Music
Department of Music
The College of Arts and Sciences
Chair
Rowland F. Blackley, Professor of Music
Faculty
Scott Garlock, Professor of Music
Thomas Reed, Professor of Music
Joseph Lewis, Jr., Professional Instructor of Music, Director of Bands
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Arts
Mission and Goals
The Department of Music provides students with a thorough education in the performance, theory, composition, pedagogy, history and literature of music within the context of a liberal arts education. The curriculum is designed to prepare the music student for advanced study at the graduate level in any of these areas. The department further provides, along with the College of Education, professional preparation for those who wish to teach music in preschools, elementary schools and secondary schools.
The Department of Music affords opportunities for the general college student to participate in performing ensembles, to study voice or an instrument privately (applied lessons) or in groups, and to enroll in music courses as part of the University Core curriculum. In addition, students who minor in music or major in early childhood education rely on the department to provide fundamental techniques and instruction to integrate music into their chosen discipline.
The faculty members emphasize individual mentoring and monitoring of student progress. They have specialized training and extensive experience in a wide range of musical areas, but share a dedication to training skilled music professionals, and to providing quality musical experiences to all students.
The department recognizes its place as a cultural force in the University community and the Ashland area by sponsoring and producing public performances of its resident faculty and ensembles as well as guest artists. The department demonstrates its strong commitment to the cultural enrichment of the Ashland community at large by providing musical leadership and expertise for the benefit of all.
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduating majors should have a broad base of knowledge, skills and experiences that enable them to be competent musicians, effective teachers and leaders, and lifelong learners. They should be ethical individuals who are active contributors to their professional, artistic and local communities. They should demonstrate a substantial command of these areas of the curriculum, and will demonstrate:
Students will utilize advanced musicianship skills (solo performance, ensemble performance, conducting, aural skills, keyboard )
Students will utilize academic knowledge of music (comparison, identification, evaluation)
Students will utilize professional skills (pedagogy, presentation, workplace skills, projects)
Students will utilize creative skills (research, analysis, composition, arranging, lesson planning, programming, improvisation)
Students in the Primary Grades/Intervention Dual Program will demonstrate basic knowledge and skills in musical notation, vocal production, and piano as required in their curricula. Music minors and general students should, as a result of their music courses, have a heightened understanding of music as an art form and an interest in further musical experiences.
Facilities
The music department is located in the Center for the Arts. The building also includes the 730-seat Hugo Young Theatre for the Performing Arts and the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall, along with ample classroom, rehearsal and private practice facilities which afford students opportunities to make music in a pleasant atmosphere.
Accreditation
The Ashland University Department of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
Private Music Lessons
Private music lessons are open to students for credit only. At no time will a student be permitted to audit Applied Music Lessons.
Admission Requirements & Procedures for Music
Students wishing to pursue a major or minor in music must meet proficiency requirements as established by the music department. This procedure also applies to students transferring from other institutions. These requirements include:
Formal application;
Performance audition in student‘s principal area of performance (vocal or instrumental) to include appropriate solo repertoire, scales, studies, sight reading;
Aural proficiency test;
Personal interview with music faculty.
Details concerning requirements, appropriate audition repertoire and materials are available upon request from the Department of Music.
Assessment
Assessment of student learning outcomes for music majors is conducted through a variety of means: in-class assessments in Music History, Music Theory and Aural Skills, ensemble performances, and capstone experiences such as junior and senior recitals (Music 303 and 403), senior projects (Music 497), and student internships (EDCI 469). Contact the Department for detailed information regarding these assessments.
Degree Recitals - All students majoring in music education are required to perform a recital of thirty (30) minutes of music in their applied major area.
All students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts with a major in Music must complete either a Junior Recital of thirty (30) minutes of music or a Senior Project (Mus 497).
Description of Majors
The music education major (Bachelor of Music) is professional preparation for students who desire to become music teachers in preschools, elementary schools, or secondary schools.
The music major, Music Studies Track (Bachelor of Arts), is for students who desire a thorough study of music within a liberal arts program.
Degree Requirements
Ensemble Requirements - All full-time music majors must enroll in a major ensemble, determined by his/her principal applied area or as approved by the department chair. Music education majors generally are not required to enroll in a major ensemble during the student internship semester. Ensembles recognized by the department as major ensembles are University Band, University Choir and the Ashland Symphony Orchestra.
Music Courses and Descriptions