Performing Arts
Music
Mission Statement
The Department of Performing Arts challenges students to achieve excellence through active and creative learning in a supportive community of scholarship and artistry. The curriculum focuses on the development of technique, professionalism, collaboration, and analytical thinking that demonstrates value and meaning through personal expression. The program is designed to prepare students to engage fully in the creative arts; think critically as they explore multiple points of view; make connections across disciplines; and continue to pursue knowledge throughout one’s life.
Adrian College offers a Bachelor of Music in Performance and a Bachelor of Music Education. These degrees are designed to prepare candidates for a professional career in music or for continued studies at the graduate level. Bachelor of Arts degrees are available in Music, Commercial Music, Musical Theatre, and Arts Management. These degrees provide students a liberal arts degree with a strong emphasis in music and may also lead to graduate studies. Minors are available in music, commercial music, and theatre for students who wish to make the performing arts a part of their college experience. Students are educated through a series of required and elective courses in applied music, performance, theory, history, and a senior capstone recital or project.
Candidates in B.M. (Performance and Music Education) and B.A. (Music and Musical Theatre) degree tracks are encouraged to select a music faculty member as their advisor, and register for applied lessons, and an ensemble in their freshman year. All candidates for these degrees must declare a principal instrument and perform a jury for every semester of study. All candidates must participate in “Studio Class,” a seminar course that meets every Thursday at noon. Studio Class is a forum for the exploration and discussion of topics essential to all music students. It includes visiting guest artists, workshops, student and faculty recitals and related performances.
Candidates in B.M. (Performance) and B.A. (Music and Musical Theatre) degree tracks must pass the piano proficiency exam prior to graduation. Music Education candidates must pass the piano proficiency exam before their student teaching commences. Commercial Music, Arts Management, and Music Minors are not required to take the piano proficiency exam.
Zero Credit Ensemble Options:
All students, regardless of major, are welcome to enroll in music ensembles. To encourage enrollment, ensemble classes are offered in two sections: a 1-credit section and a 0-credit section. Enrolling for credit is the preferred option for enrollment in ensembles, and students should enroll for credit when possible. The 0-credit sections should be used by students who have reached the maximum of 18-credits but still want to participate in a music ensemble. Students enrolled in a 0-credit music ensemble will receive a grade to be posted on the official transcript. This grade does not impact semester or cumulative GPA calculations. All music majors and minors must enroll in ensembles for 1-credit for the course to fulfill the degree requirements outlined below.
Ensembles
After a student has successfully completed four credits of an ensemble, additional credits earned in that ensemble will be considered as MUS300- to 400-level courses and may be counted as such.