2017-2018 Academic Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music Major


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Music Overview


The music program offers both a major and a minor, as well as courses and activities for non-majors. Courses are designed to teach students to listen to music intelligently, develop musical perception, master the skills of music, and apply them creatively. Our curriculum acquaints students with music across a broad stylistic, cultural, and historical spectrum. The study of music can open new perspectives on many aspects of culture and society, therefore Clark’s music program stresses the advantages of combining professional musical development with the humanistic breadth offered by a strong liberal education.
Courses and ensembles are open to majors and non-majors. Assignments and projects are designed to suit the different goals and backgrounds of the students in each category.

 

For more information, please visit the Music Department’s webpage.

Nonmajors


All of the courses, seminars, and activities in the music program-with the exception of MUSC 180-are open to qualified nonmajors. Students who have a strong interest in music but whose major lies in another discipline can declare a minor in music. The music minor centers on a core of studies in one of five specific areas.

Performing Organizations


Non-majors and majors may audition for a variety of organizations, which rehearse regularly and perform several yearly concerts. Auditions are held during the first week of each semester. The following musical activities - MUSC 170 Clark Concert Choir, MUSC 171 Clark Chamber Chorus, MUSC 172 Concert Band, MUSC 173 Chamber Music Ensemble, MUSC 174 Jazz Workshop and Combo, and MUSC 175 Sinfonia -are open to all undergraduate and graduate students and offer 0.5 credit. MUSC 170 Clark Concert Choir, MUSC 171 Clark Chamber Chorus, MUSC 172 Concert Band, MUSC 173 Chamber Music Ensemble, MUSC 174 Jazz Workshop and Combo, and MUSC 175 Sinfonia are available to students who wish to audit and have their participation recorded on their transcripts.

Private Lessons


Private lessons for nonmajors and majors are offered with or without course credit in several areas. See MUSC 180 - Private Instruction in Instruments and Voice (for credit for majors and minors) and MUSC 018 Private Instruction for Instruments and Voice (noncredit).

Major Requirements


A. Core requirements, taken by all majors (3 courses to be completed by junior year):


In addition to the three core courses all music majors are required to submit a portfolio that demonstrates their overall academic success in chosen concentration. See the music major handbook for further details.

 

B. The Concentrations (7 additional courses):


(1) Performance


 (Admittance to this concentration requires approval of the Music Program Director)

2 semesters of Ensemble Performance

1 Music History course

1 Extension/Workshop course

Upper-level

 1 Culminating Experience Course (usually MUSC 200, MUSC 210, or MUSC 291 and a half recital)

Additional Requirements

a.   1 non-music V&PA course pertinent to the student’s interests

b.   Practical Musicanship Skills labs - Music 001 & Music 002 are required as co-requisites of Music 121 & Music 122. Advanced students may petition to take musicianship exams in lieu of these labs.

(2) Music History and Criticism


3 Music History courses

2 extension/workshop courses

Upper-level

 1 Culminating Experience Course (usually MUSC 200, MUSC 210, or MUSC 291 and a half recital)

Additional Requirements

a.   1 non-music V&PA course pertinent to the student’s interests

b.   Practical Musicanship Skills labs - Music 001 & Music 002 are required as co-requisites of Music 121 & Music 122. Advanced students may petition to take musicianship exams in lieu of these labs.

c.   2 semesters of music performance (Music 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175 or by other arrange­ment with the Music Program Director). Alternately, students may petition to take 2 semes­ters of ensembles for credit (1.0 credit) in fulfillment of a workshop/extension requirement.

(3) Music Theory/Composition


1 Music History course from

4 Extension or Workshop courses

Upper-level

 1 Culminating Experience Course (usually MUSC 200, MUSC 210, or MUSC 291 and a half recital)

Additional Requirements

a.   1 non-music V&PA course pertinent to the student’s interests

b.   Practical Musicanship Skills labs - Music 001 & Music 002 are required as co-requisites of Music 121 & Music 122. Advanced students may petition to take musicianship exams in lieu of these labs.

c.   2 semesters of music performance (Music 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175 or by other arrange­ment with the Music Program Director). Alternately, students may petition to take 2 semes­ters of ensembles for credit (1.0 credit) in fulfillment of a workshop/extension requirement.

(4) Music Technology


1 Music History course

3 Extension or Workshop courses

Upper-level

 1 Culminating Experience Course usually MUSC 201

Additional Requirements

a.   1 non-music V&PA course pertinent to the student’s interests

b.   Practical Musicanship Skills labs - Music 001 & Music 002 are required as co-requisites of Music 121 & Music 122. Advanced students may petition to take musicianship exams in lieu of these labs.

c.   2 semesters of music performance (Music 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175 or by other arrange­ment with the Music Program Director). Alternately, students may petition to take 2 semes­ters of ensembles for credit (1.0 credit) in fulfillment of a workshop/extension requirement.

 

Note:


Note on MUSC 180 . Students in non-Performance concentrations (Music History and Criticism, Music Theory/Composition, Music Technology) are allowed to enroll in up to four semesters of MUSC 180  (Private Lessons for credit). If so, these courses will be in addition to, rather than in fulfillment of, the above-stated requirements.

All courses for the major must be passed with a grade C or better.

Honors - requires two additional semesters of coursework


The intention to pursue an honors degree must be declared before the start of the junior year and requires approval of the music program director. Approval of Music 180 instructor is also required for honors in performance.

(1) Honors in Performance is possible with:


A Junior Honors Recital (half program)

1 additional semester of Music 280 Honors

Music 297 - a Senior Honors Recital (full program) with complementary paper

(2) Honors are possible in any of the other tracks with:


1 additional music course relevant to the student’s interests

Music 297 - an Honors Capstone project to be determined with the student’s Music Advisor.

Preprofessional Programs


Students interested in such professions as music therapy, multimedia, concert management, ethnomusicology, or music education may combine music courses with appropriate courses from other disciplines to create an individually designed major. The requirements for such preprofessional programs are jointly determined by the student and an advisory committee made up of one music faculty member and two faculty members from other disciplines.
Although the music program does not offer specific courses in music education, music majors interested in music education may take courses in the music curriculum, in conjunction with teaching courses through the education department. For more information, contact the education department.

Music Faculty


Program


John Aylward, Ph.D. - Director
Benjamin Korstvedt, Ph.D.
Matthew Malsky, Ph.D.

Part-Time


Ashley Hames L’Esperance, B.A.

Eric Hofbauer, M.Mus.

Meghan MacFadden, M.A. Mus.

Peter Sulski, B.Mus.

Affiliate


Chester Brezniak, M. Mus.

Stephanie Busby, M.Mus.

Jose Castillo, M.B.A.

Jonathan Clark, M.Mus.

Deborah Cole,

Michael C. Connors,

Joseph W. D’Angelo,

Ariana Falk, D.M.A.

Joseph Halko,

Tracy Kraus, M.Mus.

Matthew Kim, M.Mus.

Lisa Lynch, D.M.A.

Brooks Milgate, B.A.

Carlos Odria, Ph.D.

Douglas Weeks, M.Mus.

Emeriti


Gerald Castonguay, Ph.D.
Wesley Fuller, M.Mus.
Hartmut Kaiser, Ph.D.

Music Courses


Courses offered within the last 2 Academic Years

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