Instruction in applied music is offered in the following areas: classical guitar, organ, percussion, piano, string instruments, voice, brass, woodwind, and harpsichord. Space in applied music studios is limited, and the number of qualified students seeking admission to the Music Department often exceeds that which can be accommodated. Therefore a student’s eligibility to study applied music will be determined by performance audition before the appropriate faculty. Students may audition by tape or in person, and should plan to perform approximately ten minutes of music. The audition material will be of the student’s choosing, normally a prepared solo and (for instrumentalists) scales.
All new students who intend to enroll in applied music courses must audition to ensure approval and proper course assignment. The Department strongly recommends that students audition well in advance of the semester in which they wish to enroll, especially if a scholarship is desired. For those new students who have not auditioned prior to the beginning of the semester, auditions are held at a designated time during the first week of classes. Information about the exact time and place can be obtained from the applied instructor or in the Music Office.
- Audition in person:
Audition dates are by appointment. Contact the Music Office for details.
- Taped auditions:
A CD is preferred. Mail before March 1 to:
Chair
The Department of Music
MSCO4 2570
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
After obtaining approval for applied music instruction, you may register for the appropriate course number. Applied Music call numbers (necessary for registration) are not printed in the Schedule of Classes; they can be obtained from the Music Office.
Applied Music Ensemble Requirement:
All undergraduate students who are enrolled in Applied Music must also participate in a major ensemble during the same semester of enrollment. Students who do not participate in a major ensemble as required below will be withdrawn from Applied Music. Specific area requirements are as follows:
Applied Strings
Students who are enrolled in applied string lessons must participate in the UNM Symphony Orchestra unless their performance is judged by the orchestra conductor to be not on a par with the standards of the ensemble. In this case, another major ensemble may be substituted to fulfill the major ensemble requirement. Bassists may fulfill their ensemble requirement in Jazz Ensemble or other ensembles as dictated by their program and as agreed to by the string area faculty and orchestra conductor.
Applied Winds, Brass, and Percussion
Students who are enrolled for applied lessons in the winds, brass, and percussion area must participate in the UNM Symphony Orchestra or Wind Symphony unless their performance is not judged to be on a par with the standards of the ensemble by the Director of Orchestras and Director of Bands. Such students would be placed in an appropriate alternative ensemble such as Symphonic Band or Marching Band. Students who are pursuing the BM in Jazz Studies may participate in Jazz Bands.
Applied Voice
Students who are enrolled for applied lessons in voice are required to be enrolled in either Concert Choir or Las Cantantes (no more than 4 semesters for Las Cantantes) unless their performance is judged to be not on a par with the standards of the ensemble. In this case, the Director of Choral Activities will determine a suitable ensemble.
Applied Piano
Students who are enrolled for applied lessons in piano are required to participate either in a major ensemble or in accompanying as determined by the keyboard area. Students who are BME–vocal majors are required to be in a major ensemble choir. Students who are pursuing the BM in Jazz Studies may participate in Jazz Bands.
Applied Guitar
Students who are enrolled for applied lessons in guitar are required to participate either in a major ensemble or in a guitar ensemble as determined by the applied guitar professor. Students who are pursuing the BM in Jazz Studies may participate in Jazz Bands.
Applied Composition
See composition degree for major ensemble requirements. Students who are pursuing the BM in Jazz Studies may participate in Jazz Bands.
Applied Conducting
Students who are enrolled for applied lessons in conducting will be assigned to the appropriate major ensemble.
As stipulated in the UNM Catalog, exceptions to the above requirements may be made as follows:
- Students pursuing the Bachelor of Music Concentration in String Pedagogy will be exempt from major ensemble participation during their final semester of Applied Music (APMS 420). If the student continues to study applied music beyond the eight semesters required by the degree, he or she must then also participate concurrently in a major ensemble.
- Students pursuing the Bachelor of Music Concentration in Theory and Composition will be exempt from concurrent major ensemble participation, but major ensemble requirements must be fulfilled for completion of the degree (see Ensemble Requirements).
- Students pursuing the Music Minor are exempt from concurrent major ensemble participation during the four semesters of applied music required by the degree. If the student continues to study applied music beyond the four semesters required by the degree, he or she must then also participate concurrently in a major ensemble.
- Students pursuing the Music Education Minor are exempt from concurrent major ensemble participation while enrolled in applied music in piano or voice, provided the major ensemble degree requirement has been satisfied (see Ensemble Requirements). If the student continues to study applied music in piano or voice beyond the semesters required by the degree, he or she must then also participate concurrently in a major ensemble.
- Students pursuing the Bachelor of Music Performance Concentration with Keyboard Emphasis in either piano or organ are exempt from concurrent major ensemble participation, but major ensemble requirements must be fulfilled for completion of the degree (see Ensemble Requirements).
- Students pursuing the Bachelor of Music Performance Concentration with Instrumental Emphasis in guitar are exempt from concurrent major ensemble participation, but major ensemble requirements must be fulfilled for completion of the degree (see Ensemble Requirements).
Any additional exceptions will be determined by the applied instructor in consultation with the appropriate major ensemble director and area and approved by the chair.
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