Guitar Studies: Other Programs

The University of St. Thomas Junior-Senior Guitar Teaching Internship

One junior or senior guitar major, approved through an interview process would teach five to ten non-credit, beginning guitar students (this is the type of student the guitar program at the Conservatory currently serves) for one academic year. The interview committee would be comprised of the Director of the Conservatory, and the program directors of the Conservatory guitar program and UST undergraduate guitar program.

The intern would be assessed for the job with the following criteria: minimum of junior class standing, minimum 3.0 gpa, ability to teach all styles of music including improvisational genres, ability to teach on all types of guitars, maturity, etc.

The salary is commensurate with experience. Since the student would presumably be just starting his/her teaching career, the rate is lower than that for the Performance Studies. Regular assessment/evaluation employing videotaping of selected lessons is a part of the GTI making it a lab-type experience resulting in more than just a retail situation; rather it is a professional teacher training component to the undergraduate guitar program.

Guitars of St. Thomas

Guitars of St.Thomas is an annual concert event occurring in the spring semester which features the elective guitar students. In what is frequently the first performance on guitar for these players, the atmosphere created is informal, fun and memorable.

Musician's Volunteer Project

The MVP is designed to provide UST music students off-campus performing opportunities (nursing homes, hospitals, hospices, PHA sites, etc.) combined with the added benefit of a social action component. With help from a worker from the Volunteer Center at UST who will arrange locations and notifications, student musicians are coordinated to perform mid-afternoon mini-concerts during the Tuesday/Thursday 11:30-1:30 convocation time, in the first weeks of October, November, March and April. Additionally, there is an informal critical reflection document requested of every student involved discussing their experience. Topics such as the healing power of music, issues concerning youth and the elderly, "healthiness" vs. "differently-abled" etc. are discussed.

MIDI Guitar Studio

The Guitar Studies Program seeks to continue to address the changing landscape of musical pedagogy. We have been successful in this by teaching techniques that are required to survive in the marketplace (improvisation, fretboard theory and harmonization and arranging) and exposing the guitarist to a well-rounded ensemble experience. With the advent of MIDI technology in its application to the guitar, I feel it is my responsibility, from a pedagogical point of view, to continue to provide the UST guitarist with the most up-to-date aspects of their instrument's development in sound design, synthesized performance technique and as a notation tool. The Roland GR-1 and the GK-2A are state-of-the-art technology as it pertains to the guitar as MIDI controller. It can interface with any other sound module, has computer storage/download capability, and is a basic enough design to be accessible to any of the acoustic or electric players. A class, Electronic Music Lessons (MUSP 110), is offered for the guitarist wishing to use the guitar (acoustic and electric) as a controller.

Festival Orchestra - MUSP 400

This is an opportunity to play a concerto with a professional orchestra comprised mostly of members of the St. Paul Orchestra and area freelance players in the spring semester. Student soloists must be at least of junior standing and perform an audition during the fall semester.

Pilot Program

The Pilot Program was initiated by Guitar Studies Program teacher Anthony Titus. It is designed to provide the Performance Studies student with a casual environment in which to perform for their peers. It takes place in the acoustically superior UST Chapel choir area.

Master Classes

Each year, the UST Guitar Studies Program brings in internationally acclaimed guitar virtuosi to hear out players and ensembels and give their expert advice. Recent guests include Angel Romero, Jeffrey Van, Sharon Isbin, the Assad Brothers and Timothy Burris.