Willamette University Music Department

Willamette University's Music Department prepares exceptional people for professional advancement in the art of Music. Program Information The Willamette University music department offers students a program of rigorous and intensive training in specialized music disciplines combined with music core courses in theory, history and literature all within a broad spectrum of courses in other liberal arts disciplines. For the major and non-major alike, the department offers music study and performance through individual instruction, chamber music, large ensembles and general music courses, many of which meet the fine arts requirement of Willamette University's general education program. The Mary Stuart Rogers Music Center houses the 450-seat Jerry E. Hudson Concert Hall, a rehearsal hall, percussion studio, keyboard lab, faculty teaching studios, practice rooms and the music department administrative offices. The adjoining Smith Fine Arts Building houses rehearsal rooms, music classrooms, faculty studios and offices, practice rooms, and the 1250-seat G. Herbert Smith Auditorium. A tracker-action organ is housed in the Cone Chapel located in Waller Hall while Hudson Hall features a Hamburg Steinway concert grand piano and a digital electronic organ. The music section of the University library contains a comprehensive and up-to-date collection of music scores, books, microfilm, CDs, videotapes, DVD's and archival recordings. Ford Hall houses a 15 workstation Digital Music Studio and a recording studio. Admission, Scholarships and Financial Aid Music scholarships, and other forms of institutional financial aid are available to entering students. Music students applying for admission are encouraged to audition before members of the music faculty for a music scholarship. If an applicant is unable to appear in person, a compact disc recording of a performance may be sent instead of the personal audition and interview. Student employment opportunities under the Federal Work-Study program also are available to music students. These opportunities include working in the Music Office and various secretarial and clerical jobs for music faculty. Information regarding employment may be obtained from the Music Department Chair or the Director of Student Financial Aid. Concerts and Recitals The Music Department presents a regular series of concerts and recitals performed by university ensembles, students and faculty. Music students and faculty engage in extensive concert activities both on and off campus. The major performing ensembles of the department tour regularly throughout the Northwest, California and Canada. Guest artists with the Grace Goudy Distinguished Artists Series perform and present master classes on campus. In addition, the Music Department sponsors a weekly student recital to provide students with an opportunity to perform before faculty and peers and to experience repertoire from various media and music history periods. All music majors are encouraged to perform in these recitals. All performance majors are required to do so at least once each semester except for the first semester. All music events are open to the public and music majors are required to attend 15 performances per semester. Music Lessons Applied music lessons are available in all band and orchestral instruments as well as in piano, voice and guitar. Prior to the beginning of classes in the fall semester, students may audition for placement in the studios of the various applied music teachers. There are special instructional and studio fees for this individual instruction billed to the student account for each semester of study. For more information on lessons and the applied lesson faculty, see the music department web pages at www.willamette.edu/go/music. Music Ensembles The following music ensembles are open by audition to all Willamette students regardless of major: Chamber Choir Chamber Music Ensembles Dramatic Vocal Arts Ensemble Willamette Jazz Collective Small Jazz Ensembles Male Ensemble Willamette University Chamber Orchestra Voce Femminile Waller String Quartet Willamette Singers (Vocal Jazz Ensemble) Wind Ensemble Music majors are required to participate in an ensemble every semester. Policies and specific requirements for the B.M. degree (Performance, Composition) or the B.A. degree are outlined in the Music Student Handbook. This handbook is distributed to all music students at the beginning of every year. Any student contemplating a major in music is strongly urged to read the handbook thoroughly and contact the Music Department Chair before registering. Students may also contact the Music Department directly to obtain a copy of the music handbook. The Willamette University music department offers students a program of rigorous and intensive training in specialized music disciplines combined with music core courses in theory, history and literature all within a broad spectrum of courses in other liberal arts disciplines. For the major and non-major alike, the department offers music study and performance through individual instruction, chamber music, large ensembles and general music courses, many of which meet the fine arts requirement of Willamette University's general education program. The Mary Stuart Rogers Music Center houses the 450-seat Jerry E. Hudson Concert Hall, a rehearsal hall, percussion studio, keyboard lab, faculty teaching studios, practice rooms and the music department administrative offices. The adjoining Smith Fine Arts Building houses rehearsal rooms, music classrooms, faculty studios and offices, practice rooms, and the 1250-seat G. Herbert Smith Auditorium. A tracker-action organ is housed in the Cone Chapel located in Waller Hall while Hudson Hall features a Hamburg Steinway concert grand piano and a digital electronic organ. The music section of the University library contains a comprehensive and up-to-date collection of music scores, books, microfilm, CDs, videotapes, DVD's and archival recordings. Ford Hall houses a 15 workstation Digital Music Studio and a recording studio.