Mar 29, 2024  
2010-2011 Undergraduate Course Catalog 
    
2010-2011 Undergraduate Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music, BA


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The Bachelor of Arts in Music provides students with a comprehensive training in the field, which includes both thorough grounding in traditional procedures and contemporary practical application with hands-on training. Students can choose from five different concentrations: Composition, Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, Jazz Instrumental Performance, and Jazz Vocal Performance. Students can begin their concentration as early as their first semester.

During the first two years of study, students broaden their knowledge with courses in theory, harmony, sightsinging, musicianship, and keyboard. The following four semesters include courses in music history and analysis. Throughout this course of study, students also participate in ensembles and private lessons specific to their emphasis. Faculty advisors guide students in choosing courses and ensembles appropriate to each student’s goals.

Student experiences are enhanced through many unique opportunities in the Music Department, such as the Spring Festival of Composers, Columbia College Singers Alliance, Jazz Gallery Performances, and the Student Concert Series. Through the programming of the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, the professional jazz orchestra in residence at Columbia College Chicago since 1965, students have the opportunity to learn from professionals in the classroom and in performance.

Careful planning through departmental advising with faculty also allows the student to effectively integrate the Liberal Arts and Sciences core curriculum with the study of their major.

Graduates of the program are prepared for a number of possible careers that range from performing to arranging and composing and have gained the tools to consider pursuing a graduate degree in music. Students have the opportunity to study diverse musical styles and forms of music, and will discover the varied creative directions their lives and careers can take.

More Information about this Department 

Concentrations


Composition Concentration


The Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in Composition is a degree appropriate for undergraduates who wish to major in music as a part of a liberal arts program. This degree is intended for students who seek a broad program of general education within a music framework. The Bachelor of Arts in Composition focuses on the ability of students to compose original instrumental and vocal music and to understand compositional techniques, including harmony, counterpoint, form, and orchestration.

Instrumental Performance Concentration


The Instrumental Performance concentration includes courses specifically designed to develop ensemble and solo performing skills. The Music Department recognizes the unique goals, needs, and abilities of instrumentalists and offers a course of study that trains students with diverse backgrounds to develop the skills necessary to function in a variety of styles and in a variety of professional situations. The Music Department offers private instruction in guitar, bass, strings, keyboard, winds, and percussion.

The Instrumental Performance concentration focuses on performance opportunities that explore classical, pop, rock, jazz, gospel, blues, and musical theater idioms. In addition to the core sequence of courses in musical literacy, courses in composition and arranging are also recommended for those students in the Instrumental Performance concentration.

All students enrolled in private instrumental instruction participate in a jury held at the end of each semester. At that time each student receives an evaluation from Columbia College faculty as well as professionals in the field. The capstone experience for the instrumentalist is the senior recital, which is a creative demonstration of the student’s college experience and preparation for professional work.

Vocal Performance Concentration


The Vocal Performance concentration includes courses specifically designed for singers and students interested in the vocal art, as well as private voice instruction in contemporary music of many genres. The Music Department recognizes the unique goals, needs, and abilities of singers and offers a course of study that trains students with diverse backgrounds to develop a unique vocal style based on traditional technique.

The Vocal Performance concentration offers courses that explore classical, pop, rock, jazz, gospel, blues, and musical theater idioms. Practical procedures such as working on stage and developing solo and ensemble technique are emphasized. Students also take three levels of Techniques in Singing courses designed to guide students in the fundamentals of good vocal technique along with development of a personal singing style. Participation in vocal and instrumental ensembles is required.

All students enrolled in private voice instruction participate in a jury held at the end of each semester. At that time each student receives an evaluation from Columbia College voice faculty as well as professionals in the field. The capstone experience for the singer is the senior recital, which is a creative demonstration of the student’s college experience and preparation for professional work.

Jazz Instrumental Performance Concentration


The Jazz Instrumental concentration includes courses specifically designed for jazz instrumentalists. The Music Department recognizes the unique goals, needs, and abilities of jazz musicians and offers courses of study in the history of jazz, jazz improvisation, jazz composition and arranging, jazz styles and analysis, private instruction, and performance.

Students engage in performances on campus and in the city of Chicago. Jazz Studies students have regular access to recording opportunities in the studios of the Audio Arts and Acoustics Department.

All students enrolled in private jazz instrumental instruction participate in a jury held at the end of each semester. At that time each student receives an evaluation from Columbia College jazz faculty as well as professionals in the field. The capstone experience for Jazz Instrumental students is the senior recital, which is a creative demonstration of the student’s college experience and preparation for professional work.

Jazz Vocal Performance Concentration


The Jazz Vocal concentration includes courses specifically designed for singers pursuing a career in jazz performance. The Music Department recognizes the unique goals, needs, and abilities of singers and offers a course of study that trains students with diverse backgrounds to develop a unique vocal style with fundamentals in jazz techniques.

The Jazz Vocal concentration offers courses that explore contemporary and traditional jazz idioms. Practical procedures such as working on stage and developing solo and ensemble techniques are emphasized, along with the study of improvisation and style. Students also take two levels of Techniques in Singing courses designed to guide the students in the fundamentals of good vocal technique while developing a personal style in jazz singing. Participation in Vocal Jazz Ensemble and in instrumental jazz combos is required. Performing opportunities are also available with the Columbia College Chicago Jazz Ensemble.

All students enrolled in private voice instruction participate in a jury held at the end of each semester. At that time each student receives an evaluation from Columbia College voice faculty as well as professionals in the field. The capstone experience for the singer is the senior recital, which is a creative demonstration of the student’s college experience and preparation for professional work.

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