Participating as a Non-Major

A non-music major may participate in any of Butler’s music ensembles, which are listed below. An audition is required for all ensembles except University Marching Band and University Basketball Band. Upon acceptance into the ensemble, students register for the 100-level as first-years and sophomores, the 300-level as juniors and seniors, and the 500-level for graduate students; all ensembles are 1-credit registrations. Interested students should contact the listed faculty member directly for audition information, rehearsal and concert schedules, and other questions.

Vocal

• ES 117/317/517 – University Choir (Dr. John Perkins, jdperkin@butler.edu, 317-940-9636)
• ES 118/318/518 – University Chorale (Dr. Eric Stark, estark@butler.edu, 317-940-9981)
• ES 105/305/505 – Chamber Singers (Dr. Eric Stark, estark@butler.edu, 317-940-9981)
• ES 110/310/510 – Opera Theatre (School of Music office, music@butler.edu, 317-940-9246)

Instrumental

• ES 101/301/501 – Chamber Music (Dr. Bill Grubb, wgrubb@butler.edu, 317-940-6418)
• ES 102/302/502 – Guitar Chamber Music (Prof. Brett Terrell, bterrell@butler.edu, 317-940-9636)
• ES 103/303/503 – Arthur Jordan Saxophone Quartet (Prof. Heidi Radtke, hradtke@butler.edu, 317-940-6216)
• ES 106/306/506 – Percussion Ensemble (Prof. Jon Crabiel, jcrabiel@butler.edu, 317-940-9488)
• ES 108/308/508 – New Music Ensemble (Dr. Frank Felice, ffelice@butler.edu, 317-940-3236)
• ES 120/320/520 – Butler Symphony (Prof. Richard Clark, rclark@butler.edu, 317-940-8031)

Jazz

• ES 124/324/524 – Jazz Ensemble (Dr. Matt Pivec, mpivec@butler.edu, 317-940-9068)
• ES 127/327/527 – Jazz Combo (Dr. Matt Pivec, mpivec@butler.edu, 317-940-9068)
• ES 104/304/504 – Jordan Jazz (Prof. Erin Benedict, ebenedic@butler.edu)

Athletic Bands

• ES 119/319/519 – University Marching Band (Professor Melissa Johnson, mfjohns1@butler.edu) NOTE: Participation in the marching band can count for PWB credit in the university core curriculum. See www.butler.edu/bands for additional details.
• ES 121/321/521 – University Basketball Band (Professor Melissa Johnson, mfjohns1@butler.edu)

Submit your EPS audition video by February 16, 2024!

A limited number of scholarships (up to $2,000 per year) are available for incoming, first-year non-music majors interested in participating in major choral and instrumental ensembles through the School of Music. An audition is required for scholarship consideration, see more information below. Awards are renewable up to seven (7) semesters as long as the student maintains good academic and musical standing at Butler. Awards are based upon musicianship as demonstrated during the audition, academic record, and ensemble needs in the School of Music. Continued eligibility for Ensemble Participation Scholarships requires registration in the appropriate ensemble and secondary-level applied music lessons as outlined in the scholarship offer (cannot be taken P/F or for non-credit).  A “B” or higher is required for both ensemble and lessons to remain in good standing.

Eligible ensembles include:

• Butler Symphony Orchestra
• Butler University Wind Ensemble
• University Chorale
• University Choir
• Jazz Ensemble (by special permission)

EPS Audition Process

1. Record your audition and upload to a file sharing service such as YouTube, GoogleDrive, Dropbox, etc. Audition requirements are as follows:
   • Vocalists: solo repertoire of your choice OR “America the Beautiful”. Piano accompaniment is preferred; you may use an accompaniment track.
   • Instrumentalists: solo repertoire of your choice. Percussionists should prepare a solo piece of repertoire on a mallet instrument as well as demonstrate at least two scales on mallets. If possible, please also demonstrate a sampling of snare rudiments (you may use a snare practice pad for this).
2. Submit the audition recording link via the EPS Audition Form no later than February 16, 2024.
3. Complete a Sight-Reading Appointment by February 22, 2024 (not required for strings or percussion). You will be contacted by the School of Music office to schedule this appointment approximately one week after submitting your audition. See Sight-Reading Appointment details below:
   • At your appointment start time, you will receive an email from the School of Music office (music@butler.edu) with a short, sight-reading exercise.
   • Upon receiving the email, you will have 15 minutes to study the exercise, video-record yourself playing/singing the exercise, and submit via email.
4. Audition results will be communicated to all students in mid-March via email. NOTE: Only students who are admitted to Butler University are eligible to receive an EPS.

Submit your EPS audition video by February 16, 2024!

Questions? Email music@butler.edu or call 317-940-9656

Non-music majors wishing to study Applied Music must also be enrolled in a School of Music ensemble. A “Request for Applied Secondary Lessons” form is available online, and should be submitted to the School of Music office, Lilly Hall, room 229. Once approved by the Chair of the School of Music, the student will be notified by Joy Rogers, School of Music secretary (jlroger1@butler.edu, 317-940-9246).

The following courses are designed for non-music majors:

• AM 125: Guitar Class 1 (U)(1)
  • This course is designed for beginning guitar students with a passing knowledge of guitar playing, but no formal guitar instruction. This course will stress basic fundamentals such as hand and arm movement, chord playing, melody playing, counting, sight-reading music, and the study of a wide range of music.
• AM 126: Guitar Class 2 (U)(1)
  • A continuation of AM 125, with emphasis on more advanced techniques.
• AM 127: Voice Class 1 (U)(1)
• AM 128: Voice Class 2 (U)(1)
  • Basic principles of voice development and use. This class is intended for non-majors or those music majors for whom voice is not the primary instrument. Two meetings per week.
• AM 130: World Drumming Class (U)(1)
  • This course offers experiences in learning world percussion techniques and its history. Areas of percussion study include: Latin-American Percussion, African Percussion, Brazilian Percussion, Caribbean Percussion, Cultural History and Folklore. No previous percussion experience required; instruments will be provided. Two meetings per week.

Music Minor

A minor in Music is available through the Jordan College of the Arts to students whose primary major is not in music. It consists of twenty-four (24) credit hours, of which fourteen to sixteen (14-16) are specified. For specific requirements, see the Music Minor curriculum guide.

Jazz Studies Minor

A minor in Jazz Studies is available through the Jordan College of the Arts to students whose primary major is not in music. It consists of twenty-four (24) credit hours, of which twenty-two (22) are specified. For specific requirements, see the Jazz Studies Minor curriculum guide or contact Dr. Matt Pivec for further information at mpivec@butler.edu or 317-940-9068.

Learn More on the Music Majors & Minors page.