February 2022

Music Student Bulletin

2.1.22 Bulletin  |  2.9.22 Bulletin  |  2.15.22 Bulletin  |  2.23.22 Bulletin

Music Student Bulletin 2.23.22
 

DMA Comprehensive Exam sign-up
 
Deadlines for Spring ’22 graduates
 
MM Oral Exam sign-up deadline
 
Help in sharing vaccination policy
 
Dissertation Completion Award
 
 


DMA Comprehensive Exam sign-up

Exam Date: Saturday, April 16, 2022
Sign-up deadline: Friday, March 4, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.

Please sign up using the following Google forms:

Theory Exam 

Musicology Exam

For more information on COMPS EXAMS listen to THE SCOOP Podcast here.
 

Deadlines for Spring ’22 graduates

All Spring 2022 graduates who wish to have their name in the Commencement program must apply to graduate by February 25, 2022. If you apply after that, you will not be listed, and the College of Music cannot request that your name be included.  

There are two application/registration processes. Applying for graduation with the Registrar’s Office is not the same as applying to participate in the ceremony.

  • Apply for Graduation at student.msu.edu. After logging in, click on the Academic Progress tile. You will see a link to Apply for Graduation in the left-hand navigation under the Graduation heading.  
  • Then, if you would like to walk in the graduation ceremony, Register to Participate by​​​​ visiting the Graduate Information page. The deadline to register for participation in the commencement ceremony is April 18, 2022 for baccalaureate and advanced degree candidates.
     

New protocol for MM Orals

Master’s students in collaborative piano, conducting, performance, and piano pedagogy wishing to complete their oral final certifying examination this semester must do the following. (Master’s students in composition, jazz studies, music education, music theory, and musicology do not adhere to these protocols. They should consult their major professor regarding the format of the oral certifying examination. All master’s students [with the exception of music theory] should complete the approval form below.) 

  • Assemble their 3-person committee. 
  • Determine the assigned question or project from each faculty member. 
  • Schedule the date, time, and place of the exam 
  • Submit the above information no later than 5 pm of the Friday of Week 7 (Feb 25) through a Google form administered by the Graduate Office, which will be sent to all master’s students from the Graduate Office of the College. 

Students must then complete the exam by 5 pm Fri of week 14 (Apr 22). To aid in scheduling, students and/or faculty members will be allowed to attend via Zoom, although an in-person exam is preferred. A mix of in-person and virtual attendance is permitted. 
 
Students are responsible for securing the signatures (wet or electronic) of each of the three committee members on this form. If seeking electronic signatures, the student must: 

  • Send the document to one faculty member at a time, obtain the electronic signature, and have the faculty member return the form to them.  
  • Repeat the process until all signatures appear on the same copy of the form 

Return the completed and signed form (either a paper or electronic copy) to the Graduate Office (musgrad@msu.edu).
 

Help in sharing vaccination policy

While most of you are well aware of proof of vaccination requirements on campus, the College learned recently that there has been confusion for some when entering an event. Please help us spread the word about this University policy so that friends and family attending performances or rehearsals on campus will be prepared to show proof of vaccination. If you'd like, you can provide this link which explains the policy: music.msu.edu/event-listing/covid-directives. Thank you!
 

Dissertation Completion Award

Award: $10,000 stipend!

Awardees:

  • must be a doctoral student in the FINAL stages of writing a dissertation, document, composition, or final lecture recital
  • must register for at least one credit during the semester in which they accept the award
  • must demonstrate in the application materials their ability to complete the degree within one (1) calendar year of the application date
  • Students with University Fellowships (EDF/UEF) or full-time teaching positions are not eligible

For US’22 and FS'22 only

  • Application packages are due any time between now and March 28, 2022.  All materials should be submitted to the Graduate Studies Office as one pdf. You can apply again if you have not been awarded one. (Note that this will affect any loans you have. Please speak with Financial Aid and how it would affect you if you win this award.)
  • You do not need to get your major professor's signature, as long as they provide a Letter of Recommendation. Faculty may send letters of recommendation to the student for their pdf OR send it directly to musgrad@msu.edu.
  • Click here to access the application form and directions. The application form is attached and will be updated on the website AASAP.
  • Click here to see samples of winning applications.

 

Music Student Bulletin 2.15.22
 

Free tickets to see Gina Chavez
 
Discounted tickets to see Branford Marsalis
 
Booster clinic at Breslin
 
REMINDER: So Percussion residency THIS WEEK
 
REMINDER: Final Meet the Music Theory faculty candidate TOMORROW


Free tickets to see Gina Chavez

Wharton Center is offering free student tickets to see pop-rock artist Gina Chavez on Friday, February 25, as well as an all-Spanish performance on Saturday, February 26. A 2020 Latin Grammy nominee for her album Le Que Manda, Chavez opened the Latin Grammy premiere show, has been featured on Unlocking Us with Brené Brown and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and topped Amazon and Latin iTunes charts. About Chavez, NPR said, “If you don't know her already, I dare you to walk away and not become a fan.”
 
To receive tickets, click here and show the message, printed or via a digital device, in person at Wharton Center Ticket Office, open M-F 10am-6pm. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis until they are gone and must be requested in person. If you cannot use your tickets, please return them to the Ticket Office by Tuesday, February 22 so seats don’t go empty and others may use them.
 
Plus, don’t miss a free conversation with Gina Chavez via Zoom on Wednesday, February 16, from 6-7pm. To register for this virtual conversation, go to eventbrite.com/e/gina-chavez-discussion-registration-238738773097 (please note: this link is to register for the virtual conversation only).

Please note proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test plus a photo ID along with masks are required for admittance to MSU events. Details here: whartoncenter.com/covid-19
 
More about the Feb 25-26 performances: https://www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/gina-chavez

Branford Marsalis ticket discount

College of Music students can get $10 discounted tickets to see Branford Marsalis’s concert on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 7:30pm at Wharton Center. Go to the Wharton Center event page and enter promo code MUSIC for the discounted seats. Note: the $10 ticket includes the facility fee, but there is a $2.50 internet charge for a final ticket cost of $12.50 per ticket.


Booster clinic at Breslin

Another COVID-19 booster clinic is at the Breslin Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17. As a reminder, it is required for all students, staff, and faculty to have a booster vaccine unless allowed an exemption. You may make an appointment at the Breslin Center, but walk-ins are also welcome.

 

Music Student Bulletin 2.9.22
 

So Percussion residency
 
Finding volunteer opportunities
 
Alternative Spring Breaks
 
EXTENDED: Free parking due to reduced bus service
 
REMINDER: Meet the Music Theory faculty candidates


So Percussion residency

The College of Music is welcoming So Percussion February 17-20 as our spring Entrepreneurial Musical Artist in Residence. For twenty years and counting, Sō Percussion has redefined chamber music for the 21st century through an “exhilarating blend of precision and anarchy, rigor and bedlam” (The New Yorker). They are celebrated by audiences and presenters for a dazzling range of work: for live performances; for an extravagant array of collaborations in classical music, pop, indie rock, contemporary dance, and theater; and for their work in education and community, creating opportunities and platforms for music and artists that explore the immense possibility of art in our time.
 
The following events are open to all students: 
 
Thursday, February 17th, 2022
7:30pm-9:30pm: Composition Studio Reading in Large Rehearsal (Composition students in person, non-composition students can attend via Zoom Webinar)
Since composition for percussion can be difficult and nuanced, ALL students interested in writing for, or learning about percussion ensembles would learn from the feedback Sō will be giving to composers.
Zoom Webinar Link: https://msu.zoom.us/s/93279409208
  
Saturday, February 19th, 2022
12:30-2:00pm: "Collaboration and Community: a discussion with the members of Sō Percussion on the business of art" in MB135 (free lunch; register here)
Join us if you’re interested in working on your bio, social media profile, and other ways to represent your business and artistry to others.
 
Sunday, February 20th, 2022
3:00pm: So Percussion in concert at Wharton Center (featuring students from the College of Music as guest performers)
$19 MSU Student tickets: Visit whartoncenter.com/events/detail/so-percussion, select students on the right-hand side of the page, and enter your APID to redeem.
 


Finding volunteer opportunities

Are you looking for opportunities to build connections, gain experience, and help to create positive social change alongside the community?
 
Volunteer opportunities in Serve.Learn.Engage! are open to all students. There are more than 300 available opportunities with 15 different community partners in the Lansing area with some virtual opportunities and transportation provided for select opportunities. 
 
To be prepared to volunteer, just ensure that you have completed the following requirements:

That is all it takes to be ready to serve in the community! The MSU Center for Community Engaged Learning will continue to update Serve.Learn.Engage! with more opportunities throughout the semester, so be sure to check for updates and follow on social media to stay in the know.
 
The MSU Center for Community Engaged Learning is also incorporating the UN Sustainable Development Goals within the matching process with volunteer opportunities. To learn more about these goals and to find which goals resonate with you, please watch this short video and/or follow this link to read and understand the history of the goals.
 
The MSU Center for Community Engaged Learning may be contacted at communityengagedlearning.msu.edu, communityengagedlearning@vps.msu.edu, and (517) 353-4400.

 

 

Alternative Spring Breaks

Enjoy serving with culturally diverse communities to create positive social change? The MSU registered student organization Alternative Spring Breaks invites you to come serve in-person or virtually with fellow Spartans in a meaningful life-changing experience!

MISSION
MSU Alternative Spartan Breaks provides accessible, quality service experiences, education about social issues, and exposure to diverse cultures and communities to promote the active citizenship of Michigan State University students.

Apply TODAY for spring break and/or weekend experiences by visiting asb.msu.edu.

TYPE OF EXPERIENCE, DATES, AND NUMBER OF OPTIONS

  • Spring Break In-Person: March 5-13, 2022 | 6 options
  • Weekend Virtual | February 19-20, 2022 | 1 option
  • Weekend In-Person | April 9-10, 2022 | 2 options 

BENEFITS OF EXPERIENCING ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAKS 

  • Meeting new people that may be in different majors/colleges, as well as ethnicities and identities.
  • Learning how to serve WITH communities – Do no harm!
  • Exploring 17 goals the world (literally the world) is working toward for 2030.
  • Developing skills to become a changemaker in your own community.
  • Having fun!!!

 

Music Student Bulletin 2.1.22
 

Meet the Music Theory faculty candidates
 
Free parking this week due to reduced bus service

REMINDER: Music Building roof replacement
 
REMINDER: Alexander Technique class opportunity

Meet the Music Theory faculty candidates

Come and meet your future music theory professor! All undergraduate and graduate music students are invited to meet the finalists for a faculty position in music theory that will begin in August 2022. There’s no need to prepare anything or RSVP. Just show up, introduce yourself, get to know the candidates, and ask questions if you have any. Three Wednesdays (February 2nd, 16th, and 23rd), all at 9:00-10:00am in 219 MPB. A Google form will be available for those who come to the student meeting to provide feedback.

Free parking this week due to reduced bus service

Due to the temporary reduction in CATA service frequency on campus, complimentary parking at pay-by-plate and metered pay stations has been extended through March 13. Read more.

Music Building Roof Replacement

The Music Building’s flat portion of the roof replacement started Monday, January 24. The project is expected to take approximately 3-5 weeks (pending weather). The courtyard entrance to the Music Building will be periodically closed throughout the project. The closures will be primarily in the mornings but may last longer during the early part of the project. A crane and a construction dumpster will be located in front of the Music Building courtyard entrance and north toward the loading dock. Access to the loading dock, the Performance Parking (permit required and scheduled through the Dean’s office), and Handicap Parking spots will be available during the work (with a possible few exceptions). There may be some minor noise during the removal of the old roof. Please DO NOT attempt to park in the courtyard area during the project.

Alexander Technique class opportunity

A class specifically for MSU College of Music Students and held in the Music Building, the Alexander Technique will help you begin to discover freedom of movement, poise, pain reduction, strategies for stress relief, relaxation without collapse, resisting gravity without stiffening, finding and renewing one's inner balance, and the inter-relatedness of mind and body. The basic principles and practical tools of the Alexander Technique will be explored through guided movement and discussion. 

Classes meet Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m.

  • Class Dates: February 2, 9, 16, 23 and March 2, 23, 30, 2022
  • Class will meet in Music Building Room 145
  • Cost: $165 (students can pay in installments)
  • 5 student minimum; 10 student maximum