March 2021

Music Student Bulletin

March 2021 

3.02.2021 Bulletin | 3.09.2021 Bulletin | 3.16.2021 Bulletin | 3.23.2021 Bulletin | 3.31.2021 Bulletin |

Music Student Bulletin 3.31.2021

New Enrollment System
Call for Fellowship Applications

New Enrollment System

Starting this Friday, April 2 through Tuesday, April 20, all returning students will be using the brand-new Student Information System (SIS) to complete their enrollment for Fall 2021, Spring 2022, and Summer 2022 according to their enrollment appointment time.

We understand that there will likely be a degree of apprehension from students as this critical process is changing during a year already requiring considerable adjustment. To help students receive the help they require, the Registrar’s Office will be standing by throughout enrollment to assist students in this process. Students can email reg@msu.edu or call (517) 355-3300, option 4 for assistance. Resources for students including videos, student guides, and sign-up forms for help sessions can be accessed at the dedicated enrollment webpage.

If you encounter problems enrolling, please utilize the above resources. If you need additional assistance, please contact Ms. Wimberley or Ms. Hoekstra.

Call for Applications: Imagining America Fellowship Programs

For Undergraduate Students: The IA/JGS Fellows Program provides an opportunity for undergraduate students who work with photography and/or digital media to participate in a year-long learning exchange that includes tuition support, project support, and opportunities for professional development. The program particularly welcomes applications from first-generation college students.

Over the course of the fellowship year, each JGS Fellow will:

  • Receive a $2,000 tuition scholarship.
  • Receive mentorship and financial support for a community project.
  • Attend Imagining America's national virtual program in Fall 2021 and in-person National Gathering in Fall 2022. Complimentary registration and travel awards are included.
  • Participate in regular, virtual learning exchanges.

Click here to apply. Deadline Friday, June 4, 2021

For Graduate Students: The PAGE Fellows Program invites graduate students to participate in a yearlong working group in support of collaborative art-making, teaching, writing, storytelling, and co-creating knowledge with and within community. PAGE Fellows are artists, scientists, researchers, instigators, cultural leaders, care workers, and community activists. PAGE provides peer support, career networking, opportunities for collaborative knowledge production, and enhances the practice and pedagogy of public scholarship.

PAGE Fellows will:

  • Receive access to year-long mentorship and community-building events, both within PAGE and the Imagining America networks. These can include but are not limited to research projects, publication opportunities, and skill-building workshops.
  • An opportunity to apply for up to $1,000 professional development funds.
  • A stipend to support one’s remote participation in the 2021 IA's national virtual program and PAGE Summit

Click here to apply. Deadline Friday, July 9, 2021.
 

Music Student Bulletin 3.23.2021

Statement of Solidarity and Compassion with our Asian-American and Asian Faculty and Students

Community Listening Session, Tuesday, March 23rd 5:30

Town Hall and Vigil on Thursday, March 25th

Use of Practice Rooms for Solo Practice

MSU Destination Survey for Graduates

Senior Speaker at Commencement


Statement of Solidarity and Compassion with Our Asian-American and Asian Faculty and Students

It was on June 2, 2020 that we wrote the following: “We write to you with tremendous sadness as well as with outrage. This past weekend of brutality and murder in Minnesota has brought forward yet again, the truth that there is deep and pervasive racism throughout American society that deeply stains our nation.”

The horrific murders of eight people in the Atlanta area last Tuesday, including individuals of Asian descent—Delaina Ashley Yaun, Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Soon Chung Park, Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, and Yong Ae Yue—underscores again the debilitating and pervasive hate, misogyny, anti-Asian discrimination, and white supremacy that exists in our society. Our condolences are extended to the victims and their families.

We have a vibrant international community at MSU and in the College of Music. We take this moment to express our solidarity with and our support of the exceptional Asian and Asian-American College of Music students, faculty, staff and alumni. These friends and colleagues make our learning community, our musical community, and our society ever-stronger in significant ways. 

We must all accept the responsibility to prevent the spread of violence and hate. In that context, one step we as a College must take is to redouble our individual and collective efforts and initiatives through DEIB planning and actions. We must work together to create a more effective and equitable learning community and work together to extinguish racism in our midst.

Jim Forger
Michael Kroth
David Rayl
Rodney Whitaker

Community Listening Session, Tuesday, March 23rd 5:30  

Although the space is open to everyone at MSU, the focus and conversations for the community space will be centered on our Asian Pacific Islander Desi American/Asian community.  This is an open space for us to come together as a community to grieve, honor those who were taken, share stories and support each other.

APIDA & Asian Sharing and Community Space
Tuesday, Mar 23, 2021 05:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://msu.zoom.us/j/99312547541

Town Hall and Vigil on Thursday, March 25th

The Asian Pacific Islander Desi American/Asian Faculty and Staff Association, the Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions, and the Asian Pacific American Student Organization invite members of the MSU community to come air and discuss their experiences. We aim to have this as a safe space for community members to share their stories and to be heard. We also want to hear your ideas about how MSU can better support the APIDA community. It's important that we stand together in these hard times, and we want you to feel heard.

Registration: https://msu.zoom.us/.../register/WN_NObwUtHVQWy4NgAs5DB1kQ

More details on vigil logistics and COVID safety measures if you wish to attend at the rock to be announced in the coming days. Please be sure to check back for the required guidelines.

Use of Practice Rooms for Solo Practice

Beginning Monday, March 22, students will no longer be able to reserve a classroom for solo practice between the hours of 10 am and 5 pm Monday through Thursday. Individual practice during those times will be restricted to practice rooms assigned by the applied teacher. If you need additional practice time, please ask your applied teacher. There may be extra time available in the practice rooms assigned to your studio. As we move toward the end of the semester, demand for classroom space for lessons and multi-person rehearsals has increased to the point that we must implement this new policy.

MSU Destination Survey for Graduates

Are you a graduate or undergraduate student? Are you graduating this semester? Please fill out the MSU Destination Survey to confirm your next steps after graduating from MSU. This survey helps us track the typical first destinations for our students, what successful students do during their college career, and helps current Spartans prepare for their future transition to the professional world.

The survey only takes 2-3 minutes to complete: Survey Link 

Still not sure of your plans at this point? That’s OK, and we’re here to help. Meet with Christine Beamer to explore possible options or prepare for your next steps.

Senior Speaker at Commencement

All graduating seniors are encouraged to consider applying to be the Senior Speaker at our College of Music Commencement Ceremony. Please click here for the application and email it to Associate Dean Kroth. Application deadline is Wednesday, March 24.

Music Student Bulletin 3.16.2021

Ongoing COVID Threat

Degree and Commencement Application

Student Speaker at Commencement

Ongoing COVID Threat  

Even as many in our community are getting vaccinated and the number of COVID cases seems to have stabilized, it’s important that all of us continue to follow the University and College health and safety protocols. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services laboratory has confirmed the presence of the B.1.1.7. coronavirus variant (the U.K. variant) in the East Lansing campus community. Early studies indicate it is more contagious and may cause more severe symptoms than the original strain of the coronavirus. If you see someone violating the protocols, please say something to them or report what you’ve witnessed to the Main Office. If you have any questions about what you are allowed or not allowed to do in the music facilities, please contact Associate Dean Kroth kroth@msu.edu or Senior Associate Dean Rayl rayld@msu.edu. 

Undergraduate Degree Application and Spring Semester Commencement 

If you are planning to graduate in Spring 2021, the recommended deadline to apply is Friday, March 19, 2021. If you do not apply by that deadline, you will not receive the invitation from the Commencement Office to RSVP for the College of Music commencement ceremony. Here is a link to the application to graduate. 

Student Speaker at Commencement 

Each year the College of Music invites graduating seniors to apply to be the student speaker at the College of Music spring undergraduate commencement ceremony. If you are interested in being the student speaker, please fill out this application form and email to Associate Dean Kroth by Wednesday, March 24, 2021.  

Graduating seniors will have the opportunity to review all applications online and vote electronically for the person they would like to deliver the senior class address. The applicant with the highest number of votes will be forwarded to the College of Music Undergraduate Committee for approval. The selected speaker will have 5-7 minutes during the ceremony to present their ideas to the graduating class. 
 

Music  StudentBulletin 3.09.2021

Undergraduate Research Applications

Enrollment Announcements

Counseling and Psychiatric Services

Facility Access Reminders

Summer and Fall Announcements

Undergraduate Research applications are being accepted

Applications for Undergraduate Research funding are being accepted for Spring/Summer 2021. Application materials, instructions, and deadlines may be found here on the College of Music website. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have expanded the criteria and acceptable projects to include virtual conferences, summer music festivals, and outreach. 

The deadline for the next round of funding is March 19, 2021 for Spring/Summer projects. Final round deadline for Late Spring/Summer projects is April 16, 2021.


Enrollment for Fall 2021, Spring 2022 and Summer 2022 is almost here.  

Please note that this year’s process will differ from previous years as the University transitions to a different student information system (SIS). Please review the information below and complete the shopping cart feature to ensure a successful enrollment process.  

  • Shopping Cart Feature Prior to your enrollment appointment, it is recommended that you add classes to your Shopping Cart and “validate” your class selections to confirm you are ready to enroll. The validation will check for prerequisites and alert you to any approvals that are needed, time conflicts and list any holds that would prevent you from enrolling. Then, when it is time for you to enroll, you will be ready to do so with ease. Informational videos demonstrating MSU’s new Class Search and Shopping Cart functionalities, as well as other help resources, are available online. 
  • New Enrollment Process Enroll at student.msu.edu. You will receive your appointment time in mid-March.  You can access your class schedule by logging into MSU’s SIS clicking on the tile labeled “Classes.” Two-factor authentication is now required for SIS. For more information and to register your credentials, go to secureit.msu.edu/two-factor. You can also enroll for summer 2022 classes at the same time you enroll for fall 2021 and spring 2022. MSU has made this change to better align with the financial aid cycle and to allow you to plan your full academic year. 
  • If you have questions about enrollment or need assistance with navigating the Shopping Cart and Class Search functionalities in SIS, please call the Registrar’s Office at (517) 355-3300 and select option 4 from the menu items, or email reg@msu.edu 
     

MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) 

We know that you continue to balance a number of stress and anxiety-producing situations this semester. If you are in crisis, PLEASE reach out to someone on the faculty or staff. Or contact CAPS, which offers a variety of services to help you cope with these challenging times. 

  • Students needing crisis services can access the MSU CAPS crisis phone line by calling (517) 355-8270 and selecting prompt 1. This service is available to MSU students 24/7/365.  
  • Students interested in accessing CAPS for mental health services can start the process by completing the form found here.  
  • CAPS will continue to offer a robust group counseling program. Updated information about the available groups as well as how to get connected to a group, can be found here.  
     

Reminder for those accessing our music facilities 

Before you attend any in-person class, lesson, rehearsal, or personal practice session, you must do the following:  


President Stanley’s Letter Regarding Summer and Fall 

Last week, President Stanley announced, “a more typical fall semester, with 75% of undergraduate classes offered in person.” It is still too early to know specifically what that means for the College of Music, but we anticipate that many applied lessons, ensemble rehearsals, and academic classes will be offered in person or in a hybrid format with appropriate mitigation measures in place. The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff will remain our primary concern.  

College of Music summer offerings, which are primarily graduate courses that serve our summer master’s students in music education and choral conducting, will be offered in a mix of in-person, hybrid, and online models. As those plans are confirmed the specific mode of delivery will be added to the Schedule of Courses.

 

Music Student Bulletin 3.02.2021

There is much reason for optimism: It’s March. Temperatures are heading in the right direction. The snow is melting. Vaccine distribution seems to be ramping up nationwide. We hope this finds each of you enjoying a couple of days of rest and some time away from classes, lessons, and ensembles. For those of you who chose to travel out of town, the University has issued the following protocol, which you must follow.

  • Those who do travel must submit a saliva sample within 24 hours of their return to campus in addition to their regular weekly sample. 
  • Students should self-quarantine until they receive a cleared test result. 

We continue to experience a high level of compliance with our health and safety protocols, so thank you for that. We were, however, forced to sanction two more students this week for occupying a room that was not reserved for them. Please continue to be mindful of the need to only occupy a room and a time that has been assigned to you. And continue to be mindful of the necessary ‘refresh’ times between uses.

Conversations are currently underway for in-person outdoor commencement ceremonies with limited attendance.  The College of Music ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Friday, April 30. More information to follow soon.