Music PERFORMANCE and Music Education

Music Library Resources  

"HAIRSPRAY" will be performed the weekend of April 12th, 2013. For ticket information, click here.

Chestnut Hill College offers a Bachelor of Music (BM) in Music Performance with a choice of concentration, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Music Education leading to Pennsylvania Department of Education certification. Students may also minor in Music Performance or Jazz Performance, and/or take lessons in a variety of instruments for either academic credit or personal enjoyment. In addition, music courses for the core curriculum give students the opportunity to study a wide variety of styles and eras of music.

 
A minimum Career GPA of 2.00 and a minimum Major GPA of 2.00 are required for graduation (a 3.00 GPA is required for Music Education Student Teaching). Courses Required in the Major comprise the Major GPA. Unless indicated, students must earn a grade of C- (1.70) or better in courses both Required in the Major and Also Required in order to successfully complete the requirements for either of the Majors. Students must earn a grade of C- (1.70) or better in courses required to successfully complete the requirements for the Minor.

Majors in Music and Music Education pursue careers as performers, teachers at the elementary, middle and secondary level, music librarians, administrators, music critics, liturgical music ministers, and sales associates/managers in the music industry. Major study is available in piano, voice, violin, organ, harp, guitar, tenor horn, clarinet, flute, trumpet, saxophone, percussion, and string bass, as well as an individualized program designed in consultation with the Music Department. Music Education majors are encouraged to take courses during the summer sessions to complete core requirements for the Music Education program. Interested students should contact Kathleen McCloskey, SSJ, Room M27, St. Joseph Hall. Telephone: 215.248.7194. Email: kmcclosk@chc.edu.

All Steinway School

Becoming an "All Steinway School" guarantees our students that the equipment used for practice and performance is of the highest quality and craftsmanship. Our visible commitment to musical excellence is also seen through outstanding, dedicated faculty, competitive and enriching music programs, and a strong commitment to holistic education.

Music Performance Major Concentrations

Major study is available in the following instruments and placement in lessons will be at the discretion of the department:

 
Honors
Outstanding students may be invited to participate in the Departmental Honors program. Sophomores of high scholastic standing (a Career GPA of 3.50 or higher) may be invited by their major department to stand for Honors in their Junior and Senior years. The Departmental Honors program provides an opportunity for independent study and research culminating in an Honors thesis submitted in the spring of Senior year. All students who have successfully completed the Honors Program will be recognized with Honors in their major field at the annual Honors Convocation and on their academic transcripts. In addition, the title of the completed Honors Thesis will appear on the academic transcript. 
 
Music Lessons
The department offers music instruction to students on various levels: to the major; to the advanced student who desires elective credit; and to the beginner or intermediate student who is learning elementary skills. Students majoring in music are required to demonstrate proficiency in piano before graduation. All Music and Music Education majors are assigned to an instructor for weekly lessons in piano and another instrument if piano is not their major instrument. One private lesson weekly in any instrument of their choice is required to participate in recitals for this instrument. Please note that there is an additional fee of $465 per semester for non-music majors taking MUSL-Music Lesson courses. 
 
Music Performance Opportunities
Participation in a performance ensemble is also required for Music and Music Education majors. Music Education majors must enroll in MUSP-355: Chamber Ensemble every semester they are part of the Music program; additional performance opportunities are also available. Music (Performance – Voice) majors who are not Music Education majors must enroll in MUSP-357: The Hill Singers each semester they are part of the Music program; additional performance opportunities are also available.
 
Music Performance courses are also open to students in any major and members of the Chestnut Hill College community and beyond.

• MUSP-351: Gospel Choir Performance
• MUSP-353: Chorus Performance
• MUSP-355: Chamber Ensemble Performance
• MUSP-357: The Hill Singers Performance
• MUSP-359: Jazz Ensemble Performance
• MUSP-381: Jazz Improvisation Workshop
• MUSP-341: A Cappella Choir Performance
• MUSP-367: Flute Ensemble Performance
• MUSP-369: Brass Ensemble Performance
• MUSP-391: Saxophone Ensemble Performance
• MUSP-393: String Ensemble Performance

Course Options
In addition to private lessons, there are many other Music courses available to undergraduate students looking to fulfill an Artistic Ways of Knowing or expand on interests without pursuing a minor. The following courses are open to students in any major;; however, they may not be offered every semester and may have a Pre-Requisite. Check the Course Descriptions for information on the following courses:

• MUSC-101: Music in Western Culture I (WOK: Artistic)
• MUSC-102: Music in Western Culture II (WOK: Artistic)
• MUSC-103: Introduction to Music Theory
• MUSC-107: Native Peoples of North America (WOK: Artistic)
• MUSC-124: Music in 20th Century America I (WOK: Artistic)
• MUSC-125: Music in 20th Century America II (WOK: Artistic)
• MUSC-129: History of Jazz (WOK: Artistic)
• MUSC-140: Film Music: A Critical Survey (WOK: Artistic)
• MUSC-142: Broadway Bound (WOK: Artistic)
• MUSC-144: Creating, Recording, and Marketing a Song (WOK: Artistic)
• MUSC-180: Jazz Improvisation I
• MUSC-190: Music and Technology (2 credits)
• MUSC-203: Sounds of the World (WOK: Artistic)
• MUSC-252: The Business of Music
• MUSC-281: Special Topics in Music/Topics vary by semester (Repeatable for credit)
• MUSC-481: Advanced Special Topics in Music/Topics vary by semester (Repeatable for credit)