Information for Current Students

Graduate Student Meet and Greet

This workshop is a part of Graduate Orientation. Meet College of Music grad students outside your studio, chat with faculty and staff members, and start building your MSU Music community. Your colleagues in graduate school become your musical network for your professional career--so let's get started! 

Monday, August 26, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM
Music Practice Building Room 103

College of Music Student Job Fair

Join us to learn about opportunities for on campus jobs and internships for College of Music students, both at the College of Music and beyond. Info session is 3:30-4:30 in Cook Recital Hall Resume reviews and speed advising is 4:30-5:30 in MB145. Interviews for event staff positions will also run 4:30-5:30 (room TBD)

Tuesday, August 27, 3:30-5:30 PM
Cook Recital Hall

Working in Popular Music: Building Skills, Finding Work, Getting Paid

Are you ignoring work outside the classical and jazz worlds and leaving money on the table? Join us for a conversation to discover how the popular music world works, and how you can work it to increase your gigging opportunities, develop new skills, and network with new performers and audiences. Our expert is MSU Alumnus Christian Hebel, one of the best known and versatile violinists in popular music today who has worked with musicians including Barbra Streisand, Billy Joel, George Benson, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Diana Ross, The Roots, Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. 

Thursday, September 12, 7-8:15 PM
Cook Recital Hall

Finding Work in a New City: Obstacles + Strategies

Being new is hard, whether you just moved or you're thinking about moving after graduation. But with some strategies for breaking in, a new location can provide valuable opportunities for gigging, teaching, and creative development. Join acclaimed MSU alum Christian Hebel to talk honestly about obstacles-and strategies that can be used to overcome them-when developing your reputation in an unfamiliar place. Hebel, one of the best known and versatile violinists in popular music today, has experience “breaking in” to the Broadway, studio work, popular music, and classical scenes in New York and Los Angeles, as well as concert halls and venues ranging from clubs to stadiums all around the world

Friday, September 13, 12:40-1:30 PM
Music Building Room 207 (conference room)

Defining Success

In the field of music, we often absorb a definition of success that is given to us--but does one size really fit all? Hear from a panel of faculty who have wrestled with their own definition of success, and the results of that struggle, and practice using some tools to help you develop, and pursue, your own definition of success.
With Diego Rivera, Marcie Ray, Alexis Bacon, Mingzhe Wang, David Biedenbender, and Christine Beamer.

Thursday, September 19, 5:30-6:45 PM
Music Building 206

Same Gig, New Century: Baroque Techniques and Music Careers

Early Music and Historical Performance, once on the fringe of the larger world of Classical Music, is now one of the fastest growing sectors of music. Plus, there are many different avenues to working with this diverse performing community as a performer and educator. In this workshop, Drs. Lindsey Strand-Polyak and Alexa Haynes-Pilon will talk about their careers as freelance professionals in Early Music, providing advice and resources for performers and music educators. They will also give an introduction on delving in to Historical Performance principals that you can apply to your next Messiah performance or Holiday concert. Bring your instrument!

Tuesday, October 1, 5:30-6:45 PM
Music Building 145

Adulting 101: Personal Finance

The first step of adulting is often managing your money-well. And managing money as an arts professional requires building skills above-and-beyond the "normal" financial literacy. So, what should you do NOW, what should you do before you graduate, to build these skills? Join MSUFCU financial educator Ian Oberg for some practical information-and practice-in financial success.

Thursday, October 10, 5:30-6:45 PM
Music Building 145

Social Media Masterclass for Creatives

An effective social media strategy is essential for musicians, artists, and other creatives who want to build their own business, side hustle, or freelance work. Join us to gain strategies to build a coherent business or personal brand, increase fans/followers, and convert those followers into clients, customers or opportunities. 

Wednesday, October 16, 5:30-6:45 PM
Music Building Room 145

Detroit Symphony Orchestra String Mock Auditions

Join us as a panel of DSO principal and assistant principal string players listen to MSU students perform mock auditions, and provide tips and tricks for audition preparation. Mock auditions 7:30-10 PM, Talkback with panel, 10-10:30 PM.

Sunday, October 27, 7:30-10:30 PM
Cook Recital Hall

What's the Cultural Economy (and why care about it)
& Making a Living through Arts Partnerships

With Kate Dumbleton, Professor at Chicago Institute of Art and Director, Hyde Park Jazz Festival

Monday October 28, 8-9 PM (Jazz Studio presentation)
Music Practice Building 103
Tuesday, October 29, 11:30-12:20 PM (Open to All)
Room TBD

Entrepreneurial Musician in Residence: Imani Winds
Monday, November 4:

6-7 PM, Outreach and Educational Engagement Practicesfor Woodwinds
Cook Recital Hall

Entrepreneurial Musician in Residence: Imani Winds
Tuesday, November 5

4-6 PM, Chamber Music Masterclass
MSU Community Music School Recital Hall

6:30-7:30 PM, Expanding the Canon-Entrepreneurship and Imani Winds
Music Building 145

8-10 PM, Clarinet Masterclass
Cook Recital Hall

Entrepreneurial Musician in Residence: Imani Winds
Wednesday, November 6

12:40-2:30 PM, Guest Artist Visit in Wind Symphony (topic TBD)
Fairchild Theater

Entrepreneurial Musician in Residence: Imani Winds
Thursday, November 7

2-4 PM-Chamber Music Coachings (arranged)

4:30-6:30 PM-Composition Reading with MSU student composers
MSU Community Music School Recital Hall