Music Opportunities for Non-Majors

The following lecture-based music courses are available for non-music majors/minors. No performing is required for these courses, and there are no required pre-requisites. 

MUGN 290: Music Appreciation (offered every quarter, including at least one summer session; honors section also available during the regular academic year)

MUGN 291: Global Popular Music

MUGN 292: Topics in American Popular Music 

Students who wish to learn to sing,  play an instrument, or write songs can register for the following courses: 

Class Lessons

No audition is required to register for the following courses:

MUAP 110: Intro to Songwriting (3 credits)
Prior music theory experience required; however, special permission to register can be given to talented lyricists by contacting Prof. Shayla
Blake (sblake@latech.edu).
MUGN 112: Beginning Piano (3 credits)
MUGN 132: Beginning Voice (3 credits)
MUGN 152: Beginning Guitar (3 credits)

Class lessons often fulfill the Fine Arts GER requirements for your degree; contact your academic advisor for more information.

Private Lessons

Applied private lessons are available to students for most instruments and voice parts, depending upon the availability of space in the faculty member's studio. All students who are interested in private lessons must schedule an audition with the corresponding studio faculty member before they are allowed to register (click on the instrument to send an e-mail to the instructor for more information or to schedule your audition):

Piano
Voice
Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, Acoustic Bass):
Guitar (Acoustic, Electric, Electric Bass):
Flute
Single and Double Reeds (Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Saxophone)
Trumpet
French Horn
Low Brass (Trombone, Euphonium/Baritone, Tuba)
Orchestral Percussion (timpani, marimba, snare, etc.)
Drum Set/Drum Kit

Please note that the university has a very limited number of instruments available for students to borrow for participation in private lessons, so students interested in lessons will likely need to have their own instrument to participate. 

Three quarters of private lessons often fulfill the Fine Arts GER requirements for your degree; contact your academic advisor for more information.

You do not need to be a music major or minor to participate in any of our ensembles!

All ensembles at Louisiana Tech University are open to non-major and minors; however, most require an audition. We currently offer the following ensembles:

• University Choir (*NO AUDITION REQUIRED*)

• Chamber Singers

• Band of Pride (marching band)

• Hoop Troop (basketball/pep band)

• Symphonic Wind Ensemble

• University Concert Band  (*NO AUDITION REQUIRED*)

• Jazz Ensembles

• Chamber Orchestra

• Guitar Ensemble

• Flute Ensemble

• Woodwind Ensemble

• Percussion Ensemble

• Popular Music Ensemble

For more information about our ensembles and audition requirements, please visit music.latech.edu/audition.  Scholarships are available to non-majors/minors for their service in some of our ensembles (contact the ensemble director for more details). 

Many of our music scholarships are available to non-majors who participate in our ensembles. Please see our list of available music scholarships for more information. 

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.

Website

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.

National Website

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.

National Website

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

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.

National Website

Students at Louisiana Tech University who are interested in music can minor in Music (General) or in Music Industry Studies. 

Students must apply before they are allowed to declare Music or Music Industry Studies as their minor. For more information about these minors, and to see the audition and/or application requirements for these minors, please visit music.latech.edu/audition. Once you have been accepted as a music minor, you will be assigned an academic advisor in the School of Music who will help you plan your minor course of study.  

See the most recent version of the Louisiana Tech University Catalog for any updates to the required courses for these minors.