Independent Study – Department of Music

Independent Study (I.S.) requirements vary by degree and emphasis. Double majors should also consult the Double Majors section below.

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music

In these degrees, the form of I.S. depends on area of emphasis.

Your I.S. consists of recitals:

Junior I.S.
- Hour lessons weekly
  - Register for MUSC 40100, which provides your one-hour weekly lessons.
  - Do not register separately for applied lessons.
- Half recital (25–30 minutes of music)
  - Repertoire determined with the primary teacher. Works from diverse periods, styles, and genres are encouraged.
  - Requires pre-recital jury approval
  - See “Student Recitals” for scheduling and jury information
- Letter grade from advisor
Senior I.S.
- Hour lessons weekly
  - Register for MUSC 45100 (in fall) and MUSC 45200 (in spring). They provide your one-hour weekly lessons.
  - Do not register separately for applied lessons.
- Full recital (45+ minutes of music)
  - Repertoire determined with the primary teacher. Works from diverse periods, styles, and genres are encouraged.
  - Requires pre-recital jury approval
  - See “Student Recitals” for scheduling and jury information
- I.S. grade (Honors, Good, Satisfactory, or No Credit) from faculty committee: advisor (40%), two others (30% each)

B.A. students must also write a paper

Advised by I.S. advisor
10+ page paper, topic determined with advisor
- Research paper on a musicological and/or theoretical aspect of recital repertoire
- Thorough program notes for the recital
- Extended reflection on the process of preparing the recital and what was learned
- A week-by-week reflective practice log compiled over the course of the year
I.S. grade (Honors, Good, Satisfactory, or No Credit) from faculty committee: advisor (40%), two others (30% each)
- Paper counts 20% of total I.S. grade, which is calculated by Chair
- Must earn Satisfactory on paper needed for I.S. Honors
Submit digital copy to Administrative Coordinator
- Optional: submit copy to the Libraries’ Open Works website (see additional instructions here)

Your I.S. is a continuation of composition studies:

Junior I.S.
- Hour lessons weekly
  - Register for MUSC 40100, which provides your one-hour weekly lessons.
  - Do not register separately for composition lessons.
- Compose two smaller works
  - Length and medium determined with advisor
- Letter grade from advisor
Senior I.S.
- Hour lessons weekly
  - Register for MUSC 45100 (in fall) and MUSC 45200 (in spring). They provide your one-hour weekly lessons.
  - Do not register separately for composition lessons.
- Compose at least one large-scale work
  - Length, medium, and project timeline determined with advisor
  - Acoustic compositions require professional-quality notation
- I.S. grade (Honors, Good, Satisfactory, or No Credit) from faculty committee: advisor (60%), one other (40%)
- Public performance in Department is encouraged and typical
  - A valuable experience for both you and performers
  - Requires pre-recital jury approval
  - See “Student Recitals” for scheduling and jury information

Your I.S. consists of a thesis paper.

Junior I.S. (MUSC 40100)
- Choose an advisor 4+ weeks before the semester preceding Junior I.S. ends
  - The Chair can help recommend advisors.
- Weekly meetings with advisor
- Write a 30+ page thesis paper under the guidance of your advisor
- Letter grade from advisor
- Submit a copy to the Administrative Coordinator
Senior I.S. (MUSC 45100 in fall, MUSC 45200 in spring)
- Weekly meetings with advisor
- Write a 60+ page thesis under the guidance of your advisor
- I.S. grade (Honors, Good, Satisfactory, or No Credit) from faculty committee: advisor (60%), one other (40%)
- Submit copies to both:
  - The Administrative Coordinator
  - To the Libraries’ Open Works website (see additional instructions here)

Your I.S. can take many forms.

Junior I.S. (MUSC 40100)
- Choose an advisor 4+ weeks before the semester preceding Junior I.S. ends
  - The Chair can help recommend advisors.
- Weekly meetings with advisor
- Project designed with advisor and Chair
  - A written description of the project and its parameters will be placed in your Music file.
- Letter grade from advisor.
Senior I.S. (MUSC 45100 in fall, MUSC 45200 in spring)
- Weekly meetings with your advisor
- Project designed with advisor and Chair
  - A written description of the project and its parameters will be placed in your Music file.
- I.S. grade (Honors, Good, Satisfactory, or No Credit) from faculty committee: advisor (60%), one other (40%)
- Public performance in Department is encouraged and typical
  - Requires pre-recital jury approval
  - See “Student Recitals” for scheduling and jury information

Your I.S. consists of student teaching (MUSC 49600, MUSC 49700, MUSC 49800)

Typically second semester senior year
12 weeks full-time in public school, placement determined by advisor
I.S. grade (Honors, Good, Satisfactory, or No Credit) by your advisor in consultation with your supervising teacher(s).

Your I.S. consists of a clinical internship (MUSC 41000)

Takes place after commencement
6 months full-time at a facility approved by the American Music Therapy Association
Honors determined by Practicum grades