5:21 p.m.
I'm forwarding this email from Dr. Ron Ellis, Assistant Professor of Music and
Director of Bands at UTSA. Apparently several students have been given incorrect
information during advising sessions concerning their participation in music ensembles,
and marching band in particular. Ensemble classes at UTSA, including Marching Band, are
open to non-music majors, and advisors should encourage all interested students to
participate in them. I haven't modified Dr. Ellis's email, but I do want to add
two notes (yes, it's a music joke). First, Marching Band is a course that has been
specifically approved for CAP students to take in addition to their required CAP classes
(it cannot substitute for one of the required CAP classes). Second, Marching Band and
other music ensemble courses offer many students, especially those majoring in the
sciences and engineering, a creative outlet for self-expression that should be encouraged.
Please read Dr. Ellis's email below. If you have questions, contact information for
several Music department personnel is listed at the bottom, or for specific advising
questions, you can contact me, Dainon Deviney, Joan Tsacalis, or Barbara Smith. Thank
you!
Jimmy
James R. Adair, Ph.D.
Associate Director of Advising Technology
Lecturer II, Department of Philosophy & Classics
One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX 78255
210-458-6216
Colleagues,
I hope that the summer has been going well for you.
Some brief items;
- University music programs are comprised of nearly 75% of majors other than music
(Instrumental ensembles are closer to 90%)
This is true of most universities.
- Engineering and computer science are the two highest majors enrolled in the UTSA
marching band with "having a creative outlet" and "helping my GPA"
given as two main reasons they choose to participate.
- The UTSA Spirit of San Antonio already attracts top students from across the state and
nation to attend UTSA and has been cited by the President and the Provost as a key
recruiting tool for top tier students (many of whom are involved in instrumental ensembles
in high school).
With the transition into the new method of advising, the music department has received an
unusual amount of phone calls this summer for information from panicked students and
frustrated parents with regards to information they have been given from their advisors
during orientation.
As students and parents have been known to exaggerate, we have done our best to work
through any issues they may be experiencing in order to ensure their participation in
instrumental music as part of their academic ventures.
Specifically, the following statements have been relayed to our admin team with regards to
marching band during the orientation process:
"Marching Band is not a class."
This is not true. Marching band, and all instrumental ensembles, are academic course
offerings that count as elective credit towards all majors. In order to participate in
marching band, all students must register for the 2 hr class that corresponds to their
instrument.
Mus 3802 sec 1 - Marching Band - Winds - CRN #16181
Mus 3802 sec 2 - Percussion - CRN #16476
Mus 3802 sec 3 - Colorguard, Pom, Majorettes - CRN #16477
" *student* has credit hour limitations and therefore can't enroll"
This is not true. The Provost and the Registrar's office established the following
class section for incoming freshmen with credit hour limitations that is treated the same
way as ROTC.
MUS 4581 - UTSA Marching Band - Chamber Music - CRN #15688
"*students* are only to allowed to take 15 hrs"
Per my meeting with the Provost, this is not true. Students can take additional hours if
they wish, and Marching Band (and other courses) have been specifically mentioned by the
President and Provost as areas that can help a student with the transition into college
life socially, mentally, and also academically, while at the same time creating a higher
potential for alumni participation after graduation. It also can help a student boost
their GPA through the academic credit offered as well as the study groups that take place
within in the ensemble after rehearsals.
"Students are required to audition for marching band"
This is not true. With regard to the instrumental part of the ensemble, the UTSA marching
band is open to any student who wishes to participate. An assessment is given at the
beginning of each fall during pre-season camp to assign musical parts, but not to
determine participation. The UTSA marching band staff are all teachers and the curriculum
allows any level student to succeed through attendance and commitment.
"As a CAP Student, my advisor said I can't take any classes outside of my degree
requirements or I would be dropped from the CAP program"
This is not true. The Music Office has confirmed with the UT Cap program, numerous
times, that as long as a student fulfills their core requirements, what they take outside
of that is entirely up to them. They will not be dropped for this. Participation in
marching band has also led to approximately 10 CAP students choosing to remain at UTSA and
finish their studies.
"My advisor told me that if I am taking all of my classes at the downtown campus,
that I can't be in marching band."
This is not true. There are numerous students involved in our ensembles that take a
majority of their classes downtown.
"My advisor stated that I should not be in any music ensembles, especially marching
band."
If this is not an exaggerated statement, this is the most disturbing relayed bit of
information that we have received. We are making every effort to go through the proper
channels to establish where and how this message is being allowed to be expressed.
Finally, an example of an email I received from a student that the music department
specifically recruited to UTSA who wanted to to perform in the marching band and was one
of the reasons he chose this university;
"I know you are busy so thank you for taking time out of your schedule! My
advisor's name is xxxxxxxxx. I've sent her many emails but I can't convince
her. I decided to ask people for help after stressing about this for nearly a month. If
you want to see the emails and the Advising Form please send an message back. I sent a
email to you a while ago but I know it takes time to see."
We will do all we can to make sure the correct information is given to students, and we
will always commit to working as a team on behalf of UTSA. If you have any questions
about items presented in this email, please do not hesitate to call or email and we will
answer any questions you may have.
Prof Stacey Davis - Assistant Chair - 5335
Prof Si Millican - Music Education - 5334
Prof Ron Ellis - UTSA Director of Bands - 7258
Naomy Ybarra - Senior Administrative Associate - 4357
I want to thank you for taking the time to read this email. It is sent with the utmost
respect and admiration for the role you have taken on for UTSA. As we move forward, we
have already begun a process with the Provost to make sure that there is no confusion or
lack of understanding with regards to music ensembles and many other academic units that
are experiencing these issues (we have run across several through the course of our
meetings).
All the best and have a great fall,
re
Ron Ellis
Director of Bands
University of Texas, San Antonio
[cid:B8776627-431E-41D8-B1A0-C4949E1DFFB0@utsarr.net]
