Auditions for the Composition Concentration

• Students must audition and be accepted into the Composition concentration no later than the end of their fourth semester at Humboldt for native Humboldt students, or by the end of their first semester at Humboldt for transfers, or by the end of their first semester as a Music Major for native students who change their major to music after completing four semesters at Humboldt.
• Students auditioning for the composition concentration submit an application and a portfolio of compositions to Dr. Brian Post, head of the composition area.  Part of the student’s application for these concentrations will be an academic plan that demonstrates that the student can complete all degree requirements within the next four semesters. 
• As part of the application for the composition concentration, students must demonstrate that they are making good progress towards completing all degree requirements – especially the theory, ear training, and piano class requirements.  Once accepted into the program, students must continue to make good progress toward completing all degree requirements.  Students who are unable to meet this standard will complete their degrees in the Music Studies Concentration.  Good progress towards the degree is defined as maintaining an overall GPA of at least 2.5 and having completed at a minimum:
• Intro to Music, Music Fundamentals, Piano I, and at least 12 units of GEAR courses (four 3-unit courses) by the end of the student’s second semester as an Humboldt Music Major
• At least two of Theory I, Ear Training I, Piano II, and at least 18 units of GEAR courses (six 3-unit courses) by the end of the student’s third semester as an Humboldt Music Major
• At least two of Theory II, Ear Training II, Piano III, and at least 24 units of GEAR courses (eight 3-unit courses) plus all of Theory I, Ear Training I, and Piano I by the end of the student’s fourth semester as an Humboldt Music Major
• At least two of Theory III, Ear Training III, Piano IV, and at least 30 units of GEAR courses (ten 3-unit courses) plus all of Theory II, Ear Training II, and Piano III) by the end of the student’s fifth semester as an Humboldt Music Major
• At least two of Theory IV, Ear Training IV, and at least thirty-six units of  GEAR courses (twelve 3-unit courses) (plus all of Theory III, Ear Training III, and Piano IV) by the end of the student’s sixth semester as an Humboldt Music Major
• At least forty-two units of GEAR courses (fourteen 3-unit courses), plus Music History to 1750 and Conducting (plus all of Theory IV, Ear Training IV, and Piano IV) by the end of the student’s seventh semester as an Humboldt Music Major

Auditions for the Performance Concentration

See the specific requirements for the Performance Concentration beginning on page 29 of the Music Student Handbook.

• Students must audition and be accepted into the Performance concentration no later than the end of their fourth semester at Humboldt for native Humboldt students, or by the end of their first semester at Humboldt for transfers, or by the end of their first semester as a Music Major for native students who change their major to music after completing four semesters at Humboldt.
• Auditions for the Performance Concentration will occur during finals week of each semester.  The auditions will be 15 minutes long and will include, scales and/or technical exercises as appropriate for the student’s performing area, sight reading, and solo repertoire and/or etudes and/or orchestral excerpts as appropriate for the student’s performing area. 
• Students auditioning for the performance concentration submit an application to the Music Department Chair.  Part of the student’s application for these concentrations will be an academic plan that demonstrates that the student can complete all degree requirements within the next four semesters. 
• As part of the application for the composition concentration, students must demonstrate that they are making good progress towards completing all degree requirements – especially the theory, ear training, and piano class requirements.  Once accepted into the program, students must continue to make good progress toward completing all degree requirements.  Students who are unable to meet this standard will complete their degrees in the Music Studies Concentration.  Good progress towards the degree is defined as maintaining an overall GPA of at least 2.5 and having completed at a minimum:
• Intro to Music, Music Fundamentals, Piano I, and at least 12 units of GEAR courses (four 3-unit courses) by the end of the student’s second semester as an Humboldt Music Major
• At least two of Theory I, Ear Training I, Piano II, and at least 18 units of GEAR courses (six 3-unit courses) by the end of the student’s third semester as an Humboldt Music Major
• At least two of Theory II, Ear Training II, Piano III, and at least 24 units of GEAR courses (eight 3-unit courses) plus all of Theory I, Ear Training I, and Piano I by the end of the student’s fourth semester as an Humboldt Music Major
• At least two of Theory III, Ear Training III, Piano IV, and at least 30 units of GEAR courses (ten 3-unit courses) plus all of Theory II, Ear Training II, and Piano III) by the end of the student’s fifth semester as an Humboldt Music Major
• At least two of Theory IV, Ear Training IV, and at least thirty-six units of  GEAR courses (twelve 3-unit courses) (plus all of Theory III, Ear Training III, and Piano IV) by the end of the student’s sixth semester as an Humboldt Music Major
• At least forty-two units of GEAR courses (fourteen 3-unit courses), plus Music History to 1750 and Conducting (plus all of Theory IV, Ear Training IV, and Piano IV) by the end of the student’s seventh semester as an Humboldt Music Major

Application, Auditions, and Interviews for the Music Education Concentration

See the specific requirements for the Music Education Concentration in the Music Student Handbook.

• Students must audition and be accepted into the Performance concentration no later than the end of their fourth semester at Humboldt for native Humboldt students, or by the end of their first semester at Humboldt for transfers, or by the end of their first semester as a Music Major for native students who change their major to music after completing four semesters at Humboldt.
• Auditions for the Music Education Concentrations will occur during finals week of each semester.  The auditions will be 15 minutes long and will include, scales and/or technical exercises as appropriate for the student’s performing area, sight reading, and solo repertoire and/or etudes and/or orchestral excerpts as appropriate for the student’s performing area. 
• Students auditioning for the Music Education Concentration submit an application to audition to the Music Department Chair.  Part of the student’s application for these concentrations will be an academic plan that demonstrates that the student can complete all degree requirements within the next four semesters. 
• Students applying for the Music Education Concentration will also submit a different application to Dr. Paul Cummings, the head of the Music Education Area.  This application will be due no later than one month prior to the Music Education Audition.   Submission of the Music Education application will result in the scheduling of a Music Education entrance Interview, which will be held before the Music Education audition.  Students must successfully complete the Music Education interview before they audition for the Music Education Concentration. 
• As part of the application for the composition concentration, students must demonstrate that they are making good progress towards completing all degree requirements – especially the theory, ear training, and piano class requirements.  Once accepted into the program, students must continue to make good progress toward completing all degree requirements.  Students who are unable to meet this standard will complete their degrees in the Music Studies Concentration.  Good progress towards the degree is defined as maintaining an overall GPA of at least 2.7, no more than one permanent grade below C- in any music class, no grade below B- in any music education concentration class, and having completed at a minimum:
• Intro to Music, Music Fundamentals, Piano I, and at least 12 units of GEAR courses (four 3-unit courses) by the end of the student’s second semester as an Humboldt Music Major
• At least two of Theory I, Ear Training I, Piano II, and at least 18 units of GEAR courses (six 3-unit courses) by the end of the student’s third semester as an Humboldt Music Major
• At least two of Theory II, Ear Training II, Piano III, and at least 24 units of GEAR courses (eight 3-unit courses) plus all of Theory I, Ear Training I, and Piano I by the end of the student’s fourth semester as an Humboldt Music Major
• At least two of Theory III, Ear Training III, Piano IV, and at least 30 units of GEAR courses (ten 3-unit courses) plus all of Theory II, Ear Training II, and Piano III) by the end of the student’s fifth semester as an Humboldt Music Major
• At least two of Theory IV, Ear Training IV, and at least thirty-six units of  GEAR courses (twelve 3-unit courses) (plus all of Theory III, Ear Training III, and Piano IV) by the end of the student’s sixth semester as an Humboldt Music Major
• At least forty-two units of GEAR courses (fourteen 3-unit courses), plus Music History to 1750 and Conducting (plus all of Theory IV, Ear Training IV, and Piano IV) by the end of the student’s seventh semester as an Humboldt Music Major
• Requests for an exception to any of the above policies will be considered by a committee consisting of three faculty members, including music education faculty and the instructor of any course under discussion. Transfer students will be held to the same grade standards and appeal policy.

• A minimum overall GPA of 2.7, as calculated by the Humboldt Registrar
• No more than one permanent* grade below C- in any music class

* A permanent grade is defined as the most recent grade posted by the registrar. In accordance with University policy, a course may be retaken to raise the grade to the acceptable standard.