Music Overview

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Department of Music offers undergraduate programs designed to prepare students for professional careers in the field of music. It also provides introductory and general music courses for students majoring in other disciplines. The music department strives to help its students develop: competence in music by connecting musical knowledge to active performance practices; commitment through the discipline required to develop each musical talent; and compassion through an awareness of the uniqueness of each musical gift and the impact it may have on others.  As a student in the music department, you will have intensive engagement with courses and performance opportunities, which emphasize both specific concentrations and general musical study. Classes are offered in the areas of: applied music (group and individual lessons), music literacy (theory and aural skills), music history and literature, music education methods and techniques, sacred music, vocal diction, pedagogy (teaching of studio piano and/or voice), performance ensembles (choral, band and handbells), and guided field experience.

SPECIFIC INFORMATION

The Marygrove Department of Music provides talented and motivated students with a challenging and supportive music program. We are committed to helping our students achieve excellence by learning to integrate musical knowledge and skills into their own unique musical gifts - so that each student may become a well-informed and expressive musician.  In addition to a high quality musical education and performing arts environment, the Marygrove Department of Music also strives to provide students with opportunities to develop crucial professional, critical thinking, leadership & communication skills.  

Objectives towards these goals:

• Teaching excellence among the faculty; and encouragement for excellence among the students.
• Integration of music subjects (i.e., theory, history, and performance) into musical practices so that each student can become a competent and literate musician.
• Emphasis on performance opportunities (studio classes, departmental recitals, concerts, and collaborations both on- and off-campus) for each student.
• Emphasis on attendance and participation at workshops, masterclasses and concerts held both on the Marygrove campus, and around the metro-Detroit area.
• Infusion of cultural and musical diversity throughout the curriculum.
• Commitments to lifelong learning and reflective practice.
• Exploration of musicianship as leadership, civic awareness and community engagement.

The Bachelor of Music degree is a highly specialized program requiring approximately 74-80 credit hours in music. In this program, students engage in coursework, rehearsals and performance opportunities to develop the skills, discipline, and understanding essential for a professional musician.  As a Bachelor of Music student, you may select from these areas of concentration: performance in voice, piano, or organ; music education; music theory/composition; sacred music with a choral, organ, or piano emphasis; and piano pedagogy. Due to the integrated nature of the disciplines studied for the degree, a minor is not required for Bachelor of Music students. You may, however, choose to complete a minor in another field if you wish.

The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music is designed for students who wish to have a major in music which is less specialized and allows for a broader experience in the liberal arts. In the B.A. program, you will take approximately 52 required music credits. Due to the integrated nature of the disciplines studied for the degree, a minor is not required for Bachelor of Arts students with a music major. You may, however, choose to complete a minor in another field if you wish.

The Minor in Music is available for students majoring in other college disciplines.  Students often pursue a music minor to develop knowledge and skills that complement their major area of study, or to simply enhance their own understanding and enjoyment of music in their lives.  If you minor in music, you will take a minimum of 24 credit hours that combine comprehensive music courses (e.g. music literacy, history) with specialized study in performance (e.g. private lessons, ensembles).

The Minor in Fine Arts, a 24-hour group minor, is selected from at least three of the following areas: art, art history, music, theater, and dance, and provides you with the opportunity to experience the arts in a larger, collective sense. It works well with the humanities, modern languages, history, and a major in any of the arts.

The Certificate in Sacred Music offers training which prepares you to be an effective professional in the field of church music. An audition is required for acceptance into the program. If you can demonstrate proficiency at your entrance to the program, the Department of Music may waive certain course requirements. Completion of the certificate program is based on specific proficiency levels. 

Elementary and secondary teaching certification is approved for the Bachelor of Music in Music Education by the State of Michigan Department of Education. For specific information, please see the Teacher Certification section of this catalog

Special Elements of the Music Program

Application to the Program

If you would like to major in music, you must arrange for an interview and informal audition with the music department when you are admitted to the College.  A formal audition is only required for students who wish to be considered for a Talent Scholarship (see below).

For students who have an informal background in music, but little formal study or music literacy knowledge, we offer a first-year intensive program to assist in building the foundations of literacy and technical skills.

After a student completes three semesters of music theory, ear training and applied music, he/she must apply for official major standing in one of the stated areas of concentration.  Acceptance will be determined following evaluation of music course work, a sight reading test, and an interview/audition.  Please contact one of the department chairs for more information.

Distinguished Student Awards

Distinguished Student Awards are given to Marygrove students with a minimum grade point average of 2.7, who demonstrate a high level of talent in music. These awards are based on auditions held in January, February and May, and on the recommendation of the music department.  Please contact one of the department chairs for more information or to receive the Distinguished Music Student Award application.

Talent Scholarships

Talent Scholarships are available to incoming students, both first time and transfer, and are awarded for up to $6,000 per year. They may be renewed for up to five years for first-time students, and up to three years for transfer students (provided departmental requirements are maintained). Scholarship awards are based on auditions held in January, February and May.  Please contact one of the department chairs for more information or to schedule an audition.

Transfer Students

The music department accepts some transfer credit from accredited institutions of higher education. Transfer credit eligibility is evaluated by audition and proficiency testing prior to registration. Please contact one of the department chairs for more information or for a transfer credit assessment.

Academic and Performance Requirements

All music majors and minors are required to participate in scheduled studio classes, recitals, semester juries (for students in an applied area of level 110 or above) and concerts sponsored by the music department. Specific attendance requirements are defined for each semester. Only classes with a grade of C or better may be applied to fulfilment of a music major.

Professional Experience

Marygrove music majors may earn credit for work done in music outside of class during their senior year.  Under the course title, ’Guided Field Experience’, credit may be earned from such areas as: accompanying, church choir conducting, organ playing in church, private instruction, etc.. (This course is similar to the Cooperative Education Program.)

Performance Opportunities

As a Marygrove music student, you will have the opportunity to perform through several performance ensembles, studio classes, master classes, departmental recitals, student degree recitals, lyric theatre performances, interdisciplinary concerts, and collaborative performances with outside musical groups.

Departmental Events

Each year, the Marygrove music department sponsors a number of music-related workshops, masterclasses and performances.  A few of our recent events include: 

• ‘A Different Tune’ – a concert and lecture by Haitian-born trumpeter, Carlot Dorvé
• ‘Women’s Work – A Concert Celebration of Female Composers and Poets’
• ‘Traditional Hymns, Gospels, and Anthems for the Small Church Choir’
• Alexander Technique Masterclass with Dr. Michael Gillespie
• ‘Stories of the Spirituals’ – a lecture-recital featuring tenor, and MG alum, Glen Holcomb

Facilities

The Music Department studios, classrooms and practice facilities are located in the north wing of the Madame Cadillac building on the Marygrove campus.  A Mac-assisted music lab is available for use in theory and MIDI instruction. A three-manual 40 rank Casavant pipe organ is available for student lessons, practice, and recitals, as well as joint organ/choral performances. In addition, 20+ pianos (including 9 Steinways), three electronic organs and a keyboard lab are available in teaching studios, practice rooms, and classrooms. Concerts and recitals are held in the Music Recital Hall, Denk Chapman Hall, Alumnae Hall and the Sacred Heart Chapel.

The Marygrove College Library Fine Arts Collection, encompassing music, art, dance, and theater, includes some 1,000 volumes. A collection of audio and video recordings with listening/viewing facilities is available for your use in the Library Media Center.