Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Academic Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Department of Music


Faculty

Mary E. Hellmann, Chair and Director of Bands
Christopher E. Cook, Music Industry Coordinator
Lisa M. Lowry, Music Education Coordinator
Benjamin E. Thorburn, Director of Choral Activities

Mission Statement

The Music Department prepares musicians to pursue graduate studies or careers in music by providing quality instruction in the areas of music theory, performance, music history, ensembles, keyboard, and music technology. The Department provides the university community and the public with performance and study opportunities, and a variety of musical events.

Educational Outcomes

  1. All music majors will develop musical performance skills through the pursuit of a primary applied concentration, piano proficiency, and ensemble experiences.
  2. All music majors will develop and communicate an understanding of the function and structure of music through the study of music theory.
  3. All music majors will develop an understanding of the cultural and historical contexts of music.
  4. All music majors will understand how to use technology applications that are appropriate for music.
  5. All music majors will know of music career choices and graduate school options.

Admission Policies

All students must meet the general admission standards of Chowan University. Students who wish to major in music indicate it on their admission application. The Department of Music website provides specific information on procedures for the prospective music major to follow: https://www.chowan.edu/academics/school-fine-and-applied-arts/music The prospective music major is formally admitted to the Department of Music after passing an entrance audition/interview.

Students audition in one of the following primary applied areas: voice, piano, organ, guitar, woodwind, brass, percussion, or string instruments. Students who wish to pursue Applied Composition/Music Production as their primary applied area must also pass an audition on an applied instrument/voice. Students take a Music Theory Placement Exam as part of the audition process.

Entering students should audition in person, although video recordings may be submitted in cases where a visit to the campus poses a hardship. Prospective students should plan to audition early in the spring semester before their entrance the following fall. Although auditions may be held as late as registration for the first semester the student is on campus, no student is guaranteed acceptance to music curricula before the audition. Provisional acceptance may be granted to a student who shows promise in the field of music, but whose audition did not meet acceptable standards for beginning applied music study.

Programs

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