Applied Music Program

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 150. This level of Applied Music does not require a jury. There is no advancement to another level, and performance class is not required.

May be asked to attend MUS 105, Performance Class, and perform.

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, with Department Approval based on student audition. See the head of the piano department to schedule an audition. Each student is responsible for completing 13 one half hour private lessons during the semester.

Students enrolled in piano (MUS 143, 144, 243, 244) will be required to perform a jury.

An applied secondary area of study is not required for an Associate of Music degree

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 Lesson scheduling must be finalized when students meet with the applied faculty, no later than the first week of each semester. These lessons will be scheduled at a time agreed upon by both the student and the instructor. All 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. See the current applied lesson fees at the Applied Music Policy page.
• Primary area of study (MUS 150, MUS 151, MUS 152, MUS 153, MUS 161, MUS 162, MUS 261 and MUS 262) requires a minimum of two hours of practice/applied study each day.
• Secondary area of study (MUS 141, MUS 142, MUS 143, MUS 144, MUS 243, and MUS 244,) minimum of one hour of practice/applied study each day.

Attendance Requirements for Primary and Secondary Areas of Study

• Attendance policies will be set by each individual instructor.
• A student will not be permitted to perform a jury if they have not completed at least 10 lessons.
• If the student must miss a lesson for a legitimate reason, they are obligated to give the instructor twenty-four hours’ advance notification. If 24-hours’ notice is not possible, students should follow up with the instructor as soon as possible.
• The instructor is not obligated to make up a lesson that is missed by a student.

• Applied Performance Class MUS 105, is a required course for all students enrolled in MUS 161, 162, 261, and 262. This class is specifically designed for students in the applied music program. The instructor is encouraged to attend when their 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 canceled by the instructor are to be made up at a mutually available time and should be made up within a week of the lesson missed.
• Faculty must schedule 13 lessons each semester.
• Primary area of study (MUS 150, MUS 151, MUS 152, MUS 153, MUS 161, MUS 162, MUS 261, and MUS 262) requires an hour lesson each week and a minimum of two hours of practice/applied study each day.
• Secondary area of study (MUS 141, MUS 142, MUS 143, MUS 144, MUS 243, and MUS 244,) requires a half hour lesson each week and a minimum of 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. Refer to applied rubrics for each level for more information.
• Applied instructor will assess each student at midterm to evaluate student progress, using the assessment of applied study

• Applied music students enrolled in MUS 161, 162, 261, and 262 must be concurrently enrolled in MUS 105 Applied Performance Class.
• Literature performed in class must be material the student is currently studying in applied lessons.
• All instrumentalists and vocalists must rehearse with the collaborative pianist prior to their performance. The collaborative pianist will establish rehearsal and performance policies.

Midterm Assessment

• Each applied student will be assessed by their applied instructor at midterm to help them understand more clearly where they are in their progress and preparation for the jury.

Jury Assessment

• All applied students must earn a semester grade of 83% or higher from their applied instructor in order to perform a jury.
• A faculty jury panel 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 jury will be worth 20% of the student’s final grade in applied lessons. The applied faculty must adjust the student’s final grade according to the results of the jury. If a student does not complete a jury, their final grade for applied lessons will be lowered 20%.
• Jury exams are held at the end of each semester. The applied instructor must participate in the jury exam.
• Jury exams for MUS 151, MUS 152, MUS 153, MUS 161, MUS 261, and MUS 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 for more information.
• The jury exam for students enrolled in MUS 162 will be assessed by all full-time faculty and the applied instructor.
• Repeated attempts by a student at the 162 level should include consultation between the student, applied instructor and Program Director.
• Sight reading will be required for all instrumental jury exams, except for the MUS 141, MUS 142, MUS 151, MUS 152, and MUS 153 jury exams.

Recitals are not a requirement for graduation, however, we do recommend that students who are expecting to transfer to a senior institution perform 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, or by the end of the semester prior to your recital. This form must be approved by your applied instructor and on file in the Music Office to begin the process.
• Students must complete the Recital Checklist Form.
• Perform a Recital Hearing for the music faculty no less than 3 weeks prior to your scheduled recital. The applied instructor must participate in the recital hearing, along with faculty in the student’s area of applied study.
• All of the material being performed on the recital must be presented at the hearing. If the student is approved for a recital, no substitutions or additions of repertoire may occur after this point.
• Recital material should meet all requirements of the MUS 262 level of study.
• If the student does not pass the recital hearing, the student must perform the MUS 262 jury exam.