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Current Students

Being a College of Music student takes some planning. 
Below are resources to help you prepare and thrive in the pursuit of your degree at FSU.


Facilities

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Music Buildings

The College of Music occupies five buildings on the north-east corner of campus. The Housewright Music Building, the Kuersteiner Music Building, and the Longmire Building house faculty offices, classrooms, and recital halls. The Warren D. Allen Music Library and a state-of-the-art recording studio are also in the Housewright Music Building, while the Music Technology Resource Center can be found in the Kuersteiner Music Building.

Many undergraduate music majors choose to live together in the Music Living-Learning Center at Cawthon Hall. This residence hall, just a two-minute walk from the College of Music, houses up to 150 music students who attend class there. The Music Living-Learning Center has a group piano studio and music technology resource center, plus classrooms and rehearsal and practice spaces.

Performance Halls

The College operates five performance halls:

  • Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
  • Opperman Music Hall
  • Dohnányi Recital Hall
  • Lindsay Recital Hall
  • Longmire Recital Hall
  • See our Facilities Page for additional information about each hall, plus virtual tours (where available).
  • Performance Halls can be reserved by faculty and students by contacting Reese Cloud, HMU 112 (644-2705).
Practice Rooms

Practice rooms are located on the top floor of KMU and bottom floor of HMU. At night and on the weekends, practice rooms can only be accessed with an FSU Card registered to a music major. Piano principals and majors may reserve certain practice rooms by contacting Reese Cloud, 112 HMU (644-2705).

Instrument Library and Equipment Storage Office (IL)

We house just over 600 instruments and accessories, accommodating the needs of ensembles and individual student lessons with daily check-out and long-term loan. In addition to standard orchestral and band instruments, we lend items such as early music instruments, mandolins, an original Fender Rhodes piano, banjos, and accordions to support the diverse ensembles in the College of Music. IL also maintains instrument lockers for student use and assists in overseeing operations of the adjacent rehearsal spaces.

  • Instrument Check Out Procedures
    • A music student may check out an instrument for the methods courses in exchange for his/her FSU I.D. The instrument must be returned after the class is finished.
    • A Methods instrument may be checked out by a music student for practice in exchange for his/her FSU I.D. The instrument must be returned that same day. (Certain restrictions apply as to which instruments may be checked out – please see I.S. staff for specifics).
    • Methods instruments may be checked out overnight by music students. Students are required to fill out an information sheet before borrowing an instrument (leaving an FSU I.D. is not required for overnight usage). The instrument cannot be checked out overnight until 2:30pm each dayand must be brought back by 8:00am the following morning.
    • Any student wishing to check out an instrument for an entire semester, or for an extended period of time, must obtain a signature by the relevant professor of that particular instrument and fill out an information sheet. (Certain restrictions apply; please contact the instrument storage manager for inquiries).
      • If an instrument is left unattended in any room, the student will lose his/her instrument check out privileges.
      • Note: Instrument library staff members have the authority to override policies if necessary depending on the situation. Please see the Instrument Library Manager or any of the I.L. Staff for further details and questions regarding these policies.
  • Music Stand Check Out Procedures
    • A music student may check out a stand in exchange for his/her FSU I.D. The stand must be returned on the same day before we close. (Please refer to our hours posted on the door).
    • A student is never allowed to keep a stand overnight.
    • Failure to return a stand will result in a loss of stand check out privileges.
Music Technology Resource Center
  • 13 Apple iMacs and 16 touchscreen Dell computers
    • MIDI keyboards at each station
    • HD projector
    • Teaching computer studio quality speakers for playback
    • Available software:
      • DAW’s (ProTools, Cubase, Logic, Ableton)
      • MS Office
      • Notation software (Finale and Sibelius)
      • Pyware Marching Band software
      • The facility also hosts music technology related classes, and stands available to all faculty and staff upon request for presentations as well as a provided software and archival equipment (LP, scanning, VHS) for faculty and staff projects.
Lost and Found
  • HMU 202D (644-4649)
  • Band Office (HMU 101)
  • Music Library (HMU 090)
  • University Lost and Found is located in the second floor lounge of the Oglesby Union (644-6860).

General Academic Resources

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StudentsFirst Information Central (FSYOU!)

StudentsFirst Information Central (FSYOU!) contains a host of information about all facets of the University. Includes registration, bulletins, counseling, computing, financial aid and fees. From this site you can also get your schedule, pay tuition and fees, get an unofficial grad check, check your financial aid status, check grades, request transcripts and update your career portfolio. This is an important website with which to become familiar!

Registrar’s Office

Registrar’s Office – Information specific to registration. Contains academic calendars, registration windows, and exam schedules. Links to the on-line course registration, course look-up system and the University Requirements page (to find classes that satisfy specific curricular requirements).

 

 

University Bulletins Online

Undergraduate Bulletin Online

  • The Undergraduate edition of the Florida State University General Bulletin (published annually in June) is a document that records the University’s policies, procedures, admission requirements, colleges, departments, course descriptions, and more for undergraduate students.

Graduate Bulletin Online

  • The Graduate edition of the Florida State University General Bulletin (published annually in August) is a document that records the University’s policies, procedures, admission requirements, colleges, departments, course descriptions, and more for graduate students.
Undergraduate Studies

Undergraduate Studies – Links to Advising First, Office of National Fellowships, Degree in 3, transient student information and Academic Center for Excellence.

Graduate School

Graduate School – Supports graduate students in every program at the Florida State University. They provide assistance in academic matters, advice on University-wide degree requirements, information on the availability of financial assistance including assistantships, fellowships and scholarships, as well as approval for theses and dissertations.

On this website you can find descriptions and contact information for our office staff, links to academic policies, forms, and general resource information. You will also find links to activities designed to enrich your graduate student experience both academically and socially. This includes the New Graduate Student Orientation held at the start of the fall semester by the Graduate School; workshops/courses on successful teaching strategies, grant writing, ethics in research, and preparing future faculty; and special activities such as lectures, symposia, concerts, theatre, films, and sporting events.

 

FSU Student Handbook

FSU Student Handbook – Higher education is one of our society’s freest of institutions. The community standard at The Florida State University, which guides conduct and influences policy is called Responsible Freedom. Responsible Freedom acknowledges that you have the right to justice and public order as well as the responsibility to protect the rights and privileges of fellow community members at the University.

 

Distance Learning Opportunities
Testing Services
International (Study Abroad) Programs

Financial & Career Services

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Financial Aid
Federal Work Study Program

Federal Work Study Program – Work Study Employment programs provide students with valuable work experience, and the opportunity to earn funds to assist with educational expenses. FSU offers work study awards to students who demonstrate need through the FAFSA application process, and awards are made based on need and on a first applied/first awarded basis.

Career Center

Career Center – Florida State University offers its assistance in choosing a major or career. The FSU Career Center aids students in obtaining career experience prior to graduation and in job placement following graduation. Services include: Curricular-Career Information Services, Career Experience Opportunities, Career Placement, Career Expos, and more.

Health, Safety & Well-Being

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University Health Services

University Health Services – The primary source of information regarding Health Care Services for students and details and assistance regarding the immunization and Health Insurance requirements.

Health Insurance Requirement

Every full-time Florida State University student must show proof of comparable health insurance prior to registration once each year.

Health Insurance Subsidy for Graduate Assistants and Fellows

Select graduate assistants and fellows will be provided a health insurance subsidy towards the purchase of the university sponsored health insurance plan. The subsidy will be disbursed by semester (fall; spring/summer).

For questions concerning Graduate Student Health Insurance Subsidy policies and procedures, please refer to The University Graduate School website or contact Brian Barton, bbarton@fsu.edu, at 644-3501. For questions concerning the university-sponsored health insurance plan please refer to the Student Health Center’s website or call 644-6230.

Special Needs Resources
Musician Specific Health Resources

Below are some helpful resources to keep your health in optimum condition during your tenure at the College of Music:

Counseling Services
  • Student Counseling Center
  • Psychology Clinic
  • Marriage and Family Therapy Center
  • Human Services Center
  • College of Human Sciences
    • Assists individuals and families with nutritional, financial, housing, and interpersonal problems. Information about clothing for the elderly and disabled and meal planning and nutrition for people with weight problems or those on restricted diets is provided.
  • The Women’s Pavilion
    • Located at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Offers numerous services to women including counseling workshops on assertiveness, self-esteem, body image, parenting, and other health and personal issues.
  • Tallahassee Counseling and Referral Service (TCRS)
    • Help Line 24: 224-NEED
    • Family Health Line: 800-451-BABY
  • AIDS Counseling
    • (English) 800-352-2437
    • (Spanish) 800-545-7432
    • (Haitian-Creole) 800-243-7101
    • (Hearing Impaired) 1-888-503-7118 (TDD)
  • Alcohol and Drug Abuse
  • Student Rights and Responsibilities
  • Health Promotion Center
  • Alcohol Use and Abuse (SOW 3701)
    • A two credit-hour course offered by the School of SocialWork. It examines physiological, sociological, and psychological aspects.
  • Community Resources
    • AIDS Hotline: 1-800-FLA-AIDS
    • Alcoholics Anonymous: 224-1818
    • FSU Women’s Center: 644-6453
    • Telephone Counseling and Referral: 224-6333
    • Refuge House and Rape Crisis: 681-2111
    • Apalachee Center for Human Services: 487-2930
    • Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-500-1119
    • Florida Inpatient Drug Rehab Clinics: http://www.rehabs.com/local/florida/
Student Safety
  • FSU Seminole Safety Guide
    • Includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The report also contains statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off campus buildings or property owned or controlled by The Florida State University; and on public property within or immediately adjacent and accessible from the campus. Additionally, the Safety Guide has added features regarding FSU’s preparedness for critical incidents and severe weather.
  • Student Alert Force and Escort Service (SAFE)
  • The Blue Light Trail
  • Department of Public Safety
  • Victim Advocacy Program
Community Safety Resources

All Emergencies – 911

FSU Police Dept. – 644-1234

Tallahassee Police Dept. – 891-4200

Rape Crisis Center – 681-2111

FSU Women’s Center – 644-6453

Student Life at the College of Music

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Ensembles

Ensembles are an important part of student life at the College of Music.  Whether attending the performances or performing in one of our many ensembles, there are many opportunities for students to enrich their musical experiences.  There are more than 50 ensembles to choose from and concerts throughout the year.  To view information on our ensembles, including contact and audition information please check out our Ensembles Page.

Competitions

Doctoral Concerto Competition

The Doctoral Concerto Competition takes place in April and is open to doctoral candidates who have completed at least two of the required degree recitals prior to the competition date. The winner of the competition performs with the University Symphony Orchestra. An announcement with the competition date and application instructions is posted and distributed at the beginning of the spring semester. For more information contact Prof. Jiménez at ajimenez@fsu.edu.

FSU Orchestral Composition Competition

The FSU Orchestral Composition Competition provides FSU student composers with the opportunity to have an original orchestral work performed by the University Symphony Orchestra or the University Philharmonia and to provide each orchestra with the experience of performing a new composition while working with the composer. Any FSU student currently enrolled in the composition program is eligible for the competition. Winners from the previous year are not eligible. Compositions submitted in previous years that were not chosen for performance may be resubmitted. A pre-screening committee selects approximately five scores for each division to pass on to the Director of Orchestras. A selection committee comprised of the Director of Orchestras and orchestral conducting graduate assistants evaluates and selects the winning works.
For application information, please contact Dr. Evan Jones, coordinator of composition and theory.

Young Artists Competition

The Young Artists Competition (YAC) is open to juniors, seniors, and master’s keyboard, wind/percussion, and string area students enrolled in a faculty studio. Each of the three areas will, as necessary, conduct a preliminary round of auditions early in the fall semester of each year and may advance up to three candidates to perform in the final audition round. The final round takes place in November and the winner performs with the University Philharmonia during the spring semester of the same academic year. Information regarding the date and time of the final round is distributed to the area coordinators at the beginning of the fall semester and distributed via the coordinators to the applied faculty.

Guidelines:

  1. Memorization requirements are set by each individual area and those area requirements will be observed during the final round.
  2. The student will perform the principal movement of his/her selected work for both the preliminary and final rounds. Winners are expected to perform the entire work for performance with the Philharmonia.
  3. Students must supply their own accompanist for both rounds, which may not be their applied teacher.
  4. Each area sets its own guidelines for jury selection of the preliminary round. For the final round the jury consists of the Director of Orchestral Activities and four additional jurors from outside the areas represented in the finals.
  5. The Director of Orchestras reserves the right to disqualify a work if the work is not available for rental or purchase. In the event a student chooses to perform a non-standard work, it is advisable to inquire with the Director of Orchestras prior to the preliminary round about the feasibility of performing said work.

Jobs

Part-time jobs in the Tallahassee community and FSU campus are posted by the Student Financial Aid Office on campus. Occasionally, the Graduate Music Office will receive notification of part-time jobs appropriate for graduate music students. Openings of this nature are posted on the Graduate Bulletin Board next to HMU 204.

You may also visit the FSU Career Center for guidance with building your career portfolio and other job-related assistance: http://career.fsu.edu/

The Office of Music Publicity (HMU 213) keeps a publication of all students who wish to teach privately, perform for community activities, etc. People in the Tallahassee area often call to ask for these services. Interested students should fill out a Community Service Form in HMU 213.

Campus Life

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Off-Campus Housing
International Students
Veterans and Non-Traditional Students
Campus Ministries

The Interfaith Council at Florida State University is an organization of religious professionals (click here for a full listing of our associated faith communities) who have come together from a wide variety of religious traditions to share a common interest in the free expression of religious faith in the life of the university.