Academics

Undergraduate Advice and Support

Who will help me plan my course load? 
You will also be assigned a faculty adviser who is knowledgeable about your concentration and particular interests and will help you plan your curriculum.

How often should I seek advice? 
You should consult with an adviser AT LEAST once a semester preceding registration to insure that you fulfill your requirements. Feel free to talk about decisions regarding your academic program. advisers offer help in many ways, so take as much advantage of them as possible.

Where can I get help with registration? 
For technical issues or authorizations, see Academic Administrator Gina Balestracci.

Who is responsible for overseeing my progress in the music program?
It is your responsibility to meet all requirements of the university and school. Many people can help you do this. Use the Cali School curriculum guides and WESS (Web Enrollment Services for Students), the academic administrator and your faculty mentor, to monitor your progress and also stay in contact with everyone to insure an on-time graduation.

How do the school of music rules and regulations fit in with university requirements?
The school sets rules for meeting music curriculum requirements. The university sets general rules and regulations for graduation that are summarized in MSU’s undergraduate catalog online. The rules in the university catalog in effect during your freshman year will apply to you throughout your university career. If there are changes while you are attending MSU—for instance, if general education course requirements are altered—such changes may not apply to you. Your Analysis of Academic Progress, available on WESS, will always have the most up-to-date record of your outstanding requirements.

Transfer students — How soon will I find out which credits have transferred? 
There will be a delay in transferring credits. See the academic administrator for information.

How do I find out what Gen Ed credits I need?
Go to WESS and do an Analysis of Academic Progress.

How do I find out about applied music lesson requirements? 
Applied music lessons are required for all undergraduates. Your adviser will discuss requirements with you. The list of vocal and instrumental courses with section numbers are available on WESS.

May I take a leave-of-absence from school?
Yes. If you need to take a leave-of-absence please inform your adviser so that you, the Cali School and the university can plan accordingly. A leave of absence may affect the courses that you will be required to take upon your return.

Who will discuss career objectives with me?
The faculty of the School of Music will be your best resource for discussing the specialized career objectives that come with being a musician. Additionally, College Career Services may be able to help you develop a career plan that complements your intended professional direction, taking into account your academic preparation. Whether you are an undergraduate or a master’s degree candidate, there are steps you can take now to advance your career development by participating in CART Career Services’ advising sessions and career development workshops, and/or using our online interactive tools – all of which are designed to help you learn more about your interests, skills and values; research careers; prepare your career plan; explore professions through Cooperative Education and internship opportunities; plan for graduate school; and develop job search skills.

Graduate Advice and Support

Who will help me plan my course load?
You will be assigned a faculty adviser who will develop your work program and who is knowledgeable about your concentration and particular interests. At the beginning of each semester, a list of students and their advisers will be posted online at WESS (Web Enrollment Services for Students) at montclair.edu.

How often should I see my adviser?
See your adviser AT LEAST once a semester preceding registration to insure that you fulfill your requirements. Feel free to talk about decisions you need to make about your academic program. advisers offer help in many ways, so take as much advantage of them as possible.

Where can I get help with registration?
For curricular matters, see your adviser. For technical issues or authorizations, see Academic Administrator Gina Balestracci.

Who is responsible for overseeing my progress in the music program?
It is your responsibility to meet all requirements of the university and school. Your adviser will help you do this. Your work program is your contract with the university that documents your degree requirements.

How do the school of music rules and regulations fit in with university requirements?
The school sets rules for meeting music curriculum requirements. The university sets general rules and regulations for graduation that are summarized in the university Catalog. The rules in the first university Catalog you receive will apply to you throughout your university career. If there are changes while you are attending MSU, your work program remains your contract with the university.

How do I find out about applied music lesson requirements?
Applied music lessons are required for many graduate students. The taxonomy lists vocal and instrumental course numbers. They are listed on-line in WESS, which is where you can find the call number for your particular applied music section.

May I change my degree program within the school of music?
Yes. To change from one concentration to another, meet with faculty advisers in your current concentration and in the one you wish to enter. These meetings will help you clarify your reasons for changing and assess your potential for entering a new concentration. Then, fulfill requirements for entering a new concentration, as follows:

  • Performance - Gain approval of performance faculty by completing a successful audition.
  • Music Education or Music Therapy - Gain approval of music education or music therapy faculty by completing a successful interview
  • Theory/Composition - Gain approval of theory/comp faculty by completing a successful portfolio review and interview.

When you have been notified by the faculty that you have been accepted into the new concentration, complete an Graduate Change of Major form, which is available in the graduate school office.

May I take a leave-of-absence from school?
Yes. If you need to take a leave-of-absence please inform your adviser so that you, the Cali School and the university can plan accordingly. A leave of absence may affect the courses that you will be required when you return.

Who will discuss career objectives with me?
The faculty of the School of Music will be your best resource for discussing the specialized career objectives that come with being a musician. Additionally, College Career Services may be able to help you develop a career plan that complements your intended professional direction, taking into account your academic preparation. Whether you are an undergraduate or a master’s degree candidate, there are steps you can take now to advance your career development by participating in CART Career Services’ advising sessions and career development workshops, and/or using our online interactive tools – all of which are designed to help you learn more about your interests, skills and values; research careers; prepare your career plan; explore professions through Cooperative Education and internship opportunities; plan for graduate school; and develop job search skills.

Curriculum Guides 

Catalog course listings and sample curriculum guides for each major are available in Academic Programs (see web menu on the left).

Policies and Procedures for Private Lesson Registration

1. The Cali School director, with coordinators, determines full time faculty load requirements for private students and/or chamber ensembles for the academic year before any instructors are assigned private students and/or chamber ensembles. No part time or visiting specialists are assigned private students until full time loads are filled.

2. Teaching assignments before registration go from coordinators to instructors and the school administrator.

3. All students must be registered in order to receive private lessons. Students may not receive double lessons in any one semester without registering for both sets of lessons (i.e. percussion/drum set or piano/ harpsichord or clarinet/bass clarinet). All double sets of lessons must be approved by the director, and are never automatic. Double sets of lessons require a cumulative 3.00 GPA in previous semester, and a B or better on private study.

4. No student may receive additional semesters of private lessons beyond curriculum requirements without director’s permission.

5. Instructors will not be compensated for unregistered students. Any student not registered by the second week of semester should not be receiving private lessons under any circumstances.

6. By August 15, each coordinator will receive information from the school administrator regarding which students are registered at that time. Later registrants will be added as soon as registered, but coordinators will receive information available as of August 15.

7. All coordinators in each area (Woodwinds, Brass, Strings, Percussion, Piano, Voice, Composition, and Guitar) must report final teaching assignments to the director and the school administrator by the end of the second week of each semester.

8. If an instructor of Applied Music has a registered student who is not present, instructor must advise the school administrator by the third week of semester.

Note: If a student’s GPA falls below 3.0, lessons may be curtailed until academic performance has improved.

Standards, Grades, Exams

Read the university retention standards in the university catalogs. They are part of the criteria used to determine whether you may remain in a program. The Cali School also monitors each student's progress.

For Undergraduate Students
If you fail academic work you may be asked to suspend applied music lessons and/or ensembles until your academic work has improved.

If your GPA falls below 3.0, you may not be allowed to join ensembles and/or take applied music lessons. You would be required to focus on academic improvement.

Grades required to remain a music major: 
You may be required to repeat any music courses in which you receive a D+, D, D-, or F. Courses may be repeated a maximum of two times after the first failed attempt. Passing grades must be earned at each level of a sequence of courses before you are allowed to progress to the next level. Contact your advisor if you are having trouble at any point in your studies.

Sophomore comprehensive exam and assessment:
At the end of the sophomore year, you must demonstrate comprehensive musicianship in performing primary, functional keyboard skills, theoretical and practical skills, secondary vocal skills and others related to your concentration. You must perform adequately in these areas in order to continue as a music major. 

Requirements for final admission to undergraduate programs:

  • Theory/Composition— Final admission in junior year; in addition to full audition requirements, candidates must submit a portfolio of compositions and/or analytical sketches before completion of sophomore year.
  • Music Therapy— Final admission in junior year; in addition to full audition requirements, all credentials (including reports of clinical experience) will be evaluated at the end of sophomore year.
  • Performance— Provisional acceptance is determined by an applied music jury at the end of the freshman year unless a postponement to the middle of the sophomore year is requested by the major teacher. Full admission is delayed until after a sophomore recital and/or demonstration of a solid grasp of technical aspects of the performing medium, and genuine musicality and sensitivity.
  • Music Education— Final admission is granted only after an interview and review of credentials toward the end of the sophomore year.

Applied Music Requirements

  • You must study with members of the Cali School faculty.
  • An applied music fee, in addition to tuition, must be paid for private instruction.
  • Piano students are expected to accompany at a level of ability designated by their teachers.
  • You should perform during performance practicum at least once during each year of primary study.

Graduate Students
You should discuss requirements with your adviser and primary teachers.

Juries

You must discuss individual repertoire and requirements with your teacher.

Samples of undergraduate jury requirements: 

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Voice Jury Sheet