The First-Year Music Major

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.

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.

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