Guitar at UTEP
Degrees Offered
UNDERGRADUATE:
- Bachelor of Music in (Classical) Performance
- Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music
- Bachelor of Music in Theory & Composition (students majoring in Theory and Composition must have classical guitar as their primary instrument)
GRADUATE:
- Master of Music in Performance (Classical)
For more information on degrees, ensembles and complete curricular handbooks, visit our Undergraduate Programs page and our Graduate Programs page.
Classical Guitar
Guitar students studying classical performance follow a classical methodology which spans from correct technique to performance repertoire. Classical performance majors perform a thirty-minute junior recital and a fifty-minute senior recital.
Commercial Guitar
Commercial guitar students focus on a variety of styles from jazz and beyond. The electric guitar is the primary instrument for commercial guitar majors. Students begin their applied study by building a strong foundation of jazz harmony. After a jazz foundation has been established, students can branch out into different commercial styles. Classical finger-style technique is used for solo playing. Commercial guitar accompaniment, solo guitar, and improvisation are emphasized in the commercial guitar degree. Commercial students perform a fifty-minute senior recital.
Ensemble Requirements
Students may choose to complete the ensemble requirement in any order that works with their schedule and degree sequence.
Commercial Guitar Majors
- 4 Semesters: Choir or other large ensemble
- 4 Semesters from the following list: Guitar Ensemble (offered in spring), Jazz Ensemble, or Commercial Music Ensemble
Classical Guitar Majors
- 4 Semesters of Choir or another large ensemble
- 4 Semesters of Chamber Ensemble
Courses
Major Courses:
Students will be accepted only by audition.
- Pre-major Guitar Lessons (1290) – This course is for guitarists deficient in certain areas, thus preventing them from being accepted into lower level guitar (1195). If a student does not successfully audition for 1195 after two semesters of 1290, the student will be asked to change majors.
- Lower Level Guitar Lessons (1195) – Students are required 4 semesters of lower level guitar instruction for all degree options.
- Upper Level Guitar Lessons (3295) - Students are required 4 semesters of upper level guitar instruction for all degree options. Students must pass a double jury barrier exam to be admitted to upper level guitar.
Non-major courses:
Audition is not required.
- Beginning Class Guitar: For beginner guitarists or guitarist with little note reading skill.
- Intermediate Class Guitar: Prerequisite is beginning guitar. Students who are interested in being guitar majors after completing intermediate guitar should consult the instructor.
Auditions
An audition is required for guitar lessons and courses at UTEP. Guitar auditions will be held in February and August. Contact Shaun Mahoney at stmahoney@utep.edu for specific audition dates and times. For audition requirements, please visit the Department of Music Auditions page.
Guitar Faculty
- Shaun Mahoney, stmahoney@utep.edu, Commercial Guitar, M.M. Guitar Area Coordinator
- Hiram Rodriguez, hlrodriguez@utep.edu, Classical Guitar, M.M.
Should you have questions about the guitar area, please feel free to contact any faculty member, or Shaun Mahoney, Guitar Area Coordinator, at stmahoney@utep.edu.
Links
El Paso Pro-Musica
Continuous partnership with Zuill Bailey, Artistic Director of El Paso Pro-Musica, involving master classes, clinics, performances, and workshops through UTEP’s Center for Arts Entrepreneurship.