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.