Student Bulletin: October 2025

The OSAS team is hosting Pop-Up Advising Sessions where students can ask questions on the spot and quickly create a course plan for the Spring. Stop by and visit Talitha, Mike, and Dan in the Billman Pavilion lobby on Tuesday, November 11, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Did you know that there is a place on the College of Music website where you can easily find all the upcoming student recitals in one place? It’s true!

If you’re a performance major, you know how meaningful it is to have an appreciative audience listening as you perform music you’ve practiced so hard to perfect. Everyone is busy, but if you can take a short amount of time to stop in to support other students – even if it’s a student who is not in your area – it can mean a lot!

Check. It. Out.

Kurbasy: Songs of the Ukrainian Forest

Oct 23 at Wharton Center – complimentary tickets

Some select complimentary seats have been made available for Ukrainian folk ensemble, Kurbasy, at Wharton Center Thursday, October 23 for their performance, Songs of the Ukrainian Forest. This is a special opportunity to see this renowned group.

How to RSVP:

Please fill out this form by 5pm on Wednesday, October 22 if you would like to attend. Your tickets will be available in Will Call one hour before concert start time under the name provided at the Wharton Center Office. Opportunity available while supplies last. Please note: if you do request tickets and you cannot attend, please let me know so we can seat another request. Please reach out with any questions.

About the performance:

PLEASE SEE bulletins from earlier this month for several announcements that remain timely:

Dia de los Muertos event (Friday, Oct. 31 from 9–1 in the lobby)

Our visit from NASM representatives next week (student session Monday, Oct. 27 from 4:30– 5:30 in 103 MPB)

Wagner Competition sign up information

Lunch & Learn with Emi Ferguson and Ruckus (Tuesday, Oct 28 from 11:30–12:30 in the lobby)

Roundtable Sessions with andPlay (Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct 28/29 from 3:00–5:00 in the lobby)

Dia de los Muertos at the College of Music!

Friday, Oct. 31 from 9AM – 1PM

Help build an ofrenda in the Billman Lobby.

• Stop by any time.
• Enjoy traditional music and snacks.
• Consider participating by bringing something to add to the ofrenda any time during the event!

Tuesday, October 28
11:30 – 12:30, Billman lobby

Join the members of early music ensemble Ruckus for a networking lunch where you can pick their brain on their curated careers, and how they are fusing the early-music movement’s creative spirit with the grit, groove and jangle of American roots music. This event will be with core and guest members of Ruckus including: Emi Ferguson, Clay Zeller-Townson, Doug Balliett, Cullen O’Neil, Paul Morton, Elliot Figg and Adam Cockerham.

Tuesday and Wednesday, October 28 and 29
3:00 – 5:00, Billman lobby

Join the members of andPlay, a contemporary violin/viola duo who are expanding the existing violin/viola duo repertoire by commissioning new works and actively collaborating with living artist for small group career chats!

Oct. 29 focused on “Managing a Chamber Group and Career”

Oct. 30 focused on “Composer/Performer Collaboration”

Stop by the Billman lobby any time between 11 and 1 for a free lunch and a chance to hang out and chat with your peers, faculty and staff of the College of Music.

The College of Music is currently undergoing its 10-year re-accreditation review by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). As part of this important process, NASM representatives will be visiting our campus to observe classes, lessons, and ensembles, and to meet with faculty, staff, and students.

The student meeting is a key opportunity for you to share your experiences, perspectives, and insights about the College of Music directly with the NASM visitors. Your participation will help ensure that the student experience is well represented in the review.

Meeting Details:
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025
Time: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: Room 103, Music Practice Building (MPB)
Note: This meeting is exclusively for students—no faculty or administrators will be present.

We strongly encourage you to attend and contribute to this important conversation. Your input is vital to the success of the accreditation process and the future of our College.

It is time to start making sure your Barbara Wagner Chamber Music Competition applications are in for 2026!

The annual competition held among MSU chamber music ensembles includes cash prizes of up to $3,000. The Wagner Competition web page provides all you need to know including eligibility, categories, and repertoire as well as all competition requirements.

Remember Sunday, December 14, 2025, 11:59 p.m.

Application, recording, group bio, and applied faculty signature form must be submitted by this date.

The University is currently engaging in a self-study and potential curriculum revision related to the Modernization of General Education initiative instituted by President Guskiewicz. The General Education Council (GEC) will be hosting a series of feedback sessions over the next two weeks which will be open to members of the University community. The purpose of these sessions is to gather information about the General Education experience here at MSU, as well as considerations for the future of the curriculum. Although this process will primarily impact undergraduate students and faculty, the GEC also recognizes that some staff (particularly in advising and undergraduate studies) and graduate students (especially those who teach in Integrative Studies) may have an interest in this process as well.

If you are interested in participating in a feedback session, please visit the GEC’s webpage at https://provost.msu.edu/priorities-and-initiatives/modern-gen-ed. A link to the registration form can be found in the “Feedback Sessions” section of that page. Some sessions will be held in person, and others will be virtual.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Ken Prouty, the College’s GEC representative, at proutyk@msu.edu.

The Richard Lee Featherstone Endowed Prize seeks to identify and celebrate a 2026-graduating MSU undergraduate with a $4,000 award to be used for “future growth and development, travel, graduate study, or meditation.” The recipient will have demonstrated an open, curious, creative approach to education and ideas, intellectual ingenuity, and exceptional character and leadership in furthering his/her/their own progress and in enriching the lives of others.”

Nominations are due by Friday, January 23, 2026. If you have any questions or need assistance in submitting a nomination, please contact Racheal Sandford at raymerra@msu.edu.