Overview

The Music Department offers a Music major, a Music minor, and elective and core courses for general students. Performance groups are open to all Stritch students with consent of the director.

The Music Department offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music with concentrations in performance, composition and jazz studies, and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education with certification tracks in instrumental, general and choral music.

Performance – Students develop their instrumental or vocal performance skills by studying with artist teachers, participating in a variety of performance opportunities, and taking courses designed to integrate knowledge with performance.

Composition – Students study theory, orchestration, counterpoint and composition in a state-of-the art music technology lab for preparation as composers, arrangers and studio technicians.

Jazz Studies – This program centers on studies in jazz history and theory taught by the area’s top jazz performers who share their professional artistic experiences and knowledge with the students.

Music Education – This program prepares the student for teaching at the elementary and high school level with concentrations in choral, instrumental or general music. The Music Education Certification program follows a portfolio assessment process to achieve the teacher certification standards of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Degreed students who wish to obtain certification as a Music Teacher may do so as part of the Master of Arts in Teaching degree program. In addition to completing requirements for State certification, students will be required to take additional music course work as necessary to achieve Music Department proficiency and content standards.

The Music minor prepares students to supplement their major and broaden their marketable skills upon graduation. The knowledge and insights gained through music study can lead to enhanced credentials and career opportunities, especially in field of education.

The Music Department offers the general student opportunities for attaining musical knowledge and enjoyment through a variety of courses and participation in performing ensembles and private study in vocal or instrumental music. Course offerings in music appreciation, history and literature inform students in their perception of musical art and develop listening skills.