Instrumental Music
The School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology offers the instrumentalist a variety of courses to begin learning or continue learning to play an instrument.
Beginning level courses do not require an audition. Upper level (3000 and 4000) music courses require an audition. Many of these courses allow students to join a performing ensemble.
Students are also encouraged to augment their performance training with courses in music history and music theory.
Beginning, intermediate and advanced instruction is offered in four areas:
Piano
The School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology offers courses in piano instruction at several levels for all students.
For the student with no prior experience, MUSI 2317 Piano I offers introduction to keyboard skills, including technique, literature and basic theory. Course may be repeated for up to 9 hours credit, with progressively more challenging assignments.
MUSI 3388 Piano II consists of intermediate level studies, including technique, theory, repertoire development and stylistic interpretation. Enrollment is by audition only. Course may be repeated for up to 9 hours credit, with progressively more challenging assignments.
MUSI 4345 Piano III offers advanced studies, including technique, theory, repertoire development and stylistic interpretation. Enrollment is by audition only.
Independent Study consists of private instruction with a UT Dallas faculty member. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor only.
Students in all upper level music courses perform frequently in campus recitals and on the Fall and Spring Arts Festivals.
For more information, contact Catherine Parsoneault at catherine.parsoneault@utdallas.edu.
Music students without previous instrumental training are also encouraged to take Music Theory I and II and Music in Western Civilization to broaden their skills and understanding of music.
Strings and Winds
The Advanced Orchestra/Chamber Music Ensemble, University Orchestra, String Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Music: Woodwinds, Percussion Ensemble, Drumline, Brass Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Pep Band are open to all students who have previous experience on orchestral, band or percussion instruments. Opportunities for students to perform concertos and solo works with the ensembles may be made available for outstanding performers. Non-percussion students must supply their own instruments and accessories. The repertoire selected will reflect the available instrumentation and the performers’ experience.
The University Orchestra is a combination of select members of the Wind Ensemble and String Orchestra. The String Orchestra and the Wind Ensemble rehearse in the same time frame and then come together to perform some works as the University Orchestra. In addition, there are a Chamber Music Ensemble and a Pep Band. The ensembles perform on campus as a part of the Fall Festival and the Spring Festival plus other special events and theatrical presentations offered by the UT Dallas School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology to the University community. The Advanced Orchestra/Chamber Music Ensemble performs separately as Musica Nova.
For more information, contact the director of each group.
Advanced Orchestra/Chamber Music Ensemble (Musica Nova) – Robert X. RodrÃguez
String Orchestra – Adron Ming
Wind Ensemble – Bobby Lapinski
Chamber Music: Woodwinds – Bobby Lapinski
Percussion Ensemble – Lori Gerard
Drumline – Lori Gerard
Brass Ensemble – Linda Salisbury
Jazz Ensemble – Kelly Durbin
Pep Band – Lori Gerard
Guitar
The Guitar Studies Program offers students many opportunities to perform and study by offering both ensemble and solo playing opportunities. MUSI 2315 Guitar I is suitable for beginners on the guitar or in music and also offers instruction for more advanced players who would like to learn to read music for guitar, and improve their basic technique. MUSI 3380 Guitar II – Guitar Ensemble and advanced guitar courses offer the student the ability to grow further in guitar studies. Please note: a classical guitar which combines nylon with wire wrapped bass strings is recommended for this class. The Guitar Studies Program has guitars suitable for use in class available for loan to qualified students. Please check with your instructor about borrowing guitars. You must be enrolled in the class to borrow a guitar.
MUSI 3322 Guitar Literature is a history course, which features an audio visual history of the guitar and related instruments. No pre-requisite playing experience or guitar study is required to take this course.
The Guitar Studies Program also offers graduate level courses and opportunities for performance through the M.A. in Aesthetic Studies/Performance. The School of Arts, Humanities sponsors many interesting and exciting activities to complement the Guitar Studies Program such as the Guitar Concert Series and the Texas Guitar Competition and Festival. These on-campus activities afford the students and the community professional level concerts and master classes with guest artists of international stature.
If you have questions about the guitar program, please check with Enric Madriguera, Head of Guitar Studies at enric.madriguera@utdallas.edu or 972-883-2786.
Eddie Healy and Enric Madriguera perform a piece composed by Andres Segovia.