Main Office
Music Building, Room 247
Mailing address:
1155 Union Circle #311367
Denton, TX 76203-5017
940-565-2791
Fax: 940-565-2002
Web site: www.music.unt.edu
John W. Richmond, Dean
Warren H. Henry, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Jon C. Nelson, Associate Dean for Operations
Emilita Marin, Assistant Dean for Business and Finance
Raymond Rowell, Assistant Dean for Scholarships and External Affairs
Joseph Klein, Chair, Division of Composition Studies
Jessica Napoles, Chair, Division of Conducting and Ensembles
John Holt, Chair, Division of Instrumental Studies
John Murphy, Chair, Division of Jazz Studies
Steven Harlos, Chair, Division of Keyboard Studies
Sean Powell, Chair, Division of Music Education
Benjamin Brand, Interim Chair, Division of Music History, Theory and Ethnomusicology
Molly Fillmore, Chair, Division of Vocal Studies
Kirsten Broberg, Director of Undergraduate Studies
Office of Undergraduate Advising
Music Building, Room 268
940-565-3739
Felix Olschofka, Interim Director of Graduate Studies
Office of Graduate Studies in Music
Music Building, Room 317
940-435-3550
Joel D. Wiley, Director of Admissions
Chilton Hall, Room 211
940-565-4349
The College of Music, among the largest in the nation, offers a comprehensive musical environment and unlimited opportunities for the pursuit of excellence in the musical arts for talented and dedicated musicians. The breadth of the musical experience includes the study and performance of the extended gamut of Western art music, the music of global cultures, and the creative contributions of contemporary jazz and electronic/experimental media.
The depth of the instruction is provided by a faculty of internationally acclaimed performers, composers, scholars, and educators who are able to share their knowledge, skills and insights with the next generation of musicians, from the baccalaureate to the doctoral and artist levels. The entire program is enhanced by the holdings of the UNT Music Library, the largest and most comprehensive collection among universities in the South and Southwest. Graduates of the College of Music hold positions of leadership and influence throughout the nation in the areas of concert, opera, symphony and jazz performance, in higher education and scholarship, and in public school music education. The College of Music, with its wealth of campus concert experiences and varied instructional programs, is a unique asset in the cultural and intellectual life of the university community; in turn, its effectiveness is enhanced by being part of a large, comprehensive university.
The College of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190; 703-437-0700).
Mission
The mission of the College of Music is to:
- Provide a dynamic learning environment for both future professionals and the broader university community in which each student’s fullest musical potential may be achieved;
- Promote the highest standards of excellence and generate the most significant professional impact in all areas of scholarly and artistic activity;
- Support new music and new collaborations between music and related disciplines, and cultivate new approaches to scholarship, performance and education; and
- Affirm the fundamental value of music in educational settings and in society at large, going beyond advocacy to enhance the musical life of the community, the Metroplex, and the region.
Admission requirements
Freshman and transfer admission
Admission to the College of Music is contingent on clear admission to the university.
Those students who intend to be music majors must qualify by audition on their principal instrument or voice. Preference will be given to applications received by December 1 for fall admission. For additional procedures and opportunities, please contact the College of Music at collegeofmusic@unt.edu.
Repertoire
Audition repertoire requirements for all instruments can be found on our web site at music.unt.edu/comp/admissions/undergraduate-repertoire. Transfer applicants for composition must also submit a composition portfolio at music.unt.edu/comp/admissions/undergraduate.
Prospective students unable to audition in person may submit a recording representative of their performance abilities.
After passing an audition and being accepted, students planning to major in composition may begin the undergraduate program through open enrollment in Beginning Composition I (see “Supplemental Information for the “).
At Freshman Orientation, students will take placement examinations in piano. Transfer students will take similar examinations at Transfer Orientation.
Scholarships
In addition to UNT scholarships, College of Music scholarships and service awards are available for study in all of the college’s programs. All prospective students who apply and audition for admission to the College of Music are considered for scholarship, based on their audition. Scholarship recipients are required to enroll full-time, maintain minimum academic grade requirements and perform in appropriate music laboratories and ensembles as assigned.
For information, audition dates and step by step instructions on how to apply to UNT and the College of Music, visit our web site at music.unt.edu/admissions/undergraduate-how-to-apply.
General requirements for majors
Music fees
Music fees are charged for private music lessons, practice on university instruments, instrument rental (only a limited number of instruments are available for rental), practice rooms and lockers. Music course fees average approximately $55 per course. Total music course fees per semester will average approximately $450 for undergraduate students. For specific fees, check essc.unt.edu/saucs.
All fees must be paid before instruction is given or use of facilities is permitted.
Applied music
Study in applied music (private lessons) is identified by the categories major, concentration or secondary. The type and amount of applied study is specified in the student’s degree plan.
Applied major — study of the student’s principal instrument (or voice) toward a degree in performance.
Concentration — applied music study of the student’s principal instrument (or voice) toward a degree other than in performance.
Secondary — study of an instrument or voice in addition to the major or concentration.
Upper Division Examination
The Upper Division Examination is administered to all music majors at the conclusion of the fourth consecutive long term/semester of study at the MUAM or MUAC 1500 level. It will be given during pre-finals week in place of the Jury Examination by the appropriate faculty, i.e., the area of declared applied major or concentration. The Upper Division Examination determines admission and continuation in applied study at the MUAM or MUAC 3500 level. Guitarists who major in jazz studies will take the Upper Division Examination on jazz guitar.
Juries
During each term/semester of required applied study, the student must pass performance examination(s) before a jury composed of faculty members. Jury requirements are available on request from the music office (please specify major, concentration or secondary, and particular performance medium — voice, trumpet, etc.).
Concert/recital attendance
Each student with a major in music is expected to attend a variety of concerts and recitals in addition to required departmental recitals as a graduation requirement.
Music history and theory lecture series attendance
As a graduation requirement, each undergraduate student with a declared major in music theory (BM) or a declared emphasis in music history (BA) is expected to attend all lectures presented in the division of music history, theory and ethnomusicology lecture series during each long term/semester of full-time enrollment (12 hours).
Music laboratories
Music laboratories are an integral part of the college. Each Bachelor of Music student must enroll in a laboratory each long term/semester. Exceptions require final approval from the associate dean for academic affairs.
A minimum of eight terms/semesters is required for the Bachelor of Music degree, except the BM in general, choral and instrumental music (teacher certification), which requires a minimum of seven terms/semesters. Six terms/semesters are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
Laboratories are a cappella choir, concert choir, University Singers, men’s chorus, women’s chorus, symphony orchestra, concert orchestra, wind symphony, symphonic band, concert band, marching band, brass band, lab bands, jazz guitar lab, jazz repertory ensemble, Latin jazz lab, jazz keyboard laboratory, jazz singers and accompanying. Auditions are held at the beginning of the term/semester and are prerequisite for admission to the laboratory.
A Cappella Choir — organized in 1938; composed of 45 voices; has made more than 700 appearances, including annual tours, and television and radio broadcasts; yearly performances with major symphony orchestras; professional recordings; two European tours sponsored by the State Department. Rehearsals: 4 hours a week.
Concert Choir — organized in 1940; major performing ensemble of about 50 mixed voices; membership may be shifted from one choir to another. Rehearsals: 4 hours a week.
University Singers — composed of 50-70 voices selected primarily from undergraduate students. Repertoire includes selections from a broad range of vocal literature. Rehearsals: 4 hours a week.
Men’s Chorus — subsidiary organization of the a cappella and concert choirs; membership may be shifted from one choir to another. Gives several concerts a year. Rehearsals: 4 hours a week.
Women’s Chorus — subsidiary organization of the a cappella and concert choirs; membership may be shifted from one choir to another. Gives several concerts a year. Rehearsals: 4 hours a week.
Symphony Orchestra — composed of about 105 musicians; has appeared at state, regional and national music conventions; programs include standard symphonic works and premieres of contemporary compositions; presents at least eight campus concerts per year. Rehearsals: 6 hours a week.
Concert Orchestra — subsidiary organization of the Symphony Orchestra; membership may be shifted from one orchestra to another. Gives several concerts a year. Rehearsals: 6 hours a week.
Wind Symphony — study and performance of traditional and contemporary band literature, requiring an advanced level of performance ability. Appears by invitation at state, regional and national conventions; annual spring tour. Rehearsals: 6 hours a week.
Symphonic Band — study and performance of repertoire for the wind band. Public concerts each term/semester. Rehearsals: 4 hours a week.
Concert Band — study and performance of standard band repertoire. Public concerts each term/semester. Rehearsals: 4 hours a week.
Marching Band — offered fall term/semester only. Open to all students within the university who have had high school band experience. Study and performance of the fundamentals of drill and pageantry at athletic events. Rehearsals: 6 hours a week.
Lab Bands — 19-piece jazz ensembles. Open to all university students by audition. Study and performance of traditional and progressive repertoire. Public concerts each term/semester. One O’Clock Lab Band has won numerous awards and has received Grammy nominations; toured Mexico, Europe, the former USSR and Australia. Rehearsals: 4 hours a week.
Jazz Guitar Laboratory — composed of 15 electric guitarists, bass and drums. Open to all by audition. The music performed is a combination of big band literature and original music, which provide the student with an opportunity to develop reading skills and section playing. Public concerts each term/semester. Rehearsals: 4 hours a week.
Jazz Repertory Ensemble — a history-based learning and performing group dedicated to the collection, study, preservation, and re-creation of classic music from the entire history of jazz. The ensemble ranges in number from 15 to 20 students. The group is committed to playing only authentic compositions and arrangements or recreations of classic recorded performances by such jazz legends as Fletcher Henderson, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Gil Evans and Charles Mingus. Rehearsals: 4 hours a week.
Latin Jazz Laboratory — this ensemble ventures into musical fusions between Latin American rhythmic expressions and American Jazz compositional/improvisational forms. Open to all by audition with priority given to jazz studies majors. Rehearsals: 4 hours a week.
Jazz Keyboard Laboratory — the repertoire is devoted primarily to electronic idioms and the reading of notated melodic passages as well as chord symbols. Open to all by audition. Good acoustic piano technique and improvisational skills are required. Rehearsals: 4 hours a week.
Jazz Singers Laboratory — mixed voices and rhythm, composed of 15 to 20 musicians. Open by audition; required of vocal jazz majors. Jazz Singers I has appeared at numerous international conventions and records annually.
Accompanying — for students majoring in piano and for students with piano concentrations who desire proficiency in reading and accompanying.
Chamber music
Chamber music coaching is offered under course numbers /MUCM 5510, /MUCM 5520, /MUCM 5530, /MUCM 5540 and /MUCM 5550. Small groups include string quartets, strings with piano, woodwind and brass quintets, saxophone quartets and jazz groups.
Ensembles
A variety of conducted ensembles is offered under course numbers /MUEN 5602, /MUEN 5605, /MUEN 5611, /MUEN 5617, /MUEN 5621, /MUEN 5624, /MUEN 5625, , /MUEN 5630 and /MUEN 5585. Many groups perform publicly, appear at conventions and tour extensively. Ensembles include brass choir, trumpet choir, horn choir, trombone choir, tuba-euphonium ensemble, wind ensemble, collegium musicum, percussion ensemble and marimba ensemble, steel drum band, African ensemble, gamelan ensemble, flute choir, jazz ensembles, strings, classical guitar and electric guitar, NOVA ensemble and harp ensemble.
Opera Theatre
The UNT Opera Theatre presents at least one fully mounted major operatic production each year, accompanied by orchestra, with scenery, costumes and lighting. Auditions are open to all students. Those chosen for solo roles should be currently enrolled in opera theatre courses or have been enrolled previously.
Voice majors take , as part of their degree requirements.
Music achievement examinations
Students must pass all required achievement examinations before applying for graduation.
Upper Division Examination — The Upper Division Examination is administered to all music majors at the conclusion of the fourth consecutive long term/semester of study at the MUAM or MUAC 1500 level. It will be given during pre-finals week in place of the Jury Examination by the appropriate faculty, i.e., the area of declared applied major or concentration. The Upper Division Examination determines admission and continuation in applied study at the MUAM or MUAC 3500 level. Guitarists who major in jazz studies will take the Upper Division Examination on jazz guitar.
Piano Proficiency Examination — This examination is required of all students majoring in music. To prepare for this examination, all non-keyboard majors must enroll in secondary piano — , , , , or — each long term/semester until the proficiency is passed. A list of examination requirements for non-keyboard majors is available from the music office. Keyboard majors and concentrations should consult the keyboard division for departmental requirements.
Voice Proficiency Examination — If noted on the degree plan, the student must demonstrate knowledge of breath control, principles of enunciation and pronunciation in singing and tone placement, and essentials in interpretation. Examination compositions are chosen by faculty.
Instrumental Proficiency Examination — This proficiency examination is for the student whose course outline requires brass, woodwinds, strings and/or percussion class. A working knowledge of all instruments is required.
Theory Proficiency Examination — This examination must be passed by each student majoring in music (BM and BA); it covers part writing and ear training.
Concentration Proficiency Examination — This examination must be passed for each concentration (all majors except performance and jazz studies); it covers applied music requirements through the third year of study.
Conducting Proficiency Examination — This examination is required for students who major in general, choral and instrumental music and who transfer conducting course work from another institution. It must be passed prior to student teaching.
Jazz Studies Continuation Examination — This examination is required for all jazz majors. It must be passed prior to enrolling in upper-level courses (, , , or ).
Jazz Studies Applied Concentration Examination — This examination must be passed by each student majoring in jazz studies. Performance and Vocal Emphasis students must pass this exam before a senior recital is allowed.
Jazz Arranging Proficiency Examination — This examination must be passed by each student majoring in jazz with an emphasis of jazz arranging before a senior recital is allowed.
Music education student review
This examination is required for a major in general, choral and instrumental music. It must be passed prior to student teaching.
Academic advising
Information about academic matters is available in the main office, from the division chairs for the various degree programs and performing instruments, and from the degree program advisors (Chilton Hall, Room 211). For further information, see the College of Music Handbook or visit www.music.unt.edu/advising.
Degree plan
The degree plan is an official document that lists courses completed, courses to be completed, proficiency examinations and all other requirements for a particular degree program. Each student makes a degree plan in conference with a designated music advisor. The degree plan should be made by the end of the sophomore year. Transfer students should have degree plans made during their first term/semester at UNT.
Academic Review and Dismissal Policy
Transcripts of music majors (BM and BA) will be reviewed in the freshman and sophomore years. Students who have received three or more grades of D, F or WF in any courses during their studies at UNT will be notified of insufficient academic progress. Students who continue to show insufficient academic progress in subsequent semesters will be dismissed from the College of Music. In most cases, students who are placed on university academic probation or suspension will be removed from the UNT College of Music. Students may appeal this decision by contacting the College of Music Dean for Academic Affairs.
Accepted music majors who are classified as music undecided (MUND) must officially declare a major before registering for their fourth long semester at UNT. Failure to meet this requirement may result in dismissal from the College of Music. MUND students are required to meet with a music advisor each long semester.
Professional Expectation Policy
The UNT College of Music expects music majors (BM and BA) to be committed to their degree and follow the UNT Code of Student Conduct. Students shall exhibit professional behavior at all times, which includes (but is not limited to): class attendance, meeting attendance (including seminars, masterclasses, and departmentals), and respectful interactions with all members of the UNT community. Students are also expected to adhere to professional standards as outlined in division/area handbooks. In cases where there is substantial evidence of unprofessional behavior, students will be removed from the UNT College of Music. Students may appeal this decision by contacting the College of Music Dean for Academic Affairs.
Center for Experimental Music and Intermedia
The Center for Experimental Music and Intermedia (CEMI) provides extensive instructional, research, and performance facilities for composers, researchers, and presenters of computer music and intermedia compositions. It also presents the annual CEMI Event Series featuring computer music and intermedia works created at the University of North Texas and elsewhere, and supports an ongoing program of professional composer residencies. The advanced studio facilities of the division of composition studies are utilized for electroacoustic composition, software synthesis, algorithmic composition, intermedia composition, MIDI applications, computer music notation, digital sampling and resynthesis, and other computer music applications.
