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Graduate Handbook
Welcome!
The graduate faculty and staff of the Music Department at California State University, Fresno, welcome you to the MA program. We offer you outstanding facilities for rehearsals, private practicing, and technologically assisted instruction.
Our campus Music Library is superior, probably the best in the entire California State University system. The Ronald Harlan Music Collection provides more than 80,000 scores and recordings of music, ranging from classical music to Delta blues, the Julliard String Quartet to the Kronos Quartet, Josquin to John Cage, Pavarotti to Little Richard.
We offer you opportunities to perform solo on and off campus, to participate in many different kinds of ensembles, to compose your own music or to arrange someone else’s, to take part in festivals and to do research projects. We do everything we reasonably can to help you find financial aid for your schooling, and to balance the heavy demands of school, work, and family.
We are here to help you with specific questions and more general professional
support. Be sure to keep your copy of this handbook. Read it and refer to
it frequently. Although it will not cover all questions and cases, it should
provide a thorough overview of the program and its requirements. It includes
information on various procedures, as well as suggested programs for particular
emphases, a detailed list of when graduate courses are scheduled, and sample
exams and forms. It is equally important that you also refer to the Graduate
Studies section of your General
Catalog.
We urge you to stay in close touch with your faculty mentor and the Graduate
Program Coordinator. We will do everything possible to make your progress
through the program smooth and expeditious!
ADMISSION STANDARDS
University Requirements
- Verified graduation from an accredited institution
- GPA of at least 2.5 in the last 60 units of undergraduate course work
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test (verbal, quantitative, and analytical)
- For
international students: minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as
a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Music Department Requirements
A baccalaureate degree in Music
Students with significant amounts of course work in music but with majors in other fields may be admitted, but are required to take prerequisite courses or a second undergraduate major in Music prior to embarking on graduate study in Music.
Evidence of the ability to carry on graduate work successfully
Students with GPA’s below 3.0 may be admitted but normally are required to establish a record of satisfactory performance before being granted classified status (see Classification below). The same requirements may apply to students who hold music degrees from a school whose music program is not accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
Interview with one or more professors in the proposed area of study.
Students in the Performance Option must audition for one or more members of the proposed area of performance study. A tape of approximately 10 minutes of music may be requested in lieu of a live audition.
Students in the Music Education Option should submit an undergraduate term paper or project on a relevant topic.
REQUIREMENTS FOR SATISFACTORY PROGRESS TOWARDS THE DEGREE
General
Progress through the MA program is marked by five stages, some of which
are determined by the University and others which are determined by the Department.
Throughout these stages students are evaluated to ensure that they are making
satisfactory progress towards the degree. While there may be rare exceptions
satisfactory progress will normally be determined by the following criteria:
Prompt removal of all conditions for classification. The student should be
eligible for classification at the end of the first semester following admission.
Maintaining a course load of five or six units per semester. Students who
work more than twenty hours per week are advised to take one academic course
and one performance course each semester. Occasionally, students may take
only one course per semester. This may still be considered satisfactory progress
under hardship circumstances. Questions should be directed to the Graduate
Program Coordinator. Balancing the course load and taking classes in a logical
sequence. Students should complete both performance classes and academic
classes in a timely fashion to be considered making satisfactory progress.
Satisfying language requirements early in the program. For Vocal Performance
and Choral Conducting students, the study of foreign languages is crucial
to the student’s success. Therefore, the language requirements should
be satisfied at the earliest possible time, so as not to impede progress
in music courses. Maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA in EACH semester.
Students who do not meet the standards of satisfactory progress will not
be considered for financial aid, and may be subject to academic probation
or dismissal from the MA program in Music.
Conditional Classification
Some new students are admitted to conditionally classified status. Students
may remain conditionally classified until they have accumulated 10 units
of credit. During this time, which should not extend beyond the first semester,
they must remove all conditions for classification. These conditions most
frequently include:
Completion of the department’s diagnostic entrance examinations in
music history and music theory.
Diagnostic exams in no way affect admission to the MA program, but are required of all entering students. They are administered during the first class meetings of Music 220 and Music 204. See Graduate Program Coordinator for details.
Completing any remedial work the diagnostic exams may indicate.
Students must be classified by the time they accumulate 10 units. Otherwise,
and in accordance with university policy, they may be denied permission to
count towards the degree any units in excess of the allowable 10.
Classification
When all conditions have been met, the student should request full classification, which is full admission to the MA program. You must see the Graduate Program Coordinator to make this request.
Advancement to Candidacy
After a student is classified and after satisfactory completion of at least 9 units, the student may be advanced to candidacy. Normally this process would take place during the student’s second year of graduate study, though in some cases it may take place earlier. Advancement requires submitting a specific list of courses to be completed for the MA degree and passing of the Graduate Writing Skills Requirement. The student’s faculty mentor, the Graduate Program Coordinator, and the Department Chair, must approve this program.
Graduate Writing Skills Requirement (GWSR)
Before advancing to candidacy, students must pass the Graduate Writing Skills Requirement. Upon entry to the MA program in Music, a degree of writing competency should be equivalent to a passing grade in English 160W or on the university’s Upper Division Writing Examination. Students for whom English is a second language should be aware that while a TOEFL score of 550 is adequate for admission to the MA program in Music, it will probably not be adequate for passing the department’s Graduate Writing Skills Requirement. Normally, the Graduate Writing Skills Requirement should be fulfilled during the student’s first fall semester of enrollment. The Graduate Writing Skills Requirement is a component of Music 220, Seminar in Bibliography and Methods of Research. Students who pass all components of Music 220 except the Graduate Writing Skills Requirement will undertake a developmental writing program until the department standards are met. The department standards for the Graduate Writing Skills Requirement are included in the course materials for Music 220.
Departmental Qualifying Examination (DQE)
The DQE is normally taken in the semester prior to registration for project
or thesis. Students must pass the DQE prior to registering for Music 298
(recital or research project) or Music 299 (research thesis).
The DQE may be based on a series of music scores, chosen by the student’s
faculty mentors. This exam tests the student’s knowledge of music literature,
music history, analysis, and performance practice or educational theory,
as directly related to the student’s main interests and areas of study.
The various components are weighted differently, depending on the student’s
concentration. The choice of music also reflects the student’s special
interests and area of study. An MA candidate in piano performance, for example,
will have a different set of scores than a student in vocal performance.
Students in music education also have a special section reflecting theory
and practice in their discipline. A few samples of questions are given in
the Appendix.
Students should consult with their faculty mentor to determine the best time
for taking the exam. Student should also feel free to discuss the DQE with
the Graduate Program Coordinator.
Project or Thesis
Music 298 (recital or research project) and Music 299 (research thesis) are normally completed the semester in which the student expects to graduate.
Performance Option (Music 298)
Students in the performance option are required to present a Master’s
Recital (normally 60 - 75 minutes of music, in at least three contrasting
styles) as their culminating project. Each performance area in the department
has its own special requirements. See your faculty mentor for information
about these special requirements.
With the approval of the studio teacher, the student is responsible for creating
his or her recital committee. The committee must have a minimum of three
faculty members, one of whom is the studio teacher.
When you have selected your recital committee, fill out the Recital Committee
Form (see Appendix) and submit it to the Graduate Program Coordinator.
Students will be responsible for securing accompanists for their recitals.
Students are responsible for scheduling the spaces for their recitals. Those
who use Music Building facilities should make arrangements in the Music Department
office. These arrangements should include scheduling of rehearsals, dress
rehearsal, and any receptions.
The MA candidate must also prepare program notes for the recital. These notes
must show evidence of appropriate research, analysis of the music, and graduate-level
writing competence. The program notes must be submitted for approval at the
time of the pre-recital hearing.
GRADUATE RECITAL BOOKING PROCEDURES
The Music Department will help you arrange the following for your Graduate Recital:
- Facility use (for one dress rehearsal and the performance)
- Dress rehearsals will be scheduled during the school day only
- Technical Assistance and Recording: (House Manager, Recording Technician, Recording $85 fee assessed at time of booking)
- Programs (using standard department format only)
You will be responsible for the following:
- Scheduling your dress rehearsal, and recital date.
- Accompanist - Staff Accompanists charge a recital fee of $50 for a full recital. You must contact them to arrange rehearsals. Please Note: If you use an accompanist other than our staff accompanists you are responsible for any and all fees they may charge.
- Foreign language text and translations (must be typed or on disk and submitted with your Program/Publicity/Recording Form)
- Flyers/Posters and their distribution
- Invitations
- Stage work (If you need this, you are responsible for hiring someone, or ask a friend)
- Reception (we will provide tables)
- Reception CLEANUP - All garbage must be put into dumpsters behind the music building.
- Floors must be left clean.
The following is a schedule and checklist of things YOU must do prior to your graduate recital. Please adhere to these deadlines!
6 weeks before
Complete the Facility Requisition Form to schedule your recital and dress rehearsal (see Appendix). Bring the form into the Music Office along with your $85 technical assistance and recording fee. NOTE: Rescheduling is discouraged except for serious and compelling reasons.
4 weeks before:
Complete the Program/Publicity/Recording Form and submit it to the department office. If possible, submit the program on a disc using Microsoft Word. Your studio instructor must proof and approve the program first. No changes will be made after copy has been submitted. Singers also need to turn in their texts and translations. The department will notify you when to proofread your program. The department will only print your program according to its official format. Should you wish to develop your own program, and in consultation with your studio instructor, you may do so at your own expense.
Music Education Option Project (Music 298)
Students in the music education option may elect either a research project
or a formal thesis. If the project is chosen, the student must develop an
well-organized and detailed proposal for the project, to be submitted for
approval in the semester prior to registering for Music 298. The proposal
must demonstrate feasibility and availability of necessary research sources,
as well as relevance of the project.
Once the student’s faculty mentor has approved the project, a review
committee should be formed. The review committee should consist of 3 faculty
members, one of whom is the student’s faculty mentor. As soon as you
have assembled a committee, fill out the Project Review Committee Form (see
Appendix) and turn it in to the Graduate Program Coordinator.
The student should submit for review at least one polished draft to all members
of the committee. This draft should be submitted no later than six weeks
prior to the final due date. Committee members may require additional drafts
before passing the project.
Research Thesis (Music 299)
Students in the Music Education option may elect to do a research thesis.
The thesis topic should be determined during the semester prior to registering
for Music 299. An well-organized and detailed proposal must be submitted
to the student’s faculty mentor. The proposal must demonstrate availability
of research materials and relevance of the topic. It should include a provisional
title and outline, a detail abstract (about 1000 words) and bibliography.
For practical reasons, much of the thesis work will have been undertaken
prior to registering for Music 299, in (for example) an independent study
or seminar class the semester (or two) before.
Once the student’s faculty mentor has approved the proposal, a thesis
committee should be formed comprising of at least 3 faculty members, one
of which must be the faculty mentor. As soon as the committee has been chosen,
the student should fill out the Thesis Committee form (see Appendix) and
submit the form to the Graduate Program Coordinator.
The student should submit for review at least one polished draft to all members
of the committee. This draft must be submitted no later than two months prior
to the due date. This draft, with perhaps some corrections, must also be
submitted to the thesis office for review. See your faculty mentor for the
due date of the near-final draft (which is usually about mid-way in the semester).
GRADUATION
Students must apply for graduation in the semester they intend to graduate.
The filing period is normally the first two weeks of the semester.
The process is not automatic, and you actually have to apply, get the department
Graduate Program Coordinator’s signature, and pay a fee. You must also
be registered during the semester in which you plan to graduate.
Sometimes students register for Music 298 or Music 299 in a given semester
but do not actually complete the work until a subsequent semester. If this
happens, do not reregister for Music 298 or Music 299. Your continuation
in the course is automatically assumed. Massive problems, threatening your
graduation arise if your reregister.
If you need only to be registered as a student but are not taking any courses
in the semester you graduate, register for zero units in GS 299. For more
information about registering for GS 299, go to the Division of Graduate
Studies Office located in the Thomas Administration Building, Room 132.
GRADUATE CURRICULUM
(Advising Document)
Admission Requirements:
All entering MA students must take a diagnostic entrance examination in music history/literature and music theory/ear-training. Diagnostic examinations will typically be scheduled during the first meeting days of Music 204 and Music 220. Where needed, remedial work may be required prior to graduate study. Any deficiencies assessed in the examination will automatically be addressed in the student’s DQE. Diagnostic exams along with the graduate faculty’s evaluation will be kept in the student file. Students will be provided with a copy of the faculty member’s evaluation of their diagnostic examination. Students are encouraged to review their exams in the department office. An audition or entrance interview is also required and can be scheduled at a mutually convenient time for student and faculty mentor.
Core Program:
Specific Requirements and Units
- Music 204 Graduate Music Theory Survey - 3 Units
- Music 220 Seminar in Research Methods & Bibliography - 3 Units
- Music 240T Topical Seminars in Music Theory, 260T Topical Seminars in Music History, 267 Seminar in Contemporary Music, 277 Seminar in American Music, - 3 Units
- Music 211 Graduate Performance Ensemble - 2 Units (or another performance class by advisement)
11 Units Total
Performance Option
Students opting to pursue a Master of Arts in Performance may elect additional
coursework beyond the core program to include the following courses:
Suggested additional coursework for voice students
- Music 259T Topical Seminars in Vocal Music - 3-6 Units
- Music 210 Studies in Performance - 6 Units
9-12 Units Total
Suggested additional coursework for choral conducting students
- Music 258T Topical Seminars Conducting - 3 Units
- Music 279T Topical Seminars in Choral Music - 3 Units
- Music 210 Studies in Performance - 2 Units
- An additional theory or history seminar - 3 Units
11 Units Total
NOTE: There is a minimum 2 semester foreign language requirement at the college level required for voice and choral conducting students. The department will accept 2 years of undergraduate language study if taken in the 5 years prior to the student’s enrollment in the MA program, or a passing grade on an appropriate language test. Adequate diction and grammar proficiency required in 2 of the following 3 languages: French, German, Italian. See faculty mentor.
Suggested additional coursework for instrumentalists:
- Music 269T Topical Seminars in Instrumental Music - 3 units
- Music 210 Studies in Performance - 4-6 Units
- An additional theory or history seminar - 3 Units
10 -11 Units Total
Suggested additional coursework for instrumental conducting students:
- Music 258T Topical Seminars in Conducting - 3 Units
- Music 269T Topical Seminars in Instrumental Music - 3 Units
- Music 210 Studies in Performance - 2 Units
- An additional theory or history seminar - 3 Units
11 Units Total
Suggested additional coursework for composition students:
- Music 234 Studies in Composition - 6 Units
- An additional theory or history seminar - 3-6 Units
9-12 Units Total
Music Education Option
Suggested additional coursework for music education students:
- Music 221 Foundations of Music Education - 3 Units
- Music 219T Topical Seminars in Music Education - 3-6 Units
- ERF 153 Educational Statistics - 3 Units
9-12 Units Total
Electives
4 to 7 units of elective courses in music, or related fields, in a subject other than music (with adviser’s approval). Only upper division or graduate courses may count toward the MA. 300 level courses do not count toward the MA.
MA Departmental Qualifying EXAMINATION
A qualifying examination testing knowledge of repertory and methods pertinent to the student’s concentration. The qualifying examination must be completed prior to registration for Music 298 or Music 299.
Project or Thesis
Music 298 or Music 299 - 3 Units
Total Minimum Units: 30
NOTE: Students may count up to 6 units maximum towards the MA for each of the following courses: Music 210, Music 211, and Music 290. Students may enroll for these courses beyond the 6 unit limit. However, those units beyond the 6-unit limit will not count towards the degree.
GRADUATE COURSE SCHEDULE
Courses offered every Semester
Classes that meet from 3:00 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.
- Tuesdays & Thursdays - Music 211 (Wind Ensemble)
Classes that meet from 6:00 p.m. - 8:50 p.m.
- Tuesdays - Music 211 (Opera Workshop)
Classes that meet from 7:30 p.m. or 9:30 p.m.
- Tuesdays - Music 211 (Community Chorus and Orchestra)
Courses offered in the Fall Semester of Odd-Numbered Years (e.g. Fall 2003, Fall 2005)
Classes that meet from 4:00 p.m. - 6:50 p.m.
- Mondays - Music 240T Topical Seminars in Music Theory
Classes that meet from 5:00 p.m. - 7:50 p.m.
- Thursdays - Music 220 Seminar in Research Methods & Bibliography
Classes that meet as arranged (ARR)
- Music 279T Topical Seminars in Choral Music
Courses offered in the Spring Semester of Even-Numbered Years (e.g. Spring 2004, Spring 2006)
Classes that meet from 4:00 p.m. - 6:50 p.m.
- Mondays - Music 204 Graduate Music Theory Survey
Classes that meet from 5:00 p.m. - 7:50 p.m.
- Tuesdays - Music 259T Topical Seminars in Vocal Music
Music 258T Topical Seminars in Conducting (Instrumental) - Wednesdays - Music 219T Seminar in Music Education
- Thursdays - One of the following Music History courses will be
offered:
- Music 260T Topical Seminars in Music History
- Music 267 Seminar in Contemporary Music
- Music 277 Seminar in American Music
Courses offered in the Fall Semester of Even-Numbered Years (e.g. Fall 2002, Fall 2004)
Classes that meet from 4:00 p.m. - 6:50 p.m.
- Mondays - Music 240T Topical Seminars in Music Theory
Classes that meet from 5:00 p.m. - 7:50 p.m.
- Thursdays - Music 220 Seminar in Research Methods & Bibliography
Classes that meet as arranged (ARR)
- Music 258T Topical Seminars in Conducting (Choral)
Courses offered in the Spring Semester of Odd-Numbered Years (e.g. Spring 2003. Spring 2005)
Classes that meet from 4:00 p.m. - 6:50 p.m.
- Mondays - Music 204 Graduate Music Theory Survey
Classes that meet from 5:00 p.m. - 7:50 p.m.
- Tuesdays - Music 221 Foundations of Music Education
- Music 269T Topical Seminars in Instrumental Music - Wednesdays - One of the following Music History courses will
be offered:
- Music 260T Topical Seminars in Music History
- Music 267 Seminar in Contemporary Music
- Music 277 Seminar in American Music
FINANCIAL AID OPPORTUNITIES
Scholarship Qualification and Retention Policy
Scholarship recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students who fall
below a 3.0 GPA will lose their eligibility to receive music scholarships
and grants until such time as the GPA is raised.
Scholarship recipients whose grades fall below 3.0, but who are close to
and making a reasonable effort to meet the standard can petition the Department
for a one-semester extension before losing their eligibility. If they fail
to meet the standard after the one semester extension, they will lose scholarship/grant
eligibility until the standard is met.
Scholarship recipients are expected to attend classes regularly. Faculty
reports of recipients frequently missing classes will result in the loss
of scholarship/grant eligibility.
Graduate scholarship recipients must be enrolled in at least 6 units of course
work in order to receive a scholarship or grant. Scholarship or grant recipients
who drop classes during the semester, resulting in a total unit enrollment
below the required minimum, will be expected to repay the scholarship or
grant to the Music Department.
Scholarship recipients are expected to make steady progress toward the completion
of the degree within the normal time line, 2-3 years. Those who fail to complete
the degree in a timely fashion will lose scholarship eligibility.
Music Scholarships
- Melvin Baddin Memorial Grant. Preference given to a string player.
- Juanita Barnett Choral Scholarship. For a student in choral music.
- Roland P. Beiden Memorial Scholarship. Preference given to a pianist.
- Charlotte Chilpigian Memorial Fund Scholarship. For a full time undergraduate vocal or part time graduate choral/vocal student
- Bud Easton Scholarship. For students participating in the Fresno State Jazz program.
- Richard L. Grauel Memorial Woodwind Scholarship. For woodwind players.
- Martha Hagan Memorial Scholarship in Music. For a sophomore, junior, or senior music major who shows excellent promise and has demonstrated financial need.
- Amparo Iturbi Memorial Scholarship. For a piano student.
- Philip Lorenz Piano Scholarship. For a piano student.
- Music Teacher Association of California, Fresno County Branch Scholarship.
- Allen Skei Musicology Scholarship. Preference given to music majors with a special interest in musicology.
- Arthur C. Wahlberg Family Scholarship. Preference given to a student in vocal or choral music.
- Frank Wells Memorial Scholarship. For students in the Fresno State Marching Band.
- Miriam Fox Withrow Scholarship in Piano. For a piano student.
- Zalud Music Scholarship. For a student in voice.
- President’s Quintet. Special award to five students entering together as freshmen.
- Clendenin Scholarship for Brass Quintet. Special award to five brass students.
- San Joaquin Valley Chapter, American Guild of Organists Scholarship. For study of the organ.
- Pearl B. Winter Memorial Scholarship. For studies in Early Music.
- Music Department Endowment Fund Scholarships. Any music major.
- Russell & Maxine Howland Memorial Scholarship. Any music major studying clarinet.
- Loretta Ann Price Awards. Any music major and a graduate who is in the credential program.
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistants are identified as needed by full time faculty. These positions are intended to provide the student with an apprenticeship experience and with financial support for graduate education. University policy mandates that graduate assistants (and teaching associates, see below) be appointed only in fields related to their advance study. Full assistantships require a maximum of 20 hours per week of service and may not be appointed concurrently in other CSU job classifications. Graduate assistants work under the close supervision of full time faculty. They are limited to assisting full time faculty members in undergraduate lower division courses (lecture, studio, lab), but are not responsible for instructional content, for selection of student assignments, for planning of examinations, or for determining term grade for students, nor are they assigned any instructional responsibilities.
Teaching Associates
Teaching associateships are sometimes available depending on the curricular needs of the department. Graduate students with at least conditional classified standing and who are currently enrolled in six units or more of graduate courses in the department of music are eligible to apply for a teaching associateship. Under the supervision of a member of the graduate faculty, teaching associates will be given assignments that contribute significantly to the student’s graduate work and educational experience. Teaching assignments include: teaching a lower division introductory course, assisting faculty in the reading of papers, grading examinations, and/or performing other assignments supportive of university instruction.
FACILITIES
Student Responsibilities
In an effort to maintain our beautiful building as the showplace it is,
we remind you of the following ways in which you can help:
Take pride in our department and facilities.
- Do not leave your papers, soda cans, cafeteria trays, and such items around the building.
- Use the trash cans provided, and don’t be afraid to remind others to do the same.
- Do not sit on tables, pianos, equipment, etc. Use the benches and chairs provided.
- Keep your feet off the walls.
- Refrain from putting any kinds of stickers or labels on the lockers. It looks tacky.
- Post announcements ONLY on bulletin boards, NEVER on the walls.
Use tacks or push pins, never staples.
Get permission from the department office to post items on any restricted bulletin boards.
Practice room rules:
- NO FOOD OR DRINK ALLOWED!!!!
- Do not use the acoustical panel as a bulletin board.
- Do not use the piano as a shelf.
- Brass players will please use towels or newspaper to catch condensation from your instruments. The oil from it will quickly ruin carpeting.
- Do not cover the practice room window.
- Do not lock the doors.
- Please return any equipment (i.e. stands, chairs, instruments,
etc.) to the place where you found it. If you practice in a classroom,
put stands and chairs away when you finish.
Music Student Identification Card
To ensure your access to Music Department facilities, concerts, and special events, it is advisable that you get a photo identification card from the Department office. Department IDs are processed at posted times during the first two weeks of classes.
Practice Room Hours
Open M-F 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on weekdays, 10:00 a.m. to 11: 00 p.m. on weekends. The campus is closed during the week between Christmas day and New Year’s day.
Rehearsal Spaces
These are arranged in the department office on a space-available basis.
Instrument and Equipment Loans
If you wish to borrow an instrument or other equipment from the department, follow these procedures:
- Obtain a verification form from the department technician.
- Have this form signed by the appropriate instructor and return it to the department technician.
- Upon receiving the instrument/equipment, you will need to sign a liability form, indicating you accept full responsibility for the item on loan. If it is lost or stolen while in your possession (on or off campus), you will be required to pay for its replacement. You are also required to pay for damage resulting from negligence or improper use.
Use of Special Instruments
The Elizabeth V. Lyles Pipe Organ in the Concert Hall was built by the Martin
Ott Pipe Organ Company in St. Louis, Missouri and installed in 1996. It is
a two-manual (56 note) and pedal (30 note) instrument of twenty stops, with
mechanical key and stop action. This instrument is used for teaching, practice,
concerts and other community/educational events. In order to accommodate
the variety of uses, scheduling and care of the instrument is under the aegis
of the department’s organ instructor. Contact the department office
for additional information.
The Ruckers Harpsichord is housed in the Concert Hall in a special enclosure
to control temperature and humidity. This instrument is used only in the
Concert Hall, and is not moved to different locations. Students using harpsichord
will ordinarily practice on the Neupert harpsichord, which is also housed
in the Concert Hall. Practicing in preparation for recitals or other performances
may be done on the Ruckers, but must be scheduled through the department
office.
The Disk-Klavier is a special piano that allows soloists to practice with
a prerecorded accompaniment. Use of this instrument must be scheduled through
the department office and is for the use of music students only. Because
this instrument is heavily used, practice times are limited to 2 hours at
a time. Please use the sign up sheet on the door of the practice room to
insure your time with this instrument.
Some of the practice rooms are designated for the use of piano majors only.
Please respect this restriction.
OTHER RESOURCES
Computer Labs
The East Wing of the Music Building houses three computer labs for use in
connection with classes. Open lab hours are also scheduled each semester,
and a lab monitor is on duty at all open hours to assist you. High quality
laser printers are provided for use in any of the computer labs on campus
at a charge of ten cents per page. Students may add printing costs to their
University Student ID cards using any of the minimanager machines located
around campus. There is one located between the elevators and men’s
bathroom on the first floor of the East Wing.
Room 232 is a lab for the School of Arts and Humanities; it has been provided
with Macintosh computers, to which MIDI capabilities (including keyboards)
have been added. The stations also have special music software used in some
of the theory classes.
Room 234A is also a School of Arts and Humanities lab, provided with PCs.
Room 234B is exclusively for the use of the Music Department and is provided
with the hardware and software needed to support composition, arranging,
and music writing generally.
Madden Library
Henry Madden Library, the main library, is located in the center of the
campus. The largest academic library in the San Joaquin Valley, it holds
close to one million volumes, to which thousands of new items are added each
year. It is a thoroughly modern facility, using on-line catalogs and providing
Internet and Web access, through which Fresno State is linked to libraries
throughout the CSU and UC systems, as well as to the Library of Congress.
Madden Library also has an electronic classroom, where staff provide instruction
in using the various electronic technologies employed in the library. Each
semester the library offers several workshops in which students can get “hands-on” practice
with the equipment, and learn how most effectively to use it in doing research
for papers and projects.
Visit the library and help yourself to some of the information sheets available,
or introduce yourself to one of the staff at the reference desk to get started
in your exploration of this excellent campus library.
The Ronald J. Harlan Music Library
The Music and Media Library is located on the third floor of Madden Library. The Ronald J. Harlan Music Collection includes some 80,000 scores and recordings.
APPENDIX
- Classified Graduate Standing Request
- Petition for Advancement to Candidacy
- Sample Departmental Qualifying Examinations
- Performance Option, Instrumental
- Performance Option, Choral Conducting
- Recital Committee Form
- Project Committee Form
- Thesis Committee Form
- Reservation Form for Student Departmental Recitals (to schedule Convocation Hour Recitals)
- Facility Requisition Form (to schedule In House curricular, department festivals, special events, faculty and student recitals)
- Facility Requisition Form (to schedule Senior and Graduate Recitals)
- Facility Use Procedure and Guidelines for Use of the Dean’s Gallery and Patio
SAMPLE Departmental Qualifying EXAMINATIONS
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FRESNO
DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
MA QUALIFYING EXAMINATION
JANET SMITH, PERFORMANCE OPTION,
INSTRUMENTAL EMPHASIS
- Historical Question (46%)
Discuss the history and development of the clarinet. Please be sure to include compositions (concertos and sonatas) that have been written for various clarinet performers and comment on the historical significance of each piece. What features of form, and style are particularly important? What influences does each work reflect and/or what impact did it have on subsequent works? - Analysis (46%)
Provide an appropriate melodic, harmonic and formal analysis of the following two movements selected from your Master’s recital program. Please be sure to include a discussion that points out any differences or similarities between these two works. You may want to tie in examples of other compositions discussed in the literature class taken this semester to help clarify your discussion. - Clarinet Performance (8%)
Since great teachers and performers of the clarinet shape and influence the style and interpretation of clarinet repertoire, knowledge of clarinet virtuosi of today can be invaluable to you. Please list major clarinet performers/teachers and their current positions in orchestras or musical institutions that are in the United States and Europe.
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FRESNO
DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
MA QUALIFYING EXAMINATION
MAX PLANK, PERFORMANCE OPTION,
CHORAL CONDUCTING EMPHASIS
Use either large format bluebooks for this exam or computer-print your answers. You have six hours in which to complete your answers.
- Rehearsal and Performance Problems (25%)
Attached are four scores. Select one marked “A: and one Marked “B” and discuss rehearsal and performance problems relative to each piece. Comment specifically on the individual points of the question as they relate to each of the scores and compare and contrast where appropriate. Please mark measure numbers where needed so that you are able to refer to specific passages in the music. Feel free to mark the scores to illustrate your points. Before beginning, describe the choral organization you would be using to prepare each of these works.
A. What kind of preparation would you make before introducing this music? What kind of warm ups would you use before rehearsing it?
B. How does the historical period in which this work was composed affect its preparation and performance in terms of overall style, articulation, phrasing, vocal tone, ornamentation, conducting, gestures, etc.? (For “A” score only).
C. What do you envision as the rehearsal time line required to prepare this piece for performance? Draw up a series of rehearsal plans and goals you would employ in order to bring this work to performance level. Enumerate the various rehearsal techniques you would utilize. Be sure to make reference to specific places in the score. - Conducting Analysis (25%)
Mark the score of “Ich jauchze, ich lache” (one of the “A” pieces from question #1) with appropriate indications for each of the following:
A. Subject material F. Form
B. Countersubject material G. Cues -- both entrances and important cut offs
C. Dynamics H. Important textual stresses
D. Important cadential material I. Phrasing, breath marks
E. Textural characteristics/ changes J. Other
Please develop a color key and attach it to the score (i.e. blue = subject material)
- Educational
Pedagogy (25%)
Select three of the following elementary classroom approaches and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each. Compare and contrast:
A. Dalcroze D. Education Through Music
B. Orff E. Gordon
C. Kod·ly F. Suzuki - Curriculum Development (25%)
Select two contrasting grade levels (i.e. 2nd and 5th, or 1st and 4th). Focus on one general topic or concept that could be taught at both levels (melody, steady beat, timbre, etc.) Outline a short music unit (3 - 4 lessons) for each grade level. Describe how you would prepare, present, and reinforce the concept. Cite specific song literature and activities that would be appropriate for each level. Discuss ways in which the presentation of the concept would change from the early grade to the upper level.
California State University, Fresno
College of Arts and Humanities
Department of Music
MA RECITAL COMMITTEE
Student’s Name:
Today’s Date:
Committee Chair:
Additional Members:
NOTE: Each MA recital committee must be comprised of at least 3 faculty members,
of whom one must be your studio teacher.
California State University, Fresno
College of Arts and Humanities
Department of Music
MA PROJECT COMMITTEE
Student’s Name:
Today’s Date:
Committee Chair:
Additional Members:
NOTE: Each MA project committee must be comprised of at least 3 faculty members,
of whom one must be your faculty mentor.
California State University, Fresno
School of Arts and Humanities
Department of Music
MA THESIS COMMITTEE
Student’s Name:
Today’s Date:
Committee Chair:
Additional Members:
NOTE: Each MA thesis committee must be comprised of at least 3 faculty members,
of whom one must be your faculty mentor.