Mason Hall Policies and Procedures

Music Department Policies

General Policies
 Fire Safety
 Signage
 Semi-Permanent Installations
 Locker Rental and Usage
 Use of Spaces in Mason Hall
 Practice Room Usage
 Classroom and Recital Hall Usage
 To reserve a space including the recital hall:
 Recital Procedure
 Date Reservation
 Cancellation
 Programs
 Program Notes
 Adjudication of Recitals
 Technology Policies
 Events in the Recital Hall
 Concerts and Recitals with Significant Technical Requirements
 Events outside of the Recital Hall
 Events with Low Technical Requirements
 Events Requiring a Live Sound PA System
 Events within Calhoun County with Significant Technical Requirements
 Events Outside of Calhoun County with Significant Technical Requirements
 Sound and Lighting Engineers
 Recital Hall Booth Policy
 Use of the Wireless Tower Off Site
 Mason Hall Recording Studio
 Mason Hall Computer Lab
 Mason Hall Band Room
 Other Technology Available to Music Students, Staff, and Faculty

 

 

General Policies

Fire Safety

  • Open flames are not allowed in Mason Hall.  Atmospheric effects are only allowed if UPD has been contacted in advance.  Anyone found responsible for tampering with fire safety equipment, including smoke detectors, may be subject to a $300 fine per tampered equipment and additional sanctions. 

Signage

  • Per university policy, posters, banners, or any other printed material may only be displayed on bulletin boards inside authorized University operated buildings. Posters, banners, or any other printed material may not be displayed on university buildings or trash receptacles.
  • Art, signage, or other items that are to be hung permanently or semi-permanently must be approved by the chair of the music department.

Use of Spaces in Mason Hall 

  1. The music department chair must approve any usage of Mason Hall facilities by students, student organizations, and/or any other person or group. Generally, Mason Hall spaces are reserved for the exclusive use of the Music Staff and Music Students. 
  2. The Music Department has the right to refuse the usage of any Mason Hall space at any given time.
  3. Organizations are responsible for any damages to the wall, ceiling, floor, furnishings, etc.
  4. Organizations are responsible for any damages or theft of any Music department property.
  5. Organizations are responsible for the behavior of members and guests at all times. 
  6. No smoking is allowed in the building.
  7. The possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. The sponsoring organization/department is responsible for monitoring compliance. 
  8. Failure to abide by any of the rules or regulations may result in the organization being denied usage of Mason Hall at the discretion of the Music Department Chair.  

Building Access 

The Mason Hall will be open for use by the academic community Monday through Sunday from 7:00 a.m.- 11:00 p.m

Card reader access will be available at all other times for Music Majors and minors, students registered in any music ensemble or applied lessons.  

Practice Room Usage

  • Practice rooms are reserved for music majors, music minors, and students registered in applied lessons and ensembles only.  
  • More specifically:
    • Piano Practice rooms (rooms 243, 245, & 253 are for Piano majors and minors only.  
    • Percussion Practice rooms (rooms 121-127, 133, & 134 ) are for Percussion majors and minors only.  
    • All other practice rooms are available for use by those listed above. 
  • Student practice is not allowed in public spaces including but not limited to exterior spaces, hallways, and stairwells.  

Locker Rental and Usage

  • Lockers may be rented by instrumentalists at the beginning of each semester. Contact the Music Department Office to fill out the appropriate forms and pay the fee. The University is not responsible for any loss or damage of property from the lockers. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure all materials are secure and that lockers are cleaned out prior to the end of the academic year and/or summer term. 

Classroom and Recital Hall Usage

  • Room Schedules are posted on each classroom door.  Empty rooms may be scheduled in the music office.  Students must have a faculty representative present to use a classroom or the recital hall.

Loading Dock Usage

  • The gate may be opened if actively using the loading dock.   At all other times, the loading dock is to remain locked  
  • Boxes or crates may be left here if a work order has been completed to have the discarded items removed from the porch.

Space Reservation

To reserve any space in Mason Hall, email music@jsu.edu with your request.  Spaces are limited to the following:  

  1. Music Faculty / Music Department Ensembles
    a. Reserve the room(s) in the main Music Office
    b. All rooms except offices in Mason Hall are available
    c. Furnishings in rooms must be returned to their default setting

  2. University Groups related to the music department
    a. Reserve the room(s) in the main Music Office
    b. Available rooms: 170, 180, and Recital Hall
    c. If using the recital hall, the student or group must be accompanied by a university faculty member, staff member, or faculty advisor.
    d. Furnishings in rooms must be returned to their default setting

  3. University Groups not related to the music department
    a. Reserve the room(s) in the main Music Office (See sample forms below)
    b. Available rooms: 170, 180, and Recital Hall
    d. For all rooms the group must be accompanied by a university faculty member, staff member or faculty advisor
    d. Furnishings in rooms must be returned to their default setting

  4. Summer Camps
    a. Reserve the room(s) in the main Music Office
    b. All rooms except offices are available
    c. Facility charge for the rooms to the summer camp department may be applied
    d. Summer Camps department will be responsible for any damages
    e. To reserve the recital hall, you must agree to the following guidelines
    - All stationary instruments (front ensemble) on stage must have pneumatic wheels on the instrument stands.
    - Do not slide chairs across the stage area.
    - No food or drink in the Recital Hall or Band Room.
    - Do not stand on the audience chairs
    - Wind instruments should empty condensation valves on towels
    - Furnishings in rooms must be returned to their default setting

Recital Procedure

Date Reservation

  • Students may reserve recital dates using the following form:  Concert Scheduling form Dates for recitals may be secured in the music office following the Recital Approval Hearing.  

Cancellation

  • If a recital must be canceled, email the music office at music@jsu.edu 

Programs

  • Programs must use the official department format.  These are set up by the department secretary.  Students must supply the necessary information to the secretary (music@jsu.edu) no later than two weeks before the recital hearing.  Failure to do so will result in the hearing being postponed.  

Program Notes

  • Program Notes are to be made available to the applied teacher in their final format two weeks before the recital hearing.  Failure to do so will result in the hearing being postponed.  

Adjudication of Recitals

  • All degree recitals are to be adjudicated by a faculty jury. The jury will consist of the student’s primary applied teacher and two other music faculty members.  It is the student’s responsibility to contact the faculty once the date for the recital has been approved and ask them to be on the jury.  It is also the responsibility of the student to deliver a grading form to each faculty member on the jury.  

Technology Policies

Junior Recitals and other Recorded Events

All Junior Recitals are recorded and live streamed with these services provided by the department if the recital occurs in the Mason Hall Recital Hall.  Any student and/or faculty member can elect that the recital is not recorded or live streamed.  We will also not live stream any event with rental music or an arrangement of a popular song.  After a live stream to YouTube, the video will be Unlisted but can be retrieved at any time by asking a faculty member who has access to the JSU Music Department YouTube account.  The Music Department may also provide recording and live streaming services to additional concerts and events in the recital hall depending on the availability of funds and personnel.

Events in the Recital Hall

Standard Concerts and Recitals with Low Technical Requirements:    

  • Examples of Low Technical Requirements include live streaming events and recording using the two to four floor microphones and standard setups for ensembles with Mixing Scenes already created.
  • Scheduling at least 30 days in advance:  the standard junior recital and common concert setup with low technical requirements does not need preapproval for scheduling. 
  • Scheduling within 30 days but at least 7 days in advance:  As long as a sound engineer is notified when scheduling the event, the standard junior recital and common concert setup with low technical requirements does not need preapproval for scheduling.
  • Scheduling within 7 days of the event:  A sound engineer must be notified and available for the event before scheduling the event.  Failure to get approval could result in no technical services, including recording and streaming, being available for the event.

Concerts and Recitals with Significant Technical Requirements

  • Examples of Significant Technical Requirements include Electroacoustic music / a live performer playing to a recorded soundtrack (booth provided), using wireless headset microphones and / or the wireless tower, or additional Live Sound requirements beyond a standard mixing scene including monitors.
  • In all situations with Significant Technical Requirements, a technical rehearsal of appropriately length and a sound check within 30 minutes of the beginning of the event is required.
  • Scheduling at least 30 days in advance:  As long as a sound engineer is notified when scheduling the event, a concert or recital with significant technical requirements does not need preapproval for scheduling.
  • Scheduling within 30 days but at least 7 days in advance:  A sound engineer must be notified and available for the event before scheduling the event.  Failure to get approval could result in no technical services being available for the event.
  • Scheduling within 7 days of an event: Events requiring significant technical requirements should not be scheduled within 7 days of an event.  The recital hall booth will be prohibited from use for this event.

Events outside of the Recital Hall

Events with Low Technical Requirements

  • Low Technical Requirements include recording with 1 video camera and two microphones and Live Streaming (Please be aware, live streaming outside of the recital hall is not a guarantee.  Not all venues have a wired internet connection or strong enough wireless service to live streaming.  If live streaming is unavailable, the concert will be recorded and uploaded within three days of the event).
  • Scheduling at least 30 days in advance:  the standard concert and recital with low technical requirements outside of the recital hall does not need preapproval for scheduling. 
  • Scheduling within 30 days but at least 7 days in advance:  As long as a sound engineer is notified when scheduling the event, the standard junior recital and common concert setup with low technical requirements does not need preapproval for scheduling.
  • Scheduling within 7 days of the event: A sound engineer must be notified and available for the event before scheduling the event.  Failure to get approval could result in no technical services, including recording and streaming, being available for the event.

Events Requiring a Live Sound PA System

  • The Music Department has a PA System that is free to use.  It includes a powered mixer, 2 speakers, 4 handheld microphones, mic stands and cables.  Reservations for this equipment should be made 30 days in advance, but it is possible to use this equipment with a shorter reservation period.

Events within Calhoun County with Significant Technical Requirements

  • Examples of Significant Technical Requirements using wireless headset microphones and / or the wireless tower, mixing needs beyond the available PA system listed above, and/or additional power amps and speakers needed.
  • In all situations with Significant Technical Requirements, a technical rehearsal of appropriate length and 30 minute sound check is required.
  • Scheduling at least 30 days in advance:  As long as a sound engineer is notified when scheduling the event, a concert or recital with significant technical requirements does not need preapproval for scheduling.
  • Scheduling within 30 days but at least 7 days in advance:  A sound engineer must be notified and available for the event before scheduling the event.  Failure to get approval could result in no technical services being available for the event.
  • Scheduling within 7 days of an event:  Events requiring significant technical requirements should not be scheduled within 7 days of an event.  Technical services will not be provided.

Events Outside of Calhoun County with Significant Technical Requirements

  • Examples of Significant Technical Requirements include using wireless headset microphones and / or the wireless tower, mixing needs beyond the available PA system listed above, and/or additional power amps and speakers needed.
  • In all situations, a sound engineer must be notified and willing to work the event before scheduling the event or, if it is a conference, before the event is applied for.

Sound and Lighting Engineers

Concerts and recitals will be given the following length of rehearsal and prep time:

  • Standard Junior Recital – 1 Engineer, 10 minutes.
  • Junior Recital with additional technical requirements – 1 Engineer, 30 minutes.
  • Standard Small and Large Ensemble Concerts – 1 Engineer, 30 minutes.
  • Large Ensemble Concerts with few technical requirements – 1 Audio Engineer & 1 Lighting Engineer (if needed), 30 minute Tech Rehearsal, 30-minute sound check.
  • Large Ensemble Concerts with Significant technical requirements - 1 Audio Engineer and 1 Lighting Engineer, 1 Two Hour Tech Rehearsal, 30-minute sound check.
  • Additional time is available upon request; however, students or ensembles will need to provide funds to pay the engineers at a rate of $25 per hour.  This includes prep time and postproduction for recorded events.

Recital Hall Booth Policy

  • Only authorized and JSU Trained Personnel are allowed to be in the booth.  Students and others in training must be supervised at all times.  The connections in the mixing board and video switcher should be returned to their default setting and items should be returned to their designated locations.
  • Absolutely no food or drink in the recital hall booth!  Please keep any food or drink in the storage room next to the booth.
  • No item should be disconnected and removed from the booth at any time!  There are two exceptions, the offsite use of the wireless tower and removing the external hard drive from the video switcher so files can be transferred. 

Use of the Wireless Tower Off Site

  • On exceptionally special occasions or opportunities to save the department a considerable amount of money, the wireless tower can be moved and used offsite.  Please keep the following in mind:  1) The Wireless Tower must be in a climate-controlled, locked space at all times.  2) The Wireless Tower must be available a week before through a week after your event to make sure it can be disconnected and reconnected to the recital hall properly.  3) The Wireless Tower and any other JSU equipment may only be used by an appropriately trained and authorized sound engineer.  Remember, if you hope to use a JSU Sound Engineer, they must be notified and willing to work the event before the event is scheduled.

Mason Hall Recording Studio

  • The Mason Hall Recording Studio (Room 115, 116, and 117) are free to use by any current faculty, staff, or student who has satisfactorily completed MU 350 Advanced Technology.  Please contact Dr. Woodward for scheduling.

Mason Hall Computer Lab

  • The Mason Hall Computer Lab will have scheduled open hours every semester.  Please check the front door of the lab for open lab hour times.  The computer lab can also be reserved by faculty.  Please keep in mind, Information Technology is responsible for the maintenance of this computer lab.  If you schedule a reservation on the weekend or after hours, you will likely not have any technical services during your event.

Mason Hall Band Room

  • The Mason Hall Band Room audio equipment is available for use by faculty, staff, and students. This equipment has recording and playback capabilities built in (using a user-provided flash drive). The digital mixer in the rack has a number of presets that can be set up for you depending on your needs in your class or ensemble. If you would like a mixer preset setup specifically for your needs, please contact Dr. Jordan at mgjordan@jsu.edu. The mixer has an admin password to prevent unauthorized changes that will affect the functionality of the room.

Other Technology Available to Music Students, Staff, and Faculty

  • 2 Zoom Q8 Cameras are available for checkout.
  • A number of microphones are available for checkout.
  • A Sony HXR-NX80 is available for checkout by faculty and staff only.  Included with the camera is a tripod, external microphones, and streaming card.
  • A projector in the Recital Hall is available for video.  Please keep in mind, if any copyright protected material is to be shown on the projector, we can not live stream the event.