With the resources provided by the TCU School of Music, you will be guided through the application process, undergraduate and graduate process to reach your TCU degree. Faculty members are also equipped with information as they teach the next generation of students.
Resources
School of Music Office Location
The School of Music Office is located in Ed Landreth Hall, Suite 120.
Fall Ensemble Auditions
Refer to our list of ensembles and visit page to find audition requirements.
General Forms
*Note: All forms are designed to be signed using Adobe Digital Signature. Instructions on using an Adobe Digital Signature can be found here.
GA and AD Accompaniment Report
Grade Change Request – (Requested by faculty online through their faculty my.tcu.edu portal.)
Intent to Graduate (Undergraduate)
Intent to Graduate (Artist Diploma)
Jury Examination & Repertoire Forms (jury system)
Jury Examination & Repertoire Forms (fillable pdf)
Music Major Request additional semester of aid
Music History Course Rotation 2023-2026
Music Theory Course Rotation 2023-2026
Student Recital Scheduling Policy
Request of “I” Grade – (Requested by faculty online through their faculty my.tcu.edu portal.)
Transfer CORE Credit Request Directions (must be submitted online)
Voice Division
Request to Transfer Vocal Major
All other forms not listed here can be found on the College of Fine Arts Resources Page
Important Dates
The following activities are required of all new incoming music majors:
Theory/Ear Training Placement Exam – First day of Fall semester, 8:30 a.m. on the Ed Landreth Auditorium Stage. Required for all incoming students enrolled in MUSI 10203 or 10201.
Music Theory Fundamentals Resources
Music History Course Rotation 2023-2025
Music Theory Course Rotation 2021-2023
Music Theory Course Rotation 2023-2026
All incoming music majors are required to enroll in MUSI 11030 Class Piano. Students interested in testing for placement beyond the first semester can do so during the week before classes begin. (Download pdf).
Recital/Concert Attendance
All undergraduate music majors are required to enroll in MUSI 11000 Recital Hour/Concert Attendance for each regular semester. Exceptions include first-year students enrolled in UNLF 10211 University Life during their incoming fall semester, BME students enrolled in their student teaching semester, and students enrolled in a ninth (and subsequent) semester. This is a zero-credit course that is graded on a pass/no-credit basis.
To receive a passing credit, students must attend a total of (15) events each semester—comprised of (6) Recital Hour classes (Wednesday, 3-3:50PM) and (9) performances, chosen from faculty and guest artist recitals, student recitals and TCU ensemble concerts. Off-campus events must be approved by Dr. Cortese to count toward concert credit. At the end of the semester, students fill out an electronic attendance cover sheet that is uploaded with their (9) event program PDFs to an assignment folder on TCU Online. All materials are due by 5:00PM on the Monday following juries.
Two-steps ensure that students in the School of Music are fulfilling the requirements for Recital Hour: Students must pass 3 semesters of Recital Hour before they are eligible to sign up for their sophomore barrier. Students must pass 6 semesters of Recital Hour before they are eligible to sign up for their senior recital. Failure to follow these steps may impact progress toward completion of a degree program.
How to Get a Locker
Students may check out a locker during their time at TCU School of Music. Once you have a locker assignment, you may keep it as long as you are a music major at TCU. Instrumental lockers are located in the Ed Landreth building, Walsh Performing Arts Center, and the TCU Music Center. To check out a locker in the Ed Landreth or Walsh buildings, please email Lori Stowe at l.stowe@tcu.edu. To check out a locker in the TCU Music Center, please contact Sharie Owens at S.OWENS@tcu.edu. Lori or Sharie will issue you a combination to the locker/padlock. Students are not allowed to use their own padlocks on the lockers. Please contact Lori Stowe if you have questions about locker assignments at 817-257-7232 or l.stowe@tcu.edu.
Practice Rooms
General practice rooms for the School of Music are located in multiple buildings on campus: the second floor of Ed Landreth Hall, the basement of Waits Residence Hall, the first and third floors of Walsh Performing Arts Center, and the second floor of the TCU Music Center. These rooms are open via card swipe 24/7.
Additionally, there are piano practice rooms and percussion practice rooms designated for piano and percussion students respectively. For more information regarding eligibility of piano and percussion practice room use, please contact Lori Stowe at l.stowe@tcu.edu. The piano practice rooms are located in the Walsh Performing Arts Center piano and percussion practice rooms are located in the TCU Music Center.
The SOM Practice Rooms may be reserved in advance. If unreserved, the rooms are available on a “first come, first served basis”. To reserve practice rooms, please go to:
General Music Practice Rooms
https://reserve.tcu.edu/?name=General%20Practice%20Rooms
Piano Wing
https://reserve.tcu.edu/?name=Piano%20Practice%20Rooms
Percussion Practice Rooms
https://reserve.tcu.edu/?name=Percussion%20Practice%20Rooms
If you have any questions regarding practice rooms, please contact Lori Stowe at 817-257-7232 or l.stowe@tcu.edu.
Computer Lab
The SOM Computer Lab is located on the third floor in Jarvis Hall. The lab contains both Mac and PC computers equipped with ear training and music notation software. MIDI keyboards are part of each workstation as well. Hours of operation vary throughout the week and on weekends. Check the lab door for the most recent schedule.
Advising
All music majors are assigned a faculty advisor based on their area of study. Learn more about advising on the School of Music advising page.
At TCU, all students are welcome to participate in the variety of events and programs available in the School of Music. Whether you’re interested in singing in a choir, playing in the orchestra, marching in the band or taking guitar lessons, the information below will help answers your questions and point you in the right direction.
Audition Information
Non-majors are welcome to audition for ensembles within the School of Music. Please see the audition information above.
Private Lessons
Private instrumental and vocal lessons for non-majors are available on a limited basis. Interested students are required to audition for the area instructor in order to be considered for studio placement. Non-majors who have received a music scholarship from the SOM are required to enroll in private lessons. For more information, please contact Lori Stowe, Academic Program Specialist at 817-257-7232 or l.stowe@tcu.edu.
Music Minor
The TCU Minor in Music provides student musicians with the opportunity to study music history, music theory and applied performance at the collegiate level. This program is not intended as an introduction to music. Rather, it is designed for students with previous, substantial musical experience who wish to further their musical knowledge and abilities with professional study. For more information, please see opportunities for non-majors or contact Dr. James Rodriguez, Coordinator of Undergraduate Programs at 817-257-4572 or at james.rodriguez@tcu.edu
While all music students are expected and encouraged to perform, CPT is applicable to international students only, Curricular Practical Training is defined as an alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education or any other type of required practicum that is academically-required at TCU and offered by sponsoring employers. CPT originates from an academic need for work, and as a result, it must be required of all students in a program. It may either be required specifically in a particular class or it may be a programmatic expectation to fulfill degree requirements. Implied in this is a system of evaluation by the academic department and a beginning and termination date for a particular employment.
Undergraduate students must be in F-1 status for at least 9 months before employment can be initiated. All students may not work full-time (over 20 hours including all assistantships and CPT employment) except during summer and winter vacation. CPT is a departmental privilege, and thus may be revoked for academic reasons at any time.
Typically in music, Curricular Practical Training students are expected to seek professional opportunities as a part of their coursework. Participation and progress in these endeavors must be approved and overseen by the supervising faculty member. Examples might include activities in teaching, participation in professional orchestras, chamber music performance, performance in church services, weddings, funerals, accompanying, etc. International students MUST file appropriate paper work BEFORE accepting professional gigs and services.
CPT Application Instructions
Download the CPT Recommendation Form from the International Student Services (ISS) website.
- Submit Section 1 of the CPT form to your academic advisor (applied studio teacher) for completion
- Have your academically-approved employer complete Section 2 of the CPT form
- Sign and submit form to ISS at least 7 days prior to employment start date
- Do not begin work until this process is completed and you have signed and picked up your new, work-authorized I-20 from ISS.
School of Music Office Location
The School of Music Office is located in Ed Landreth Hall, Suite 120.
*Note: All forms are designed to be signed using Adobe Digital Signature. Instructions on using an Adobe Digital Signature can be found here.
Appointment of Doctoral Committee Form
GA and AD Accompaniment Report
Intent to Graduate for Graduate Students
Intent to Graduate for Artist Diploma Candidates
Music Major Request Additional Semester of Aid
Guidelines for Master of Music Oral Exam Preparation
Master of Music Oral Exam Rubric
Orals Report for School of Music
Appointment of Doctoral Committee Form
Approval Form for the DMA Comprehensive Exam
Report of DMA Comprehensive Examination
Approval of DMA Document Proposal
Dissertation Publishing Form for Payment of Fees
DMA Document and Oral Defense Grade Report
All other forms not listed here can be found on the College of Fine Arts Resources Page
Graduate Assistantships are available to qualified, full-time graduate students in the School of Music. Applicants must be admitted to the program, have an outstanding academic record and present favorable recommendations.
Master’s and doctoral applicants will be considered for graduate assistantships as part of their application process. Assistantships provide tuition grants plus stipend and require approximately ten hours of work weekly.
Musicology students are also eligible for the Michael M. Winesanker Scholarship, named for the late distinguished scholar who served the TCU School of Music for more than 40 years.
The deadline for doctoral applications is December 1, and the deadline for master’s applications is February 15.
Learn more about graduate assistantships under the corresponding Graduate Area of Study, or contact the applied faculty member regarding graduate assistantships for the upcoming year.
All entering graduate students are required to take placement examinations during the first week of residency and must satisfy keyboard and theory proficiencies. All portions of the test must be satisfactorily completed prior to admission to candidacy.
- Prior to or at the start of the final semester, determine the Oral Exam committee
- Schedule Master’s Oral Exam with committee
- Review Rubric for Master’s Degree Oral Exam
- Complete Report of Master’s Oral Exam
Doctoral Committee
Prior to the first recital
- Determine cognate in consultation with Major Professor
- Determine committee and complete the Appointment of Doctoral Committee Form
After completing at least 20, but no more than 30 hours
- Complete the DMA Report Form
DMA Comprehensive Exam
After completing the majority of music theory, music history, and major coursework
- Register by semester deadline with Assistant Director of Academic & Student Programs
- Complete the DMA Comprehensive Exam Approval Form
Within 2 to 4 weeks of the written portion of the exam, take the oral portion
- Ask committee chair to complete the Report of DMA Comprehensive Examination
After passing the DMA Comprehensive Exams
- Give final recital
DMA Document
After choosing a topic, prepare the proposal in consultation with the committee chair
Proposal contents:
- Introduction
- Importance of the topic
- State of current knowledge relevant to the topic
- Chapter-by-chapter outline
- Bibliography
- Proposal may include other contents as determined by the committee chair
Once written, the proposal is submitted to committee members for comments and suggestions. The committee and the DMA student should meet to discuss the proposal.
Once approved, the committee completes the Approval of DMA Document Proposal Form.
In the final semester of the DMA Document, the timeline is as follows.
- Week 2:The candidate must file an Intent to Graduate Form through the College of Fine Arts website. A non-refundable fee is charged when the Intent is filed. Candidates should not file the Intent without reviewing the following deadlines and obtaining permission from the Major Professor.
- Week 6:The completed Document/Dissertation must be available for the committee by this time. Minor revisions may take place during the weeks following this date. If the committee, led by the Major Professor, approves the Document/Dissertation the final oral defense may be scheduled.
- Week 11: Date of Final Oral defense should be agreed upon and set by this time. The candidate will schedule the exam and notify the CFA Graduate Office of the date using the Final Oral Defense Scheduling Form. In order to allow adequate time for preparation of questions, the candidate will provide a PDF of the finished Document/Dissertation to each member of the committee two weeks before the defense.
- Week 15: The Final Oral Defense must be completed by this date. The defense is a discussion of the Document/Dissertation. At least four members of the committee, including the Major Professor, must be present to conduct the defense. Following a decision on the candidate’s defense, those committee members present will grade and sign the Report on the Final Oral Defense Form. The Major Professor will deliver the form Assistant Director for Academic Programs in the School of Music.
- Week 16: The candidate will submit a PDF of the final Document/Dissertation following the instructions posted on the TCU library website and the CFA Graduate website. Copyright may be obtained; the candidate must pay the fee for this optional service. The School of Music also requires a bound copy of the Document/Dissertation for its archives. Electronic submission of the final version of the project, including any changes suggested at the Oral Defense, must be completed by the Monday before graduation. The Major Professor must turn in a course grade for the Document/Dissertation by the Wednesday before graduation. This grade will replace all previous Incomplete grades for Document or Dissertation hours.
Located on the third floor of the Mary Couts Burnett Library, the Music/Media Library houses several thousand scores, print books, CDs and music discipline-related videos. The Music/Media Library and Hamilton Audiovisual Center provide a creative space for musicians to listen to music, watch performances, study scores, write research papers and attend specialized classes.
School of Music: 817-257-7232
Graduate Housing: 817-257-5895 or 817-257-7891
TCU Police: 817-257-7930 (emergency on Campus – x7777)
International Student Services: 817-257-7292
Health Center: 817-257-7940
Student Insurance: 817-257-7940
Absence from Regular Duties
Annual Report of Outside Employment and Activities
Appointment of Doctoral Committee Form
Collaborative Piano Request Form
Grade Change Request
(requested by faculty online through their faculty My.TCU.Edu portal)
Key Request Form for SOM Facilities
Music History Course Rotation 2023-2026
Music Theory Course Rotation 2023-2026
Permit for removal of “I” Grade
(requested by faculty online through their faculty My.TCU.Edu portal)
Recital Scheduling Policy (Student)
Request for “I” Grade
(requested by faculty online through their faculty My.TCU.Edu portal)
Transfer CORE Credit Request Directions
Faculty Advisor Information
The Recommendation Form includes one section that the advisor/professor must sign. This signature is an agreement that you approve the employment and will monitor the progress of the student.
Employment is based upon academic requirements and the Code of Federal Regulations strictly prohibits CPT that’s sole purpose is to provide employment for F and J visa holders. Where applicable US students must be participating in work as well.
Requirements cannot be informal:
- Employment based upon class requirements must indicate this in an official class document, such as a syllabus
- Employment based upon degree fulfillment must include suitable language in the departmental section of the University catalogue.
Because employment is curricular, evaluation of student performance is mandatory. An academic agenda must drive the employment (and thus, completion of a class or degree is de facto completion of the employment).
Further information may be obtained by contacting the Office of International Services at 817.257.7292 or internationalservices@tcu.edu.
Ex-Bandsmen Association
In recent years, the TCU Ex-Bandsmen Association has also been known as the TCU Alumni Band. The Ex-Bandsmen name was originally chosen so that anyone that was ever in the TCU Band could be a member of the Association, regardless of whether or not they actually graduated from TCU.
UPCOMING EVENTSWe believe that the Alumni Band designation is an appropriate name for the Ex-Band members that perform at the Homecoming Pre-game activities. Our opinion—keep them both! But keep in mind that our “official” name that appears on the bank account is the TCU Ex-Bandsmen Association.
The TCU School of Music is committed to ensuring that our students and faculty remain healthy in their musical pursuits. The following resources are provided by the National Association of Schools of Music:
NASM-PAMA Advisories on Hearing Health
NASM-PAMA Advisories on Musculoskeletal and Vocal Health
Students in the Percussion Studio and the Horned Frog Marching Band are issued reusable hearing protection at the beginning of each academic year. Additionally, all students and faculty are encouraged to schedule hearing checks with the TCU Miller Speech & Hearing Clinic.
The College of Fine Arts Academic Resources Center also provides wellness information, as well as events associated with the College of Fine Arts Wellness Week.
General Music Practice Rooms
https://reserve.tcu.edu/?name=General%20Practice%20Rooms
Piano Wing
https://reserve.tcu.edu/?name=Piano%20Practice%20Rooms
Percussion Practice Rooms
https://reserve.tcu.edu/?name=Percussion%20Practice%20Rooms
Request a Room for an Organization
Request a Room for a Small Ensemble Rehearsal
If you have any questions regarding practice rooms, please contact Lori Stowe at 817-257-7232 or l.stowe@tcu.edu.