Music

Department Chair: Sarita Kwok

Faculty: Sandra Doneski, Jamie Hillman, Benjamin Klemme, Jessica Modaff. Part-time: Gerry Dolan, Andrey Karpyuk, Grace Eunhae Lee, Faith Lueth, Mary Montgomery Koppel. Applied music staff listed in directory.

MISSION: The mission of the Department of Music is to develop the ability of each student to understand Western art music within a historical, cultural and Christian context and to be able to perform this music with artistry and aesthetic judgment. The course of study combines the central elements of a Christian liberal arts foundation with informed, creative discernment and the artistic discipline required of a performer, teacher or graduate student.

Since 1975 the Gordon College Department of Music has been an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). In addition, the music education program is approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and licensed by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC).

Four different degree programs are available: Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Music in Performance, Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Master of Music Education.

Graduate Program

Gordon College offers a program for music educators leading to the Master of Music Education degree. See Graduate Catalog.

Scholarships

A number of music scholarships are awarded to both incoming and returning majors on an annual basis. These scholarships are awarded by the faculty to outstanding incoming music majors based on the entrance auditions and requirements, and to returning majors for exemplary musical and academic leadership.

Audition and Application Procedure

All students who wish to major or minor in music must audition to be accepted into the department after having submitted a formal application to the College. Specific audition days are established each year by the music faculty to hear auditions for prospective majors and minors. In addition to the performance audition, students must complete a music application, submit a letter of recommendation from a recent music instructor, and complete a music theory assessment. Students should go to the Department of Music website (www.gordon.edu/music) to begin the music application and audition process.

Ensembles

Music ensembles are open to all students, based on an audition, regardless of major. Ensemble auditions take place at the start of each academic year. Ensembles may be taken for credit or participation recorded with no credit. For more information visit the Department of Music Office website (www.gordon.edu/music). Nonmusic majors and music minors desiring to study an applied instrument (for credit or not for credit) must receive permission from the Department of Music Office. An electronic contract is required to register for applied music lessons.

Minimum Course Grade

All music majors and minors must attain a minimum grade of C (2.0) in all music courses required for the major or minor, including music labs. Any required music course in which a grade below C has been received will not fulfill a prerequisite and must be repeated until the minimum requirements are met.

Departmental Honors

At the recommendation of their advisor, a qualifying music major with a departmental GPA of 3.65 or higher would be eligible to apply for Departmental Honors. Under the direction of a faculty advisor, students will complete a research-based project in their final two or three semesters of study. Applications must be made to the department chair, who will then bring the application before the music faculty. The student must maintain and graduate with a minimum departmental GPA of 3.65 in order to receive honors. Final projects for honors are in addition to any required senior or junior recitals for the BM degree and any capstone requirement for the BA degree.

Applications must be made according to the following time table:

BM in performance: Apply 1st semester of junior year;
BM in education: Apply 2nd semester of sophomore year;
BA in music: Apply 1st semester of junior year.

Final projects could include:

Research paper
Lecture recital
Composition

Course Descriptions

Charges for applied music lessons are nonrefundable. Registration requires an applied music contract available from the Music Office.

Applied Music (noncredit) - Private, weekly lessons in voice, piano, organ, guitar and all orchestral instruments. Study consists of building good technique, studying literature appropriate for the student’s level of proficiency and establishing proper practice habits. Minimum of 12 hours of weekly practice recommended for a one-hour weekly lesson; six hours for a half-hour lesson. Fee.

Applied Music (credit course) - Private, weekly lessons in voice, piano, organ, guitar and all orchestral instruments. Study consists of building good technique, expression, musicianship and studying literature appropriate for the student’s level of proficiency, selected from various periods of music history. A minimum of 12 hours of weekly practice is recommended for a one-hour weekly lesson; six hours for a half hour. All students taking applied music lessons for credit are required to perform in a juried exam. Designated as repeatable for credit. Nonmusic majors may take applied music for 2 credits per semester. Prerequisite: audition and permission of Music Department for nonmusic majors. See Music Student Handbook. Fee.

Instrumental Classes (1)-Laboratory courses prepare students to teach instruments (woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion, guitar) in the public schools. Techniques of tone production, fingering and class procedure are learned through individual and ensemble playing experience under supervision. Group instrument course fee. Prerequisite: music education major. Fee.

MUS 093 - Woodwind Class
MUS 094 - Brass Class
MUS 095 - String Class
MUS 096 - Percussion Class
MUS 097 - Guitar Class

Programs

Major

Minor

Music Minor

Courses

Music Lab

Music