Student Life

STUDENT ACCESS

Swope Music Building Hours of Operation

Swope Music Building
Monday-Sunday: 7:00 AM-12:00 AM
(electronic swipe card access from 10:00 PM-12:00 AM and 24 hours on weekends)

Presser Music Library
Monday-Thursday: 8:00 AM-10:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM-6:00 PM
Sunday: 2:00 PM-10:00 PM

Music Education Computer Lab
Due to frequently changing hours of operation, this information can be found on the door of the computer lab.

FACILITY USAGE

Locker Rental

We have lockers on each floor of Swope and they come in a range of sizes to accommodate a variety of instruments. All music majors will be assigned a locker based on their primary instrument for the duration of their studies in the Wells School of Music. Locker assignments are sent out via email during the month of August. Any non-music majors participating in ensembles or lessons may request lockers during the second week of each semester. Space is limited and lockers are assigned on a first come first serve basis. Please see Kaysey Davis in SMB 110C or email at kdavis4@wcupa.edu with any questions.

Instrument Rental

As a music major, you may be enrolled in courses in which you will be required to play instruments you do not own. Students may rent instruments for those courses from the instrument rental office located in SMB 142. A fee of $20.00 per instrument per semester will be applied to your bill in Ramportal. Instruments rented for use in lessons or ensembles will not be charged. All instruments must be returned each semester by 4:30PM on Friday of finals week. Please see Kaysey Davis in SMB 110C or email at kdavis4@wcupa.edu with any questions.

Practice Rooms

The Swope Music Building at West Chester University offers a wide array of practice facilities for your use including eight Piano Major Practice Rooms (with Grand Pianos), 32 Standard Practice Rooms (most with Upright Pianos), a Percussion Practice Suite, three Organ Practice Rooms, a Harpsichord Room, a Reed Room, and Piano Pedagogy Room. Practice facilities are free for students to use for the duration of their enrollment in a Wells School of Music degree program at West Chester University. All music majors may have access to the Standard Practice Rooms with non-music majors enrolled in an ensemble or taking lessons through the Community Music Program having access on weekends only until the end of the 12th week of each fall and spring semester. However, students may only have access to the specialized facilities if they are enrolled in major lessons respective to those facilities; their Ram-e-Cards will be automatically programmed based on scheduled lessons. While practice facilities are free for students' use, students will be financially responsible for any damages incurred to the practice facilities during their use as determined by the Wells School of Music Administration. A valid Ram-e-Card is required to access the practice rooms.

Presser Music Library

The Presser Music Library is located on the first floor of Swope and is available to all members of the University community and to members of the public who have been given a library card at the F.H. Green library.

Scores, reference books and most LP recordings are on open shelves. Materials on course or general reserve, all compact discs and anything with a call number ending in "(c)" are in a locked cabinet or reserved stacks behind the service counter, and may be requested by call number. Materials on reserve, sound recordings, reference books and scores stamped "Does not circulate" may be used only in the library. You may borrow from the rest of the collection (notably most scores) for a six-week period, with one possible renewal.

For help in locating materials or operating equipment, feel free to ask any member of the library staff to assist you. Check out the subject guide for music for more information and additional resources.

Recording Request

While we have an audio/visual technician to record official Wells School of Music performances, there may be times where you'd like to record your own performances to create a custom CD demo for use in graduate school auditions, job searches or for your own enjoyment. Students who wish to have additional performances recorded submit a completed AV Recording Session Request Form to the Dean's Suite, Room 110. Requests must be submitted at least 3 weeks in advance. A recording fee of $75.00 per hour is charged for this service and applies to set-up, break down, recording, mixing and editing time spent on the project.

Room Requests

During your time in the Wells School of Music, you may want to use spaces in Swope Music Building for a variety of events or programs. Room booking is easy. Look for and reserve an available room on the WCU Space Management Website. Before booking, please review the general rules and guidelines for reserving and using spaces in Swope Music Building.

Please note that the person booking the room is responsible for the following:

  • Put the room back to its original set up.
  • Return all borrowed equipment (chair, tables, stands, and risers) to its original location.
  • Make sure that all windows and doors are locked when you leave.
  • Use the room responsibly.
  • Notify the music office if this event is changed or cancelled.
  • Remind your guests that the Swope Music Building is a NO SMOKING/NO ALCOHOL facility.
  • There is to be absolutely NO FOOD AND/OR DRINKS IN THE ROOMS.
  • There is absolutely NO FIRE OR OPEN FLAMES PERMITTED IN THE ROOMS.

STUDENT Groups and Health

General Music

  • Music Teachers National Association
  • National Association for Music Educators
  • American Choral Directors Association
  • American String Teachers Association

Fraternities and Sororities

  • Kappa Kappa Psi
    Formed in the fall of 1981 to support the band program. Kappa Kappa Psi concentrates on serving the Band and Wells School of Music by means of fund raising and service projects. Any member of the marching band or visual ensemble can join Kappa Kappa Psi. Information is posted in Swope Music Building, at the beginning of the fall semester.
  • Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
    Rho Sigma chapter of the professional men's music fraternity was formed at West Chester in 1967. The organization seeks to advance the cause of music in America and to foster the welfare and brotherhood of students of music. Upon approval by the brotherhood prospective members are invited to pledge the fraternity. These prospective members must be at least second semester first-year students.
  • Pi Kappa Lambda
    The primary objectives of this national music honor society are the recognition and encouragement of the highest level of musical achievement and academic scholarship. Nominations and elections to membership are the responsibility of the faculty committee of the chapter. Delta Sigma chapter at West Chester University was established in 1978.
  • Sigma Alpha Iota
    Epsilon Epsilon chapter of this internationally incorporated professional fraternity for women in music was formed in 1968. The fraternity is dedicated to service in the field of music. Membership, by invitation, recognizes scholarship and musicianship. Members must be in at least their second semester.
  • Tau Beta Sigma
    This co-ed band service organization provides exceptional service to collegiate bands and promotes equality and diversity, including empowering women in the band profession. We cultivate leadership, educational achievement, music appreciation and community development. Formed at WCU in 1981, any member of the marching band or color guard can joint TBS.

Group Conduct

The primary mission of the Office of Student Conduct is to foster personal development and maintain community standards by providing an educational student conduct process. Student clubs and organizations are intended to provide a framework in which students engage in hands-on experiences in civic engagement, leadership, social responsibility, and build on personal values. Student experiences should complete their academic endeavors and solidify career aspirations. As such, West Chester University expects its student clubs, organizations, and athletic teams to uphold the University’s values and to foster and support an educational community.

Organizations that do not promote and practice these values and maintain respect, health, and safety standards for their members and the University community at large, will not be welcome on campus. Student organizations that are alleged to engage in any prohibited or unlawful acts that result in the issuance of violations of University expectations have rights to process. The details are included in the Student Code of Conduct. Student groups, as well as their members and leaders, may be held collectively and/or individually responsible for violations of the Student Code of Conduct or other University policies. It is the responsibility of the group’s student president, leader, or designee to represent the group through the conduct process.

For further information on group conduct, including How to Refer a Concern about a Group Activity, Rams Take Care of Rams: Safe Harbor Immunity, and Student Conduct Process, please visit the Office of Student Conduct website.

NASM-PAMA Hearing, Neuromusculoskeletal, and Vocal Health Advisories