work they complete during the semester.
  • All applied students must earn the semester grade of 83% or higher from their applied instructor in order to perform a jury and have the potential for advancement to the next level of applied study.
    • Faculty present at the jury will determine if the student should advance to the next level. Students will receive a pass/fail assessment based on their jury performance.
    • Students who do not pass their jury will be required to repeat the current level of applied study. 
    • The applied faculty reserve the right to raise or lower the final applied lesson grade based on the student's jury performance.
  • Jury exams are held at the end of each semester.  The applied instructor must participate in the jury exam.
  • Jury exams for MUS 151-153/161, 261 and 262 are performed for the faculty teaching in the student’s applied area.  (If the student is enrolled in MUS 262 a sophomore recital may be performed in lieu of a jury exam.  See Sophomore Recitals)
  • If the student is enrolled in MUS 162, a Freshman Hearing will be performed. The Freshman Hearing will determine whether the student is ready to be placed at sophomore standing.  This exam is performed for the applied faculty in the student's applied area as well as other selected full-time music faculty. 
  • If a student has not passed the 162 hearing after 2 attempts it is advisable that the student consult with the applied instructor and music department head to assess the potential for success as a music major.
  • Sight-Reading will be required at all instrumental juries except for the MUS 141-142 and 151- 153 juries. Students will be introduced to the specific form of sight-reading that is required for each applied level.

V. Sophomore Recitals

Recitals are not a requirement for graduation; however we do recommend that students who are expecting to transfer to a senior institution prepare a recital. Students who choose to perform a sophomore recital will follow the procedure listed below:

  • Submit the Recital Permission Form at your MUS 261 performance jury.
    This will normally be in the semester prior to your expected recital. The form must be signed by your applied instructor and on file in the Music Office to begin the process.
  • Perform a Recital Hearing for the music faculty no less than 3 weeks prior to your scheduled recital. Your applied instructor must be present for this hearing. All of the material being performed on the recital must be presented at this hearing. If the student is approved for a recital no substitutions or additions of repertoire may occur after this point. The sophomore recital is performed in lieu of the MUS 262 Jury and the faculty who are present at the recital will award the grade.
  • Complete the Recital Checklist Form. This form is available in the music office.

The music faculty will encourage all music majors to be in attendance at sophomore recitals. We feel that it is important for music students to support each other in their musical pursuits and that they acknowledge the effort and hard work required in preparing a recital.

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