Music Faculty Handbook

direct research, and serve on thesis and dissertation committees for students pursing pursing master’s, specialist 

specialist and doctoral degrees. With the approval of the graduate program director program  director and the

Graduate Council, a Regular Member may chair thesis and dissertation dissertation committees.         Those

chairing such committees should either have prior experience or work work with a a departmental mentor. 

mentor.  

D. Student Mentoring 

1. Undergraduate music students are assigned are assigned three-person person team, consisting of a professional advisor, a faculty mentor, and a student success specialist. This team provides comprehensive support from a student’s arrival at A-State through graduation, helping with enrollment, financial aid, campus involvement, and career opportunities. The faculty mentor is typically typically the major applied teacher. In some cases, the assigned advisor may be the area coordinator (e.g.  Voice, Keyboard Studies, Brass) and those seeking degrees in music education may be secondarily mentor secondarily mentor with the the appropriate supervisor supervisor (instrumental or vocal).  
2. The Fine Arts Advisor for Fine Arts is Imani Imani Udoumana.   She can be contacted in her her office, Humanities Humanities 2061, via phone (870) 972-3823, or by email at at iudoumana@astate.edu.  
3. Graduate students students are advised by the Music the Music Graduate Coordinator. 
4. General Music Department policies and degree information may be found in the Undergraduate the Undergraduate Music Student Handbook. See the A-State Academic Calendar for registration deadlines. 

E. Course OutlinesOutline & Syllabi 

1. Faculty must submit must submit their syllabi through Simple through Simple Syllabus. This can be found through Pack through Pack Portal, or directly through the Canvas shell for the class. Syllabi must be approved by the Department Chair before it shows up in the Canvas shell for students. Syllabi must be completed by the eleventh day of class each semester. All syllabi must align with specific university and department curricular descriptions and learning outcomes. 
2. Syllabi Instructions, examples of syllabi aligned with curriculum maps, and sample syllabi for undergraduate and graduate courses can be found at the found at the Office of Accreditation of Accreditation & Assessment Knowledge Base Simple Syllabus Page. page. 
3. Program Outcomes can be found inint thehe Department of Music Undergraduate and Graduate Music Student Handbooks. 

F. Collaborative Pianists 

The Music Department provides collaborative pianists for students for required lessons,  studio classes, and performances. There are, however, some cases where recorded tracks may may  be provided or in which a pianist cannot be guaranteed. Every student using a pianist, all all collaborative pianists, and all applied faculty members must agree to these terms and must must fill out the the Collaborative Pianist Contract  each semester. By acknowledging each point and and signing your name you agree to the collaborative pianist guidelines for that semester.    

Collaborative Pianist Guidelines are available in the Undergraduate and Graduate Music Music Student Handbook. Questions regarding Questions regarding these policies may be directed to Keyboard Area Area Coordinator, Dr. Lauren Schack Clark,  lsclark@astate.edu. 

G. Performance Applied Music Records 

1. Applied Lesson Record Form 
   

   An Applied Lesson Record must be kept for all music majors each semester. Sample Applied Lesson Records are available in available in the Microsoft Teams General Channel. Records may be kept electronically or on file. All information in the example form must be documented. 

2. Repertoire Sheet 
   Sheet 

   A complete record of repertoire and technical studies should be kept for all music majors by the applied instructor each semester.  Repertoire sheets should be submitted be submitted for area area 

   approval at the time of each student’s s upper level proficiency level proficiency and exit proficiency exit proficiency or recital. 

   Sample Applied Lesson Records are available in available in the Microsoft Teams General Channel. See See 

   Area Guidelines for information specific to the areas. 

3. Applied Area Guidelines 
   

   Each area of applied study (brass, keyboard, percussion, strings, voice, and woodwinds) must provide guidelines including information regarding information regarding repertoire/technique requirements, juries,  proficiencies, program admittance, and recitals. The performance expectation for various levels of study within each degree program must be specified (lower, upper  upper or graduate level level 

   for secondary or major applied study). 

H. Speech Proficiency Exam Option 

Bachelor of Music Education students may elect to attempt may elect to attempt a Speech Proficiency Exam to to fulfill the Oral Communication (COMS 1203) degree requirement.  This examination is is administered on a pass/fail basis. Should a student fail the exam, COM 1203 can be be completed,  or an additional proficiency an additional proficiency may be scheduled.  Information regarding regarding the Speech Speech Proficiency Exam may be found on the Current Students page of the Department of Music Website.Music Please note Current Students book. Please note the paperwork to be submitted be submitted following the successful examination examination process. For more information, please contact Speech Proficiency Speech Proficiency Exam Coordinator, Dr. Stephanie  Stephanie Hoeckley,  shoeckley@astate.edu. 

I. Faculty Development Funds and Professional Travel Requests 

1. The The Travel Travel Authorization Form  must be submitted be submitted to the Department of Music Administrative Assistant Assistant for all professional trips, whether funding is received or or not. It  It must be completed at least least one month month in advance for all faculty faculty and student domestic travel; allow three months allow three months for international travel.  Once the Travel Authorization Form is completed is completed a Travel Request will be created in Concur, which MUST be submitted be submitted and approved at least two weeks in advance of domestic travel travel and two months for international travel.  For the Travel Request to be created in Concur, you must make sure sure that the Administrative Assistant is your expense delegate in Concur. More information can be found in found in the Microsoft Teams General Channel. Travel Information folder. 
2. Faculty leading student trips that take place over the academic calendar must provide at least two weeks least two weeks email notice to the faculty in the the Department. The notice should include include who is going on the trip, where they are going, when they will depart will depart and return, and justification and justification for the absence. 
3. CLAC is allotted CLAC is allotted a specified amount of Faculty Development funds annually.  An email from the CLAC Dean’s Office will announce when they they will start start accepting proposals.  Proposals for funds should be submitted be submitted to the Department the Department of Music Music Faculty Development Committee, who will then send then send on to the CLAC committee.  
4. Full-time tenure-track faculty members are eligible to apply for Faculty Development funds. Consideration of  Consideration of full-time temporary instructor instructor and adjunct adjunct applications is at the discretion of the the committee.  Junior faculty are often the focus as focus as recipients of these funds. 
5. Upon return from the professional activity, recipients of Faculty Development funds must submit must submit a summary report of the experience experience to the Dean’s Office.  A discussion involving how the the university, its faculty, and the the students of the Department of Music will benefit Music will benefit from this this knowledge, is an expectation for the report. 
6. The Faculty Development Committee is comprised is comprised of full-time tenured faculty members.  Should members of the committee desire to apply for for funds;  they may recuse themselves themselves while being considered.  

J. Textbooks Textbooks and Instructional Supplies 

Textbook adoptions should be submitted be submitted to the A-State Bookstore via the icon within the the Textbook Adoptions Tool Tool for Faculty in in Pack Portal.  Instructions for textbook adoptions adoptions including deadlines are sent via email to all faculty each each semester. 

K. Student Grades 

1. Grades must be submitted be submitted by each faculty member via Banner within the Pack Portal under the Banner Faculty/Advisor tool. The Academic Calendar provides a schedule for all grades. Further information about grading and deadlines may be found on the Webpage of the Registrar. Reminders are sent to all faculty via email. 
2. It is important to note the early deadline for final grades for seniors, which precedes the the general due date for grade submissions. Grades not posted by the deadline must be submitted be submitted in written form and signed by the faculty member, department chair, and college college dean, which will result in a delay of delay of the student’s receipt of grades, scholarships, and and graduation documents. 

L. Department Faculty Meeting, Recitals, and Events 

1. Attendance for full-time tenured and pre-tenure tenure faculty at Music Department meetings is mandatory. Adjunct and full-time temporary instructors are welcome but not required but not required to attend. 
2. Faculty attendance is expected for for appropriate juries juries and degree recitals. 
3. Any faculty responsible for hearing scholarship auditions are expected to attend Department of Music Audition Days. Audition Days are an essential part of recruiting and provide a positive on-campus experience for prospective students. While occasional absences may be unavoidable, faculty are to make every effort to attend all Audition Days, each academic year. If an audition day must be missed,  it is the faculty member’s responsibility to communicate that to the Recruiting Committee so that alternate that alternate arrangements can be made. 
4. It is strongly recommended that all faculty attend as many music music student, faculty, and guest artist artist events as possible. This not only serves the purposes of thorough and varied assessment of of the departmental student body and and ensembles, but but supports the many excellent contributions contributions of the Department Department of Music Music community. 

M.Recruiting, Recruiting, Scholarships, and Audition Requirement 

1. Outreach and recruitment are essential duties for all faculty. Area coordinators, faculty mentors faculty mentors and ensemble directors should be consulted for current recruitment assistance recruitment assistance including (a) district region maps, (b) links to relevant national and regional professional and educational organizations, and (c) important recruiting events and initiatives on and off campus. Official university name badges are available for faculty by asking the music administrator and are encouraged to be worn while representing while representing the university university off-campus. 
2. General scholarship and audition information may be received from the the appropriate area area coordinator or ensemble director in charge of the corresponding funds (ex. Band, Choir, or or Keyboard). Private scholarship information can be found on the Department Department of Music Music Website or or from the current Scholarship Committee chair for the department. Consult area coordinators,  faculty mentors, and ensemble directors for the requirements to retain to retain or revoke awarded music music scholarships. 
3. Audition information for each area is posted on the Department Department of Music Music Website. Faculty may determine the may determine the appropriate repertoire repertoire and audition requirements for their area in consultation with with their area coordinator at the end of each Spring semester. Alterations to audition requirements may may not change in the middle of the semester once auditions for that upcoming year have already taken taken place. 
4. There is no official reimbursement for visits to local schools, but departmental resources exist to facilitate to facilitate outreach and recruitment. College funding is available for graduate student recruitment. 

N. Search Guidelines 

1. The University Faculty Handbook provides information on the policies and guidelines surrounding faculty searches. 
2. Detailed information regarding information regarding the search process within the Department of Music is available in available in the Microsoft Teams General Channel. 

 Infrastructure Requests

O. Infrastructure Requests 

All A-State students pay an infrastructure fee which goes to fund equipment used by and/or or for students. A list of Department of Music requests is compiled and prioritized by the the Music Infrastructure Student Advisory Committee, which includes at least two music majors,  and five faculty advisors. The list is submitted is submitted to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts Arts and Communication who meets with the student representatives from each department.   
This college committee of student representatives prioritizes the list as a group, which is is passed on to the university level. Typical music infrastructure requests include instrument instrument and technology purchase or replacement. 

P. Guest Artists & LecturersLectures 

Funding for guest artists and lecturers may be supported by the Department Department of Music Music or the the instrumental and choral areas. See the A-State Director of Bands, Director of Choral Choral Activities,  and the Music Department administrative assistant for more information (Fine Fine Arts Center,  room 203). The University Lecture Concert Series is also a a possible venue for venue for guest artists.  Proposals are are generally due due around February 1st 1st for inclusion in the following following year’s programming. 

Q. Reserving Rooms 

Reserving rooms for the Department of Music may be accomplished be accomplished on the Music Website Website via the the Room Request Form and  and Room Availability Calendar  on the the Faculty Resources ResourcesPage.  Knowledge Base Page. First,  check for available dates by consulting the the Events Events Calendar, which not only provides only provides activities in Recital Hall Hall and Fowler Center, but shows organization events on and and off-campus so campus so that faculty and students are aware of conflicts. Events and rehearsal dates dates may be requested by by completing the the Event Scheduling Form. Notification via email will be be received for for confirmation of scheduled events.  The room is not officially reserved until the the faculty member receives a confirmation email.  Contact the music administrative assistant regarding assistant regarding appropriate off-campus campus activities which should be added to the Events the Events Calendar. 

R. Public Marketing 

Any materials created by faculty for promotion or publication, in print or online, should use use approved A-State logos,  QR codes,  colors, and fonts.  You can find the approved A-State Graphic StandardsState on the Graphic Standards on the University Marketing & Communications  Knowledge Base page.  Please contact Creative Services regarding permission for utilizing Services regarding permission for utilizing approved publication materials. 

S. Department Website 

All department members are expected to keep a current headshot, bio, and curriculum vitae vitae on the Department of Music Website. Links to professional Webpages as well as supporting supporting pictures, articles  articles and legal recordings, are welcome for posting. Contact the Department Website Department Website administrator for for assistance. 

T. Restricted Activities 

1. Activities such as recitals, concerts, studio classes, rehearsals, lessons, classes, advising  advising appointments, or study reviews cannot be required be required for students during the following academic calendar days or periods: 
1. Midterm Exam Week Week 
2. Study Day (Dead Day/Stop Day) 
3. Final Exam Week Week 
4. Football Game Days Days 
5. From 5pm the Friday before a Break to the Monday when classes resume resume 
2. Scheduling student recitals recitals in close proximity to to Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer breaks is not and Summer breaks is not advised, as it can create problems for the attendance of students, faculty, and required committees. 
1. All final exams and juries must take place during exam week. 
2. No faculty meetings should be called on Study Day. 
3. Any special study sessions or activities planned during exam week cannot be required of be required of the students. 

U. Copy Machine 

The department copy machine can be found in FAC 140. There is currently no login to use use the copy machine, so please make sure the room is locked when leaving so students do not not use the copy machine. If you have a problem with the copy machine, please contact the the Administrative Assistant in the the Department of Music Office Office immediately. 

V. Inclement Weather 

The university remains university remains open for academic classes and all other services during inclement inclement weather except in extreme circumstances determined solely by the Chancellor of the the University. Regional and local news media will publicize the closing. Commuter students are are encouraged to use good good judgement in deciding whether to drive to campus during inclement inclement weather. In those cases where the decision is made not to travel to campus under this policy,  it is the responsibility of the student to immediately to immediately contact each of his/her professors professors upon return to the explain the circumstances and to determine to determine the need to complete any any missed assignments. The student student is responsible for for all missed assignments during inclement inclement weather within a a time frame frame to be determined be determined by the professor. 

If a faculty member deems member deems it unsafe to travel to campus and therefore must cancel a class,  lesson, rehearsal, or performance, it is his or her responsibility to contact affected students in a timely manner students in a timely manner and alert the department Administrative Assistant of the cancelation.  

W. Performance Programs 

All Department of Music performances should have a professional, printed program to accompany to accompany them. Programs must include date of performance, time of performance,  location of performance, performers’ names, performers’ voice parts or instruments, titles titles of works, dates of works,  composers of works, dates of composers, and arrangers.  Programs for vocalists should include program notes. Student recital programs should not not include any thank yous thank yous or acknowledgements.  It is the responsibility of a student’s applied applied teacher to look over his or her her recital program to ensure that it follows these guidelines. A  A Student Recital Template can be be found on the the Department of Music Current Students webpage  page webpage for your reference. 

X. Productivity and Merit 

Each December, all all full time time faculty are required to submit their productivity on the productivity on the Faculty180 software. The information entered for that calendar year will be used for the the yearly evaluative process and to help determine help determine merit. Each faculty member will be ranked ranked according to criteria that addresses their teaching (through student/teacher evaluations,  evaluations of class observation, professional development), their service (to the the department, college, university, community, and profession), their research and creative creative activities, and their support of the department and university (recruitment, retention,  participation in university endeavors, advising success, visibility in the community and at at department events,  etc). Faculty should be liberal in choosing what they they enter into the into the Faculty180 software so they can adequately display their display their efforts in the aforementioned areas. 

Y. Commencement 

The Director of Bands Bands confirms with the office of Academic Affairs and Research Research (AAR)  what will be the instrumental needs for fall and spring commencement commencement ceremonies.  A student quintet quintet prepares and performs 20-25 minutes of pre-ceremony music, Pomp and Circumstance for the faculty the faculty procession, and the and the National Anthem and and Alma Mater Mater with the Choir.  Two rehearsals prior to commencement will be scheduled with the Director of Bands.  The Director of Choral Activities will prepare will prepare a choir choir for fall and spring commencement ceremonies commencement ceremonies and a soloist for the summer commencement ceremony.  These groups perform the National Anthem and the Alma Mater.  The pre-ceremony and procession portions are shared with a pianist. All work with an AAR with an AAR representative to move necessary equipment, such as keyboard, bench, chairs, stands, risers, to and from First National Band Arena.  It is recommended that faculty and performers be present for a sound check during the commencement walk-through, which is typically the afternoon prior to the ceremony.  

 Faculty Mentors

 Z.New Faculty Mentors 

New full-time faculty member faculty member will be assigned be assigned two faculty mentors by the chair of the the department. One of the mentors is typically in the new new hire’s s area. New faculty are are encouraged to seek counsel and answers to questions from their assigned mentors before before going to individuals further up the higher education hierarchy. 

AA. “In Performance at A-State"State” Radio Show 

“In Performance at A-State,” is a weekly radio program that features recordings of musical musical performances from Arkansas State University Department of Music students and faculty faculty members. The program is one hour and broadcasts on KASU 91.9 FM every Wednesday at 9 9 p.m., and on on Sunday at 6 a.m.  

Support for the production and promotion of this series is provided by grants from the the Kays  Foundation  Foundation and the Arkansas Arts Council. The program host is Dr. Ed Owen,  professor of music. Nathan Taylor, KASU  KASU production engineer, produces the program. 

In addition to the weekly radio broadcast on 91.9 FM, “In Performance at A-State” may also also be heard via via live-streaming streaming through KASU’s website, kasu.org; through the KASU mobile mobile app; and on smart speakers such as Amazon Echo and Google Home. 

In order for for new performances to be added to the KASU line up, a a KASU Performance Performance Release Form Form needs to be filled out by the performing students and their faculty member(s). 

BB. Assessment 

Assessment is an essential part of the Teaching & Learning Cycle. It not only provides essential information to students about their progress in their classes and degree but, when used correctly, it can provide valuable information to the teacher about their own effectiveness in the classroom and it can generate data that is essential for the advocacy of the Department of Music, its faculty, resources, facilities, and students. 

Every department on the A-State campus has assessment reporting responsibilities reporting responsibilities and the Department the Department of Music is no different. Every year the department’s assessment coordinator must fill out reports that speak to how effectively the department is meeting the program level outcomes of each of the degrees it offers. Each program level outcome requires a minimum of one direct assessment and one indirect assessment so that the coordinator can report on how the department is meeting these program level outcomes for their students. 

In music, an exit survey for all graduating music students serves as an indirect assessment for for all program level outcomes. Area coordinators must help the assessment coordinator ensure ensure that every graduating music major, graduate and undergraduate, completes this before they they leave A-State.  These exit surveys should be issued electronically, and graduates should have have ample time to complete them thoroughly thoroughly in order for for the assessment to be as valid and and reliable as possible. 

The only other two indirect assessment assessment measures being being currently used are the repertoire repertoire performed by the large ensembles and and self-evaluations evaluations in Elementary Conducting. The The assessment coordinator will reach out to ensemble directors and the Elementary Conducting Conducting teachers and ask for their repertoire lists and repertoire lists and self-evaluations evaluations at the end of each semester. 

The direct assessments used to measure progress toward Program Level Outcomes are jury jury and recital evaluations, undergraduate music history exams, undergraduate & graduate graduate conducting evaluations, edTPA  edTPA scores, Praxis scores, Summative Internship Evaluations,  Graduate Comprehensive Exams, Graduate Thesis and Recital Papers. The Assessment Assessment Coordinator will be asking for data from these assessments each semester from Area Area Coordinators and the Graduate Graduate Coordinator. It is the Area and Graduate Graduate Coordinator’s s responsibility to provide the Assessment Coordinator with three items. 

1. The raw data from the assessment (scores, grades, etc) etc) 
2. A brief comment on whether performance on the assessment met,  didn’t t meet, or or exceeded expectations. 
3. A brief comment on what will be the next step, given the results. If assessments met assessments met or exceeded expectations, it is perfectly acceptable to tell the assessment coordinator coordinator that no no changes to instruction or assessment are needed. If an assessment does not not meet expectations, it is imperative that the coordinator detail coordinator detail what in instruction or in instruction or assessment will change so that next time expectations are met. 

CC. Recital Guidelines 

• Students majoring in the BME, BA, or BM Performance (Concentration in in Instrumental, Vocal, Keyboard) who are enrolled in MUSP 1112, 3112, 3113, or or 6112 applied lessons must perform a solo on a Tuesday Morning Recital on their on their primary instrument once a semester. First-semester freshmen semester freshmen are not required to do to do so. Solos are defined as works for voice and keyboard, unaccompanied instrumental instrumental solos, and works for works for one instrument and keyboard. 

• Substitution for Student Recital requirements include Studio Recitals, Half Half or Full Full Recitals, and other performances of solos as defined above, in front of an an audience. 

• Students majoring in the BM Concentration in Composition Composition are required to to have original works performed at least once a school year in front of an an audience on Tuesday Morning Recitals, Composition Recitals, Studio Studio Recitals, Chamber Music Recitals, or other performances in front of an an audience. First-semester freshmen semester freshmen are not required to to do so. 

• Students majoring in the BM Concentration in Composition who are also also enrolled in vocal or instrumental lessons (MUSP 1111, 1112, 3111, 6111, or or 6112) are also encouraged to perform on a Tuesday Morning Recital or or other approved performances (see above) on their major major instrument/voice,  but are not required not required to do so. 

• MUSP 3130, Half Recital (half-length, approximately 25 minutes of music or as as approved by the student’s primary applied teacher) is required of is required of all Bachelor of Music of Music Performance, Jazz Studies, Music Industry Industry and Bachelor of Music Education Education students. Recital hearing hearing required 2-4 weeks prior, depending on on area. Check area guidelines for exact exact requirement. 

• MUSP 4131, Full Recital (full-length, approximately 45 minutes of music or as as approved by the student’s primary applied teacher) is also required of also required of all Bachelor Bachelor of Music students. Recital hearing required 2-4 weeks prior, depending on on area.  Check area guidelines for exact exact requirement. 

• MUSP 6131, Graduate Recital (full-length, approximately 50 minutes of music or as as approved by the student’s primary applied teacher) is required of is required of all Master of Music Music students. Recital hearing 2-6 weeks prior is required, depending on area. Check area guidelinesthe Graduate Music Student Handbook for exact requirement.exact requirements. 

• For all student recital performances,  appropriate dress dress for the occasion is is expected. Students should confer with their applied teacher for these these expectations. 

• Recital receptions are permissible directly following various performances in the the Fine Arts Center Lobby. Please notify the Music Office of your needs at least least two weeks in advance. Full clean-up is expected afterwards with tables, benches benches and chairs returned to their proper places. 

Note: Each recital must be approved by the the appropriate applied applied teacher. 

Guidelines for Planning a Recital Recital 

• Order of Scheduling Scheduling 
• Ensemble Directors/Lecture Concert Series/Faculty Recital Series Series 
• Date requests begin April 1 for entire academic year year 
• Applied Faculty (Faculty Recitals/Studio Recitals/Guest Artists) 
• Date requests begin April 15 15 
• Graduate & Senior Degree Recitals Recitals 
• For Fall Recitals: Date requests begin May 1 1 
• For Spring Recitals: Date requests begin October 1 1 
• Junior Degree Recitals Recitals 
• For Fall Recitals: Date requests begin May 15 15 
• For Spring Recitals: Date requests begin October 15 15 
• All other events events 
• For Fall Events: Date requests begin August 15 15 
• For Spring Events: Date requests begin November 15 15 
• Degree Recital Deadlines (to request a date) 
• Fall Recital: September 5 5 
• Spring Recital: December 1 1 

Any recitals attempted recitals attempted to be scheduled after these dates cannot be guaranteed. 

Standardized Concert Times 

• Standardized Concert Times 

• 2:00p - Saturday + Sunday Sunday 

• 5:00p - Monday + Tuesday + Thursday + Friday + Saturday + Sunday Sunday 

• 7:30p - Monday + Tuesday + Thursday + Friday + Saturday Saturday 

All concerts would be scheduled with 60 minutes added to the front of the recital for for sound checks checks prior. For a full recital full recital the recital will be scheduled for for 90 minutes minutes (plus plus 60 minutes on the front). For a half recital half recital the recital will be scheduled for 60 minutes 60 minutes (plus 60 minutes on the front). The extra 30 minutes for the schedule of the recitals recitals will allow for any extra time greeting audiences after and cleaning out the hall. 

 Recital Hearings 

• Recital Hearings 

• Occur 2 to 4 weeks before the scheduled Recital, depending on Area preference. 

• Area Guidelines for Brass, Keyboard, Percussion, String, Theory &  Composition, Voice, and Woodwinds can be found on the A-State Music Department Websiteof Music Knowledge Base on the the CurrentArea StudentsGuidelines page. page. 
• Are performed for Area Faculty only only 

• Area faculty will assess the performance using the the Department Assessment Form, and the student’s major professor will share their share their feedback with the student. Areas will determine will determine the number of of faculty members members needed. 

• If all pertinent faculty cannot be present,  hearings may be recorded, so they can can be shared with these faculty later later 

Forms: 

• Forms: 

• Recital Date Request Request Form to submit  to submit their top three date choices  
• Date Availability Calendar has all  has all available recital dates listed for students to to choose their preferred preferred dates. 
• Student + Applied teacher will be emailed to confirm which date date was selected from their top three choices. 
• Publicity Publicity Form 
• Collects official program and headshot for the recital recital 
• Due 4 weeks before the recital recital 
• KASU Performance Release Form 
• To be filled out by the student and their applied faculty member if they they wish their recital to be featured on KASU. More information can be found found in section XXIX of this handbook entitled “In In Performance at A- State”  Radio Show. 

 

Section III: Promotion, Retention, Tenure (PRT)  and Post-Tenure Review 

A.  University and College Level PRT Information 

1. For a description of the overall tenure and post-tenure review process, refer to the University Faculty Handbook, Section III.,  Faculty Ranks, Promotion, Retention, Tenure, and Post-Tenure Review. Review.
2. The College of Liberal Arts and Communication PRT document can be found onin the rightPack hand sidePortal ofunder the CLACFaculty homepage. Resources in the Promotion & Tenure (PRT) link.

B. Department of Music Criteria for Promotion and Tenure 

Revised: October/November 2022, Effective Academic Year 2023-2024 

1. Procedures for Reviewing Promotion and Tenure Requests 

As stated As stated in an annual memorandum of the University Promotion and Tenure Committee: 

 Requests for consideration for promotions must be made by individual members of the faculty seeking faculty seeking  promotion. Each member of the faculty who desires who desires to apply for promotion will be provided a form with with  which to present their request.  

Forms  are available available on theA-State’s A-StatePack Website. Portal.

As outlined in the Faculty the Faculty handbook: 

 Each academic department may maintain may maintain a standing committee on promotion and tenure of a minimum of of  five members of the department. If the department cannot form a committee of at least three tenured faculty faculty  members, the Dean should consult informally with department department Chairpersons and the senior faculty members.  

Each college and independent department will elect one representative from the college college committee, or from the college or independent independent department, if if no college committee exists, exists to to the University Committee on Promotion and Tenure to serve a two-year term. 

As a faculty member’s file is reviewed by the department committee, department chair, the the College Promotion and Tenure Committee, and the Dean, every effort will be made to to verify verify all material. At any stage, a reviewer may ask an applicant to substantiate substantiate productivity or or service claims. It is expected that reviewers will add explanatory notes where where appropriate. 

An applicant for promotion will not serve on the College/University Promotion and Tenure Tenure Committee during the time their application is under review. If the college representative to to the University Promotion and Tenure Committee is under consideration for promotion, the the College Promotion and Tenure Committee will elect a replacement to take their place on the the University Promotion Retention Committee for that academic year. 

2. Tenure

Tenure 

As stated in the Faculty Handbook: 

Tenure is a status granted in the academic community to faculty members who have proved proved themselves over a a  period of time.  Tenured faculty may expect to continue in their academic positions unless adequate cause for for  dismissal is demonstrated is demonstrated in a fair, objective hearing; according to the procedure of due process. 

Only full-time faculty and administrative personnel holding academic rank above the the instructor instructor level may gain tenure. Notice of tenure will be given through the Provost and through the Provost and Executive Vice Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research, and the Chancellor.Chancellor. 

Persons initially appointed as professors, associate professors, or assistant professors must be must be reviewed for tenure no later than the completion of their sixth year of service at Arkansas Arkansas State State University, and tenure must be granted with the start of their seventh year of service at at A-State.  When warranted When warranted by an individual’s record and experience, a prospective faculty member may may  negotiate the terms of initial employment regarding of initial employment regarding tenure status and academic rank. Such an agreement an agreement must must be based on the thorough review and positive recommendations of the the Department PRT Committee.   Documentation of the negotiated terms authorizing application application for early tenure and/or promotion must be in in  writing and signed by the Dean of the college, the Provost the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Academic  Affairs and Research, and the Chancellor Chancellor of the university. No obligation to grant tenure is implied by such  an agreement.  

The Department PRT Committee will review annually the progress towards tenure of pre-pre tenured faculty and will prepare written recommendations regarding recommendations regarding retention that will be be forwarded forwarded to the Department Chair and the and the candidate. The Chair will review the retention retention recommendations, add their recommendations, and send them send them to the Dean for for consideration. A Comprehensive Pre-Tenure Review will be implemented and completed in in          the third year of employment at A-State for all pre-tenure tenure faculty, regardless of rank. This This       review will require that all all third year year pre-tenure tenure faculty members submit members submit documentation of of      performance in performance in the areas of teaching, scholarly  scholarly activities, and service using the tenure tenure application format. 

The  

The Department PRT Committee, the Department Chair, and the Dean Dean will formally review review this documentation and provide provide appropriate feedback feedback to each third-year, pre-tenure faculty tenure member regarding faculty member regarding their progress toward tenure. Pre-tenure tenure faculty will be evaluated for for tenure and promotion based on the department, college, and university criteria in place place during their third year of employment employment on a pre-tenure appointment. 

Since it is unusual for a faculty member to amass a performance record reflecting exemplary exemplary productivity in less time than the standard probationary period, accelerated tenure is rare.  However, any faculty member has the right to submit to submit an application application seeking tenure during during any any application period in which they can clearly demonstrate clearly demonstrate meeting the performance performance criteria criteria expected during the mandatory review. If a faculty member member fails to to earn tenure in this this  accelerated review cycle, they may apply for tenure again only in the sixth year of the pre- tenure cycle. 

Persons holding the rank of instructor will not receive tenure, and the time spent as as instructor instructor will not be credited to the pre-tenure probationary period required by those ranks ranks        in which which tenure may be earned. 

Tenure represents Tenure represents a major commitment by the university. A tenure recommendation is one one of of the most important professional decisions made within the university. In a tenure review,  the the university will assess not only the faculty member’s record in the areas of teaching,  research/creative activity, and service, but will evaluate the faculty member in terms of the the extent to which the individual individual serves the missions,  objectives, goals, and needs, present and and future, of the department, the college, and the university. 

Specifically, to expect a favorable tenure recommendation, a faculty member must: 

1. Present a record of teaching, of of scholarly, creative, and professional productivity, and of of service consistent with that required for promotion to associate professor. (Explanation:  Tenure may be awarded to individuals in the assistant rank. In such cases, however,  there must be definite and substantial evidence that the individual is establishing a is establishing a record that should qualify them for promotion within two two years.) 
2. Be adjudged by peers, the Chair, the Dean, and the College Promotion and Tenure Tenure Committee as having maintained having maintained an active role in helping the department and college college meet their missions, goals,  objectives, and needs. 

3. Criteria for Promotion to Assistant Professor 

While possessing While possessing a terminal degree is traditionally a requirement for promotion to Assistant Assistant Professor, the requirement may be waived in the exceptional instances when a faculty faculty member has had employment and performance experiences that constitute a generally that constitute a generally accepted substitute for the terminal degree. Demonstrating these experiences will depend depend upon the faculty member’s area of musical specialization.  

Music is a discipline that involves two general areas of specialization and and expertise: creative creative and academic. Creative specialties include performance, composition, and and conducting.  Academic areas consist of music history, music theory, and music education. Evaluation Evaluation criteria for the areas differ in that recognition and productivity as a performer, composer, or or conductor demonstrates conductor demonstrates mastery of the creative field, and research demonstrates research demonstrates mastery of of the academic specialties. 

To be promoted to Assistant Professor without a terminal degree, a performer, composer, or or conductor must document a record of creative productivity for the most recent six-year year period.  A musician specializing in music history, music theory, or music education must must document a a record of scholarly productivity for the most recent six-year period. Recognition Recognition and and productivity at the state, regional or international level will be considered. 

In addition to meeting specific criteria for creative/scholastic activities, the faculty member member must also meet the criteria criteria appropriate for for the teaching and service mission of the the university. 

1. Evidence of teaching excellence, as measured by evaluation of students, peers  peers and supervisors. 
1. Awards won by the faculty member’s private students either in competitions competitions or in in gaining acceptance and/or graduate assistantships in large, reputable graduate graduate schools or in applied music areas. 
2. Demonstrate the ability to recruit and mentor students. 
3. Consideration should be given to undergraduate and graduate recitals by by students coached by a faculty member. 
4. Advanced study by the faculty member with eminent teachers in that person’s s principal teaching area. 
2. Evidence of creative/scholarly scholarly activities at the state, regional, national, or international international level. 
1. Creative activities may include: 
1. Solo recital by invitation, audition, or one reviewed by recognized recognized authorities. 
2. Solo performance Solo performance with an orchestra, band, or choir. 
3. Accompanying Accompanying a solo recital or ensemble. 
4. Performance in an ensemble, choir, band, orchestra, or opera company company by invitation or audition (e.g., Arkansas Symphony, Atlanta Symphony,  Memphis Symphony, Dallas Opera Theater, Kansas City Lyric Opera). 
5. Conducting a large or small ensemble that receives recognition of of excellence. 
6. Serving as a clinician, directing master classes, serving as an adjudicator,  or being invited to give demonstrations or lead a discussion at at conventions or symposiums (e.g., NFMC Auditions, NATS, MTNA,  International Piano Masters Competitions, Metropolitan Opera Opera 
7. Auditions, or any national wind, string, percussion guild). 
8. Participants in master classes, seminars, or symposiums that require an an audition for acceptance. 
3. Scholarly activities include: 
1. Papers presented at traditional scholarly music forums, either either independent or sponsored by state, regional, national, or international international organizations (e.g., MTNA,  NAfME, ACDA, NATS, ABA). 
2. Articles, books, and compositions published by recognized publishers or or professional organizations (e.g., Southern Music, Carl Fischer, William William C. Brown, American Music Teacher, National Association of Teachers Teachers of Singing Bulletin, Journal of Research and Music Education, American American Choral Directors Journal, Piano Magazine, journals of national and and international wind, string, and percussion associations. 
3. Awards, grants, or commissions received pertinent to the faculty faculty member’s teaching area. 
4. Live performances and/or recordings of original compositions  compositions 
1. Evidence of service at the university, community, state, regional, national, or or international levels. 
1. Student advising. 
2. Departmental, college, and university committees. 
3. Sponsorship of student organizations. 
4. Faculty governance activities. 
5. Public school and community consulting, workshops, and other collaborative collaborative activities. 
6. Performance for civic and church group group 

4. Criteria for Promotion to Associate Professor 

Possession of the terminal degree degree appropriate to to the teaching, research and service mission of the college or evidence in professional scholarly, creative, and service activities. While possessing While possessing a terminal degree is traditionally a requirement for promotion to Associate Professor, the requirement may be waived in exceptional instances when a faculty member has had employment and performance experiences that constitute that constitute a generally accepted accepted substitute for the terminal degree. Demonstrating these experiences will depend upon the faculty member’s area of musical specialization. 

1. Continuance of teaching excellence, as measured by evaluations of students, peers, and supervisors. 
1. Awards won by the faculty member’s private students either in competitions or or gaining acceptance and/or graduate assistantships in large, reputable graduate graduate schools in an applied music area. 
2. Demonstrate the ability to recruit and mentor students. 
3. Consideration should be given to undergraduate and graduate recitals by by students coached by a faculty member. 
4. Advanced study, by the faculty member, with eminent teachers in that person’s s principal area of teaching. 
2. Continuance of scholarly/creative/professional activity on the state, regional, national,  and international levels. 
1. Solo recital by invitation, audition, or one reviewed by recognized authorities. 
2. Solo performance with orchestra or similar ensemble such as a band or choir. 
3. Accompanying a solo recital or ensemble. 
4. Performance in an ensemble, choir, band, orchestra, or opera company by by invitation or audition. 
5. Conducting an ensemble, large or small, which receives recognition of of excellence. 
6. Serving as a clinician, directing master classes, serving as an adjudicator, or or being invited to give demonstrations or lead a discussion at conventions or or symposiums in the faculty member’s s appropriate area. 
7. Participation in master classes, seminars, or symposiums that require an audition audition for acceptance. 
8. Publication in traditional scholarly music forums, either independent or or sponsored by state, regional, national, and international organizations; MTNA,  NAfME, ACDA, NATS, ABA, etc., should be considered criteria for tenure or or promotion. 
3. Continued service on the university, community, state, regional, national, and and international levels. 
1. Student advising. 
2. Department, college, and university committees. 
3. Sponsorship of student organizations. 
4. Faculty governance activities. 
5. Public school and community consulting and workshop activities. 
6. Performance for civic and church groups. 

For promotion to Associate Professor, excellence in teaching is mandatory. However, an an applicant applicant is not required to to excel in both scholarly productivity and service. An especially especially meritorious record in one area may offset a less-than-exemplary record in the other area. 

5. Criteria for Promotion to Professor 

Possession of the terminal degree degree appropriate to to the teaching, research  research and service mission mission of the college or evidence of excellence in professional scholarly, creative, and service service activities. While possessing While possessing a terminal degree is traditionally a requirement for promotion to to Professor, the requirement may be waived in the exceptional instances when a faculty faculty member has had employment and performance experiences that constitute a generally that constitute a generally accepted substitute for the terminal degree. Demonstrating these experiences will depend depend upon the faculty member’s area of musical specialization. 

1. Outstanding achievement in teaching excellence, as measured by evaluations of students, peers, and supervisors. 
1. Awards won by the faculty member’s private students either in competitions or in gaining acceptance and/or graduate assistantships in large, reputable graduate schools in an applied music area. 
2. Demonstrate Demonstrate the ability to recruit and mentor students. 
3. Consideration should be given to undergraduate and graduate recitals by students coached by a faculty member. 
4. Advanced study, by the faculty member, with eminent teachers in that that person’s principal area of teaching. 
2. Outstanding achievement in scholarly/creative/professional activity on the state,  regional, national, and international levels. 
1. Solo recital by invitation, audition, or one reviewed by recognized recognized authorities. 
2. Solo performance with orchestra or similar ensemble such as a band or choir. 
3. Accompanying a solo recital or ensemble. 
4. Performance in an ensemble, choir, band, orchestra, or opera company, by by invitation or audition. 
5. Conducting an ensemble, large or small, which receives recognition of of excellence. 
6. Serving as a clinician, directing master classes, serving as an adjudicator, or or being invited to give demonstrations or lead a discussion at conventions or or symposiums in the faculty member’s s appropriate area. 
7. Participation in master classes, seminars, or symposiums that require an an audition for acceptance. 
8. Publication in traditional scholarly music forums, either independent or or sponsored by state, regional, national, and international organizations, i.e., MTNA,  NAfME, ACDA, NATS, ABA, etc., should be considered criteria for tenure or or promotion. 
3. Outstanding achievement in service on the university, community, state, regional,  national, and international levels. 
1. Student advising. 
2. Departmental, college, and university committees. 
3. Sponsorship of student organizations. 
4. Faculty governance activities. 
5. Public school and community consulting and workshop activities. 
6. Performance for civic and church groups. 

For promotion to Professor, outstanding teaching outstanding teaching and exemplary achievement in in scholarly/creative productivity are mandatory, and a consistent record of service must be be obvious. 

6. Ranking of Levels 

National or international international 

This is the highest level and the rarest. The level will be determined be determined by the prominence of of the the sponsoring group or geographic location of the event and the scope of its influence. For For  example, performing with the New York Philharmonic would certainly be an event of of national significance, while a performance at the Spoletto the Spoletto Festival in Italy would be be international recognition. A faculty member presenting a solo recital under their own own auspices will provide critical reviews of such a performance as written by authorities. The The most accessible experiences at these levels will include an invitation to perform, conduct,    direct direct master classes, etc., at national or international conventions. 

Regional Regional 

Regional is defined as a professional creative activity such as recital, workshops, master master classes, or presentation of papers at a regional convention of a professional music music organization. It may also be defined as a professional/creative activity outside of Arkansas Arkansas    but not of sufficient scope to be considered a national or international level activity. 

State State 

This includes events that demonstrate that demonstrate recognition of the faculty member’s expertise s expertise on a a state-wide (Arkansas) basis. It will consist of activities such as being a guest soloist on other other Arkansas college campuses, playing in a symphony as a soloist or regular member, singing singing with an opera group, or presenting seminars, etc., in areas of this state outside of Northeast Northeast Arkansas. 

Local Local 

These are events in Jonesboro and what is is generally considered considered Northeast Arkansas. A A problem arises at this level in separating “professional creative activities” from the the   requirements of the university contract with the individual and items of community service.  Since this is the most accessible level, the quantity of activities is significant. It is necessary to is         necessary to use a slightly different list of activities for this level than for the other three three levels.  

These are: 
These are: 

1. Faculty recitals (solo or joint recitals presented on the A-State campus or within the the accepted boundaries described as Northeast Arkansas. 
2. Solo performance with ensembles in this region of the state. 
3. Collaborative recitals in this area of the state. 
4. Ensemble performances (faculty groups performing on campus or in this region of the the state.) 
5. Serving as clinician or adjudicator in this region of the state. 
6. Conducted performances (ensemble performances conducted by a faculty member in in this region of the state). The ensemble may be an outside group that is non-A-State or or conducting performances of A-State organizations in concerts that exceed the number normally number normally considered as as a contractual requirement.  For example, the directors of the the various music department groups, such as choirs, bands, or ensembles, are generally generally expected to conduct one performance per semester as part of the requirements for the the position.  If they wish to expand their own and their students’ creative activities by doing additional doing additional concerts, then these extra performances should be considered commendable commendable endeavors toward professional advancement. 

7. Justification 

The presentation of solo recitals, performances with orchestras, conducted concerts,  ensemble ensemble programs, or accompanying or accompanying such activities requires many hours of preparation.  These hours of preparation and study also qualify the individual as a valuable clinician,  adjudicator, or contributor to a master class or symposium. In general, the preparatory steps steps     include the following: 

Research 

Proper preparation for any of the activities listed above requires hours of study study and research research of historical and stylistic performance practices of the music performed. A A typical program will contain will contain music from several several different style style periods and several several different composers. 

Preparation 

Any performing individual must devote many hours per week of rigorous, disciplined  disciplined practice to maintain to maintain the physical strength and coordination necessary to retain mastery to retain mastery of their instrument. The conductor must constantly work to maintain to maintain the ability to to communicate musical ideas to a group. The preparation of a selected selected program will take additional take additional hours over several weeks, and often months, to develop develop mastery of the the chosen literature. Singers must study and master master the foreign foreign language text to understand understand and project textual ideas more effectively. Instrumentalists must constantly learn new new techniques required by the most contemporary music styles. In general, approximately fifty  approximately fifty to eighty hours of research, study, and practice are devoted to preparing one sixty sixty or seventy-minute concert or recital. 

Performance 

Any time a musician performs, they are placed in a situation of peer review. The The musician’s s work as a composer, performer, conductor, or accompanist is displayed for for all to evaluate.  Thus, the reputation a musician has earned is based on the evidence of of public exposure.