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ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ provides various resources to students enrolled in the program. Students have access to instrument lockers, a music lounge, practice rooms with pianos, a computer lab with the latest software and much more. ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ offers peer academic tutoring in music through the Center for Learning and Student Support. The center also provides other academic resources and services.

First-Year Experiences, Learning Communities and Collaborative Assignments and Projects

• All music majors take a common core of musicianship classes together (Music Theory, Aural Skills, and Keyboard Skills).
• Students gain unique music ensemble experiences (a strong sense of community is developed in rehearsals, concerts, etc.).

Diversity/Global Learning

• All music majors must take a World Music course.
• Jazz & Commercial Music emphasis majors must take a Jazz History course.

ePortfolios

Students have the opportunity to record solo performances, music concerts and recitals.

Undergraduate Research (individualized instruction)

• Applied Lessons -- one-on-one music lessons
• Pedagogy classes -- supervised teaching

Capstone Courses and Projects

• Junior and Senior Recitals or Senior Projects
• Student Teaching for Music Education students

Common Intellectual Experiences

Attendance at performances, practicums (weekly recital class), student and faculty recitals, and guest artists/clinicians.

ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Music

ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ is dedicated to providing a top-quality education that is intentionally designed to develop your skills and expertise as you prepare for the next step in your education or career. The learning outcomes reflect the specific competencies that you will gain from the Music program while the curriculum map portrays how these competencies will shape and prepare you for the real world.

By the completion of the program, students should be able to:

• Performance - Students will acquire technical skills, musicianship and understanding of the repertory requisite for artistic self-expression in at least one major performance area at a level appropriate for the particular degree program.  
• Musicianship Skills and Analysis - Students will understand the common elements and organizational patterns of music and their interactions as it relates to aural, verbal and visual analyses.  
• Composition/Improvisation - Students will acquire technical skills in creating original or derivative music.  
• History and Repertory - Students will acquire knowledge of music history and repertories through the present time including musical repertoires beyond those of the primary culture of the area of specialization.  
• Synthesis - Students will be able to synthesize a broad range of musical knowledge and skills (performance, analysis, composition, and history and repertory) to evaluate and respond to musical issues appropriate to the particular degree program.

Specific Learning Objectives for the Bachelor of Music in Performance Degree:

• Students will develop comprehensive capabilities in their major performing medium including the ability to work independently to prepare performances at the highest possible level.  
• Students will develop knowledge of applicable solo and ensemble literature and orientation to and experience with the fundamentals of pedagogy.  
• Students will develop musicianship skills through solo and ensemble performances in a variety of formal and informal settings.  
• Students will develop the ability to perform in recital advanced solo repertoire appropriate to their performing medium.  
• Vocal performance students will develop capabilities in the study and use of foreign languages and diction.  
• Jazz performance students will develop capabilities in jazz improvisation in the style and tradition appropriate to the performing medium.​

Specific Learning Objectives for the Bachelor of Music in Music Education Degree:

Music Competencies 

• The prospective music teacher will develop skills to be a competent conductor, able to create accurate and musically expressive performances with various types of performing groups and in the general classroom situation.  
• The prospective music teacher will develop skills to be able to arrange and adapt music from a variety of sources to meet the needs and ability levels of individuals, school performing groups, and in classroom situations.  
• The prospective music teacher, in addition to the skills required for all musicians, will develop functional performance abilities in keyboard and voice. Functional performance abilities in instruments appropriate to the student's teaching specialization are also essential.  
• The prospective music teacher will be able to apply analytical and historical knowledge to curriculum development, lesson planning and daily classroom and performance activities; relating their understanding of music with respect to styles, literature, multiple cultural sources, and historical development, both in general and as related to their area(s) of specialization.  
• The prospective music teacher will develop necessary competencies (musicianship, vocal, keyboard and pedagogical skills, knowledge of content, methodologies, philosophies, materials, technologies and curriculum development) to teach music.

Teaching Competencies 

• The prospective music teacher will develop the ability to teach music at various levels to different age groups and in a variety of classroom and ensemble settings in ways that develop knowledge of how music works syntactically as a communication medium and developmentally as an agent of civilization. This set of abilities includes effective classroom and rehearsal management.  
• The prospective music teacher will develop an understanding of child growth and development and principles of learning as they relate to music.  
• The prospective music teacher will develop the ability to assess aptitudes, experiential backgrounds, orientations of individuals and groups of students, and the nature of subject matter, and to plan educational programs to meet assessed needs.  
• The prospective music teacher will develop knowledge of current methods, materials, and repertories available in various fields of music education appropriate to the teaching specialization.  
• The prospective music teacher will develop the ability to accept, amend, or reject methods and materials based on personal assessment of specific teaching situations.  
• The prospective music teacher will develop an understanding of evaluative techniques and ability to apply them in assessing both the musical progress of students and the objectives and procedures of the curriculum.

Specialization Competencies 

Vocal/Choral Music 

• The vocal/choral teaching specialist will develop sufficient vocal and pedagogical skills to teach individually and in groups the effective use of the voice.  
• The vocal/choral teaching specialist will develop knowledge of content, methodologies, philosophies, materials, technologies, and curriculum development for vocal/choral music.  
• The vocal/choral teaching specialist will develop sufficient performance ability on at least one instrument as a teaching tool and to provide, transpose, and improvise accompaniments.  
• The vocal/choral teaching specialist will develop knowledge of appropriate repertoire through participation in large and small choral ensembles.

Instrumental Music 

• The instrumental teaching specialist will develop knowledge of and performance ability on wind, string, and percussion instruments sufficient to teach beginning students effectively in groups or individually.  
• The instrumental teaching specialist will develop knowledge of content, methodologies, philosophies, materials, technologies, and curriculum development for instrumental music.  
• The instrumental teaching specialist will develop knowledge of appropriate repertoire through participation in large and small instrumental ensembles.

• Study at one of the most affordable Catholic universities in Illinois according to CollegeNavigator.gov
• You will be eligible for up to $28,000 in music awards over your four years studying at ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ.
• You will further develop your passion for music by refining and enhancing your musicianship through weekly private lessons, music classes, and ensemble rehearsals.
• Small class sizes allow for more individualized instruction and planning tailored to your needs.
• Study with experienced music professionals who are actively performing around the Chicagoland Area with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Elgin Symphony Orchestra and more.
• Earn a job or continue onto graduate music program soon after graduation.

Students may choose to minor in music, complementing another degree program, such as psychology, business, computer science, elementary education or other areas of study. Minoring in music while studying psychology, for example, could lead a student into the music therapy profession. Adding music to a business degree program will not only help the student to be more liberally educated but provide a possible career path in the field of music business. The computer science and music combination is an essential one for studio and professional recording work. It is possible for elementary and secondary education majors to minor in music and apply for a secondary certification for teaching.

Minor Requirements

The minor in music includes lessons in the chosen instrument or voice, theory, aural skills, keyboard skills and coursework in music history. All music minors participate in the appropriate large ensemble each semester until graduation. Please review the program requirements and course descriptions in the ÀóÖ¦ÊÓƵÏÂÔØ Academic Catalog for more detailed information.