Department of Music

Faculty

Mary E. Hellmann, Chair
Christopher E. Cook
James M. Guthrie

Lisa M. Lowry
Paula B. Pressnell

Benjamin E. Thorburn

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 exposure to a variety of musical events.

Educational Outcomes

All music majors will develop musical performance skills through the pursuit of a primary applied concentration, piano proficiency, and ensemble experiences.
All music majors will develop and communicate an understanding of the function and structure of music through the study of music theory.
All music majors will develop an understanding of the cultural and historical contexts of music.
All music majors will understand how to use technology applications that are appropriate for music.
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

Major

Minor

Music Minor

Courses

Class Piano

Music Theory

Music Laboratories

Music Education

Music Literature

Applied Music

The following courses in applied music are open to any student (music major or non-music major) in the university. Work in applied music is regarded not merely as technical training in performance, but also as a study of the standard literature. For each of the courses, the student receives a one-half hour lesson per week and must complete a minimum of seven (7) practice hours per week. The same course numbers are used for all instruments studied. The specific instrument is indicated by the following abbreviations placed after the course number:

A - Voice
B - Piano
C - Organ
E - Euphonium
F - Percussion
G - Cello
H - Guitar
J - Composition/Music Production
K - Flute
L - Saxophone
M - Clarinet
N - Bassoon
O - Violin
P - Viola
Q - Trumpet
R - French Horn
S - Trombone
T - Tuba
U - Bass

MUSI 111 - Applied Music for Non-Majors

Applied Music for the Music Major

The following courses in applied music are open to music majors only. Work in applied music is regarded not merely as technical training in performance, but also as a study of the standard literature. For each of the courses, the student receives a one-hour lesson per week and must complete a minimum of seven (7) practice hours per week. The same course numbers are used for all instruments studied. The specific instrument is indicated by the following abbreviations placed after the course number:

A - Voice
B - Piano
C - Organ
E - Euphonium
F - Percussion
G - Cello
H - Guitar
J - Composition/Music Production
K - Flute
L - Saxophone
M - Clarinet
N - Bassoon
O - Violin
P - Viola
Q - Trumpet
R - French Horn
S - Trombone
T - Tuba
U - Bass

MUSI 112 - Applied Music for Majors

Performing Ensembles

NOTE: Other performing ensembles (no credit) may be organized from time to time for student participation.

Music Industry