The freshman-year curricula are practically identical for all degrees within the school, giving students one academic year in which to make a final decision regarding their program. Changes in program and courses, or in major and secondary instrument or voice, require the approval of the adviser, department chair, and assistant dean. All private lesson registration and preregistration is through the music office only. A class section usually consists of eight students.
All music students attend one repertory class each week conducted by the major performance teacher.
All full-time students in the School of Music are required to attend 10 ensemble, faculty, or guest artist recitals or master classes each semester. In addition, they are required to attend 5 student recitals. As part of this requirement, students are encouraged to attend the weekly student recitals normally held on Fridays. The assistant dean will determine how this policy applies to transfer students. All other students must meet the requirement for six semesters.