Current Students

Please follow this link to request a student locker for personal instruments and items in the Fine Arts Building: LOCKER REQUEST FORM

This is for UNK students who have registered for a Music course. Preference is given to students enrolled in ensembles and need to store personal instruments. University-owned instruments are to be stored in the locker assigned to that instrument. Lockers must be cleaned out after each semester of use unless the student requests to continue using the locker for the upcoming semester. For questions or concerns, please contact the Music Department Office Supervisor, Katherine Shinn at: SHINNKL@UNK.EDU

Music students will have unlimited access to the Fine Arts Building Monday through Friday using the swipe card access points if requested. Music majors are granted access automatically each semester. Music Minors and other students taking music classes may request access at the following link:

After-Hours Access Request Form

The building will otherwise remain open to the from 7:00 A.M. until 10:00 P.M., and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 until 10:00 P.M, unless a special holiday schedule is posted.

There are new "Package" options to purchase accompaniment sessions. Please make sure to do all scheduling of sessions through the Music Office. 

Accompaniment Fees and Policy

Accompaniment Packages Breakdown of Charges  

To REQUEST and PAY for accompaniment sessions with the Department-Contracted Accompanists, please use the following link:

REQUEST / PAY FOR ACCOMPANIMENT SESSIONS

Download the FALL 2020 Calendar of Events

Download the SPRING 2021 Calendar of Events (coming soon)

Students can find the Music Student Handbook HERE.

The following document is the COVID-19 procedures for the 2020-2021 Academic Year. 

academics/music/_files/covid-music-area-procedures.pdf

If you need to change your advisor at any time, please visit the University Undergraduate Advisor Change Request Form

1. Musician Health and Injury Prevention
   • Hearing Health Resources (as recommended by NASM)
     NASM/PAMA Advisories on Hearing Health
     https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/publications/brochures-advisories/nasm-pama-hearing-health/
     
     Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) Bibliography
     http://www.artsmed.org/bibliography.html
     
     MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS FOCUSED ON HEARING HEALTH:
     American Academy of Audiology
     (http://www.audiology.org/Pages/default.aspx)
     
     American Academy of Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)
     (http://www.entnet.org/index.cfm)
     
     American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
     (http://www.asha.org/)
     
     Athletes and the Arts
     (http://athletesandthearts.com/)
     
     National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders—Noise-Induced
     Hearing Loss: (https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss)
     
     OTHER ORGANIZATIONS FOCUSED ON HEARING HEALTH
     Dangerous Decibels
     http://www.dangerousdecibels.org
     
     National Hearing Conservation Association
     http://www.hearingconservation.org/
     
     The Musician’s Way: see articles on hearing protection
     http://www.musiciansway.com/wellness.shtml
   • Vocal Health and Injury Prevention:
     National Center for Voice and Speech
     http://www.ncvs.org/
     
     Institute of Contemporary Music Performance
     Vocal Health: http://www.vocalist.org.uk/vocal_health.html
     Health and Fitness Links to Articles and Resources (Anatomy, Breathing, Hearing, Disorders, General Vocal Health, Health Organizations, Therapies, and Resources): http://www.vocalist.org.uk/vocal_health_links.html
   • Musculoskeletal Health and Injury Prevention:
     Musicians’ Health
     Links to articles including the following: Muscular Problems, Repetitive Injuries, Weight Training for the Musician, Back Pain, Stress in Piano Playing Link to Recommended Books (vocal and instrumental)
     
     Move Well, Avoid Injury
     http://movewellavoidinjury.com/
     
     About.com: Music Education: Musicians’ Injuries (Types and how to Avoid It) String, Wind, and Percussion Instrumentalists
     http://musiced.about.com/od/beginnersguide/a/injuries.htm
     
     Performing Arts Medicine Association
     Web links, Patient Referrals, Related PAMA Websites, Bibliography on health problems of instrumental and vocal musicians, dancers and actors. www.artsmed.org/
     
     Athletes and the Arts: Auditory and Oral Health, Health Care, Injury Risk, Treatment, and Prevention, Mental Health, Practice and Performance, Wellness and Exercise
     http://athletesandthearts.com/
     
     Musician’s Way: Guide to Practice, Performance and Wellness (online companion to book): Links to articles on injury prevention for instrumentalists, voice care, locating and arts medicine specialist, general health and wellness, Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais Method, References, Hearing Protection
     http://www.musiciansway.com/wellness.shtml
     
     MTNA Annotated Bibliography on Musician Wellness
     http://www.mtna.org/member-resources/annotated-bibliography-on-musician-wellness/
     • An extensive Bibliography of books, articles, videos, and web resources has been compiled on the topics of Health, Wellness, Injury Prevention, Treatment, and Prevention available to all music students and faculty.
2. Health and Wellness Student Services
   Contact information and general resources for students with physical and mental health concerns is provided through the UNK Counseling and Health Care website at: http://www.unk.edu/offices/counseling_healthcare/health-care/index.php
3. Safety: Equipment Use, Handling, and Operations Guidelines
   The music faculty have identified two main areas of concern regarding equipment use, handling, and operations (piano and percussion instruments) and have developed the following guidelines that will be included on the department website, the student handbook, and posted on the departmental, classroom/rehearsal room, and percussion studio bulletin boards:Pianos
   
   1. All piano moves must be approved by and coordinated through Mick Johnson, Staff Piano Technician, johnsonmj1@unk.edu, 308-865-8119. For the safety of both personnel and the instrument, the following guidelines should be followed by anyone participating in a piano move:
      1. Make sure protective cover is on the piano.
      2. A minimum of 2 people for a vertical piano move, 3 for a grand.
      3. Move the piano SLOWLY.
      4. Check the path for any obstructions (i.e. door handles, door thresholds, uneven floor, cracks etc.).
      5. Vertical pianos are to be moved lengthwise for stability. Keep the piano perpendicular to any uneven surfaces or inclines.
      6. When going over bumps, lift slightly to ease the strain on casters and piano legs.
      7. For grand pianos, once positioned, engage the locking casters (if applicable).
   2. Percussion Instruments
      Any student who will move any percussion instrument at UNK is given coaching and demonstration on how to safely and properly handle each task. Although every percussion instrument needs to be treated with care, the larger and/or bulkier instruments have specific guidelines. These include timpani, mallet keyboard instruments, marching drums and stadium hardware, concert bass drums, and cymbals. The guidelines for each are below:
      
      Timpani
      When moving timpani, first make sure all wheel locks are released. Grab the drum only near the top of any two support struts; in no case is it proper to grab the drum by the counterhoop! Tilt the drum so that only wheels are touching the floor, and either pull or push-roll the drum on even surfaces. These drums are top-heavy, so care must be taken to counteract the force of inertia while in motion. If the drum must be taken up or down stairs or risers, do not try to pick up the drum by yourself, as the shape of the drum inhibits basic proper lifting style. Lock at least two wheel locks when playing the instrument.
      
      Cymbals
      Only carry cymbals with both hands, or by one hand using the attached leather strap. Place hands through the strap for marching band to reduce risk of lost grip.
      
      Mallet keyboard instruments
      When moving any wheeled mallet keyboard instrument, first make sure all wheel locks are released. Only grab the instrument by its structural components on either end of the instrument; never grab by the keys, resonators, or rails! Carefully roll the instrument on flat surfaces. If the instrument must be taken up or down stairs or risers, make sure to use basic proper lifting style. Use at least two people to move each instrument, with the exception of the glockenspiel. Lock at least two wheel locks when playing the instrument. Extra care must be taken when moving the chimes, as its top-heavy shape and extra weight necessitate specific hand placement: one hand must grab the bottom structural support crossbeam, and the other hand must be placed above halfway up the instrument and only on the structural support to counter the high center of gravity. Never touch the bars with bare hands!
      
      Concert bass drums
      When moving large drums on stands, first make sure all wheel locks are released. Roll the instrument carefully on flat surfaces. If the instrument must be taken up or down stairs or risers, make sure to use two people and a basic proper lifting style. Lift the drum by its stand, or by its shell; do not grab the counterhoops. Lock at least two wheel locks when playing the instrument.
      
      Marching drums and stadium hardware
      Snares, tenors, bass drums: always grab the drum with both hands when moving to/from a stand or harness. Lift only using basic proper lifting style. Stadium hardware: when adjusting the hardware, be very careful to keep all body parts away from the adjustment channels, as there is significant pinching risk. Do not over-tighten wingnuts after adjusting. Make sure that each drum is not in danger of falling over while on stadium hardware. Adjust each harness to each individual person and drum.