Music

Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies

Established in 1985, San José State University's Ira F. Brilliant Center for Beethoven Studies is devoted to the life and works of Ludwig van Beethoven, and hosts the largest collection of Beethoven's works in the western hemisphere. Located in room 580 in the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, the Center is open to students and community members, and hosts regular performance on the Center's historical keyboard instruments. The Director of the Center is Dr. Erica Buurman, Assistant Professor of Music History.

String Project

The School of Music and Dance's String Project is a nationally recognized teacher-training program that provides undergraduate and graduate music students with practical experience teaching group violin, viola and cello classes. Focused primarily on our local population, the SJSU String Project offers area elementary and middle school students an accessible opportunity to study a stringed instrument. Students do not always have the opportunity to take a strings class in school and music classes and instruments available outside of school are generally very expensive. We offer instruments for in-class use to all students and classes for a very small fee

Community Music Institute

The Music program's Community Music Institute houses several musical outreach programs, including the Young Musicians Project, String Project, Orff Level I and Level II training, and the Music Educators Workshop Ensemble.  Please see the individual websites for more information.

Historic Keyboard Collection

San José State University is home to a select collection of historic keyboard instruments, dating as early as 1827. All instruments are in playing condition, and some have been featured in concerts and recordings by such artists as Christopher Riley.

Mu Phi Epsilon

Mu Phi Epsilon is a professional music fraternity. SJSU’s student chapter, established in 1938, has approximately 80 active members. The aim of Mu Phi Epsilon is the recognition of scholarship and musicianship, and the development of a bond of friendship among its members. For more information, ask at the School of Music and Dance Office, or check the Mu Phi Epsilon board near Room 157.

Kappa Kappa Psi

Kappa Kappa Psi is a fraternal organization operating for the advancement of college and university bands through service and support. The Lambda Psi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at San Jose State University is part of a national honorary band fraternity dedicated to the college and university bands. To learn more about SJSU's Kappa Kappa Psi chapter, watch this video!

American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)

The American Choral Directors Association provides the professional network and resources as part of an inspiring community of choral students and professionals who share a love for the choral arts. The SJSU student chapter of the American Choral Directors Association seeks to augment the choral experience for music students across all levels of education. Comprised of Music Education, Performance, and Choral Conducting majors, SJSU's ACDA is open to choral enthusiasts of all kinds. Members frequently send representatives to regional and national ACDA conferences across the country.

National Association for Music Education (NAfME)

SJSU's active NAfME chapter includes all music education majors—undergraduate, graduate, and credential students—who join yearly. Other music majors who plan to teach in private studios or universities are encouraged to join. NAfME membership also grants membership to CMEA (the California Music Educators Association) and the Bay Section CMEA. The SJSU NAfME helps run the CMEA Bay Section Conference each January, the CASMEC convention each Spring, brings speakers of interest each semester to address music education students, supports projects related to music education, and has an active board of student directors.

American String Teachers Association (ASTA)

The student chapter of ASTA —American String Teachers Association— is the newest student organization in the School. Students who play violin, viola, cello, and contrabass are members of this organization, whose purpose is to support string and orchestra teachers and players. Founded in 1946, American String Teachers Association members range from budding student teachers to artist-status performers. The organization provides teaching resources, a career center, professional education, insurance programs, local and national events, and access to a vibrant and sharing strings community.