Music Department

University of Wisconsin Whitewater

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Music Minor Audition and Admission Information

While any UWW student may declare a music minor, the Music Department must be assured that a student is prepared to succeed in the program. Basic qualifications for success in the degree program include:

• An ability to read music. Students who do not begin the program able to read music fluently are simply not equipped to succeed in the required Music Theory, Aural Skills, Piano, and Music History coursework. Students who have learned to play or sing solely “by ear” or using guitar tablature are also not prepared to make a contribution to UWW ensembles.
• A basic level of competence on an instrument or voice. Performing in UWW ensembles is an expected part of the minor program, and students must be prepared to make an appropriate musical contribution, whether on a “band” or “Jazz band” instrument or orchestral string instrument, or singing in one of the choral groups.

To assure that students have these basic qualifications, music minors who enter the program beginning in Fall 2011 are expected to pass an audition-see UWW Catalog, p.97. Audition expectations are found on the Music Department's website. Here is the process:

• You should fill out a Music Minor Audition Application this can be done online or on our downloadable application form.
• We will forward the audition application to the appropriate faculty member. That faculty member will contact you to set up an audition time/date. This is often the first Friday of classes each semester, but can also be set up at other times.
• Current Music Minor audition contacts are:
• Woodwinds - Dr. Matthew Sintchak - sintcham@uww.edu
• Brass – Dr. Frank Hanson – hansonf@uww.edu
• Strings/Guitar – Dr. Benjamin Whitcomb –whitcomb@uww.edu
• Percussion – Mr. Tobie Wilkinson – wilkinst@uww.edu
• Vocal - Mr. Brian Leeper - leeperb@uww.edu
• Piano – Dr. Myung-Hee Chung - chungm@uww.edu
• The faculty member will forward audition results to the Music Office for processing.

Note that minors will not receive practice room access until after the audition is successfully passed. If a student who has declared a music minor fails to audition in a timely manner, the Department Chair has the option of removing the minor from the student's records.

Requirements and Advising Issues for Minors: Music Minors do not need to formally advise with the Music Dept. -you do your advising with others in your major, whether that's at the Advising Center or in the department of your Major. However, you should be aware of the Minor Requirements. At some point, you should also check in with Prof. Allsen (allsenj@uww.edu) who serves as the Minor Advisor, just to make sure you are on track. Be aware that not all required Music classes are offered every semester, and the two required Theory classes are prerequisites for the Music History class. So students who wait until they are Juniors to begin the minor coursework may have problems. We recommend that a student start the required coursework (Theory I and Class Piano I) in the fall of their Sophomore year. Minors are welcome and encouraged to begin doing their electives (like ensembles) as Freshmen.

Practice Rooms: Once a student has successfully passed an audition, they will be given access to the music practice rooms using their student ID card. (Note: all UW-W students have access to these practice rooms through the Arts Media Center, Center of the Arts, Room 16.) The practice rooms are located in the basement of the Center of the Arts, Rooms 20-25. If you have any problems with access, please contact Kristi Hill, Music Office, at 262-472-1310 or email: hillk@uww.edu. And once you get in, go practice!

Free Admission to Music Department Events: Music Minors can get free tickets for all Music Department ticketed events: Faculty/Guest Artist recitals, the Music Mosaics Chamber Music Series, and concerts by the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Whitewater Symphony Orchestra, and Chamber Singers. Once a student has successfully passed an audition, they will be able to take their ID to the ticket office to obtain tickets.

Music Website. You can find a tremendous amount of information about the music department on our website

Private Lessons. You must seek permission of both the studio instructor and the Department Chair to take private lessons (MUSC 120, 121 or 122). Be aware that lessons come with an additional fee ($150), and that lessons may not be available to all minors. If you are able to take private lessons, be sure to contact your teacher as soon as possible when you get to campus. You can find their emails and phone numbers on the music website. All offices are on the second floor of the Center of the Arts. They will need to know your schedule so they can begin to schedule lessons. The easiest thing is to log into WINS, print up a copy of the schedule grid (make two - you'll want one too!), and give this to your teacher-either put it in the envelope on their door if they have one, or drop it off in their mailbox in the office

Ensembles: You can find a handy list of ensembles for the current semester. With the exception of Marching Band and Gospel Choir, everyone will be auditioning for ensembles: see the FAQ portion of the ensemble list.

Special Note to Transfer Students Completing a Music Minor. We occasionally see students who are transferring in classes that complete most or even all of our requirements for the Minor. Be aware, however, that in addition to completing the academic requirements for the Minor, even when you are transferring these credits from another school, you must complete at least a fourth of the minor (6 credits) here at UWW. If you have issues relating to transfer credits, see Prof. Allsen (allsenj@uww.edu).

Revised March 2012