tbone06

The following is an article from the TrailBlazer, the Morehead State newspaper. The short of it is that there has been a proposed with a budget reduction of 1.5 million dollars. This means cutting and modifying programs. Up on the chopping block directly is the Masters of Music Education and the bachelor degree of music ed and music performance are labeled "to be monitored". If you're considering which college you want to attend, and MSU was your first choice, you may want to consider some back-up options. http://www.thetrailblazeronline.net/life_and_arts/article_4a49abf6-c1bd-11e4-8e62-376ae9490d8c.html MSU considers eliminating some programs A self-study conducted by Morehead State recommends modifications to some programs and the elimination of others, but students will be able to finish the degree they started. MSU President Wayne D. Andrews charged Academic Affairs with generating budget reductions of $1.5 million. According to draft documents of the study sent to faculty, the recommended budget reduction includes the monitoring, modification and elimination of multiple programs. It also details recommended departmental restructuring and the generation of new program proposals. Andrews desired three outcomes from the study, according to the documents. The first outcome was that the budget is reduced by $1.5 million “without sacrificing academic quality and in a way that positions the institution to move forward organizationally.” The second outcome was “to ensure that (the undergraduate and graduate programs) are academically sound, produce positive enrollment and meet student needs.” The third outcome was “to recommend a process that generates new academically sound programs yielding positive enrollment and student success.” MSU provost Steven Ralston said all students enrolled in programs recommended for elimination would be allowed to complete the program. “If you’re in the program, you finish that program,” he said. Ralston referred to the process as a “teach out” and that professors and faculty involved with those programs will not be immediately terminated. “The president said you gotta adjust your budget,” said Ralston. “You’ve got to review your programs and you’ve got to generate new ideas from new degrees.” Ralston led the seven-person taskforce and said the first phase of the self-study process only involved Academic Affairs. He said the committee found MSU was “spending more than we were bringing in” and that the process exemplifies “shared governance” among Academic Affairs, faculty and students. “In the fall, we met with faculty. We met with them at least twice and we said ‘what do you think?’ We adjusted the process based on their input and we put it out in February.” The following is the review of each college recommended in the self-study. [/center] College of Science and Technology [/center] [/center] AAS in Engineering ELIMINATE MS in Biology ELIMINATE MS in Psychology-General ELIMINATE MS-CTE MODIFY BS in Earth Sciences MODIFY BS in Health and Physical MODIFY BS in Mathematics MONITOR Nursing Associate Degree Program MONITOR Nursing Bachelor Degree Program MONITOR MA in Wellness Promotion MONITOR [/center] Caudill College of Arts Humanities and Social Science [/center] [/center] M50-0702/M13-1302 Art/Art Education ELIMINATE B16-0901 French ELIMINATE M50-0901/M50-0903 Music/Music Education ELIMINATE M45-1101 Interdisciplinary Social Sciences MODIFY M45-1101 Sociology MODIFY M09-0101 Communication MONITOR B30-2001 International Studies MONITOR B50-0901 Music/Music Performance/Music Education MONITOR B50-0501 Theatre/Theatre Education MONITOR B50-0999 Traditional Music MONITOR [/center] College of Business and Public Affairs [/center] [/center] BBA in Economics ELIMINATE MS in Management Information Systems ELIMINATE MA in Sports Management ELIMINATE BA in Public Policy ELIMINATE MA in Government ELIMINATE BBA in Computer Information Systems MONITOR BBA in Computer Information Systems MONITOR BBA in Small Business Management/Entrepreneurship MONITOR BBA in Business and Information Technology Education MONITOR Master of Business Administration MONITOR [/center] College of Education [/center] Secondary (MGSE) MODIFY Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education MONITOR P-5 MONITOR Teacher Leader Masters MONITOR [/center] “Enrollment matters, but there are many other factors that matter,” Ralston said. “The smallest group is the ‘eliminate.’ The biggest group is ‘we’re keeping you.’ When we said to a program, eliminate, it was our judgment that it was just so far from goodness, both in enrollment, student opportunities when they graduate, a whole host of things, you know, we’re probably not going anywhere here. And maybe I’m wrong. Tell me why I’m wrong. If you can convince me why I’m wrong, we’re gonna take you out of that group.” Faculty has had the opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns regarding the program reviews through a web portal, per Ralston. “It’s painful because people will see this and go ‘Oh my God, you can’t do this.’ And they get a chance to tell me I’m nuts. We will meet with people. We’ll read what they wrote. And that happens for all of March into April,” Ralston said. “Then we revise. Then there’s like 10 days for people to see it based on the written input and meetings. You got 10 days to tell me I’m nuts, ‘you’re crazy, what is that.’ And at that point, we do it again. And May 4 is the date we have to give our final proposal to the president.” An opportunity for students to respond to the self-study through a portal became available around 3:15 p.m. Monday. “The portal will be available through ‘MyMoreheadState,’” said Brad Fyffe, president of the Student Government Association. “It’s gonna be (the SGA’s) job to filter through those responses. We want to get through those student responses and aggregate the main theme we see, even if they are emotional.” According to the SGA notification, the self-study can be accessed by: 1. Log onto your MyMoreheadState account 2. Click “My Team Sites” 3. Look to “My Team Sites”, near the bottom of the page 4. Click “Organization” and find the link for the self-study Clicking this link after signing in to MyMoreheadState will also display the self-study portal. Fyffe, who also serves as MSU’s student regent, said he has known of the self-study for months. “(The self-study) is all preliminary. Last fall, we voted as a board to raise tuition. We’ve had to make cuts across the board. It’s unfortunate, but academics is next,” said Fyffe. “The main gist of the self-study is just to do a review to see if we’re producing at a high level academically.” Fyffe said he hopes students will not react emotionally when responding through the student portal. “They have every right to be upset. I just want to make sure they provide a thoughtful and considerate argument.” According to Ralston, some students obtained the self-study sent to faculty last month and could have received misinformation. “I know students were concerned. What bothered me a bit was, this information was for faculty. It was geared for faculty. There was already a process to involve students,” Ralston said. “We always planned to have the students’ voices. Obviously, you matter. That piece got overshadowed by faculty showing you something out of context.” Student responses must be uploaded by Friday, April 3. Ralston reiterated that students enrolled in programs recommended for elimination will “absolutely” finish that program. As for faculty within the programs recommended for elimination, Ralston said “we don’t just give them a pink slip and say good luck.” “The state is giving us less money. This is the bind we’re in. I’ve gotta offer degrees that you think when you graduate…I would be irresponsible. At the same time we gotta run a school. The citizens of the commonwealth are our customers, you.” In January 2014, Gov. Steve Beshear recommended a 2.5 percent cut in the higher education operating budget. Ralston said final proposals regarding the budget reduction are due to Dr. Andrews May 4.

He was joking. Nobody is making any assumptions of your playing ability. Anybody can do quite well anywhere so long as they are willing to put in the practice time and listen to quality recordings. The nice thing about all of the schools in KY is that the music departments are small enough that you're going to have plenty of 1 on 1 time with your applied faculty and you'll get to know your directors. Even at UK and U of L, the area faculty will get to know you and you will get to know them. I went to University of KY and loved it there. Since you're a euphonium player, I would absolutely recommend going to Lexington and getting a lesson with Dr. Gray to see if you like him. Worst case is you get a free lesson with a fantastic musician. My general advice on going into a music school though, is don't expect your high school accomplishments to count for much. You are on a new playing field. Take what is given to you and apply it. Get a lesson with any and all faculty you are even considering. You want to make sure you like their teaching style and personality. You will be spending a lot of time with them. Be gracious. Play in as many ensembles as you can manage, especially small chamber groups. As a euph player, I would particularly suggest learning to double on trombone (there's more applications for it) and playing in brass quintets. If one doesn't exist, start one. Good luck. As a side note of college attendance, I'm back in school now at MN State College, Southeast Tech in Red Wing, MN learning band instrument repair.

How in the world do you guy find out who got what so quick?

There is no best. Everyone is different. The best thing you could do would be to go to a store and try a bunch out and see what you like best. Prepare something technical and something lyrical so that you can see how it responds and what the tone is like, and play the same thing on a hand full of mouthpieces. Best option is to bring a friend with good ears to tell you what it sounds like from the other side of the bell. Alternately, see what the return policy from a place like WWBW is and order several, try them all out, and return the ones you dont like. As you can already see from the other comments, the same mouthpiece that works amazing for one person may be terrible for another.

Talk to your band director! But in general, yes. Trombones with F attachments aren't just easier to play because you don't have to use 6th and 7th position as much, but they are bigger instruments that allow for a larger, warmer sound, and the attachment is actually added because it provides an additional range of notes that horns without the attachment cannot play (below low E). If the student is serious, it is definitely worth the early investment. Get a quality used instrument, such as a bach 42, conn 88h, yamaha xeno, getzen, or king. Open wrap is typically prefered to closed wrap as it allows the instrument to blow more freely.

http://www.kymarching.info/forum/index.php?showtopic=3615&st=0

It is my understanding that when they got rid of the drum major awards, they were in fact not allowed at KMEA events. I would imagine that this would be the same situation. Sure, a school could host a non-KMEA event, which some do anyway, and have all of those extra caption judges if they want.

Is this an assistant position just for the HS, or a MS feeder position for the HS?

Based on my experience with different programs at different levels of size and success, I've seen many programs that have a season or year long guard/percussion staff, while you'll only see wind staff there for camp. I feel like this is pretty representative of a good portion of programs. Directors are hiring staff specifically for their guard/percussion, and removing the extra awards won't stop those directors from wanting their programs to be great. Do students like recognition? Of course they do, as does most anyone. Will their world be crushed because they didn't get the opportunity to win 2nd place 6A percussion at X contest? Doubtful. Additionally, if that were the case, there is where some real education about perspective and what is important can take place. I feel like you're missing the fact that people generally want to be good at what they're doing, especially if they are being motivated by their director. I think you're imagining an world in which as soon as this happens, every percussion/guard student who participates in the activity will suddenly forget why they joined to begin with, all of the things they've learned, the group successes they've had, and all of their positive experiences, and walk off the practice field never to return. I really don't think you'll see it happen that way. People that want to be good, will continue to work at it. As for recognition, are they not recognized as being part of the performing group? I doubt you'll see a program in the stands at awards that says "OK winds, stand up to be recognized when they call our class - guard, percussion you guys just stay seated ok?" Regarding quality adjudication- this is so far the only valid point you have, which is only half there. Is it great to have extra comments/critiques? Always! Do the groups need to get a seperate score? Not really. Perhaps with money saved from not bringing in 2 additional judges, hosts may be able to bring in more prefered folks from farther away, or reinforce to their judges box that there should be focus on the entire package. As for the rirst 3 questions, please re-read the rest of the 3 pages of posts. Guard and percussion are accounted for in overall scoring- guard make a huge impact on the visual performance of the ensemble. Equally, percussion makes up a very important contribution to the overall musicianship, musicality, and musical performance. But those portions only work if they're integrated well into the entire program. If you want an activity where percussion or guard is evaluated, adjudicated, and ranked as an individual entity, there are great programs for that- WGI. I said earlier that I don't see any problem with hosts bringing in additional folks for comments only if they like (though I don't know if that would be allowed or not), but they don't need to be scored and ranked seperately. It genuinely saddens me that you may truely believe that all of the terrific programs in the state would suddenly feel incentivised to devalue or eliminate guard/percussion without these extra scores and trophies, or that the hundreds of guard and percussion students all over the state could only find value in working to better themselves by striving for an extra piece of plastic.

I don't believe that the lack of guard and percussion awards will be a great detriment to anyone. I'm personally in favor of removing them. If good music and visual judges are brought in, then those issues will be addressed. It will also save a bit more money for some hosts, and that's a good thing. Having not been a judge, I can't say for sure, but I would imagine if I were a music judge where there was also a percussion judge, I would feel that I didn't need to give as many specifics to the percussion on my tape, as I would assume that it is being covered by someone else and I could focus on other comments, but if I knew there were no percussion judge, I would make additional effort to give quality comments to the pit and battery as well. I've seen some groups where the percussion and colorguard feel like they are some seperate, more important entity from the wind players, as they are getting seperate scores and awards. I don't believe that is a healthy attitude or approach to getting a full ensemble package put together, or even having a group of students that can truly work as one unit. If your goal in having the extra categories is to aid in motivation through rivalry, then do it through the full band and push everyone to improve! As mentioned by a couple of folks earlier, I do understand the value of having the additional comments, as there is a lot to see in a good show, and it's rarely possible to catch it all and comment the first time. Therefore, I would imagine it would be possible and probably benificial if comments-only caption adjudicators were brought in for critiques, but not for evaluation, placements, and awards seperate from the full ensemble.

Many bands will be there. One band from each district is invited. I believe this is left up to the school board of each district, so some choose, but sometimes you'll see combined bands from different districts.

UK does offer a marching band techniques class which includes drill writing, marching technique, marching percussion, colorguard, twirlers, arranging, etc. However, I hope you wouldn't chose a school based on a single course, especially one that wouldn't be in your major. I also wonder why you would think less of UK for a minor in music. What instrument do you play? Is this thought of Murray over UK based on the professors?

If you're going to buy a tuba, it should absolutely be a C Tuba. No reason to be a Bb for personal use unless you're playing in British style brass bands. As for what kind, your best bet would be to contact some college professors about it, especially if you know which school you're going to, they may have a preference on what you play anyway. They may even have students that are selling tubas in order to upgrade. good luck.

Erica, it's not like the money vanished because they offered it to me. lol The funny thing is, I hardly had my audition piece together at all. I was still a month from my audition at UK, which was the only audition I planned.

What "set up" of UK do you not like? Just curious. Good luck at EKU