1st Edition
The First-Year Music Major Strategies for Success
Designed to address the many challenges that first-year undergraduate music students often encounter, The First-Year Music Major: Strategies for Success provides concrete approaches that will help anyone embarking on a degree in music develop the knowledge and skills needed to complete their first year successfully.
The chapters demystify the path of majoring in music, and address key topics including:
- Planning a road map for the degree
- Developing needed musical, academic, professional, practice, and performance skills
- Building financial, mental, and physical well-being strategies
Written by a group of experienced professors and advisors in roles across the faculty of music, this book offers a comprehensive resource for first-year music students that will help them develop foundational skills to pursue music degrees and careers. An online e-resource accompanies the book, providing downloadable worksheets and materials referenced in the chapters.
Rooted in research and extensive practical experience, The First-Year Music Major is suited to use both in introductory music courses and by individual students and advisors.
Introduction
Part 1: Degree Planning and Success
1. Understanding Different Music Degree Programs and Careers
Kerry B. Renzoni and Emily Boyce
2. Happiness and Success: Your Personal Values, Strengths, and Motivation
Lisa R. Hunter
3. Talking with Friends and Family about Studying Music
Victoria J. Furby and Tanner McMullen
4. Getting the Most Out of Advising
Victoria J. Furby and Ricky Fleming
5. Communicating Effectively with Instructors and Peers
Kerry B. Renzoni and Nicholas M. Stanford
6. Developing Technology Skills
Kerry B. Renzoni
7. Tips for Time Management
Kerry B. Renzoni, Angela Carriero and Amanda Ruiz
8. Creating a Professional PortfolioDenise M. Harris, Ellen M. Barnum and Kerry B. Renzoni
9. Studying for Academic Coursework
Victoria J. Furby
Part 2: Music and Academic Learning and Practice Habits
10. Planning for Success in Instrumental Music
Mark Filsinger and Ricky Fleming
11. Building Healthy Vocal Habits
Ho Eui Holly Bewlay
12. Foundational Keyboard Skills for Music Majors
Emily Boyce
13. Understanding Aural Skills Curriculum
Victoria J. Furby and Ellen M. Barnum
14. A Survival Guide for Music Theory
Emma James
15. You Will Teach!: Building Basic Teaching Skills
Kerry B. Renzoni
Part 3: Wellness
16. Mental Wellness: Navigating the Ups and Downs of College Life
Lisa R. Hunter
17. Overcoming Performance Anxiety
Victoria J. Furby
18. Physical Health for Music Majors
Carol DeNysschen
19. Managing Your Finances
Victoria J. Furby
20. Finding Balance
Victoria J. Furby, Allison Costanzo-Metcalfe and Tracy Clark
Biography
Kerry B. Renzoni is Coordinator of Undergraduate Music Education and Associate Professor of Music at SUNY Buffalo State in Buffalo, New York, USA. She serves as advisor for undergraduate music majors and music education master’s students. An active music education researcher, she also serves as online editor for the International Journal of Music in Early Childhood and on the editorial board of Research and Issues in Music Education.
Victoria J. Furby is Music Department Chair and Associate Professor of Music at SUNY Buffalo State in Buffalo, New York, USA. In her role as department chair, she serves as advisor to all music majors. She is active as a researcher and has served on the executive boards of the New York Choral Directors Association, the New York Society of Music Teacher Educators, and New York College Music Administrators Program.
