Student Information
Advising
It is important to see your advisor on a regular basis during the course of a degree program. If you are not sure who your advisor is, ask your applied music teacher or the supervisor of your area.
Applied Music
Students who intend to register for Applied Music Instruction (private lessons) must have instructor and Area Coordinator approval. You must get you CRN from the area coordinator. CRN's will be available at Fall and Winter juries. Each lesson lasts for a period of 10 weeks (or 10 private lessons). 
Applied Music Info 11-12.pdf
Declaring Music Majors
To declare or change your music major(s), you should refer to the list of music codes available in the Music Office to declare your music degree(s) with the PSU Admissions, Registrations, & Records Office. If you are a new or transferring student, you are required to apply and pass the Department Entrance Audition to be considered as a music major and/or minor. Audition is required when you are changing to a different music degree. Please consult with your Area Coordinators
Music Education
All students interested in Music Education or in getting teaching credentials should visit the PSU MENC Chapter site. It is very informative! GTEP Stands for Graduate Teacher Education Program. This is the program that students must complete to become certified to teach in the public schools of Oregon after they have gotten an undergraduate degree (BS, BA, or BM). It is a 4 - term program that begins either in the current summer or the spring. You must apply and be accepted. Currently 100% of graduates find jobs. Click HERE for more information.
Music Library Resources
Looking for research resources for music? Check the Library Music Research Guide amd the Naxos Music Library.
Performance Attendance
All undergraduate music majors/minors must register for Performance Attendance (MUS 188) and attend eight Noon Concerts each term. Each music major student must complete nine (9) terms of MUS 188; each music minor student must complete six (6) terms of MUS 188. The course is not offered during the summer term. MUS 188 Requirements
Piano Accompanists
Accompanist List 2011_2012.pdf
Piano Proficiency
All Music Majors, including piano majors and transfer students, must pass the piano proficiency exam.
Practice Rooms and Lockers for Music Major/Minor
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Practice Room Rental Fee: $30 per term.
Music majors/Minors: Practice room rental fee is mandatory and will be automatically charged to the student's account when they enroll in classes each term. Music majors/minors don't need to sign up for MUS 01 Practice Room Fee. Practice room access codes for music majors can be renewed at the end of the term and will stay active until June 15th as long as the student is still enrolled each term as a music major or minor.
Non-music majors: non-music major students may rent music practice rooms. Students must be enrolled in at least one music course or Applied Music (MUP). Practice Room Access codes expire at the end of each term.
Practice rooms are limited and therefore only available to PSU students currently enrolled in music courses. The Music Staff will verify enrollment and major/minor status.
- Locker Rental Fee: $75 per academic year (Fall/Winter/Spring) plus $50 refundable deposit.
Music Majors/Minors: To check out a locker, students must sign up for MUS 02 Locker Fee. To check out a large instrumental locker, you must show your instrument to the music staff. Only music majors and minors can rent lockers.
Key Deposit: $50
Students who are approved to check out key(s) must make a $50 key deposit to the Department of Music office. Key deposits are refunded if all keys are returned by the posted deadline. All keys are issued through PSU Facilities Office and it may take up to one week for the key to be available for pick up.
LOST KEYS If you lose your key(s), you lose your $50 deposit. To get a replacement key at Facility Office, 1) you will be required to make an additional $50 key deposit to the Department of Music; 2) Facility Office will also bill your student account for an additional amount of $50. If you lose your keys twice, you are no longer authorized to have any keys.
Recital Program Example
SOAP
Student Opera at PSU is a student run club that provides extra curricular support and training to student singers. It also is working to raise awareness of opera in the PSU and greater Portland communities. SOAP has a proud tradition of providing free opera tickets, master classes, workshops and performance opportunites for PSU students. It welcomes involvement by all students, seeking a high level of craft and excellence in its projects, but working to maintain a supportive comminity that has fun. SOAP empowers students to organize their own projects beyond those available through the PSU departmental programs. For more information, write soap@pdx.edu.
Upper Division Examination/Level Change
Students who completed two years of undergraduate study at PSU Department of Music and/or wish to change their MUP level are required to complete the Upper Division Examination. Click here for the UpperDivisionExamination11_12.pdf
Wellness
The Department of Music at Portland State University is committed to providing information regarding hearing, vocal and musculoskeletal health and injury prevention.
The Coordinate Movement Program, established in 2001, offers wellness classes, private lessons and information about community referrals to all musicians. Check here for more information on wellness classes PSU offers: Department of Music Wellness Classes.pdf
If are currently seeking a Portland-area medical professional who can assist with a music related concern, check here: Wellness Referrals.pdf
Student Ensembles
No other institution in the state offers so many performing opportunities to young musicians
With the Portland Center for the Performing Arts (PCPA) and other performance venues nearby, students enjoy many opportunities to hear the finest musicians in the world. Students gain practical performance experience by participating with many professional and pre-professional groups including Portland Opera, Portland Symphonic Choir, Oregon Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Musical Theater Company, and the Portland Youth Philharmonic. No other institution in the state offers so many opportunities for young musicians.
PSU Guitar Ensemble
The PSU Guitar Orchestra studies and performs classical repertoire carefully selected and created for a large, multiple-guitar orchestra. The group is primarily for classical guitar majors at PSU and is by audition only. For further information about the group or audition requirements please contact the director, Professor Bryan Johanson.
PSU New Music Ensemble
The PSU New Music Ensemble, conducted by Ken Selden, performs music of the past 25 years by major contemporary composers from all over the world. The Ensemble also hosts an annual Composition Competition. Audition is required. For more information, please email kselden@pdx.edu.
PSU Symphony Orchestra
The PSU Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ken Selden, performs a broad range of symphonic repertoire. Under his direction, the PSU Symphony has received three awards in Adventurous Programming from ASCAP and the League of American Orchestras. Recent guest artists with the orchestra include Manuel Barrueco, Matt Haimovitz, Anna Polonsky, Awadagin Pratt and Orli Shaham, as well as PSU faculty members Hamilton Cheifetz, Carol Sindell and Richard Zeller. The PSU Symphony also performs annually with the PSU Opera Theatre and The Portland Ballet. The orchestra is open to music majors and non-majors by audition. For more information please go to http://psusymphony.wordpress.com or email kselden@pdx.edu.
PSU Chamber Choir
The nationally and internationally acclaimed PSU Chamber Choir is the premier choral ensemble at Portland State University. Comprised of 32 talented singers, the Chamber Choir performs music at the highest level of choral artistry, with a focus on music composed in the 20th and 21st Centuries. Participation in the Chamber Choir is open to all PSU students, regardless of major, but requires a considerable amount of skill and previous choral experience, as well as a commitment to hard work and musical excellence. An audition is required.
PSU University Choir
The University Choir is a select group of 50-60 singers, and is open to PSU students of all majors. With its focus on education, the University Choir performs a wide range of choral music from all style periods. The University Choir is the ideal place for voice and music education majors beginning university-level study, music majors who are new to singing, or non-music majors with choral experience. An audition is required.
Portland State University Wind Symphony Band
The Portland State University Wind Symphony enjoys a reputation of excellence. By audition, the Wind Symphony has made recent regional appearances at the College Band Director's Association Conference and the Oregon Music Educator's Conference. The ensemble is comprised of music majors, non-majors and includes select graduate students. Membership is selected by audition. Under the direction of Dr. Edward Higgins, the ensemble emphasizes musical performances that perpetuate the finest wind literature.
Portland State University Concert Band
The Portland State University Concert Band is open to any PSU student interested in refining their music skills inside the Symphonic Band setting. The ensemble is a non- auditioned ensemble made up of both music majors and non-music majors.
