Information and Advising for Graduate Students

NEW & RETURNING STUDENTS Fall 2025

The College of Music Graduate Studies Office employs three people who work with all graduate students, and they are glad to see and assist with students’ journeys through their degrees. Dan, Mike, and Anne all have different functions in the College of Music, so please read below about who they see and what they do.

Dan Hanrath takes care of master’s students, unless they are dual degree, including CPT. Dan also approves of academic and study abroad paperwork, and helps plan academic events. His office is in Room 205 of the MPB. You can also schedule your master’s appointments with Dan here:

Dan Hanrath Appointments

hanrathd@msu.edu

Mike Armendariz works with DMA, PhD, and dual degree students. He also serves as a liaison between students and faculty about graduation requirements, curriculum, and enrollment issues. Mike also approves all CPT/OPT paperwork for international students as the liaison between CoM and OISS, and monitors Responsible Conduct of Research fulfillment. He is the one to be in contact with regarding comprehensive exams, summer classes, new graduate student orientations, and the Music Theory orientation examination. Mike’s office is in Room 210 Music Building.

You can schedule your DMA – Dual Degree or PhD advising appointments here:

Mike Armendariz Appointments

armenda2@msu.edu

Anne Simon oversees the general office operations in the graduate office. Informs and assists students and faculty regarding assistantships, fellowships, travel and research awards, dissertation completion awards, graduation, curriculum, enrollment issues, comprehensive examinations, deadlines, and university, college, and Office of International Students and Scholars policies.

musgrad@msu.edu

Advising Informational Video

Course Lists

Fall/Spring 2025-26 Musicology Course List

Fall/Spring 2025-26 Theory Course List

Fall/Spring 2025-26 Elective Courses

Ensemble Schedules

Bands

Wind Symphony | MW 12:30-2:50pm, F 12:30-1:30pm

Symphony Band | TTh 12:30-2:50pm, F 12:30-1:30pm

Concert Band | MW 12:30-2:50pm, F 1:50-2:50pm

Campus Band | T 7:00pm-9:50pm

Orchestras

Symphony Orchestra | TTh 12:30-2:50pm, F 1:50-2:50pm

Concert Orchestra | W 7:00-9:50pm

Choirs

University Chorale | MTWTh, 1:50-2:40 p.m

State Singers | MTWTh, 12:40-1:30

Mosaic | MW, 4:10-5:30 p.m

Choral Union | W, 7:00-9:00 p.m

Campus Choir | TTh 3:00-3:50 p.m

Viridis | TTH 4:10-5:30 p.m.

Singing Spartans | MW 4:10-5:30 p.m.

Jazz

Jazz Orchestra I
MUS 130-001
Professor Rodney Whitaker
Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:40 – 2:40 pm
Murray Hall

Jazz Orchestra II
MUS 130-002
Professor Stanco
Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:50-4:50pm
Murray Hall

Jazz Orchestra III
MUS 130-003
GAs: Wyatt Forhan & Alonso Umana Chan
Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:00-7:00pm
Murray Hall

Jazz Nonet I
MUS130-004
Professor Napoleon
Wednesdays 3:00-4:50pm
Murray Hall

Jazz Nonet II
MUS130-005
Professor Davis
Wednesdays 5:00-6:50pm
Murray Hall

Jazz Nonet III
MUS130-006
Professor Dease
Wednesdays 4:50-6:50pm
245 MB

Jazz Nonet IV
MUS130-007
Professor Blanding
Wednesdays 5:00-6:50pm
135 MB

FAQ's About Registration

IS A COURSE FULL?

Once a course is full, the Graduate Studies Office keeps a ‘Wait List’. DO NOT ADD YOURSELF TO THE WAIT LIST ON SIS. To be put on this list for a specific class, email musgrad@msu.edu with your Name, PID#, Course# and Semester. Please do not go to the professor of the course. We monitor the class enrollments and, as spaces become available, we enroll students from the list. If enrollment occurs, the student is notified by e-mail. We continue this process through the first 1-2 weeks of classes.

HAVING TROUBLE ADDING A CLASS?

All 400 level courses need an override in the system (permission) to register. This is typically done after your advising session. To receive an override, email musgrad@msu.edu with your Name, PID Course # and Semester. If a class is full, please see the instructions above. Please do NOT go to the professor of the course.