Return to: Shenandoah Conservatory

Michael J. Stepniak, Dean
Ruebush Hall, Room 108, (540) 665-4600

Jeffrey Marlatt, Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs
Ruebush Hall, Room 108, (540) 665-4600

Ting-Yu Chen, Associate Dean for Student Affairs
Ruebush Hall, Room 108, (540) 665-4600

Explore the Shenandoah Conservatory on our university website.

Mission Statement

As a community uniquely committed to rigor, nurture, and innovation, Shenandoah Conservatory inspires artistic and scholarly excellence, preparing talented students for successful careers in the arts. 

Conservatory Entrance Requirements

Conservatory applicants must satisfactorily complete an audition, interview, and music theory diagnostic skills exam or portfolio review as outlined in the admissions requirements. For specific requirements visit www.su.edu/admissions. See “Conservatory Admissions Requirements ” in the Admissions Entrance Requirements section of this catalog.

Deferring Admission to Shenandoah Conservatory

Students who have been fully accepted into a Shenandoah Conservatory curriculum and fully admitted to Shenandoah University, have the option to defer their entrance to the Conservatory for a maximum of one year (two academic semesters), per University policy. Conservatory scholarships and awards are not held for the duration of a deferral, and students must be re-evaluated for any talent funding to be awarded. This re-evaluation must take place during the semester prior to the student’s intended start date, and the most common method for this re-evaluation is to attend a regularly scheduled audition date and go through the audition portion only (the interview and theory diagnostics are not required).  

Re-Auditioning for Shenandoah Conservatory

Students who have been denied admission for a Conservatory curriculum based on their audition for a specific instrument (or interview for a specific program) must wait one year before they are able to re-audition for the same instrument (or program). At the point at which they are eligible to re-audition, they must register for the new audition through the Office of Admissions and meet all audition requirements. 

Ensemble Requirements and Procedures

Music

Ensemble participation requirements for undergraduate students are stated in terms of duration and credit. Students are required to continuously enroll in an ensemble every semester until curricular requirements are met, as outlined in each curricular map. Students are placed in ensembles by audition. Music students must fulfill requirements by performing in ensembles in their major applied music area. When ensemble duration and credit requirements have been met, no further ensemble participation is required. Conservatory scholarship recipients may be required to register for a large or small ensemble beyond the curricular requirement as needed. Every student who participates in an ensemble must be enrolled through the university.

Students wishing to participate in an additional ensemble, beyond two, must seek approval from the division chair and the associate dean for student affairs. This policy ensures that involvement in more than two ensembles does not jeopardize the student’s academic work, the quality of preparation and performance in the ensemble and their capacity to contribute at an expected high level within the performing ensembles. Students who wish to participate in additional ensembles may register in one of two ways:

• as a regular credited student
• without credit through the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy (registration fees apply)

Any ensemble registration placing the student in excess of 18.5 credits, the maximum number of full-time credits, will be at the full expense of the student. Any deviations or exceptions to the above must be approved and documented by the associate dean for student affairs.

Choral Ensembles

Voice students are auditioned by the choral ensemble directors for ensemble placement. Students are assigned to a single large choral ensemble; however, Conservatory scholarship recipients may be required to register for the maximum of two credits of large ensemble per semester, and these responsibilities are considered when students are placed. Choral ensembles are open, by audition, to students from all curricula and all schools.

Instrumental Ensembles

Instrumental students are auditioned by ensemble directors for large and/or small ensemble placement. Conservatory scholarship recipients may be required to register for the maximum of two credits of large and/or small ensemble per semester, and these responsibilities are considered when students are placed. Instrumental ensembles are open, by audition, to students from all curricula and all schools.

Dance

Dance majors are placed in ensembles as auditioned by the dance faculty. Participation is normally limited to dance majors. Students in other curricula are considered on an individual basis by audition.

Theatre

Specific requirements for theatre productions and performances are published in the Theatre Division Handbook.

Applied Music Study

Description

All students enrolled in Music and Musical Theatre curricula must be continuously enrolled in applied music until curricular requirements are fulfilled. For specific duration of study and credit requirements, see the curricular map for each degree program within this catalog.

Overall Content

The content of each applied music area is outlined for each semester of study. Minimum requirements in technique, sightreading, memorization, repertoire, performance, etc. are provided by each division of the Conservatory, and may be obtained from the individual instructor or division chair.

Studio Assignment

Students are assigned to studios by the chair of the division that offers the applied major. Students’ requests are honored when space and balance in studios permits.

Development in applied music is best supported by stability of instruction. Studio changes occur only at the end of the academic year. Information about appropriate studio change procedures is available in the division handbooks.

Bassoon and Oboe Applied Majors

All oboe applied majors are required to register for Oboe Reed Making, MUPP 241, to be taken concurrently with major lessons until applied curricular requirements have been met.

All bassoon applied majors are required to register for Bassoon Reed Making, MUPP 242, to be taken concurrently with major lessons until applied curricular requirements have been met.

Evaluation

The student performs an end-of-semester jury for evaluation by a panel of applied music faculty every semester of applied study.

If a student fails to perform the jury, the instructor must report a grade of “F” for the semester’s study. Incomplete grades will only be considered upon submission of the appropriate medical documentation; the missed jury must be completed during the drop/add period of the next semester.

Screening Juries

The screening jury, conducted at the end of the fourth semester of applied major study (or for composition students the end of the second semester), examines the student’s progress in applied music and leads to decisions regarding the student’s future applied study.

The screening jury determines if the student has made sufficient progress in the applied area to warrant the recommendation to proceed with the curricular applied major. A minimum average grade for the jury is “C.” If the average grade for the jury is less than “C,” the student may repeat the work of the fourth semester of applied study or successfully audition for and enter a new applied area.

Doubling Up Applied Policy

Where students may need to take more than one applied major lesson in one semester of study, in the cases of transfer students, students changing applied instrument or failure in an applied lesson, taking more than one lesson may be permissible. No student may double up on applied lessons until the screening jury has been successfully completed. Under no circumstances may a student take more than 2 applied major lessons in a given semester. Specific doubling up policies per division are outline below.

Keyboard Division

Keyboard students may register for two major lessons in only one semester, but may not do so in any future semesters.

Instrumental Division

Instrumental students may register for two major lessons in the same semester as allowed by the individual applied teacher without restriction. This allows for the fact that each student comes with differing levels of advanced background and learning processes.

Vocal Division

Voice students may not register for two major lessons in the same semester. A minor lesson to catch up on applied credits may be added after a successful screening jury. Additionally, summer study is possible pending faculty availability. Only one major lesson may be completed each summer.

Recital Requirements

Half Recitals

*Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music in Composition program are required to present the half recital in the seventh semester of study.

Full Recitals

*Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre Accompanying program are required to present two full recitals in the seventh and eighth semesters of study.

For detailed requirements, refer to the division handbook. Any deviations or exceptions to the above must be approved and documented by the associate dean for student affairs.

Performance Certificates

Permission to enter performance certificate study is given as part of the fourth semester screening jury process. Information on timing, content, and required level of achievement for these juries is available from the individual applied music instructor, division chair, or from the division handbook.

Students pursuing a Performance Certificate who are enrolled in Music Education and Music Therapy programs are required to present the full recital in the seventh semester of study.  Music Production and Recording Technology majors must present a full recital in the eighth semester of study. Concurrent registration in Applied Recital Study (APRS 401 or APRS 402) is required.  

Musical Theatre Majors

Composition Majors

Piano Proficiency Examination

The Piano Proficiency Examination is available to all students enrolled in Music and Musical Theatre curricula. The examination assesses each student’s keyboard skills essential to the professional life of the musician. The Piano Proficiency Examination for all new and transfer non-piano majors is offered during the start of term in both fall and spring semesters. Based on the results of the Piano Proficiency Examination, the student will be placed at the appropriate level of applied class piano study or the student will be exempt from piano requirements. Students who are exempt from applied class piano study are required to complete the credits with either further study in applied piano lessons or open electives.

Students who do not pass the Piano Proficiency Examination will register for APCP 105 Basic Piano and Keyboard Harmony Skills I  and continue in applied class piano study until curricular requirements have been met.

Students are permitted to retake the Piano Proficiency Examination after one failed attempt. After two failed attempts, students are placed in the appropriate applied class piano level and must complete the sequence by enrolling in each of the remaining courses. 

To place out of APCP 106 , APCP 205  and/or APCP 206 ,Basic Piano and Keyboard Harmony Skills II-IV, after beginning the class piano sequence, students must successfully complete the final exam for the respective class. The materials for these exams can be obtained from the coordinator of class piano.

Transfer Students

Application of Transfer Credit in Applied Music

Transfer students are initially placed in AP** 102  or AP** 103  dependent upon curriculum. At the first jury, the faculty jurors place the student at the appropriate level based on the amount of available transfer credit and the level of performance ability. Occasionally, the placement decision is deferred to the second-semester jury. Regardless of the number of semesters of applied study completed at previous institutions, transfer students in music and musical theatre curricula are required to complete the number of applied major credits as outlined in each curricular map.

Applied Conducting Policies

Applied conducting is available only after MUCO 361 Beginning Choral and Instrumental Conducting  and MUCO 363 Choral Conducting  or MUCO 364 Instrumental Conducting  have been completed successfully.

Applied conducting study at the undergraduate level is considered elective study and approval is based on faculty availability. Students enrolled in elective study do not have access to Conservatory ensembles as laboratory conducting settings.

Conducting study will not fulfill requirements for an applied minor or music electives.

Applied choral conducting instruction is registered through the Voice Division Chair.

Applied instrumental conducting instruction is registered through the Instrumental Division Chair.

Curriculum Requirements

The following curricular requirements are stated in terms of minimum requirements for graduation. Additional courses may be elected in any semester in accordance with regulations concerning student load. Course substitutions are possible only when approved in advance by the associate dean for student affairs.

Sequence of Courses

Students must complete all required courses for graduation and should carefully follow the advice of their advisor. The program tracking sheet, available through Canvas and the Conservatory Office, should be reviewed every semester. All courses are not offered every year and it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all degree requirements are being met in a manner that allows for an on-time graduation. Failure to follow the prescribed sequence of courses or the advice of the advisor may result in a delayed graduation until all degree requirements are met.

Upon completion of MUTC 101 Introduction to Music Theory , students enrolled in all music curricula must remain continuously registered each fall and spring semester until the music theory sequence of MUTC 101 , MUTC 102 , MUTC 201  and MUTC 202  is completed.

General Education

Conservatory students must consult with their advisors and the undergraduate catalog when selecting courses to fulfill the university-wide general education requirement. Transfer students are exempt from FYS 101 Going Global: First-Year Seminar , but must still complete the general education requirements with an approved three-credit course from the Navigating Difference sphere.

Course Overloads

Students who wish to register for more than 18.5 credits per semester must secure permission from the coordinator of undergraduate advising. Students enrolled in their first semester of study may not register in overload. Thereafter, permission is granted only when the student has earned a grade point average of 3.0 or higher the previous semester.

Programs

• Dance (B.A.)
• Recording and Audio Arts (B.A.)

• Acting (B.F.A.)
• Dance (B.F.A.)
• Musical Theatre (B.F.A.)
• Theatre Design and Production, Costume Design Emphasis (B.F.A.)
• Theatre Design and Production, Lighting Design Emphasis (B.F.A.)
• Theatre Design and Production, Scenic Design Emphasis (B.F.A.)
• Theatre Design and Production, Stage Management Emphasis (B.F.A.)
• Theatre Design and Production, Technical Production (B.F.A.)
• Theatre Design and Production: Sound Design and Reinforcement Emphasis (B.F.A.)

• Church Music (B.M.)
• Composition (B.M.)
• Jazz Studies (B.M.)
• Music Education, Choral/General Applied Emphasis (B.M.)
• Music Education, Instrumental Classical Applied Emphasis (B.M.)
• Music Education, Instrumental Jazz Applied Emphasis (B.M.)
• Music Production and Recording Technology, Classical Applied Emphasis (B.M.)
• Music Production and Recording Technology, Jazz Applied Emphasis (B.M.)
• Musical Theatre Accompanying (B.M.)
• Performance, Guitar Applied Emphasis (B.M.)
• Performance, Organ Applied Emphasis (B.M.)
• Performance, Piano Applied Emphasis (B.M.)
• Performance, Voice Applied Emphasis (B.M.)
• Performance, Wind, String or Percussion Applied Emphasis (B.M.)

• Music Therapy, Classical Applied Emphasis (B.M.T.)
• Music Therapy, Jazz Applied Emphasis (B.M.T.)

• Church Music Certificate
• Songwriting Certificate

• Dance Minor
• Music Minor
• Theatre Minor

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