School of Music STUDENT RESOURCES
Getting Started
To access the documents listed here, click on the corresponding link. It will open the document in a new browser window.
Most edit-able documents require Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat Reader to edit. Some .pdf documents are fillable, and all .pdf documents and are viewable in your browser window and available for download.
Are you a School of Music student yet? Want to become one?
If you're not yet a student in the Louisiana Tech University School of Music, it's not too late to apply!
All students who wish to major or minor in music must apply BOTH to the School of Music AND to Louisiana Tech University!
Visit music.latech.edu/audition for more information and to begin the application and audition process.
You can also text the word "Music" to 318-579-6587 for more information.
Academic Calendar
Check the Louisiana Tech University Academic Calendar for the most recent updates. The bottom of this page also contains the academic calendar.
You can also look ahead at future quarters here. Look at the left for the quarter and year.
Follow Us on Social Media
School of Music (and related) Social Media Accounts
Updated August 2020
Accounts listed in italics are student groups or are otherwise affiliated with the School of Music and its organizations, but they are not official accounts run by the SoM or the university.
Facebook
Twitter
School of Music (@LaTechMusic)
Band of Pride (@LaTechBOP)
LaTech Choirs (@latechchoirs)
Louisiana Tech Woodwind Studio (@TechWoodwinds)
LaTech Percussion (@LaTechPerc)
Louisiana Tech Concert Association (@TechLTCA)
KLPI 89.1 FM (@klpiradio)
LaTech NAfME (@LaTechNAfME)
Kappa Kappa Psi (@EtaXiLATech1919)
Louisiana Tech Music Society (@LTMS_official)
Phi Buda ruda: Phalam Stutter (@phalam_stutter)
Tau Beta Sigma - Zeta Phi (@ZetaPhiTBS1946)
TYBA - Alpha Chapter (@TYBA_Alpha)
Instagram
Music Student Handbooks
Music Curriculum Sheets
Bachelor of Arts in Music
Note: When viewing the .docx file for these documents in your browser, the formatting may appear incorrectly; please download the .docx file to your computer before opening.
Concentration in Music Education
Music Education (Instrumental) Curriculum Sheet (.docx)
Music Education (Vocal) Curriculum Sheet (.docx)
Music Education Required Course List (Instrumental & Vocal) (.pdf)
Concentration in Music Industry Studies
Music Industry Studies Curriculum Sheet (.docx)
Music Industry Studies Required Course List (.pdf)
Concentration in Music - Liberal Arts
Music - Liberal Arts Curriculum Sheet (.docx)
Music - Liberal Arts Required Course List (.pdf)
Concentration in Performance
Music Performance Curriculum Sheet (.docx)
Music Performance Required Course List (.pdf)
Minors in Music (effective Fall 2021 or later)
Minor in Music Curriculum Sheet (.docx)
Minor in Music Industry Studies Curriculum Sheet (.docx)
Minor in Music Required Course List (Music and Music Industry Studies) (.pdf)
2021 Curriculum Tune-Up Booklet & Video
Booklet and Video highlighting all of the curricular updates and changes in the School of Music can be found here.
Previous Curriculum Sheets for Music Concentrations and Minors
Concentration in Instrumental Music Education (Fall 2017 - Summer 2020)
Concentration in Vocal Music Education (Fall 2017 - Summer 2020)
Concentration in Performance (Fall 2017 - Summer 2021)
Concentration in Liberal Arts (Fall 2017 - Summer 2021)
Concentration in Music Industry Studies (Fall 2019 - Summer 2021)
Concentration in Instrumental Music Education (Winter 2021 - Summer 2021)
Concentration in Vocal Music Education (Winter 2021 - Summer 2021)
Minor in Music (Fall 2017 - Summer 2021)
Minor in Music Industry Studies (Fall 2019 - Summer 2021)
Advising and Academic Affairs
Policy on Taking 12+ Hours (College of Liberal Arts)
Curriculum Worksheets for Music Concentrations and Minors (2021)
Automatically calculates cumulative, major, and minor GPA, and provides lists of courses that meet each degree requirement.
Please visit our Curriculum Tune-Up website to find these worksheets.
Career Guides
Student Organizations in Music
Below is a list of the various music-related student organizations with chapters at Louisiana Tech University. Although these organizations primarily function to support the work of the School of Music and we are very fortunate to have them on campus, they are not officially affiliated with, nor endorsed by, the university. Inquiries regarding membership and activities should be made directly to the organization.
As with all other student organizations on campus, hazing will not be tolerated; for more information, see University Regulations Section 3.01:20 of the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Behavior.
Ever Loyal Music Group | Ever Loyal Records | Tech Yeah Records (2020)
On-campus Record Label
Ever Loyal Music Group is an on-campus practicum experience open to all current students at Louisiana Tech who are interested in the music industry. Ever Loyal Records is our jazz and classical label, and Tech Yeah Records covers pop, rock, country, EDM, and other popular genres.
Website - Coming Soon
Kappa Kappa Psi (KKΨ) - EX Chapter (1980)
National Band Fraternity for Men
Kappa Kappa Psi is a national honorary fraternity devoted to members of university and college bands. Its purposes are concerned with assisting with and promoting the activities of university and college bands on a local level and nationwide, as well as to honor outstanding members in the field of college band music. The first chapter was founded in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1919. The local chapter at Louisiana Tech is Eta Zi.
National Website | Chapter Website
KLPI 89.1 FM (1973)
On-campus Radio Station/Student Organization
KLPI is Louisiana Tech’s campus based, student-run,alt-rock radio station. Specialty Programming occurs from 8PM-Midnight, allowing student members to create and host both talk and musical shows.
Louisiana Tech Music Society (2019)
Student Organization
The purpose of the Louisiana Tech Music Society is to advocate and recruit for the School of Music, allow Louisiana Tech students and local Ruston musicians to express themselves through various genres of music, and to make our presence known campus-wide. Any student of Louisiana Tech with a love for music is welcome to join.
Music Teachers' National Association (MTNA) Student Chapter
National Music Education Organization
MTNA collegiate chapters work to enhance students’ classroom studies by providing educational, musical, social and professional experiences. Each chapter’s goal is to acquaint students with professional opportunities and career options in the music field, while developing professional leadership skills.
The National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
National Music Education Organization
NAfME is one of the largest arts education organizations in the world with more than 75,000 active, retired, and pre-service teachers. NAfME Collegiate at Louisiana Tech is our department's professional membership for future music educators. At Tech, NAfME Collegiate sponsors a variety of activities throughout the year designed to assist anyone with an interest in the field of music education.
Phi Buda ruda - Phalam Stutter Chapter (1993)
National Percussion Fraternity
Phi Buda ruda is a nationally-recognized professional percussion fraternity whose purpose is to further the fraternal relationship amongst percussionists, promote and teach the art of percussion, and instill a feeling of brotherhood across the nation.
National Website | Chapter Website
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (ΦΜΑ) - MN Chapter (1964)
National Social Music Fraternity for Men
Membership is open to all male students interested in music who have a 2.5 grade point average. According to the National Office, “The Object of this Fraternity shall be for the development of the best and truest fraternal spirit; the mutual welfare and brotherhood of musical students; the advancement of music in America and a loyalty to the Alma Mater. Sinfonians share a love of music that unites them as brothers with a common interest. The Fraternity teaches men to develop themselves and their art, not for the sake of art itself, but as a means of enriching the lives of others. Sinfonia provides many exciting opportunities for the development of social and leadership skills in an atmosphere of brotherhood and mutual support.”
National Website | Chapter Website
Sigma Alpha Iota (ΣAI) - EK Chapter (1969)
International Professional Music Fraternity for Women
Sigma Alpha Iota is an international scholastic music fraternity for women. It is an organization for women who have a sincere interest in music, who wish to uphold the highest standards of music and give inspiration and encouragement to its members. Requirements for membership include the completion of a minimum of one music course, a 2.5 GPA and have a recommendation from a music faculty member.
National Website | Chapter Website
Tau Beta Sigma (ΤΒΣ) - ΦZ Chapter
National Band Sorority
Tau Beta Sigma is a co-educational national honorary band sorority dedicated to serving college and band programs. The sorority operates primarily as a student service and leadership recognition society whose chief aim is to assist the Director of Bands in developing the leadership and enthusiasm that they require of their band. Our goals are not only to provide the band with organized and concentrated service activities, but to give our membership valid and wholesome experiences in organization, leadership, and social contacts.
Instruments and Equipment Forms
Jury Forms
- JURY FORMS
Your Instructor will let you know If you need to print or If you will turn In electronically.
Practicum Forms
- MIND Practicum Learning Outcomes and Agreement Form (to be completed and approved before registering for Practicum)
Internship Forms
- MIND Internship Agreement and Learning Outcomes Form (to be completed and approved before registering for Internship
Recital and Capstone Project Forms and Documents
- Student Recital Program Templates
Updated February 2022
Program Template Instructions (READ FIRST)
Instrumental Recital Program - 1 page
Instrumental Recital Program - 2 pages
Vocal Recital Program - 1 page
Vocal Recital Program -2 pages
(Note: this Word document may look strange in preview, but should be formatted correctly after download)
Music Technology
Writing About Music
Music Recordings
Louisiana Tech University provides its students with access to two (2) major online databases of recorded music:
Classical Music Library - Classical Music Library Streaming audio files (MPS or Windows Media 9) of tens of thousands of tracks of recorded orchestral, chamber, instrumental, vocal and choral music, opera and operetta, and music of the stage and screen, licensed from over 32 major labels, and searchable by composer, artist, conductor, ensemble, instrument, genre, period or label.
Naxos Music Library - Naxos Music Library Streaming audio files of over 85,000 tracks of Classical, Jazz, World, Folk and Chinese music from the Naxos, Marco Polo, and Da Capo catalogs. Media Player 9.0+ is required in addition to MS IE 6.0, Mozilla 1.7, Netscape 7.1 or Opera 7.53 on a PC (Windows 92SE/2000/XP/7) or Mac (OS 8.6+). Downloading or burning any of this music to compact disk is NOT permitted.
Click here to access these resources through the Prescott Memorial Library's website.
For more information regarding audio and/or video recordings of concerts, recitals, and other events in the School of Music, please e-mail music@latech.edu.
Copyright Information
from The Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices: Chapter 800
Note: Be sure to visit copyright.gov for the latest information about current copyright law in the United States.
Health and Safety Information for Musicians
Many of the items provided in the following list of resources were developed in part by our accrediting body, the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), in partnership with the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA). These resources are designed to provide essential information to help keep music students healthy and safe.
General Health
The Effects of Loud Noise on Musicians - New Orleans Musicians' Clinic & Assistance Foundation
Hearing Health
Protecting Your Hearing Health: Student Information Sheet on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss - NASM/PAMA
Protect Your Hearing Every Day: Information and Recommendations for Student Musicians - NASM/PAMA
Hearing Safety - Louisiana Tech Speech and Hearing Clinic
Occupational Noise Exposure - U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
How Loud Is Too Loud?
The amplitude (or volume) of a sound is measured in decibels (dB). As decibels increase, so does the risk of hearing damage. For every 3dB over 85dB, safe exposure time is reduced by half:
80 dB = 8 hours per day before hearing damage
83 dB = 4 hours per day
86 dB = 2 hours per day
89 dB = 1 hour per day
92 dB = 15 min. per day
101 dB = 4 min. per day
107 dB = 1 min. per day
PAINFUL & DANGEROUS (use hearing protection or avoid): 130-140 dB
Threshold of pain (140 dB)
Custom car stereos at full volume (140 dB)
Fireworks (140-150dB)
Gunshots (140-150 dB)
Jackhammers (130 dB)
Ambulances (130 dB)
UNCOMFORTABLE (dangerous over 30 seconds): 120-129 dB
SOUND OVER 120 dB FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME CAN CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING LOSS/IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE COCHLEA
Loudest possible sound (190 dB)
Eardrum bursts (160 dB)
Chest begins to vibrate (150 dB)
Rock Concert (140-150dB)
Jet planes (during take off) (140 dB)
Full Symphony Orchestras (at loudest sections of standard rep) (120-137 dB)
Amplifier (rock) (@4-6 ft.) (120 dB)
High-hat cymbal strike (120 dB)
Nightclub with music / Loud bar (110 dB)
VERY LOUD (dangerous over 30 minutes): 80-119 dB
Smartphones and .mp3 players at full volume (110-115 dB)*
Note: Earbuds can produce sound up to 9 dB louder than on- or over-the-ear headphones at the same volume setting on smartphones and .mp3 players. You should NEVER listen to your smartphone with headphones with the volume set beyond 75% of the default maximum level.
You can limit the volume level on your smartphone:
Marching Band (115 dB) - permanent hearing damage possible in 30 sec. with no earplugs
Drum Line (110 dB) - permanent hearing damage possible in less than 30 sec. with no earplugs
Concerts (of any genre) (110 dB)
Sporting events (110 dB)
Tympani and bass drum (peak) (106 dB)
Orchestra Pit (100 dB)
Oboe (peak) (95-112 dB)
Motorcycle (95-110 dB)
Concert Band (average volume) (93 dB)
Flute (peak) (92-103 dB)
Piccolo (peak) (90-106 dB)
(French) Horn (peak) (90-106 dB)
Lawnmowers and power tools (90 dB)
Hair dryers (90 dB)
Trombone (peak) 85-114 dB)
Cello (peak) (85-111 dB)
Clarinet (peak) (85-114 dB)
Piano Fortissimo (84-103 dB)
Violin (peak) (82-92 dB)
SOUND OVER 85 dB FOR EXTENDED PERIODS CAN CAUSE PERMANENT HEARING LOSS
Alarm clocks (80 dB)
Freight Train (@ 110 ft. away) (80 dB)
Chamber music in small auditorium (75-85 dB)
LOUD: 70-79 dB
Traffic (70 dB)
Noisy restaurant (70 dB)
Vacuums (70 dB)
Fortissimo singer (@ 3 ft.) (70 dB)
MODERATE: 50-69 dB
Piano practice (60-70 dB)
Normal conversation (60 dB)
Dishwasher (60 dB)
Moderate rainfall (50 dB)
SOFT: 30-49 dB
Quiet Library (40 dB)
Soft Whisper (@ 5 ft. away) (30 dB)
FAINT: 1-29 dB
Leaves rustling (20 dB)
SILENT (Threshold of Hearing): 0 dB
Neuromusculoskeletal Health
Protecting Your Neuromusculoskeletal Health - NASM/PAMA
Protecting Your Neuromusculoskeletal and Vocal Health Every Day - NASM/PAMA
Repetitive Stress and Strain Injuries: Preventative Exercises for the Musician - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America
Vocal Health
Protecting Your Vocal Health - NASM/PAMA
Taking Care of Your Voice - National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Teachers: Taking Care of Your Voice - National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Vocal Disorders - American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Medications and Adverse Vocal Effects - Nemr, Kátia, et al. 2018. Journal of Voice, 32(4), 515.e29-39.
Check your medications: do they affect your voice? - The National Center for Voice and Speech (NCSV)
Environmental Noise Can Lead to Vocal Strain and Damage
Be aware of the volume of your surroundings - the louder a space is, the louder you must speak (or yell) to be heard, which could lead to vocal damage. The scale below describes the ease with which a conversation at arm's length can occur:
0-60 dB: Easily hold a conversation without raising voice
25-80 dB: Conversation possible, but you may need to raise your voice to be heard
50-95 dB: Conversation difficult, and you may need to shout to be heard
75-95 dB: Conversation very difficult and may become painful after a short time
100+ dB: Conversation nearly impossible
Instrument Hygiene
Infection Control and Musical Instruments - Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals (Infections Disease Epidemiology Section)
Instrument Cleaning Guidelines and information - National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)
Instrument Hygiene - University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
Performance Anxiety
Music Perfomance Anxiety in Classical Musicans - What We Know About What Works - Matei & Ginsborg, May 2017. BJPsych International, 14(2):33-35. (NIH)
Overcoming Performance Anxiety among Music Undergraduates - Zakaria, Musib, & Shariff, 2012. Procedia: Social and Behavioral Sciences, 90(2013): 226-234.
Smoking
Smoking Cessation for Musicians - New Orleans Musicians' Clinic & Assistance Foundation
Dental Health
Dental Health and Musicians - New Orleans Musicians' Clinic & Assistance Foundation
Analysis of Wind Instruments on Orofacial Anatomy: A Review of Literature - Dixon and Chavez, 2019. Virginia Commonwealth University - VCU Scholars Compass. Poster.
Binge Drinking
Binge Drinking and Musicians - New Orleans Musicians' Clinic & Assistance Foundation
Health Insurance and Advocacy
American Federation of Musicians
Healthcare.gov - Affordable Care Act Marketplace
Health Insurance Navigation Tool (HINT) - Future of Music Coalition
MusicCares - Recording Academy (Grammy)
Community Resources
Please Note: Health and safety depend in large part on the personal decisions of informed individuals. According to our accrediting body, the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), "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 any institution. The NASM standards in this section and applicable guidelines below, and institutional actions taken under their influence or independently do not relieve the individual from personal responsibility for appropriate, prudent, and safe behavior or action, nor do they shift such responsibility and liability for the consequences of inappropriate, imprudent, and/or unsafe behavior or action in any instance or over time to any institution, or to NASM." See the health and safety section of the most current version of the National Association of Schools of Music Handbook for more details.