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Esther Boyer College of Music
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Founded 1962 
Jeffrey Cornelius, Dean
2001 N. 13th Street
215-204-8301
Esther Boyer College of Music web site: www.temple.edu/music/
Esther Boyer College of Music email address: music@blue.temple.edu


ACCREDITATION

National Association of Schools of Music, Middle States Association, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education and American Music Therapy Association.

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UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES
 
Bachelor of Music in Composition

Bachelor of Music in History of Music

Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies

Bachelor of Music in Jazz Arranging and Composition

Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance (Instrumental, Keyboard, or Voice)

Bachelor of Music in Music Education

Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a Jazz Studies Component

Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy

Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy with a Jazz Studies Component

Bachelor of Music in Performance (Instrumental, Keyboard, or Voice)

Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy

Bachelor of Music in Theory

Bachelor of Science in Music

Diploma in Music Performance (Instrumental, Keyboard, or Voice)
 

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GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The Esther Boyer College of Music is committed to nurturing and advancing music as a form of human expression, as an art, and as a subject for intellectual inquiry.

Recognizing that music possesses unique powers - to move the spirit, to excite the mind, to reveal the past, to chart the future, to instruct, to heal, and to foster communication - the College seeks to perpetuate music in its myriad forms through creative and scholarly work, teaching, and service, according to the highest artistic and academic standards.

As an integral part of Temple University, the Boyer College shares the ideals of Russell Conwell upon which Temple was founded: to recognize talent and personal potential wherever they may be found; to provide educational opportunities for meritorious students of limited financial means; and to serve as a constructive presence in the wider Philadelphia community.

In carrying out its mission, the Boyer College seeks both to continue the long tradition of artistry and scholarship that we have inherited, and to develop new insights, perspectives, and practices.  This dual objective - to explore both past and future, old and new - should be reflected broadly in the life of the College: in curricula and instruction; institutional policy; the professional activities of faculty; advisement of students; and musical performances.

For the art of music to remain vital, our culture must develop both highly trained, professional musicians and informed, perceptive listeners.  Accordingly, the College recognizes its responsibility to provide professional education to the student seeking a career in music, to provide opportunities for the general University student to study and experience music, and to share its musical life with the public.

The Esther Boyer College of Music was named to honor Mrs. Esther Boyer Griswold, Temple Alumna, for her generosity to the College of Music. The endowment created by her gift has permitted the College to provide substantial scholarships for talented students as well as major program enhancements. 

The College maintains a tradition of high caliber musical training through active and innovative programs designed to focus on the individualized art of music-making. Within the framework of the large, diversified University, this performance-oriented College provides a maximum level of personal interaction with a 10 to 1 student-faculty ratio. 

The College's reputation for excellence is founded on the work of a faculty whose distinction as performers, scholars, and, most of all, teachers, has won acclaim for the Esther Boyer College of Music. Temple alumni have distinguished themselves in virtually every area of the professional musical world - from positions in major metropolitan orchestras, opera houses, concert halls, recording studios and jazz clubs, in this country and abroad, to teaching on every level in public and private schools and in colleges and universities throughout the country. 

Performance opportunities are an integral part of each curriculum, whether the student is enrolled as a performance major or in another concentration. The Temple choirs, comprised of the Concert Choir, University Singers, and University Chorale, offer experiences in a wide variety of choral literature. The Temple choral experience has included tours, broadcasts, and numerous concerts and recordings with major orchestras. Instrumentalists can perform with several large ensembles such as the University Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Brass Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Marching Band. Specialized ensemble experience is available to members of the Percussion Ensemble and a wide variety of string, wind, and brass chamber groups. The Early Music Ensemble offers students the experience of performing early music on reproductions of authentic instruments. The Opera Theater provides vocal students with opportunities to perform in fully staged opera productions as well as programs of opera scenes and excerpts. 

The instrumental performance program was significantly enhanced by the merger of The New School of Music with the Esther Boyer College of Music. Guided since its founding by members of the Curtis String Quartet, The New School of Music was devoted to the education of musicians for careers as orchestra or chamber ensemble players. In joining two distinguished faculties, and in establishing The New School Institute in a new Department of Instrumental Studies, this merger has broadened the opportunities for private instrumental study and for training in the performance of chamber ensemble and orchestral literature. 

The Esther Boyer College of Music provides a distinctive union of the best conservatory-type training with intense academically oriented classroom teaching. Coupled with the performance opportunities of the University and the culturally rich Philadelphia area, the Boyer College offers students the competitive edge in complete, comprehensive musical preparation. Many programs throughout the University offer minors. Students who wish to pursue a minor outside of music should contact the appropriate department.

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ADMISSIONS

Entrance Requirements
The following requirements for admission to the College are to be considered minimal. Applicants who pass the following examinations may be recommended to the Director of Admissions as eligible for admission to the College. In addition, candidates must meet general requirements set by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Undergraduate Music Entrance Examination
An audition in the major performing medium and a series of tests must be completed before an applicant can be accepted into the Esther Boyer College of Music. After submitting the application, it is the applicant's responsibility to schedule one of the test dates which is most convenient. This may be done by writing or calling the Office of the Dean, Esther Boyer College of Music, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122; (215) 204-8301. The requirements for these tests are listed below. Entrance examinations are given in the Esther Boyer College of Music, Presser Hall, which is located on the northeast corner of 13th and Norris Streets. 

Final auditions for the fall semEsther are usually scheduled in March. Please contact the College regarding deadlines for priority scholarship consideration. Applicants for admission to the spring semester must take the tests in December and applications must be received no later than November 1st. 

Transfer students follow the same procedures as new applicants. If the applicant is unable to be present because of distance, a tape may be acceptable. Tapes should be sent to Ms. Linda White, Director of Music Admissions, Boyer College of Music, Presser Hall, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122. 

Prospective composition majors should submit several representative scores at the time of their audition.

Prospective theory majors should arrange for an interview with the chair of the Theory Department.

Music Entrance Examinations
The examinations are given to all entering freshmen and transfer students planning to pursue any of the various music curricula at Temple University. The primary objective of the tests is to determine potential and achievement in music.

Transfer Credits
In addition to the University's statement regarding transfer credit (see Undergraduate Admissions), the Esther Boyer College of Music will, during New Student Orientation, determine all transferred music credits, through placement exams. Where deemed necessary, students may be tested in music theory, music history, and secondary piano. Tests in other music areas may be arranged through individual departments.

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Audition Requirements

CLASSICAL GUITAR

Guitar Performance and Concentration
Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar Performance
Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Bachelor of Music in Theory****
Bachelor of Music in Composition*
Bachelor of Music in Music History
Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy

All auditions must be taken on a classical guitar with nylon strings using finger style, no plectrum.

Technique: Scales and arpeggios, major and minor, two and three octaves; an etude by Fernando Sor or Heitor Villa Lobos

Repertoire: A work from the 17th century; a work from the 18th century; and a work from the 20th century. Compositions must be performed from memory with at least one lasting more than five minutes.

HARP

Harp Performance
Bachelor of Music in Harp Performance

One movement of a sonata, concerto, or other solo work, two contrasting études, and orchestral excerpts.

Harp Concentration
Bachelor of Music in Music Education 
Bachelor of Music in Theory****
Bachelor of Music in Composition* 
Bachelor of Music in Music History 
Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy 

A representative solo work and two contrasting études.
 

JAZZ STUDIES MAJOR

Jazz Instrumental Performance Major
Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance

Technique: Scales-major and minor (harmonic and melodic). 
Arpeggios triad and seventh chord, two octaves (piano four octaves).

Repertoire

1. Choose three tunes from The New Real Book, Volume 2, Sher Music Company.  One selection must be a twelve-bar blues form. All selections must be performed from memory. Candidates are expected to improvise on each selection.

2. Players of chord instruments are required to accompany in various styles: jazz, Latin, jazz waltz, etc.

3. Sight reading in the jazz idiom. Players of chord instruments are expected to sight read both melody and accompaniment.

4. Taped auditions must include all of the components listed above. The sight reading component must be replaced with an étude (either traditional or jazz)


Jazz Instrumental Concentration
Bachelor of Music in Jazz Arranging/Composition**
Bachelor of Music in Music Education/Jazz Studies Component***
Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy/Jazz

Follow all audition requirements for Jazz Instrumental Performance selecting only two tunes from The New Real Book
Volume 2, Sher Music Company.

Jazz Percussion (Performance and/or Concentration)
Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance
Bachelor of Music in Jazz Arranging/Composition**
Bachelor of Music in Music Education/Jazz Studies Component***
Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy/Jazz

Please call the Esther Boyer College of Music at 215-204-8301 to request a drum packet with audition repertoire.

Jazz Vocal Performance
Bachelor of Music in Jazz Voice Performance

Technique: Scales, major and minor (harmonic) using solfege syllables, one octave.

Repertoire:

1. Prepare pp. 5-10 in Melodia:  A Comprehensive Course in Sight-Singing, Presser Music Company.

2. Vocalists are expected to perform three contrasting selections from The New Real Book, Volume 2, Sher Music Company.  All selections must be performed from memory. One selection must be a twelve-bar blues. Candidates are expected to improvise on the twelve-bar blues form. Bring an audio tape of the accompaniment for each of your selections.

3. Taped auditions must include accompaniment.

Jazz Vocal Concentration
Bachelor of Music in Jazz Arranging/Composition**
Bachelor of Music in Music Education/Jazz Studies Component***
Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy/Jazz

Follow all audition requirements for Jazz Vocal Performance selecting only two tunes from The New Real Book, Volume 2, Sher Music Company.
 

KEYBOARD

Piano Performance
Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance
Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy

Technique: Scales, major and minor (melodic and harmonic), and arpeggios, major and minor, four octaves, hands together at a fast tempo.  Sight reading.

Repertoire: One piece from each of the following periods, all works are to be played from memory:
Baroque: Prelude and Fugue from Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier, or a major work by Bach. 
Classical: Entire sonata by Mozart, Beethoven (excluding Opus 49, Nos. 1 and 2) or Schubert. 
Romantic, Impressionistic, or Contemporary: Any piece of advanced difficulty. 

Harpsichord Performance
Bachelor of Music in Harpsichord Performance

Applicants without previous harpsichord study, same as piano performance audition requirements.

Applicants with some harpsichord and piano experience, the work of J.S. Bach (required in the piano audition) or another baroque work should be performed on harpsichord, with the remainder as listed in the piano requirements.

Applicants with harpsichord but no piano experience should be prepared to perform:
 

1. A work of J.S. Bach.

2. A work from the French baroque repertoire.

3. A Scarlatti Sonata OR an English work from the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book.

4. Sightreading.

Piano Concentration
Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Bachelor of Music in Theory****
Bachelor of Music in Composition*
Bachelor of Music in Music History
Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy

Technique: Scales, major and minor (melodic and harmonic), and arpeggios, major and minor, two octaves, hands together at a fast tempo.  Sight reading.

Repertoire: One piece from each of the following periods, at least two must be from memory: 
Baroque: Two- or Three-Part Invention of Bach. 
Classical: First movement of a sonata by Haydn, Mozart, or Beethoven (except Opus 49, Nos. 1 and 2). 
Romantic, Impressionistic, or Contemporary: Any piece equivalent in difficulty to the sonata movement above.
 

PERCUSSION

Percussion Performance and Concentration
A list of specific percussion audition requirements is available upon request from the Dean's office of the Esther Boyer College of Music- 215-204-8301
 

STRINGS

String Performance
Bachelor of Music in String Performance

Technique: Scales and arpeggios, major and minor, in three octaves; and an étude of advanced difficulty.

Repertoire: Two contrasting movements of a Bach sonata or suite; a movement from a Classical sonata; and a Romantic or Contemporary work to represent the student's level of proficiency.

String Concentration
Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Bachelor of Music in Theory****
Bachelor of Music in Composition*
Bachelor of Music in Music History
Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy

Technique: Scales, major and minor, in three octaves; an étude.

Repertoire: Two contrasting movements from a Baroque sonata and a Romantic or Contemporary piece.
 

WINDS OR BRASS

Winds or Brass Performance
Bachelor of Music in Performance

Two movements of a sonata, concerto, or other solo work, two contrasting études, and orchestral excerpts.

Winds or Brass Concentration
Bachelor of Music in Music Education
Bachelor of Music in Theory****
Bachelor of Music in Composition*
Bachelor of Music in Music History
Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy

One movement of a solo work and two contrasting études.

VOICE

Voice Performance
Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance

Applicants should prepare an Italian song from the 17th or 18th century; an English song from the baroque or contemporary period; and an additional classical selection to be chosen by the applicant. All songs should be memorized and sung in their original languages.  Accompanist will be provided.

Voice Concentration
Bachelor of Music in Music Education 
Bachelor of Music in Theory**** 
Bachelor of Music in Composition* 
Bachelor of Music in Music History 
Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy 

Applicants should prepare an Italian song from the 17th or 18th century and an English song from the baroque or contemporary period. All audition pieces should be memorized and sung in their original languages.  Accompanist will be provided.

NOTE: Some programs have additional requirements as listed below. Those programs having additional requirements appear with asterisks which correlate to the following:

* Bachelor of Music in Composition

In addition to a concentration-level audition on their major instrument or voice, applicants to this degree program must submit scores and/or tapes of original composition.

** Bachelor of Music in Jazz Arranging and Composition

In addition to a concentration-level jazz audition, candidates must provide a composition portfolio of three complete and contrasting pieces. Tapes and scores should be presented at the time of the audition.

*** Bachelor of Music in Music Education/Jazz Studies Component

Applicants to this degree program are required to present jazz and classical concentration-level auditions.

**** Bachelor of Music in Music Theory

In addition to a concentration-level audition on their major instrument or voice, applicants to this degree program must arrange for an interview with the chair of the Theory Department.

Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance with a Music Technology Component

Candidates should expect to complete the audition requirements listed under Jazz Performance. The Music Technology component requires an additional two semesters to complete, bringing the total to five years.

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FINANCIAL AID

Financial aid is available to full-time undergraduates in the form of scholarships, loans, grants, music grants-in-aid, and work-study programs.

Financial aid awards are made after the student has been admitted as a fully matriculated student. Specific music scholarships and awards for graduates and undergraduates include the following:

  • Esther Boyer Music Endowment Fund 
  • Esther B. Griswold Voice Scholarship 
  • Mr. and Mrs. Dezsso Bolgar Voice Scholarship 
  • Peter Vennett Piano Scholarship 
  • Garrigues Foundation 
  • Presser Foundation Scholarship 
  • Dr. Arthur Bennett Lipkin Memorial String Scholarship 
  • Dr. Millard Gladfelter Tribute Scholarship 
  • Dr. David Stone Tribute Scholarship Award 
  • Irving Berlin Scholarships 
  • Elsa Fink Voice Scholarship 
  • Edward Dolby Opera Scholarship 
  • Howard Chivian Memorial Award 
  • E. M. Yarnell Scholarship 
  • Elizabeth K. Prescoln Award 
  • Jeffrey Yagoda Memorial Award 
  • Dr. John Henry Heller, Jr. Memorial Award 
  • Dr. Milton J. Sutter, Jr. Memorial Award 
  • Elizabeth Smith String Scholarship 
  • Arronson Student Aid Fund 
  • Ruth Lafferty Award 
  • Natalie Hinderas Scholarship 
  • J. Earl Ness Scholarship 
  • Clifford Taylor Scholarship 
  • Florence Berggren Voice Grant 
  • David M. Katz Scholarship
  • Bruce Archibald Scholarship
  • Dr. Elaine Brown Tribute Award
  • Max Aronoff Prize
  • J.H. and E.L.M. Beach Book Award
  • Dr. B. Stimson Carrow Award
  • Emily and Arthur Crosby Award
  • Douty Scholarship
  • Roscoe Gill Scholarship
  • Jacobs Music Company Steinway Award
  • Williams and Carmen Middleberg Scholarship
  • Jack Moore Memorial Percusson Scholarship
  • Helen Laird Tribute Award
  • Klara Meyers Tribute Award
  • Schnader Memorial Award
  • Esther M. Schultz Award
  • William Singer Memorial Award
  • Albert Tashjian Prize
  • Alice Tully Scholarship
  • Gerald Wingenroth Scholarship
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SPECIAL FACILITIES

Presser Hall, opened in 1967, is the center of musical activity at Temple University. This building houses practice rooms, classrooms, ensemble rehearsal rooms, teaching studios, faculty offices, two computer synthesis studios, student and faculty lounges, a large listening library, and the Presser Learning Center. Presser Hall's performance facilities include Klein Recital Hall and Arronson Rehearsal Hall. Also utilized by the Esther Boyer College of Music are Tomlinson Theater and Thomas Hall, located across the street from Presser Hall.

The Boyer College's newest facility, Rock Hall, was extensively renovated for music and dedicated in early 1994 in recognition of the generous support of Dr. Milton Rock and the late Mrs. Shirley Rock. Located at Broad Street and Cecil B. Moore Avenue on Temple University's Main Campus, Rock Hall houses the string and chamber music programs of the New School Institute, the Department of Composition, the Keyboard Department, the Early Music Program, the Alice Tully Library, three state-of-the-art computer/electronic music laboratories, practice rooms, classrooms, and a 325-seat chamber music recital hall.

The nationally recognized Presser Learning Center, located on the first floor of Presser Hall houses over 6000 books, recordings, periodicals, videotapes, audio tapes, classroom instruments, and other materials used in the preparation of music teachers and music therapists. Included in the computer lab, now housed in Rock Hall, is the hardware and software necessary for future teachers and therapists to become knowledgeable about the role of computers in music and administration.

The Experimental MIDI studio features a variety of voice modules controlled by a computer workstation, a multi-channel mixer, and digital and analog recording facilities. Students are encouraged to design their own libraries of timbres for use in composition. The computer synthesis studio uses several computer workstations with expanded disk memory, digital and analog recording equipment, and a broad range of software for music synthesis.

The Presser Hall Listening Library houses a collection of more than 10,000 recordings and tapes, compact discs, video tapes, 250 reference books, and 1,000 scores. Music listening assignments for courses in music history, theory, composition, education, and literature can be completed with this collection, which spans music history and performance from the earliest times to the present. A larger collection of music books and scores is found in Paley Library.

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SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Undergraduate Diploma Program

In addition to undergraduate degree programs, the College offers a four-year non-baccalaureate Diploma program for undergraduates in keyboard, voice, orchestral instruments, and classical guitar. This program--similar to a conservatory curriculum--is designed for students who do not plan to go on to study in a graduate degree program, but rather wish to enter the performance profession upon completion of intensive undergraduate training in music. Prospective Diploma students are encouraged to talk with the appropriate department chair about the program prior to an audition. Curriculum sheets are available upon request from the Boyer College. Call 215-204-8301.

Music Technology Component

In addition to coursework leading to bachelor's degrees in Music, the Boyer College of Music offers a 36-credit component in Music Technology to qualified music majors. This component, which is distributed over a student's freshman through senior years, normally results in a five-year program.

The music technology component provides a structured sequence of courses for those students who desire to use new technologies to enhance their skills as performers, composers, teachers, and scholars. Courses focus on the creative, performance, and pedagogical aspects of music technology. The table below summarizes the music technology component. 
 
Content Area Requirements Credits
Core Curriculum Science 
Science Requirement
Acoustics (Physics C067) and 
Computers in Musical Applications (MUS ST C315)
6
Music Notation on the Microcomputer Technology for Education in Music  3
Interactive Multimedia  Interactive Multimedia I and II
(MUS ED 0332 and 0333) 
6
Audio Engineering 0321 Sound Recording (MUS ST 0321) 3
Synthesis and Sequencing  Computer Synthesis (MUS ST 0316-3 cr)
Composing Music for Film (MUS ST 0335-3cr)
MIDI (MUS ST 0346-3 cr)
9
Electives  Computer Music Studio (MUS ST 0347 - 2-3 cr)
Audio Production (BTMM/FMA 0275 - 2cr)
Calculus (Math C085 - 4 cr)
C programming (CIS C081 or C071 - 4 cr) 
Sound Editing (MUS ST 0329 - 3 cr)
6
Advanced Project Projects in Music Technology (Independent Study with Dr. Wright, Dr. Greenbaum, or Dr. Estrella depending on the nature of the project) 3
TOTAL   36

An example of how the Music Technology component can be incorporated into a five-year option can be found in the Program Description section of this Bulletin under the Music Education Department. Students interested in adding the component to their curriculum should contact their respective chair for further information and specific curriculum guidelines.

Music Preparatory Division and Community Music Program of the Esther Boyer College

Music Prep is the division of Temple's Boyer College that provides life-long learning in music through non-credit programs.  Its offerings range from group instruction for infants and toddlers in the development of their basic musical skills to adult classes designed to prepare music listeners for their next orchestra concert or opera.  Central to Music Prep are programs for young people.  Beginning with Early Childhood Music Foundations and Creative Movement, the classes provide building blocks for a solid musical education.  Parents learn to recognize and nurture their child's musical strengths.  Individual lessons in voice and more than a dozen instruments with an outstanding faculty encourage the further development of musical skills.

The Center for Gifted Young Musicians is the component of Music Prep that focuses on the training of exceptionally gifted students, many of whom are unable to bear the full cost of the finest musical education but have the ability and willingness to make a serious commitment to music.  By audition only.

Instrumental Program (for string, woodwind and brass players)
The Center's instrumental program provides a comprehensive package of music instruction and performance for young musicians who have demonstrated the greatest potential for musical achievement.  Emphasis in this program is placed on the development of superior musical skills through large and small ensemble performance.  The faculty is made up of the finest artist/teachers in the region, including members of The Philadelphia Orchestra and professors from Temple's own Boyer College of Music.

Children's Choir
The Children's Choir is designed for outstanding young singers, male (unchanged voices) and female, ages 7 to 17.  The choir focuses on expressive singing built upon a foundation of good vocal technique and musicianship.  Singers perform repertoire representing diverse world cultures and a wide range of styles.  The choir is made up of three groups:  a training choir for beginning choral singers, a full concert choir and a small chamber/touring choir.

The Festival of Young Musicians
The Festival of Young Musicians has long been the centerpiece of the Center for Gifted Young Musicians.  Held annually in late April, it consists of a series of concerts throughout the region that feature all the performers in the Center.

The Community Music Scholars Program
The Community Music Scholars Program provides 30 weekly private lessons for a nominal fee for up to 50 young instrumentalists from Philadelphia schools.  By audition only.

The Esther Boyer College of Music Preparatory and Extension Division is located at Temple University's Center City Campus, 1616 Walnut Street, in the heart of metropolitan Philadelphia.  Acceptance into the program is based upon a personal interview. For further information concerning curricula and fees, write to Mrs. Nancy Hess, Director, Preparatory Division, Temple University Center City, 1616 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19103 or phone 215-204-1512.
 
 

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POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

The University policies and regulations generally apply to all undergraduate students and provide a framework within which schools and colleges may specify further conditions or variations appropriate to students in their courses or programs. Policies specific to the College follow.

Band Camp and Choir Retreat

Each fall, prior to the opening of school, the University Marching Band holds its annual band camp. In addition to having a concentrated four day work period to prepare for the coming season, students get to know each other in both a working and social relationship. They also become acquainted with the group directors personally and professionally. Attendance at band camp is mandatory for group participation.

The University Concert Choir often meets a few days prior to fall classes or during the first weekend of fall classes for extensive rehearsals.
 

Courses Inapplicable to Graduation

Courses completed in ELECT, SRAP, Military Science, Mathematics 0015 and 0045 and, for some programs, Mathematics 0073 and 0074, do not accrue toward graduation.

Dean's List

Undergraduates honored by inclusion on the Dean's List must have completed 12 semester hours, have no "Incompletes," and have a GPA of at least 3.50.

Ensemble Requirements

  • Undergraduate students with a major or concentration in voice or keyboard are required to participate in a choral ensemble, as determined by the Director of Choral Activities, throughout the undergraduate degree program where indicated by the curriculum. Participation begins in the first semester and continues until a baccalaureate degree is obtained. The requirement is waived during the semester of senior recital, internship, or student teaching. 
  • Music Education/Jazz Studies majors whose concentration is voice are required to participate in both classical and jazz vocal ensembles. After advisement to determine which kind of ensemble is appropriate, these students should go to the Director of Choral Activities to be placed in a classical ensemble and to the Coordinator of Jazz Studies to be placed in a jazz ensemble. 
  • Undergraduate students with a major or concentration in strings are required to play in the Symphony Orchestra. Participation begins in the first semester and continues until a baccalaureate degree is obtained. Qualified jazz strings and upright bass students are required to audition. This requirement is waived during the semester of student teaching or internship. 
  • All woodwind, brass, and percussion performance majors and concentrations must audition for instrumental ensembles, large and small, each semester. Continuing students will audition for ensemble placement through juries at the end of each semester.  New students will audition for ensemble.
  • Music education majors, whose principal instrument is either woodwind, brass, or percussion, are required to play in the Marching Band for two semesters, normally during the fall semester of the freshman and sophomore years. Transfer students in this category must also register for Marching Band for two semesters unless they can show evidence of equivalent undergraduate experience at another college or university as determined by the Director of Athletic Bands. 
  • All students taking private lessons (major or concentration) or Recital Extensions are required to participate in an ensemble each semester in attendance. 
  • Percussion majors are required to participate in Percussion Ensemble. 
  • Any instrumental student who does not play for a private lesson jury at the end of each semester must arrange for an audition for ensemble placement for the succeeding semester with the Department of Instrumental Studies. 
  • Students may perform in more than two ensembles only with permission of their adviser. 
  • All students must show evidence of ensemble experience in their performance medium. 
  • All string, woodwind, and brass students who are registered for lessons, must arrange their schedules in order to attend regularly scheduled master/studio classes. Failure to do so may result in the lowering of the applied lesson grade. 
Graduation Procedures

Upon completion of 80 semester hours of course work, it is the student's responsibility to initiate an appointment with their advisers and the Associate Dean to be certain they are meeting all University, College, departmental, and program requirements in anticipation of their graduation.

Early in the semester in which requirements for graduation will be completed, each student must pick up an Application for Graduation form from the Main Office (before the established deadline) and pay the University graduation fee at the Student Financial Services Office. The validated Treasurer's receipt should accompany the completed application form which is submitted to the Office of the Dean.

Independent Study

Independent Study provides a special opportunity for juniors and seniors to work in a highly individualized setting with one or more faculty members.

Those who wish to design an Independent Study project must prepare a written proposal six months in advance of the semester in which the study is to be accomplished. This proposal is then submitted for the approval of a special Honors subcommittee of the Academic Planning and Review Committee, which includes the Dean and Associate Dean. Private lessons beyond those required in the curriculum are not an appropriate form of Independent Study.

Professional Development Policy

All students in the College, in addition to passing the required subjects toward their degrees, are obligated to serve in a number of capacities in order to enrich their academic and musical expertise. The Boyer College believes that such experiences give impetus to successful professional careers. Among the duties that may be required are conducting laboratory classes, tutoring, teaching private lessons, coaching, participating in the distribution and inventory control of University-owned musical instruments and instructional materials, participating in ensembles, accompanying, supervising performance classes, and other academically-related activities. In addition, Boyer College of Music performances must be given priority over non-college commitments.

Recital and Concert Attendance

The Dean and Faculty of the Esther Boyer College of Music consider recital and concert attendance to be a significant educational activity in the training of a musician. It is largely through the process of active listening that the young musician develops powers of discrimination and critical judgment with relation to musical performance. Therefore, attendance at a minimum of 16 College recitals or concerts throughout the course of an academic year is mandatory for full-time undergraduate students. Part-time, matriculated undergraduate students are also responsible for attending a specific number of concerts in a direct ratio to the number of credits for which they are registered. During student teaching, therapy internship, or senior recital, this requirement is waived. A minimum of 56 recitals is needed to complete the requirement. The requirement for full-time transfer students will be based on the number of semesters they attended the Boyer College. Failure to comply with this ruling may result in delay of graduation from the College.

Senior Recitals

Students in the following curriculums are required to perform a senior recital: Piano Performance, Piano Pedagogy, Instrumental Performance, Voice Performance, Jazz Instrumental Performance, Jazz Voice Performance, and Jazz Arranging/Composition. The Senior Recital provides the opportunity for the performance major to display his or her development and potential as a professional musician, and should be considered the focal point for the semesters of private lessons which precede it. Before the Senior Recital is scheduled, the student (1) must have successfully completed private lessons during each semester prior to the recital and (2) must have achieved senior status academically. ALL GRADES OF "INCOMPLETE" IN PRIVATE LESSONS MUST BE CLEARED BEFORE THE STUDENT MAY APPLY FOR THE SENIOR RECITAL.

After receiving approval from the jury and the major teacher in the applied area, a student should apply for the Senior Recital date and complete the necessary recital arrangements through Mr. Walter Weidenbacher, Director of Scheduling.

For students enrolled in the Instrumental Studies Department, the recital approval jury serves to demonstrate the student's ability to perform the degree recital successfully.  Normally, this occurs at the preceding semester's jury.  If by Departmental approval this jury does not occur then, a jury must be scheduled at least four weeks prior to the recital.  If the jury is not successfully completed by that time, the Instrumental Department reserves the right to cancel the recital date.  Most of the recital repertoire, with the exception of chamber ensemble works, should be available for performance at the jury and accompanied by the recital accompanist.  Recital approval is dependent upon the time remaining between the approval jury and the actual recital date, as well as the degree of preparedness of the repertoire.

String students should perform all recital repertoire from memory, except for sonatas.  Students who wish an exception to this memorization policy must obtain prior approval from the Department by indicating the request on the recital repertoire form when it is submitted to the Department for approval of the program.

Senior Recitals are usually presented Monday through Friday at 5:15 PM or 7:30 PM. Performance time should be 50-60 minutes, exclusive of an optional intermission of no more than 10 minutes.

Recital Extension Policy

Some students may need to extend their applied study beyond the required number of semesters in order to complete the preparation for the Senior Recital. Students who do not present a recital during the recital semester will receive the grade of "Incomplete" and must register for Music 300-Recital Extension for two semester hours of non-degree credit. Recital Extension must be taken each semester until the recital has been presented. The sole exceptions to this rule are as follows:

  • Students who give their recitals during the first three weeks of the spring semester are not required to register for Recital Extension that semester. 
  • Students who register for Recital Extension or for private lessons during the summer may give their recitals during the first three weeks of the fall semester. However, if a student does not register for either Recital Extension or lessons during the summer, he or she may not present the recital in the fall semester-regardless of the date -- without also registering for that semester of lessons or Recital Extension.
At the satisfactory completion of the recital, the "Incomplete" for the recital course will be replaced by a letter grade. Music 300 -- Recital Extension will then be issued a grade of "CR". Credit derived from this course will not be counted toward degree requirements.

Private applied lessons beyond the eight semester requirement currently in effect for undergraduate performance majors may be taken by permission of the jury and/or the appropriate performance department chairman. Music 300-Recital Extension carries a $350 fee (subject to change without notice). Tuition scholarships do not cover this private lesson fee.

Screening for Music Students

All music departments reserve the right to dismiss an undergraduate student at any time from a given undergraduate degree program, regardless of grade point average, if in the opinion of the major department, he or she is unable to meet departmental standards. The decision will receive automatic review by the Academic Review and Planning Committee. The student has the right to appeal the dismissal to the Academic Review and Planning Committee of the Boyer College of Music.

Undergraduate Private Lesson Policy

Weekly one-hour private lessons are arranged for full-time matriculated undergraduates in the Boyer College for as many semesters as required by the particular curriculum. (A full-time student must be registered for at least 12 credits each semester.) A per semester lesson fee of $150 (subject to change without notice)-above and beyond the regular tuition-will be automatically added to the tuition charge of each student for this study. Students who do not complete a minimum of 12 semester hours must pay a private lesson fee of $350 for the succeeding semester of private lessons. Students who are accepted for a double concentration or a double major in performance must be fully accepted by both departments by audition. A private lesson fee of $350 is assessed for the second instrument. Approval of the Associate Dean is required for all students desiring a double major or double concentration. Tuition scholarships granted by the Boyer College do not cover the private lesson fees.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF MUSIC

The degree of Bachelor of Music may be conferred upon the recommendation of the faculty and the completion of a minimum of 124 credit hours distributed in three requirement areas: the University Core Curriculum, Boyer College of Music requirements, and major or program requirements, described in Program Descriptions.

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Comments and questions about the Esther Boyer College of Music may be sent to music@blue.temple.edu.

Boyer College of Music web site: www.temple.edu/music/

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