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Student Resources

Undergraduate Students
Financial aid for undergraduate students includes academic scholarships, music scholarships funded by The Radford University Arts Society and work-study.

Graduate Students
Financial aid for graduate students includes assistantships with the possibility of additional tuition and fee waivers.

Radford University offers graduate assistantships to qualified students in both Master of Arts and Master of Science degree programs. Responsibilities include assistance in teaching, accompanying, conducting, assistance in the coaching and/or direction of performing ensembles, and administrative assistance. A limited number of assistantships include out-of-state tuition waivers in addition to the annual stipend.

Graduate assistantship stipends range from $4,500 to $10,000. A limited number of graduate assistantships may include waiver of out-of-state tuition. All applicants should file a graduate financial aid application with the Financial Aid Office, Box 6905 Radford University, East Norwood Street, Radford, Virginia 24142. A letter of interest in one or more of the following positions and a resume should be sent separately to:

Robert Trent, Ph.D., Coordinator
Graduate Music Program
Department of Music
Radford University
Radford, VA 24142

The deadline for applications is the March 1 preceding the academic year the student wishes to participate in our program. Preference will be given to applications received prior to the deadline, however the process will continue until the position is filled with a suitable candidate. 

Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Band Conducting

Qualifications: An undergraduate degree in music or music education and applied music performance skills at the graduate level required.

Description: The Graduate Teaching Assistantship provides financial support for qualified candidates who wish to pursue further study in the wind band area in preparation for professional employment as a conductor. Studies will include private applied lessons in conducting, course work in band literature, rehearsal techniques and score analysis. The successful candidate will receive extensive practical experience in conducting and administrative tasks related to an active band program.

For more details, contact Wayne Gallops, Ph.D., Director of Bands
Office: 540-831-5569; Fax: 540-831-6133

Duties: Assist the director of bands in conducting the wind ensemble, university symphonic band, chamber wind ensembles, conducting and instrumental music education courses. Provide appropriate administrative assistance with ensembles and in the areas of touring, coordination of instrumental conducting and music education workshops, and regional educational outreach initiatives.

Application: Letter of application, three current letters of recommendation, official transcripts and supporting documents. Audio or video tapes of current work only upon request.

Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Choral Conducting

Qualifications: An undergraduate degree in music or music education and the ability to perform in primary applied area at the graduate level required. Keyboard and computer skills preferred.

Description: The Graduate Teaching Assistantship provides financial support for qualified candidates who wish to pursue further study in the choral art in preparation for professional employment as a conductor. Studies will include private applied lessons in conducting, course work in choral literature and historical performance practice. The successful candidate will receive extensive practical experience in conducting and the administrative tasks related to an active choral program.

For more details, contact Meredith Bowen, Ph.D., Director of Choral Activities
Office: 540-831-5260; Fax: 540-831-6133

Duties: Assist the director of choral activities in conducting a university ensemble. Assist in the production of the annual madrigal dinner, including the musical direction of table serenaders. Assist the director of choral activities in administrative tasks related to the maintenance of the choral program including touring. Assist in research activities. During the second year of residency, the student will conduct a student ensemble such as University Chorus or Camerata.

Application: Letter of application, three current letters of recommendation, official transcripts and supporting documents. Audio or video tapes of current work only upon request.

Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Class Piano

Qualifications: Bachelors degree in music or music education with piano as the major instrument and admission to the graduate program. Piano pedagogy classes and previous experience or training with an electronic laboratory preferred.

Description: Assist in the teaching of piano class. Duties include assisting in piano laboratory supervision.

For more details, contact Wayne Gallops, Ph.D. Chair Department of Music
Office: 540-831-5177; Fax: 540-831-6133

Application: A complete resume, including undergraduate transcripts and three recent recommendations, must accompany each application. Tapes should be submitted upon request only.

Graduate Assistantship in the Department of Music Office

Qualifications: Bachelors degree in music, with typing skills and computer experience desirable. Admission to the graduate program.

Description: Assist with administrative responsibilities in the department of music office.

For more details, contact Wayne Gallops, Ph.D., Chair Department of Music
Office: 540-831-5177; Fax: 540-831-6133

Application: A complete resume, including undergraduate transcripts and three recent recommendations, must accompany each application.

Graduate Assistantship in the Ensemble Library

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in music, with typing skills and computer experience desirable. Admission to the graduate program.

Description: Assist with administrative responsibilities in the department of music ensemble library.

For more details, contact Wayne Gallops, Ph.D., Chair Department of Music
Office: 540-831-5177; Fax: 540-831-6133

Application: A complete resume, including undergraduate transcripts and three recent recommendations, must accompany each application.

Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Guitar

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in music with well-rounded guitar performance and pedagogy skills. Admission to the graduate program. Teaching experience is desired but not required.

Description: Depending on individual strengths the position will include assistance in studio teaching, coach/perform with the guitar ensemble, assist in the teaching of guitar methods class, section(s) of non-major guitar class, and /or other duties commensurate with experience. Experience with creating/managing web pages is a plus.

For more details, contact Robert Trent, Ph.D., Director of Guitar Studies at 540-831-5117.

Application: A complete resume, including undergraduate transcripts and three recent recommendations, must accompany each application. Tapes should be submitted upon request only.

Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Jazz

Qualifications: Bachelors degree in music with jazz performance/pedagogy skills and admission to the graduate program. Teaching experience is desired but not required.

Description: Depending on individual strengths the position may include coaching one of the three jazz combos, perform and assist with the 20-piece jazz band, teach jazz improvisation/theory or jazz piano class, perform with the faculty jazz quintet and faculty big band, and/or other duties commensurate with experience.

For more details, contact Dayl Burnett, Ph.D., Director of Jazz Studies
Office: 540-831-5177; Fax: 540-831-6133

Application: A complete resume, including undergraduate transcripts and three recent recommendations, must accompany each application. Tapes should be submitted upon request only.

Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Music Education

Description: The graduate teaching assistantship provides financial support for qualified candidates who wish to pursue further study in music education in preparation for professional employment as a music educator or advanced doctoral study in music education. Studies will include foundations of music education and other electives to support depth of knowledge in the field of music education. 

For more details, contact Jennifer McDonel, Ph.D., Director of Music Education
Office: 540-831-6626; Fax 540-831-6133

Qualifications: An undergraduate degree in music education and admission to the graduate program. Teaching experience is desired, but not required. 

Duties: Assist the director of music education with responsibilities related to normal operations of the program. This may include coordination of field experiences; site observation of student teaching; teaching of coursework as appropriate; inventory and maintenance of music education materials and equipment; coordination of workshops and guest speakers; assistance with research activities and/or other duties commensurate with experience.

Application: Letter of application, complete résumé, official undergraduate transcripts and three current letters of recommendation, must accompany each application. Video of current work only upon request. 

Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Music Theory

Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in music.

Description: Responsibilities may include assisting with the teaching of music theory and ear training classes. Duties include active involvement with student tutorial sessions, grading and preparation of supplementary materials.

For more details, contact Wayne Gallops, Ph.D., Chair Department of Music
Office: 540-831-5177; Fax: 540-831-6133

Application: A complete resume, including undergraduate transcripts and three recent recommendations, must accompany each application.

Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Music Therapy

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy and successful completion of a AMTA approved internship.

Description (position one): Assist the director of the music therapy program with responsibilities related to normal operations of the program. This may include coordination of clinical practicum experiences; site observation of student clinical work; teaching of coursework as appropriate; inventory and maintenance of music therapy materials and equipment; coordination of workshops and guest speakers; and/or other duties commensurate with experience.

Description (position two): Assist the director of the music therapy program with responsibilities related to the Waldron College of Health and Human Services: RU Clinics. This will involve the coordination and supervision of all music therapy services provided through the on-campus RU clinics facility during fall and spring semesters. Additional responsibilities might include assistance with the normal operations of the music therapy program.

For more details, contact Sekyung Jang, Ph.D., Director of Music Therapy, 540-831-5177.

Application: A complete resume, including undergraduate transcripts and three recent recommendations, must accompany each application.

Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Music Technology

Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in music with experience and interest in the use of technology in musical applications

Description: Responsibilities include the teaching of music technology courses, maintenance of laboratories, coordination of concert events, and assisting in the everyday operations of the Center.

For more details, contact Bruce Mahin, Ph.D., Professor of Music,
540-831-6174.

Application: A complete resume, including undergraduate transcripts and three recent recommendations, must accompany each application.

Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Percussion

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in music with diversified percussion performance/pedagogy skills and admission to the graduate program. Teaching experience is desired but not required.

Description: Depending on individual strengths the position may include assistance in studio teaching, coach/perform with the percussion/marimba ensemble, assist in the percussion methods class, maintenance of percussion equipment, and/or other duties commensurate with experience.

For more details, contact: Rob Sanderl, Ph.D., Director of Percussion Studies, at 540-831-6176.

Application: A complete resume, including undergraduate transcripts and three recent recommendations, must accompany each application. Tapes should be submitted upon request only.

Graduate Assistantship in Piano Accompanying

Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in music with piano as the major instrument. Experience as a piano accompanist. Admission to the graduate program.

Description: Assist the director of accompanying in any of the following areas: vocal/instrumental studio accompanying, vocal/instrumental recitals, assisting in accompanying class, coaching of undergraduate pianists and any other areas requiring the collaboration of a pianist.

For more details, contact Matthew Cataldi, Ph.D., piano studies
Office: 540-831-5177; Fax: 540-831-6133

Application: A complete resume, including undergraduate transcripts and three recent recommendations, with at least one recommendation addressing ability in piano accompanying, must be submitted with each application.