At the Hayes School of Music, music majors may choose guitar as their principal instrument in either the Performance, Music Industries, Education, Theory/Composition, or Music Therapy areas.   While the general curriculum for each of these programs is described in the various brochures, a brief description of how guitar is treated in each follows below.

Performance helps prepare the student for a career in music performance, applied music instruction, and/or continued studies in any area of music at the graduate level.   Playing the guitar is a major part of this degree throughout the four years, with emphasis on classical guitar.   Performance majors study the classical guitar (nylon string, finger style), have frequent opportunities to perform, and are required to give junior and senior recitals.   Students in this program also participate in the Appalachian Guitar Ensemble (a large performing group featuring 25+ guitarists!), and should spend four hours a day practicing the guitar.

Music Industries is designed for the student who wants to work in one of the many music-related fields of the entertainment industry and communications media.   While the applied instrument emphasis for this degree is less than for Performance, students are expected to develop a solid foundation in music reading and performing in a variety of contemporary commercial styles.   (Classical guitar is an option - students may complete all of their requirements for this degree in plectrum/steel string styles.) Music Industries guitarists participate in the Appalachian Guitar Ensemble, and also have other performance options with various small ensembles and the Jazz Ensemble by audition.

Music Education majors study primarily the classical style, with the option of additional work in other styles useful to a classroom music teacher.   Students in this program participate in the Appalachian Guitar Ensemble, with the other options mentioned above by audition.   The Music Education major should practice guitar at least two hours per day, and is required to present a senior recital.

Theory/Composition majors have essentially the same guitar requirements as Music Education majors, with some additional focus on contemporary styles and techniques.

Music Therapy majors also have a program similar to Education majors, but without the recital requirement and with an emphasis on functional skills as needed in the therapy field.

 

Guitar Ensemble Dr. Douglas James, Conductor

 

The Guitar Audition

All prospective music majors are required to audition!   Auditions for Fall 2006 will be held December of 2005 through March of 2006. Contact Cara Osborne at 828.262.3020 for exact dates and scheduling.   Click here to schedule an audition online. Entrance into Appalachian's music programs as a Guitar Major is competitive, and the available openings in the guitar class are usually filled after the March auditions. Additionally, a number of scholarships are available to guitarists, and students should plan to audition between December and March to be considered for these.

ALL GUITARISTS WHO ARE AUDITIONING TO BE MUSIC MAJORS MUST HAVE AND DEMONSTRATE MUSIC READING SKILLS!!   Auditionees will be expected to sightread in 4/4, 3/4, and 6/8 time using simple and dotted note values.

 

Suggested audition music is as follows:

Performance Major:   Two pieces from the standard classic guitar repertoire, including works of Villa Lobos, Ponce, Giuliani, Bach, Sor, etc.   Selections may also be taken from the Royal Conservatory series, level 3 or higher.

Music Industries Major:   Auditionees must perform two pieces of any style or origin, at least one of which must be learned from standard notation   written music (NOT tablature).   Some sight-reading of unprepared material will be required as well (see above).   Written selections could be a standard jazz tune, a work from one of the Berklee Press publications (such as A Modern Method for Guitar and Melodic Rhythms for Guitar, both written by William Leavitt), etc.   Classical pieces as described for Performance major auditions are also acceptable, Royal Conservatory level 1 or higher.

Music Education Major:   As described above in Performance Major, with selections from the Royal Conservatory series level 2 also acceptable.

Music Therapy Major:   As described above in either the Industries or Education majors, but with a higher level of skill expected than in the Industries audition.   Contact Dr. James before auditioning on plectrum/steel string guitar.

All Majors:   Please consult with Dr. James before the audition if in doubt of the suitability of any audition pieces.