Adames, Carlos | Instructor | AL 202 | 414-382-6994 | Percussion
Buschkopf, Megan | Instructor | AL 202 | 414-382-6132 | Theory Lab, Inst. Lab
Butler-Padilla, Margaret | Instructor | AL 203 | 414-382-6581 | Oboe
Collier, Rob | Assist. Prof. & Music Director | AL 206 | 414-382-6155 | Music Theory and Composition
Davis, Mark | Instructor | AL 203 | 414-382-6751 | Improv. Keyboard
Dexter-Schabow, Nancy | Assistant Professor | AL 214 | 414-382-6756 | Music Therapy, Clinic, Advising
Donica, Drew | Instructor | AL 203 | 414-382- 6890 | Piano
Engen, Becky | Graduate Director | AL 212 | 414-382-6157 | Music Therapy
Hein, David | Instructor | AL 202 | 414-382-6968 | Choir, Music History
Henry, Leslie | Assist. Prof & Dept. Chair | AL 208 | 414-382- 6135 | Music Therapy Director, Advising
Keene, Gerry | Instructor | AL 202 | 414-382-6808 | Trumpet
Kojis, Makenzie | Instructor | AL 214 | 414-382-6841 | Music Therapy
McLaughlin, Laura | Instructor | AL 203 | 414-382-6751 | Clarinet, Theory Lab
Nielsen-Korducki, Linda | Instructor | AL 203 | 414-382-6854 | Flute
Richardson, Sarah | Instructor | AL 117 | 414-382-6131 | Voice, Perf. Coord.
Schroeder, Matt | Instructor | AL 203 | 414-382-6879 | Guitar
Stovall, Lee | Instructor | AL 202 | 414-382-6893 | A Cappella Vocal Group
Stryck, Mary | Adj. Prof | AL 214 | 414-382-6894 Music Therapy
Thomas, Bernie | Instructor | Virtual | Music Technology
MUSIC STAFF:
Kolberg, Jessie | Staff | AL 202 | 382-3617 Collaborative Piano
The Music Department at Alverno College prepares students with the knowledge and performance abilities they need to be successful in the profession of their choice, while they also receive strong grounding in Liberal Arts perspectives through their studies in other areas of the college. The Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy educates graduates who work with ease in this profession upon graduation. The combination of low student to faculty ratios, a curriculum that is attuned to the diversity of music styles relevant in today’s world, and internships that skillfully guide students into a career, brings distinction to Alverno’s Music Department in offering music that works.
Use of this HANDBOOK
Every music major, equivalency,and music support student is responsible for meeting the requirements as stated in this handbook each academic year. Because requirements in a given year may change, the handbook will be available with updates online. Students will not be held responsible for retroactive changes, but are required to comply with requirements for the year in which they are enrolled
Declaration of Primary Instrument
Declaration of a student’s primary instrument, along with the student’s area of concentration (Music Therapy), is designated at the time of audition. Subsequent requests to change primary instruments will
necessitate another placement audition.
Private Lessons
Rosters for private lessons in the coming semester need to be planned as early as possible so that teachers can be contracted to teach music students. Students returning to Alverno for the following
semester should register for private lessons before the end of the current semester. All private lessons enrollment is closed two weeks prior to each semester. Failure to do so may result in a student not
receiving private lessons that semester which could delay your graduation date.
Students taking private lessons will be held accountable for the Universal Performance Criteria and Outcomes within Alverno’s Music Department. See Appendix 4 for the Universal Criteria and outcomes.
All private lessons require an additional course fee.
Semester Performance Assessments (Juries)
Semester performance assessments, attended by at least two faculty members, are held at the end of each semester for all students who are taking music lessons for credit. At the discretion of the instructor, the end-of-semester performance assessment is waived in semesters during which a student gives a recital.
Voice students shall prepare two memorized songs of contrasting styles for each semester performance assessment. Prepared literature should be approximately 6-8 minutes in duration.
Instrumental students shall prepare two pieces of contrasting styles for each semester performance assessment. Prepared literature should be approximately 6-8 minutes in duration. Memorization is strongly encouraged for instrumental students.
Semester performance assessments (juries) are one of the primary means by which satisfactory progress on the student’s primary instrument is assessed. Other means include the student’s weekly private lessons, weekly Performance Labs, and recitals. Consistent and satisfactory progress on the primary instrument is expected. Lack of satisfactory progress may result in the need for additional semesters of
instruction. In extreme cases, faculty can recommend a student to transfer out of the program if the student is unable to complete the requirements of the music therapy degree program.
A culminating recital is given by all Music Therapy majors and Equivalency students whose previous degree is in a field other than Music (BM). The applied instructor and student will determine whether to give a full or shared recital, and if the recital will occur in the junior or senior year. With the approval of the lessons instructor, some ensemble material may be included in recital programs. Repertoire should represent Early/Baroque, Classical and/or Romantic, and 20th Century/modern eras. Contemporary music choices may also include popular music, Broadway, jazz, and original pieces, chosen in consultation with the lessons instructor. Repertoire should reflect the timeline of the student’s instrument.
Memorization of recital repertoire policies are as follows: Vocal students must memorize all or a majority of their recital repertoire. Exceptions for using music are made at the discretion of the instructor; these include works performed with music at a professional level, such as oratorio, concert or chamber ensemble works.
Students should confer in a timely manner with their applied lessons instructor regarding the scheduling of recitals and with the department Performance Coordinator. Students should consult with their lessons instructor for specific reservation procedures and details of recital preparation. Every effort should be made to schedule your recital when your applied lessons instructor can be present for assessment. The student will be provided with a list of available dates. See Appendix 1 for further information on recital procedures.
One MUSIC DEPARTMENT GENERAL RECITAL takes place each semester. Music majors currently taking applied lessons and who have not yet completed all music performance requirements are expected to participate in each semester’s General Recital. Non-majors may participate as space on the program permits. Typically each student in a general recital performs one or two selections. Private instructors will coordinate student scheduling on the fall and spring recitals, in conjunction with the Performance Coordinator.
Recital Program
Students prepare their own printed recital programs following the “Guidelines for Drafting Recital Programs” - see Appendix 3. The cost of duplicating the programs for the Culminating Recital is borne by
the college. The cost of duplicating programs for any other recitals is borne by the student. Accompanists Students arrange for their own accompanist for recitals. Accompanists must be approved by the student’s applied instructor and the piano faculty. Student accompanists may receive ensemble credit for their work (student accompanists must complete a General Permit form, available in the Registrar’s Office, in order to receive this credit). Fees for accompanying are set by the accompanist, except that fees shall not be charged by a student accompanist who is receiving credit for accompanying.
Performance Labs
All music majors taking private lessons for credit must also register for the Performance Lab appropriate for the student’s particular instrument. In this lab students perform their repertoire for an audience of peers and applied instructor(s) and receive feedback from them. In addition, topics of interest pertinent to each specialization may also be discussed. Waiver of the Performance Lab requirement is made only at the discretion of the applied instructor.
All students pursuing a bachelor's degree or equivalency in music must pass a piano proficiency exam. All students are required to complete Group Piano 1-3 or obtain a waiver after completing an assessment.
All students pursuing a bachelor’s degree or equivalency in music must pass a piano proficiency exam. All
students are required to complete Group Piano 1-3 or obtain a waiver after completing an assessment.
Requirements:
Music Therapy majors will complete an assessment for functional music skills on piano, guitar and voice based on professional competencies. There will be an initial assessment of these skills connected with MUY 273 at the end of a student’s fourth semester of studies and a second assessment connected with MUY 480C - Introduction to Advanced Studies.
The assessment does not affect a student’s ability to successfully complete either course, rather, it allows for realistic assessment of each student’s functional music skills required for internship.
If the student does not successfully complete this proficiency assessment in guitar, piano, voice, or percussion, they may be recommended for supplemental coursework in area lacking proficiency to qualify for internship.
Because of the importance of listening to live music in the development of musicianship, the Music Department has a minimum concert attendance requirement in order to establish the habits of concert-going in its students.
CONSEQUENCE FOR NOT MEETING ABOVE CONCERT EXPECTATIONS: Failure to meet these requirements will incur the following consequence: for each department event you miss, you will need to attend two equivalent performance experiences. For example, if you miss the Spring Concert, you will need to attend 2 choral concerts elsewhere. If you miss one student recital, you will need to attend 2 recitals elsewhere. You will submit the program of each event along with a 1 page critique for each to the Performance Coordinator who will then enter your concert attendance.
2. Categories
Performances should represent a wide variety of musical experiences, for ex., solo recitals, chamber music concerts, symphony orchestra concerts, jazz concerts, opera, popular music concerts, new music concerts, etc. Participation in concerts by the student may count toward satisfaction of a maximum of two concerts per year.
MUSIC MAJORS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND ALL MUSIC DEPARTMENT EVENTS WHICH SHALL INCLUDE:
PROTOCOL FOR ATTENDANCE CREDIT AT MUSIC DEPARTMENT EVENTS:
3. Procedure:
The student uploads concert programs for professional and student categories to the Music Therapy Lab learning management software, “Moodle.”
CRITERIA FOR BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CONCERT ATTENDANCE
State the following information succinctly and clearly:
4. Related deadline:
Progress toward the total 48 concerts to be attended NO LATER THAN THE END OF YOUR JUNIOR YEAR will be formally monitored by your advisor each semester. If this goal is not met, the music department chair will meet with each student to make a plan for said completion to occur prior to graduation. If the requisite number of concerts is still not met, the student will receive an incomplete in her Culminating Recital, MU-495, and will be unable to graduate.
Equivalency students are subject to the concert attendance requirement if their previous degree was in a field other than music, but not if their previous degree was in music. Music support area students are encouraged to attend concerts, but are not subject to the concert attendance requirement.
Music Therapy majors at Alverno College are required to enroll in an ensemble for 7 out of the 8 semesters of their studies. Ensembles are an integral method for MUY majors to expand their musicianship on a primary instrument (including voice) that they study in private lessons for a minimum of 7 semesters. As such, students should regularly perform on their primary instrument in ensembles and should make every effort to not substitute a different performing medium unless they have also enrolled in an ensemble using their main instrument. Beyond the benefits for “achieving mastery” on a primary instrument (NASM standards), student enrollment in an ensemble using the primary instrument is often needed to have the minimum number of students to run Alverno classes such as Wind and String Ensemble. If no relevant ensemble is offered at Alverno for a given major’s instrument, they can use a permit form (submitted to Music Department Chair) to get ensemble credit for playing in a relevant group at Concordia University. All other requests need to be brought to the Music Department Chair.
A Cappella Vocal Group (MU 129)
A Cappella involves creating modern commercial music only with voices, including vocal percussion/beatboxing instead of traditional drums. This course requires students to have strong intonation
and rhythm skills, a willingness to experiment vocally across genres, and an ability to work well in a team. Prerequisite: Music major or audition for non-music majors. Auditions will be held the first week of class to remain registered in the class. Director: Lee Stovall
Alverno College Choir (MU 130)
The Alverno College Choir is open to all students and performs literature of varying styles and time periods, both accompanied and a cappella. The Alverno College choir performs multiple times each semester, both on and off campus. Non-vocalist music therapy majors are required to take 1 semester of choir for 0 or 1 credit to assist them in building functional vocal skills as required in the AMTA Competencies. Director: David Hein
Guitar Ensemble (MU 134)
Students will play duos, trios, and jazz pieces from written notation and lead sheets, learning to coordinate guitar techniques with other players and how to arrange ensemble pieces. Director: Matt Schroeder.
Instrumental Chamber Ensemble (MU 135) Music meant to be played by a small ensemble of like instruments. Director: Mark Davis.
Flute Choir (MU 137)
Comprised of flautists who play arrangements of chamber music, performing in Christmas & Spring concerts. Director: Linda Nielsen-Korducki.
Wind Ensemble (MU 138)
Mixed woodwind chamber ensemble, performing in Christmas & Spring concerts. Director: Linda Nielsen-Korducki.
Collaborative Piano (MU 139)
Pianists can work on piano ensemble repertoire with other piano majors, accompanying a vocal or instrumental culminating recital, or accompanying an ensemble.
Practice Rooms (AL 216, 218, 220, 222)
Students will be assigned a specific practice room to create a safer practice environment to allow for better contact tracing and predictable patterns of use. Students need to sign up on the door of the
practice room they are assigned to whenever they use the room. Schedules for each room are posted on the door. Additional rooms may be assigned for practice usage if required. Rooms will be available
every even hour, e.g., 8:00, 10:00, etc. Every odd hour, the rooms will be unavailable to allow for room air rest and re-circulation, e.g., 9:00, 11:00, etc. Please do not use during these times.
Gloves and sanitizing wipes will be available in practice rooms, please wipe down surfaces like piano and music stand before and after use. If the window opens, please open during use. If there is an air conditioner, please use during rehearsal. If there is an air purifier, turn it on and leave it on after you leave. Please do not linger in the hallway outside of practice rooms and vacate the space immediately upon finishing rehearsal.
Students should keep the rooms clean and in order. Food and beverages are not allowed. Heavy items may not be placed on the pianos. Windows must be closed and latched and lights turned off before
leaving (windows that are pushed to the closed position but not latched may be blown open by a heavy gust of wind; sudden and large temperature changes that result from windows left open overnight are
damaging to the pianos). Repairs needed should be reported to the Arts Academic Administrative Assistant at x6130.
Remote Lessons Spaces (AX G06 & AL 104)
Both of these rooms have been designated for student use to provide reliable internet, technology, and audio for those students who need this resource. You may work out an alternative space with your
instructor based on preference or COVID guidelines. These spaces are available through reservation by your lessons instructor and you can gain admittance with your ID card. Please only use this space as designated for lessons and leave immediately upon completion of your lesson. If there is a window, please open the window during your practice. If there is an air purifier unit, please turn it on and leave it on after you leave the room to continue cleaning the air.
Music Lockers
Lockers for music students are located outside of AL 100. Students desiring a locker for larger instruments may reserve a locker with the Arts Academic Administrative Assistant in AL 106.
Lampe Recital Hall (AL 100)
This room is used for recitals, concerts, performance labs, classes, organ and applied practice, and other special events. Its use must be reserved online via the Alverno College Event Management System 72 hours in advance. Pianos on stage are not available for practice except in rehearsals for recitals and concerts as deemed appropriate by a student's applied instructor.
Electronic Music Studio (AL 104)
During the Fall 2020 semester, the Electronic Music Studio will be used as an additional practice room. Students can access the room with an ID card. Protocol for use of this space is the same as for practice rooms, detailed above.
Music Therapy Clinic (AL 205)
Model Music Therapy clinic with professionals from Music Therapy Services of Waukesha County offering sessions with a variety of clients, intended to be observed by students in the Music Therapy program. Priority is given to students enrolled in MUY 272/273, however, observation time may be available to other music therapy majors on a first come, first served basis. Please contact Nancy Dexter-Schabow for more information.
Music Piano Lab (AL 215)
Your Alverno ID card will enable you to access entry into the Music Piano Lab. Students are able to work on piano skills and other homework in the lab. Students should use pianos labeled for student
use.
Special Collections
The Music Department maintains special score collections, such as choral, instrumental, and organ. Some older issues of selected periodicals are kept here also. Student access is by special permission of faculty only.
Each year a number of scholarships are available to music students. These scholarships vary in monetary amount but are based on merit. The following scholarships exist:
Eligibility for these scholarships require participation in an ensemble for the semester the scholarship is earned.
Communication
Bulletin Boards: For announcements of special events, concerts, jobs, scholarship opportunities, or other general information, MUSIC DEPARTMENT BULLETIN BOARDS are located on the second floor of the Alphonsa building. Students are responsible for checking these boards regularly.
E-mail: Timely communication is basic to the smooth running of the department and resolution of issues. All music faculty and students will use the Alverno email system exclusively for regular communication. Students are expected to check their Alverno email regularly and respond to messages from music faculty in a timely manner.
Student work: When instructors notify students that their work will be returned via AL 106, it must be picked up by students in AL 106 within one month following each semester or work will be discarded.
Conflict Resolution in the Music Department: Central to all conflict resolution at Alverno College is to start by making a sincere effort to communicate with the person with whom you have issues to resolve, whether it be student-teacher or peer issues. The Alverno Complaints and Grievance Process states this principle in the following ways:
Generally, complaints are handled within the departmental area with the staff member most directly involved. If the student is dissatisfied with the outcome of that meeting, she may appeal the issue through the department director (either Music Chair or Arts Associate Dean).
Instructor assignment for private lessons
The Music Department Director makes all applied instructor assignments. Students entering Alverno may request a particular applied instructor, if desired, and the Director will take into account such requests when making assignments, although granting of the request cannot be guaranteed. Any request for a change of instructor is addressed to the Director. Students MUST register for lessons by the end of the prior semester to guarantee placement with a private lessons instructor for the following semester.
Private lessons on secondary instruments
Permission to take private lessons on a secondary instrument must be obtained from the Music Department Director. Such study is normally discouraged due to the time commitment demanded by the student’s coursework and practice on her primary instrument. However, where a student can demonstrate satisfactory progress and time availability for practice on more than one instrument, permission may be granted, subject to instructor availability.
Off-campus Performance Activities
Students wishing to enter a competition or audition are required to obtain the consent of their applied instructor prior to submitting any materials. Such consent is required for any off-campus performances.
Faculty Assistance
Faculty are always willing to assist or to answer questions. Office hours are announced by each faculty member. Meetings with faculty at other times are made by appointment.
Academic Advising
Academic advising for the first year is done through the Advising Office, FO 121. That office consults with the Music Department when necessary. At the end of the first year music majors are assigned to one of the music faculty advisors. Students should seek the advice of their advisor with regard to questions about their individual curriculum.
Faculty Advising
Once students have completed introductory courses in the college and completed equivalent requirements for ADV 299, they no longer maintain an advisory relationship with the academic advising department and are officially transferred to faculty advising in congruence with AMTA standards for education requirements. Faculty advising consists of meeting at least one time each semester with assigned music therapy faculty to provide guidance for progression in the major. Additional meetings can be scheduled as needed outside of the advising period. The student is notified of their assigned professional advisor through official communication from the Academic Advising office.
Alverno Library
The Alverno Library, located on the second floor at the north end of the FO building, either holds or can obtain the vast majority of library materials that students will need during their stay at Alverno. The main reading room and adjacent stacks hold general reference works, books, periodicals, tapes, films, and computer programs. The Arts Division Lab contains recordings, playback equipment, and scores. Classical Music Library (an online listening library) is also available via the Alverno Library webpage. See any music faculty or the library for further information on this valuable resource, among others. An orientation to the library is provided for new students near the beginning of each semester.
Entrance Criteria (assessed with audition sheet):
Criteria:
Outcomes (assessed through weekly lessons, performance lab, and jury):
Criteria:
Outcomes (assessed through weekly lessons, performance lab, and jury):
Criteria:
Outcomes (assessed through weekly lessons, performance lab, and jury):
Criteria:
Outcomes (assessed through weekly lessons, performance lab, and jury):
Students interested in Music can choose from two tracks in doing a support area (minor) at Alverno College: one concentrates on Music Performance (learning an instrument/voice, performing in ensembles, plus coursework) and the other focuses on classes in Popular Music Studies (courses in rock, jazz, and hip-hop, plus participation in lessons and ensembles).
Required courses & Credits
MU-102 Fundamentals of Music (2 credits)
MU-217 Jazz History (2 credits)
MU-218 Hip-Hop Music in American Culture (2 credits)
MU-276 Music Technology (2 credits)
MU-310 Rock & Roll History (2 credits)
Electives
4 credits of some combination of the following:
MUE-119 Beginning Guitar (1 credit)
MUE-219 Intermediate Guitar (1 credit)
MUE-105 Group Piano 1 (1 credit)
MUE-106 Group Piano 2 (1 credit)
MUE-111 Improvisational Keyboard (1)
1-4 semesters Applied Music Lessons
MU-102 Fundamentals of Music (2 credits)
MUE-210 Improvisational Music (2 credits)
4 sem. MUA Applied Music Lessons (4 credits)
2 semesters Ensemble (1 cr. each)
MU-270 History of Western Music (4 credits)
-or 2 of the following-
MU-217 Jazz History (2 credits)
MU-218 Hip-Hop Music in American Culture (2 credits)
MU-310 Rock & Roll History (2 credits)
