Request Information
Ready to find out what MSU Denver can do for you? We’ve got you covered.
Music Student Resources: General Information
Advising for Music Majors and Minors
Regular advising is essential to progressing through a music degree, which is why every music student (declared major or minor) is assigned a music faculty advisor during the first semester of music study. This faculty advisor assignment remains the same throughout the course of obtaining a music degree.
If you are unsure of who your assigned music faculty advisor is, contact Christine Devine in the Music Office, [email protected].
Students enrolled in private lessons must also attend their instrument’s weekly Performance Class, and must concurrently enroll in MUS 0020: Recital Attendance.
MUS 0020 Recital Attendance is a zero-credit pass/fail course that requires students attend at least 10 concerts every semester, of which 6 are mandatory Music Department Convocations.
Our generous donors provide many different scholarships to music students. Each of the music scholarships has unique criteria for eligibility. Applications are available online every fall and must be submitted by the given deadline.
If awarded, the scholarship is applied to the fall and spring semester of the academic year in which the student applied. Eligibility requirements for each scholarship must be met at the time of application and at the time of disbursement.
Music at MSU Denver takes special care in providing music students resources for physical and mental health. The Health Center at Auraria provides medical services and easily accessible medical and health education services to all students, faculty, and staff of the Auraria Campus. The MSU Denver Counseling Center offers students free individual counseling services, support groups, and mental health workshops. The MSU Denver Access Center provides students with disabilities the academic accommodations and auxiliary aids necessary to ensure equal access to all of MSU Denver’s programs, activities, and services. The Healthy Pursuits program offers a wide range of free mind/body physical activity classes that provide techniques for relaxation, stress-reduction, and improving posture and physical coordination.
Music at MSU Denver often brings in medical specialists and physical therapists to educate students on healthy practices within the music profession. Past workshops have included lectures on Alexander Technique and avoidance of performance-related injury by members of the Performing Arts Medicine Association.
As part of their initial lesson experience and throughout their studies, students receive instruction from their private instructor and/or ensemble director on vocal, neuroskeletal, and hearing health, as well as information pertaining to resources for mental health. Students who have concerns about their vocal, neuroskeletal, or hearing health should discuss this with their private instructor, their ensemble director, their area director, or the department chair for evaluation and possible further referral for medical evaluation. Students who have concerns about their mental health should discuss this with the Access Center or the Counseling Center. Private instructors, ensemble directors, area directors, and the department chair will refer students to these resources.
A student who is diagnosed with a vocal, neuroskeletal, or hearing injury connected to the study of their instrument and presented with a rehabilitation plan from their medical specialist should discuss this with their private instructor, area director, ensemble director, and/or the department chair in order to determine if their academic instruction can serve the same goals as their treatment plan or if the student should defer academic study. Students who feel that accommodations can be made for their course of music study should contact the Access Center.
Hearing Health
The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) have developed a comprehensive overview of hearing health issues, addressing the risk of noise-induced hearing loss, a widespread and serious public health issue for musicians and others.
The Music Student Handbook
Music at MSU Denver's Student Handbook provides important information and policies for all declared Music Majors and Minors.
Music Department Student Handbook (PDF)Music Student Exam Guidelines
Music Theory Placement Exam Level Guidelines
View PDFClass Piano Exam Guidelines
View OptionsPRAXIS Guidelines
View PDFMusic Student Clubs and Organizations
National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
The National Association for Music Education is to advance music education by encouraging the study and making of music by all. MSU Denver maintains an active collegiate chapter of NAfME and travels yearly to the Colorado Music Educators Association conference in Colorado Springs. For more information, contact Music Education coordinator Carla Aguilar ([email protected]).
Music Activities Committee (MAC)
The Music Activities Committee (MAC) is comprised of one student member from each of the performance areas. MAC meets with the Chair of the Music Department to evaluate and award financial support to various projects that benefit student learning in the music department. Students are nominated to be a member of the Music Activities Committee by their performance area coordinators.
American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
Founded in 1959, the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) is a nonprofit music-education organization whose central purpose is to promote excellence in choral music through performance, composition, publication, research, and teaching. In addition, ACDA strives through arts advocacy to elevate choral music’s position in American society. MSU Denver maintains an active collegiate chapter of ACDA. For more information, contact MB Krueger ([email protected]).
Pi Kappa Lambda
MSU Denver has maintained a chapter of the National Music Honor Society Pi Kappa Lambda since 2010. Students are voted in by faculty during their final semester based on GPA and other outstanding qualities. For more information, contact Cherise Leiter, ([email protected]).