Getting Started in
The Music Department at CCBC Essex

• Apply to the Community College of Baltimore County. You can get an application from your high school counselor, the Essex Campus Admissions Office, E 120, or click on the link to download an application from the CCBC website. If you have any questions, please call the Admissions Office at 410-780-6363.
• Arrange to take placement evaluations, in English, Reading, and Math. Visit the Testing Center, E 215, or call 410-780-6901 for an appointment.
• About two weeks following your placement evaluations, call or e-mail Dr. Watson, Music Department Head, at 410-780-6569, to make an appointment for your initial advising and for your audition in your major performance area. You will take placement evaluations in Music Theory and Class Piano and create your academic schedule for your first semester. You can also schedule your audition by contacting Ms. Kathy Keavney , the Music Department secretary, in H 316, at 410-780-6521, Audition requirements are listed by clicking on this link.
• After your audition, one of the music faculty will discuss with you whether you should begin with level one (Private Instruction) or level two (Applied Music Basic). Credits earned in level one are not applicable to music program requirements. Credits received in level two will satisfy the music program and transfer requirements.
• You will need a Music Course Authorization form to register for applied music each semester, to be completed by your applied music teacher. These forms are available in the Music Office, room H 316

Acceptance into the Music Program

Based upon the results of your applied music audition and theory placement evaluation, you will be admitted into the music department either “conditionally” or “fully.” These terms are defined as follows:

• “Conditional acceptance” means that you must successfully complete Music Fundamentals (MUSC 101) and/or Private Instruction in Music (MUSA 1_0) before you may begin Music Theory and/or Applied Music study.
• “Full acceptance” means that you have met the prerequisites and may begin your Music Theory and/or Applied Music study.

Registering for Classes

• Copy the information from your Music Course Pre-Registration Form onto the college Registration Form. You must also attach the Music Course Authorization Form. For this reason, we do not recommend registration by phone or via the web. Indicate 110 under curriculum code, and write Music for “your curriculum.”
• Pay early to better ensure your getting the classes that you want. If you exceed your payment deadline, the computer will void your registration. Low-enrolled classes are cancelled ten days prior to the beginning of each semester.
• Although you do not have to formally register for the Repertoire Class, you must schedule the time that this class meets each week (see “Applied Music”) as well as Music Forum.
• Contact you applied music instructor to schedule your lesson time after you have registered and paid.

Advising by the Music Faculty

You will be assigned a music faculty advisor who will:

• Counsel you in choosing your music courses each semester
• Answer questions that you most likely will have
• Provide guidance as needed throughout your career at CCBC Essex.

You must:

• Contact you advisor for a mid-semester appointment to discuss your classes for the next semester. This meeting is required before you register for classes.
• Take the Music Department Pre-registration Program Planning form which your advisor completes, along with your signed Music Course Registration Authorization form to register for your classes each semester. Once you have begun your classes at CCBC Essex, you will be able to register before the end of each semester for the next semester.