2022-23 Student Handbook

Any student who has fulfilled university admission requirements may register as a music major providing that he or she has passed an audition. 

1. All prospective music students, new and transfer, are required to perform an audition to be accepted into the UNF School of Music.
2. Dates for auditions are advertised well in advance through local print, electronic media and university correspondence.
3. Prospective students must submit the UNF School of Music admission application to schedule an audition time on the desired audition date. Once the School of Music admission application has been received, prospective students will receive an email from the Admissions Coordinator with an audition time, 2-3 weeks prior to the audition date selected on their application. An audition date requested aside from those advertised must be arranged well in advance with the professor coordinating auditions in his/her area of specialty.
4. Live auditions are Video submissions are accepted on case-by-case basis, although live auditions are preferred.
5. The audition panel will provide the school director with recommendations as to an accepted/not-accepted status for each auditionee. In addition, a scholarship stipend range recommendation will be provided if the auditionee is also pursuing a music scholarship.
6. Auditionees will receive notification of the audition panel’s recommendations within 6-8 weeks following the audition.

For audition requirements by degree, see below.

Bachelor of Music Performance in Jazz Studies applicants:

Saxophone, Trombone and Trumpet

1. Auditionees should prepare six scales: Major (C, C# and D) and Minor (Eb natural minor, E harmonic minor and F melodic minor).
2. Auditionees should prepare a transcription or etude, medium swing or up, at least 16 bars long.
3. Auditionees may be asked to improvise one F or Bb blues (one head and two solo choruses, medium tempo) and one American Songbook or jazz standard; performed with a rhythm section or play along.
4. Students who play multiple instruments should demonstrate their proficiency on the secondary instrument. One brief prepared piece or étude on each secondary instrument is sufficient.

Bass

Jazz Drumset

The UNF jazz drum set audition will be a live audition. Students should prepare the following:

1. Choose a 12 Bar Blues, such as Billie’s Bounce, Now’s The Time, or a jazz standard, such as Solar or All The Things You Are and be prepared to play the selection with a rhythm section, and take a 1 chorus drum solo on the song form.
2. Perform 30 seconds (each) in the following styles
   
   • Slow swing (90 BPM)
   • Medium swing (160 BPM)
   • Fast Swing (220 BPM)
   • Bossa Nova (120 BPM)
   • Samba (240 BPM)
   • Funk/Rock
   • Latin Cascara
   • Songo
   3. Be prepared to sight read a big band chart excerpt in swing style, performing the selection as though you were playing in a big band.

 Jazz Guitar

All jazz guitar applicants are required to submit a video recording. The recording must include all of the repertoire listed below. Recordings may be mailed or uploaded to DropBox or an equivalent cloud sharing platform. It is not required that the format be a professional or studio recording, however, the sound quality must be good as possible. Students must demonstrate the ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section, using a live band or play-along recording.

1. Required piece (must be first on the recording): the 12-Bar Blues piece, Billie’s Bounce in medium tempo (minimum of four improvised choruses).

2. Perform three other selections (one must be a ballad) in different jazz styles, moods and tempos (minimum of two improvised choruses for each selection).
3. Demonstrate “comping” on a standard song of your choice.
4. Original compositions should not be included.

Jazz Piano

1. Auditionees should submit six scales: Major (C, C# and D) and Minor (Eb natural minor, E harmonic minor and F melodic minor).
2. Auditionees must perform one 12-Bar Blues piece, Billie’s Bounce or Now’s the Time in medium tempo (play the melody once and improvise a minimum of three choruses).
3. Auditionees must play one American Songbook or jazz standard; performed with a rhythm section or play along. Tunes such as Solar, Blue Bossa, All the Things You Are or other jazz standards are acceptable; play the melody and improvise over the chord changes.
4. Auditionees must demonstrate one chorus of “comping” on a standard song of your choice. It is fine to comp on the American Songbook song you have selected.

Bachelor of Music Performance and Bachelor of Music Education applicants:

Clarinet

1. Two movements from the following list of solos, preferably from two different solos:
   • Weber Concerto No. 1
   • Mozart Clarinet Concerto
   • Weber Concertino
   • Poulenc Sonata
     OR

1. One movement from above list and one contrasting Rose 32 etude.

All major scales and arpeggios. 

Percussion

Repertoire should include keyboard percussion, snare drum, and timpani.

1. Keyboard:
   • 2 Mallet solo from Koshinski, Becker or G.H. Green Xylophone Solos or 2 mallet Bach suite movement
   • Representative/Suggested 4 mallet Marimba solos: Abe Michi or Wind in the Bamboo Groves, Burritt October Night or Preludes, Musser Etudes, Sammut Rotations, Tanaka Two Movements for Marimba, Rosauro Concerto for Marimba, Trevino Song Book or Strive to Be Happy
2. Snare Drum
   • Cirone Portraits in Rhythm, Delecluse Etude no. 1 or 6 from Douze Etudes, Peters Intermediate or Advanced Snare Drum Studies
   • Wilcoxon The All American Drummer or Modern Swing Solos
3. Timpani
   • Beck Sonata for Timpani, Firth The Solo Timpanist, Hochrainer Etudes for Timpani, Peters Etudes

Sight reading required.

Piano/Piano Pedagogy

1. A work from the Baroque style period (i.e. a Two- or Three-Part Inversion or Prelude and Fugue by J.S. Bach, a dance movement or suite, etc.)
2. A movement from a Classical sonata (i.e. Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert)
3. A work from either the 19th, 20th, or 21st century
4. 4-octave scales and arpeggios in all major and minor keys
5. Sight reading

Audition material must be performed from memory. Auditionees who submit CDs or videos must demonstrate abilities required by items 4 and 5 above upon their arrival to UNF.

Woodwinds, Brass and Strings

1. Prepare a solo of appropriate difficulty. Auditions should display musical maturity through expression, technique and stylistic interpretation. Solos need not be memorized but should reflect a high degree of familiarity and careful preparation by the performer. The use of an accompanist is optional, but recommended.*
2. Auditionees will be asked to perform major and minor scales and arpeggios in various keys.
3. Auditionees will be required to sight-read.
4. Auditionees will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of common musical terms and symbols, keys, and time signatures.
5. Upon arrival to UNF, accepted auditionees who submitted recordings must demonstrate abilities required by items 2, 3 and 4 above.

Violin

1. One movement from an unaccompanied Bach sonata or partita. No repeats.
2. One movement from a standard violin concerto
3. Sight-reading

Voice

1. Please prepare three classical selections in contrasting styles. Stylistic preference should be given to standard art songs and/or arias from the baroque, classical, romantic, and 20th century classical repertoire. Musical Theater and folk song selections sung in English are also acceptable.
2. At least one selection must be in a language other than English with linguistic preference given to Italian, German, French, Latin or Spanish. Classical selections in Portuguese, Russian, Czech, or Polish are also acceptable.
3. The entire audition should be memorized and performed with live piano accompaniment. If you need an accompanist, one will be available at the audition. Please bring a copy of your music and $35 cash or check for the accompanist fee. You do not need to submit music in advance.
4. Applicants will also be required to sing short sight-singing excerpts and vocal exercises led by the faculty.
5. Applicants are required to wear appropriate and professional audition attire.

Bachelor of Music Technology and Production applicants:

For students whose primary instrument is not piano (brass, woodwinds, percussion, strings, guitar and voice): 

Faculty members will assess your musical skills to ensure that you can pass the core music courses (music theory, ear training, class piano). These classes require Music Technology and Production students to develop strong musical skills in addition to expertise in technology. The audition requirements are:

1. One or two pieces of your choice, in the styles of your choice.
2. Sight reading
3. Major Scales

For students whose primary instrument is piano: 

There are two tracks in piano. The audition option you choose makes a potential impact on how many piano-related courses you will take as part of the program. The audition requirements for both tracks require two repertoire pieces of contrasting style. Both should be based on printed sheet music (please bring a copy with you to the audition). At least one should be classical music.

Audition Option A:

1. Two contrasting solos (min. 1 classical) at a Level 2 or higher - i.e. Works by Gurlitt, Kabalevsky, etc, or comparable to Bartok's First Term at the Piano or Mikrokosmos, Book 2.
2. Prepare scales in all major keys, 1 octave, hands together

If admitted via Audition Option A, to meet the Applied Piano requirement you would take Class Piano 3 and 4 your first year, and two years of applied (private) piano in your second and third years.

OR

Audition Option B:

1. Two classical solos in contrasting styles comparable (or more difficult) to Clementi's Op. 36 Sonatinas, the Anna Magdalena Bach Notebook, or the Burgmuller Arabesque.
2. All scales (major and harmonic minor) 2 octaves, hands together.

If admitted via Audition Option B, to meet the Applied Piano requirement you would take two years of private piano lessons.

Master of Music Performance in Conducting applicants: 

Preliminary Application for Master of Music Conducting (Choral and Instrumental): 

1. Submit video excerpts of rehearsals (max 10 minutes) and performances (max 10 minutes). Diverse repertoire selections are encouraged.
2. Submit three selections on your major instrument.

Master of Music Performance in Jazz Studies applicants: 

Audition requirements are as follows:

1. Demonstrate ability to improvise and play with a rhythm section at a graduate level of advancement. Five selections (including a ballad) in different jazz styles, moods and tempos performed from memory.
2. Sight-reading (at the discretion of the applied teacher).

Jazz Bass

1. 12 major scales - 2 octaves
2. 6 Dorian minor scales - 2 octaves
3. Transcription or etude demonstrating advanced technical proficiency.
4. Three selections of contrasting styles demonstrating versatility on acoustic and/or electric bass. These selections can be performed with a rhythm section or a play along. At least one of the three songs must include playing the melody.

Jazz Drumset

1. Demonstrate the following styles (30 seconds each):
   • Slow Swing (60pm)
   • Medium Swing (120bpm)
   • Fast Swing (220 bpm)
   • Bossa Nova
   • Samba
   • Songo
   • Latin Cascara
   • Latin 6/8
2. Perform two Jazz tunes in contrasting style and tempo, including one Be-bop/ Jazz tune and one contemporary Jazz song or standard. Perform with a combo, or recording minus drums. Each piece should demonstrate Master’s level time feel and comping. Play time with the melody, one chorus of an instrumental, and take one chorus drum set solo.  Suggestions for Be- bop/ jazz tunes include: Billie's Bounce, Oleo, Tenor Madness,  Au Privave, Joy Spring, Jordu, Yardbird Suite, and Donna Lee. Suggestions for a non Be-bop piece include Milestones, Solar, Giant Steps, Moment’s Notice, All the Things You Are, Alone Together, Softly As In A Morning Sunrise, One Finger Snap, If I Were a Bell, There Will Never Be Another You, or other.
3. Play the Big Band sight reading excerpt (with no bass or band, drums only) as though you are performing with a big band. Pay attention to metronome markings, dynamics and band figures.

Jazz Guitar

Jazz Piano

1. Auditionees should perform the following scales:
   1. C# major
   2. Eb natural minor
   3. E harmonic minor
   4. F melodic minor
   5. C# Whole/Half diminished
2. One 12-Bar Blues piece, Billie’s Bounce or Now’s the Time in medium tempo; (play the melody once and improvise a minimum of 3 choruses).
3. Perform songs from the American Songbook or jazz standard; performed with a rhythm section or play along. One should be solo piano.
   1. Ballad
   2. Medium swing
   3. Up tempo swing
   4. Latin/straight eighth
4. Demonstrate one chorus of “comping” on a standard song of your choice. It is fine to comp on the American Songbook song you have selected.

Master of Music Performance in Piano applicants:

Master of Music Performance in Strings applicants:

1. One movement from a major concerto.
2. Two contrasting movements of solo Bach.
3. Another selection of choice.

Memorization is not required but preferred for the concerto and Bach.

Violin

1. Two contrasting movements from an unaccompanied Bach sonata or partita performed from memory. No repeats.
2. A slow and fast movements from a standard violin concerto.
3. Sight-reading

Master of Music Performance in Voice applicants:

1. Sing four Art Songs (representing Italian, French, German and English) and two Arias from the standard opera and/or oratorio repertoire.
2. The above selections should demonstrate contrasting styles and historical time periods.
3. One selection should be composed between 1950 and the present.
4. All selections must be performed from memory with piano accompaniment.

Master of Music Performance in Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion applicants:

Flute

1. CPE Bach Hamburger Sonata, 1st section (no rondo).
2. Mozart Concerto in G Major, 1st movement ( no cadenza required), 2nd movement exposition.
3. 1 piece of your choice in a different style from above.
4. Orchestra excerpts: Beethoven Leonore Overture #3, solo / Ravel Daphnis and Chloe, solo.

Clarinet

1. Mozart Clarinet Concerto.
2. Two additional works from the standard repertoire demonstrating contrasting styles. One of the works must be written after 1945.
3. Three standard orchestral excerpts.

Horn

1. Major Concerto (all mts) Strauss 1 or 2. Mozart 2, 3 or 4. Haydn 1 or 2.
2. Gliere Etude showing technical playing. ex. Kling, Gallay, Maxime-Alphonse, etc.
3. Sight reading in keys of F, E, E-flat, D, C and B basso.

Trumpet

1. Two etudes showing the applicant’s level of technical and musical advancement.
2. At least one major solo of the applicant’s choice.
3. A complete concerto from the standard repertoire.
4. Three to five standard orchestral excerpts.

Trombone

1. Any graduate level solo of your choice.
2. Blazhevich Etude # 24.
3. Bordogni vocalize # 16.
4. Sight reading.

Bass-Trombone

1. Any graduate level solo of your choice.
2. Blazhevich Etude # 11.
3. Bordogni vocalize # 10 from Ostrander book.
4. Sight reading

Jazz Trombone

1. Oleo by Sonny Rollins, All the Things You Are by Jerome Kern
2. Ballad of your choice
3. Sight reading.

Euphonium

1. Any graduate level solo of your choice.
2. Blazhevich Etude # 24.
3. Bordogni vocalize # 16.
4. Sight reading.

Tuba

1. Any graduate level solo of your choice.
2. Blazhevich Etude # 11.
3. Bordogni vocalize # 10 from Ostrander book.
4. Sight reading.

Percussion

Suggested repertoire:

1. Keyboard:
   • Bach: A movement from the Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin or from Six Suites for solo Cello
   • Representative Marimba Solo Repertoire: Klatzow Dances of Earth and Fire, Burritt Scirroco or Caritas, Druckman Reflections on the Nature of Water, Stout Rumble Strips or Sedimental Structures, Sueyoshi Mirage, Sammut Cameleon, Abe Japanese Children’s Songs, Lansky Idle Fancies
   • 3 Excerpts each from standard orchestral repertoire on Xylophone and Glockenspiel
2. Snare Drum:
   • Delecluse: Douze Etudes, Peters Etudes for solo Snare Drum (purple book)
   • Tompkins: Nine French-American Rudimental Solos
   • 3 Excerpts from standard orchestral repertoire
     • Prokofiev- Lt. Kije
     • Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade Mvt. 3 and 4
     • Capriccio
3. Timpani:
   • One solo from the following:
     • Carter: Eight Pieces for Four Timpani
     • Hochrainer Etudes for Timpani Vol.3
     • Delecluse 20 Studies for Timpani 
   • 2 Contrasting orchestral excerpts (such as):
     • Beethoven 9 - 20 before letter S in 1^st Mvt.
     • Tchaikovsky 4 – 1^st Mvt. 4 before Letter S to V (includes roll)
     • Schuman, William - New England Triptych Be Glad Then, America - mvt. 1 - mm.1-14; 122-152
     • Mozart Sym 39 - Mvt. 1 meas. 1 – 21
     • Strauss Burlesque - meas 1 – 20

Sight reading required.

Saxophone

1. A piece of standard French repertoire by a prominent saxophone composer (Ex: Desenclos, Dubois, Boutry, Ibert, etc.)
2. A saxophone piece of contrasting style to #1, possibly more contemporary or displaying extended techniques.
3. Major and Minor Scales, full range.

All applicants to UNF School of Music are automatically considered for a scholarship based primarily on ability as demonstrated at the audition/interview. Scholarships are awarded each year to students who show maturity and promise in various areas. Although the amount of money available each year may vary, these awards are made to students who contribute or show the potential to contribute to the total success of the program into which they are enrolled. Additional information regarding non-music scholarships can be found at www.unf.edu. Applicants for need-based financial aid must apply to the UNF Student Financial Aid Office. All students are encouraged to apply for FAFSA funding in addition to all local and national scholarship opportunities specific to his/her particular situation. Please note carefully the deadlines for all scholarship and financial aid applications.

Scholarship Criteria

While the faculty recognizes that each student is an individual with unique talents and achievements, there is no guarantee that scholarship awards will be renewed at the same level each semester. Scholarship awards are based on the audition process and the belief that there is a strong potential for musical growth and contribution. Future awards may be adjusted up or down depending on the factors listed below:

1. Musical aptitude/skills: Both performance skills and musicianship are very important criteria in scholarship decisions.
2. Large ensembles: Students receiving scholarship assistance are required to participate in large ensembles each semester. Failure to audition and participate in one large ensemble per semester will result in scholarship denial.
3. Small ensembles: Scholarship students may be required to audition for and participate in one or more small ensembles.
4. Grades: Music students are expected to maintain at least a “B” in applied lessons and a “C” in all other music courses. Failure to meet these standards will result in being placed on academic probation and will be required to repeat the course. A grade of “D” in non-music courses will be viewed negatively. After being on probation for one subsequent semester, each grade infraction will reduce your scholarship by 20% per grade infraction. After a third subsequent semester on probation, all merit- based scholarship funding will be removed and the student may be expelled from the program.
5. Attendance: Excessive absences will negatively impact scholarship awards. (See Attendance Policy)
6. Musical growth: Growth is expected through exposure to the musical environment at UNF. It is an item the music faculty takes very seriously when determining scholarship awards.
7. Attitude: Students are expected to maintain a positive attitude and represent the school well.
8. School need: Needs of the school are considered when awarding scholarships.

Students must visit https://commerce.cashnet.com/UNF062 and pay the $50 rental fee. Upon completion, the student will inform the appropriate faculty member, who will confirm with the music office as the Accounting Coordinator can verify payment.

After payment is confirmed, the appropriate faculty member must complete an online property check out form in MyWings that coincides with the instrument the student is renting. This will create a record in MyWings and a financial record in Banner.

Music majors must perform a juried examination at the end of each semester on their primary instrument. The material performed on the jury will reflect the student’s work during the semester as determined by the applied professor. Juries for non-majors and majors on non-primary instruments will be at the discretion of the applied teacher. Procedures are as follows:

1. A jury panel will consist of at least three faculty members.
2. The student must provide each jury panelist with a thoroughly completed jury form. 
3. Each jury panelist will evaluate the student’s performance and calculate a grade. These grades will be given to the student’s professor who will average jury grades before calculating the final grade.
4. Each juror’s sheet is to be reviewed with the student by the applied professor.
5. Original jury sheets will be filed in the music office. Copies are distributed to the applied professor.
6. Semi-formal attire is required.

Please visit your UNF School of Music Student Canvas page for updated jury forms towards the end of the semester.

Sophomore Review

The Sophomore Review consists of a more comprehensive jury in which the student must successfully respond to historical, theoretical and pedagogical questions regarding the instrument and repertoire, and concludes with a sight reading excerpt. Students will be granted one of the following upon completing the review: Pass, Probation, or Fail.

Transfer students may be asked to participate in the Sophomore Review after one semester of study as a contingency to remain enrolled as a music major. Students must pass this review in order to enroll in upper level applied courses. See the website and consult your applied teacher for updates regarding the Sophomore Review. 

Music majors are required to present a senior recital during the last semester of applied study. Candidates for graduation must perform a pre-recital screening for select faculty members to assure that the student is ready to proceed with the senior recital. This may take place in conjunction with the juried examination prior to the semester of the senior recital. Guidelines for the Music Technology and Production Senior.

Under advisement of the applied professor, the student will schedule the recital well in advance (i.e. five months) of the performance date. The music office will provide a standard typed program for all senior recitals. Program notes and text translations, when applicable, must accompany the program and must be provided by the student. These must be carefully researched and prepared by the student and approved by the applied professor. The student assumes all other expenses related to the recital.

1. The recital will be juried by at least three faculty members. The student is responsible for making jury arrangements and notifying the Chair of all final grades and decisions.
2. A grade of “pass” or “fail” will be given by the jury. Student must receive a “pass” to graduate.
3. The program should be between 45 and 60 minutes long.
4. UNF faculty may assist on only one selection of the recital.
5. The recital must be scheduled on campus.
6. Dedications from the stage are inappropriate, but may be included in the printed program.
7. Students must arrange for the recital to be recorded professionally at their own expense.
8. The candidate is responsible to insure that every performing member is professionally attired.
9. Recital material must be arranged thoughtfully and artistically.

Specific to Bachelor of Music Performance in Jazz Studies students:

The recital should include at least three jazz standards. Originals and other jazz vehicles can comprise the remainder of the recital. The majority of the program must be from the jazz genre. Other styles are acceptable if they constitute a small percentage of the program and are performed artistically correct.

The student should be the featured soloist and choruses by sidemen must be kept to a minimum. All material performed by the candidate must be memorized.

Specific to Bachelor of Music Performance and Bachelor of Music Education students:

Candidates in piano and voice must memorize all material.

Senior Recital Checklist

• Confirm readiness for recital with applied teacher
• Book on-campus space as early as possible with teacher and accompanist (if applicable) permission for the recital. Print the Student Recital Reservation form. Recital dates are not confirmed until the first page has been submitted to the School of Music office with required signatures.
• Schedule Recital Screening at least one month in advance of your recital with all faculty who will be on the jury (at least 3)
• After passing your screening, submit an electronic copy to your applied teacher to have flyers and programs approved that will then be submitted to the School of Music. Do not post promotional materials prior to successfully completing the recital screening.
  • If you fail your screening, you must confer with your applied teacher in regards to further action.
• Draft and print programs for recital in the specified manner
• Successfully perform recital with three invited jurors (faculty) in attendance. Pass or Fail.

Jazz Studies

Students seeking a bachelor's degree in jazz performance must pass the Sophomore Barrier exam. Students who do not pass will not matriculate to the junior level and will not be allowed to enroll in upper level Jazz courses.

Transfer Students

Transfer students entering the Jazz Studies program as a sophomore with an Associates Degree, are required to pass the Sophomore Barrier in the spring of their first year at UNF.

Transfer students entering the Jazz Studies program as a junior with an Associates Degree, are required to play the Sophomore Barrier tunes as part of their audition.

Incoming transfers students will be required to complete the Sophomore Barrier after auditions, during UNF exam week, in the spring prior to beginning their study at UNF.

Sophomore Barrier Requirements

Students must be able to demonstrate the following before entering their junior year:

• Melodies performed by memory
• Solo over changes
• Fundamental command of the Jazz language and possess a swing feel typical of Jazz performance practice

Additional requirements for bassists and drummers listed below:

Bassists

• Walk bassline, solo
• Learn melodies and memorize for all tunes
• Memorize changes
• Solo over changes
• Demonstrate appropriate scales over changes
• Able to outline chord changes

Drummers

• Note form of each song (AABA, etc), the number of measures in each section, etc., memorize melody
• Able to sing melody of each song and play time while singing
• Able to play melody of song on the drums
• Able to solo around the melody.

Sophomore Barrier Tunes

• Tenor Madness
• Billie's Bounce
• Impressions
• Summertime
• Solar
• Blue Bossa
• Satin Doll
• Softly as in a Morning Sunrise
• Autumn Leaves
• All the Things You Are
• There will Never Be Another You
• Girl from Ipanema
• Misty
• Someday My Prince Will Come
• Take the A- Train
• Oleo
• Stella By Starlight
• Body and Soul
• Alone Together
• Ornithology