Current Music Students
There are many specific requirements unique to students in the School of Music, from necessary concert attendance to performance exams. Below is a brief overview of some essential information, including health and safety advice for musicians.
You should meet at least once a semester with your academic advisor (in most cases, this will be your studio teacher). Each semester, a special Advising Day is set aside in the university calendar for this purpose, just before registration for the next semester begins. To prepare for your advising session and to track your progress toward your degree, use the degree checklists found on this page. You can also use the on-line degree audit available through myWCU.
At the end of each semester of individual lessons with your studio teacher, you'll play a graded jury for a small faculty panel. For more information about juries, please refer to the Student Handbook.
In the last semester of your lessons, you'll perform a public recital graded by a
panel of music faculty.
Music final exam and juries schedule.
Overview: This course provides full-or part-time work experience in an area of the music industry of the student's choice. The course may be taken for 3, 6, or 9 hours of credit. An Internship is required for the BA Music Industry Option, and is available as an elective for students in the Commercial Music and Audio Production program.
Minimum Time on Task: The internship entails a minimum of nine hours of work per week (or 135 hours) for each three credits (135 hours for 3 credits, 270 hours for 6 credits, or 405 hours for 9 credits). A 3-hour section of the course is set up each semester; please contact the Music Office if you need a 6-hour or 9-hour version, once you have completed the Internship Proposal Form (see below).
Pre-Requisite: The internship has as a prerequisite MUS 378, Survey of the Music Industry.
Placement: The student must locate and secure the internship. The student must complete an Internship Proposal Form and submit it to the Music Office the semester prior to the internship. The employer must agree in advance to complete a one-page Evaluation Form at the conclusion of the internship.
Internship Requirements: The student must complete a daily log that details the daily activities during the internship. An attempt should be made to review as many operations associated with the business as possible. The log should document approximate hours and/or minutes spent in various activities each day. If necessary, the log should explain the duties associated with the types of activities.
Log Entry Example:
Monday, June 12, 2023
4 hours in sales counter work
30 minutes in repair of selling facilities
2 hours observing warehouse activities
1 hour in general cleaning of the facility
30 minutes in visitation of business related activities with supervisor
The sales counter work involves greeting the public, answering the phone, sorting of display items, selling merchandise, and inventory control
The observed warehouse activities involves the unpacking and inventory of items for sale
The visitation involves the topic of how to fet started in the business
Exit Interview: At the end of the internship the student will schedule an appointment for an exit interview with music faculty. During this interview the log will be reviewed and the student's work experience will be discussed.
Student Evaluation: The student's grade will be based on the results of the employer survey, review of the daily log, and the exit interview with the music faculty. The final grade will be either S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).
Experiencing live musical performances throughout your college experience is a vital part of your musical education. It is also a great way to support your friends, faculty, and colleagues in the School of Music. Over 200 musical performances are offered on campus each year, so it's easy to meet the Concert Attendance requirement of ten concerts (including five professional) per semester.
The School of Music offers a wide variety of large and small choral and instrumental ensembles. Whether you're a music major, minor or just want to continue your performance activities, there are many opportunities that await you in our musical ensembles.
Performing music can involve inherent risks, such as repetitive stress injuries and hearing loss. We're concerned about your health, and you should be, too! Please take some time to review and understand the information in the document below. Talk with your studio or ensemble teacher if you have any questions or concerns.
Music Student Organizations
Kappa Kappa Psi (KKY): A national honorary band fraternity, founded at Oklahoma State University in 1919 to support college and university band programs. Open to all students, regardless of gender expression. Epsilon Lambda chapter.
- President: William Finigan
- Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jack Eaddy
- Email: ELKKPSI@gmail.com
Phi Mu Alpha (PMA): A national music fraternity, founded in 1898 at the New England Conservatory of Music to provide a professional experience for men interested in music. Western's Omicron Epsilon chapter was established in 1995.
- President: Jordan Felix
- Faculty Advisor: Dr. Will Peebles
- Email: phimualphaOE@gmail.com
Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI): An international music fraternity for people who identify as women and non-binary founded in 1903 at the University of Michigan to further the development of music in America and throughout the world. Western's Eta Theta chapter was established in 1984.
- President: Cecilia Wright
- Faculty Advisor: Dr. Christina Reitz
- Financial Advisor: Dr. Will Peebles
- Email: sai.etatheta@outlook.com
National Association for Music Education (NAfME): Among the world's largest arts education organizations, and the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association orchestrates success for millions of students nationwide and has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. The WCU Collegiate chapter of NAfME offers a variety of resources and professional development events for future music educators including guest speakers.
- President: Marna Leigh Dodson
- Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jeananne Nichols
- Social Media:
- Facebook: NAfME at Western Carolina University
- Instagram: nafmeatwcu
Inter-Fraternal Music Council: We are dedicated to the development of music through collaboration and organization of music fraternities present on campus and to increase the mutual welfare and association of musical students across Western Carolina University and the surrounding community.
- President: Lizzie Bargher
- Faculty Advisor: Dr. Andrew Adams
- Email: ifmc.wcu@gmail.com
Lockers
Lockers are available to music students and non-majors participating in ensembles on a first-come, first-served basis, with music majors having priority. Please see Dayne Frazier in the Music Office to reserve a locker (12:00-4:00pm). A locker fee of $10/year is assessed in the fall. This fee goes toward locker and instrument maintenance. More information is available in the Music Office.
Degree Checklists
Coulter Building Hours
Monday-Friday: 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday: 6 p.m.-11 p.m.
Upcoming Events
CONTACT US
253 Coulter Building
239 Memorial Drive
Cullowhee, NC 28723
Map
Directions
Phone: 828.227.7242
Fax: 828.227.7162
Email: mus@wcu.edu