Borrowing an instrument
Declaring a major or minor
Health
Juries
Lockers
Music Practicum
Music theory AP test
Performance
Practice rooms
Scholarship conditions

Can I borrow an instrument?

Students who are enrolled in a Wittenberg ensemble may borrow an instrument at no cost. Please contact the conductor of Wittenberg Symphonic Band and Wittenberg Chamber Orchestra: Dr. Brandon Jones (bjones@wittenberg.edu).

How do I declare a music major or music minor?

To declare a major in music, print this Declaration of Major form and take it to the Music Department office (Krieg Hall). It is quite a simple form, with just a few lines to fill in. Here is the Declaration of Minor form.

Health concerns for musicians

We greatly value the health and safety of our students and faculty. Such concerns should come to the fore when practicing, performing, and listening to music. By knowing and following proper procedures, hearing damage can be avoided, vocal and musculoskeletal health can be safeguarded, and we can avoid injuries from dangerous materials and equipment. We recommend that you visit and read carefully the information presented on avoiding performance injuries, safeguarding hearing, proper instrument “hygiene,” and much more, presented on web sites prepared by Northern Illinois University and Western Connecticut State University. These two sites do an excellent job of covering repetitive motion injuries (a risk for instrumentalists), vocal health, cleaning instruments, hearing loss due to loud sounds, and much more. Have questions? Ask your applied teacher or ensemble director!

Health and safety depend in large part on the personal decisions of informed individuals. Institutions have health and safety responsibilities, but fulfillment of these responsibilities cannot and will not ensure any specific individual’s health and safety. Too many factors beyond any institution’s control are involved. Individuals have a critically important role and each is personally responsible for avoiding risk and preventing injuries to themselves before, during, and after study or employment at an institutions. It is the responsibility of students, staff, and faculty to report conditions and practices that are hazardous to health and safety to the department chair and administrative assistant.

What are juries?

At the end of each semester of study, every applied music student is required to perform for a small “jury” of faculty. Ask your applied teacher about scheduling. During a semester in which a student performs a full or half recital, a teacher may decide not to require a student to do a jury performance.

Are lockers available? How do I reserve a practice room?

Visit the music office if you need a locker or practice room. A locker is available for a fee of $5.00 per academic year. (The cost is due to expense the department incurs to change the locks each year.) You may sign up for a practice room, also for a non-refundable $5.00 fee for the academic year. Each practice room is shared by 3-5 students. (Use the signup sheet on the door to schedule a practice time.) Practice rooms with grand pianos are reserved for piano majors. Practice rooms may not be used as storage space. Three practice rooms (203B, 203C, 205B) are kept open and are available at no cost.

In case demand is especially high, priority for lockers and practice rooms will be given in this order: (1) music majors, (2) music minors, (3) students with music scholarships who are neither majors nor minors. Krieg Hall (the music building) is locked at 10:00 pm. To gain access to the building after this time, contact campus security (and have your Witt ID available).

What is Music Practicum?

Attending concerts is essential for all musicians. Music Practicum (Music 199), a non-credit course required for music majors, entails attendance at least 30 music events (concerts, recital, clinics) each academic year. When you declare a music major, be sure to enroll in Music 199 beginning the next semester. Consult the Concert Calendar for events. Chapel events with a significant amount of music will also count, up to three per year. Music Practicum is waived during the semester a BME student is student teaching.

• A sign-up sheet will be available at on-campus Music Department events. To receive credit, you need to arrive on time, sign in, and not leave early. (Or simply perform as part of the event!)
• Fall usually has fewer events than spring. If you attend at least 10 events in fall, you will receive an “S” grade for fall, and then 20 events will then be required for spring.
• For non-department events, submit a program or ticket stub to the music office.
• Credit for 2 events is given for participation in choir tour and for participation in the OPCICA (Ohio Private College Instrumental Conductors Association) Honors Band. Credit for up to 5 events is given for attending concerts at the yearly OMEA (Ohio Music Educators) conference.

AP test in music theory

With a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Music Theory test, you will receive 4 credits for Music 102 (Basic Music Theory and Skills, the first music theory course required for the music major) with grade of S (satisfactory). Therefore, you would begin the sequence of theory/skills courses required for the music major with Music 155 & 156, rather than Music 102.

Performance Opportunities

Want to perform? You can do so on one of our monthly General Student Recitals (see our Concert Calendar), in a junior/senior recital, as a member of one of our ensembles, or off campus (for example in an elementary school or nursing home).

Scholarship conditions

To maintain a talent-based scholarship in music, a student must fulfill these conditions.

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