Sounds Like Success

The study and performance of music:
	fosters powers of discrimination and critical awareness;
	sharpens the faculties of perception, feeling, and understanding; and
	develops sensitivity to the depth and subtlety of human expression.

The department is committed to the study of music as an important element of a liberal arts education and offers students-regardless of their major-the opportunity and means to experience music emotionally and intellectually. The department meets this goal by offering a variety of courses in four principal areas: music history and literature, music theory and analysis, performance, and composition.
 

Broad Curriculum

The department offers both a major and a minor in music. The Bachelor of Arts program begins with introductory courses on fundamentals and basic theory, history of Western and non-Western music, and composition using modern electronic technology.

A solid basis in music theory is provided by a sequence of courses that integrates the study of harmony, counterpoint, composition, and analysis.

You'll receive one-on-one guidance from faculty. Being familiar with your interests and ability, instructors can precisely challenge your musicianship, whether it is through small or private classes or by creating a performance group that suits your instrument and level. Ensembles are ideal for developing and refining musical skills. Student composers often have their original pieces premiered by campus ensembles or played and critiqued by professional musicians-in-residence.

After achieving a solid grasp of traditional music concepts, many students examine an idea more carefully through independent study, advanced courses, or an honors thesis. Advanced courses touch on such topics as history, literature, orchestration, and arranging skills, with special seminars on particular composers, particular periods, or interdisciplinary topics such as poetry and music.

Both majors and minors are asked to demonstrate piano proficiency by examination. The department also encourages students to take courses in other subject areas that complement their principal area of interest in music.

Special Features

You have many opportunities to explore and enjoy music in its infinite variety beyond the classroom. Concerts of classical music, jazz, world music, and dance are presented throughout the year at the Morris R. Williams Center for the Arts and other locations in the Lehigh Valley area. Artists who perform at the college often conduct workshops or lecture/demonstrations for students. Student musicians have opportunities to play with many world-class artists.

Through the artist-in-residence program, music students have had the chance to perform or interact with such respected musicians as harpsichordist Mark Kroll, French hornist Robert Routch, composer Philip Glass, violinist Dianne Monroe, and jazz pianist David Leonhardt.

Each year the jazz band works with a studio musician. These special guests have included trumpet master Lew Soloff, trombonist Urbie Green, and composer/arranger Butch Lacey. In addition, the department sponsors lectures on musical issues. Recent visitors have included New York Times critic Harold Schonberg, violinist Isaac Stern, and Broadway theater writer Gerald Bordman.

Trips to Philadelphia and New York are often scheduled in connection with classes. Also, faculty teach the "New York Jazz" course during interim session. Jazz legend Thelonius Monk said, "just listening is not enough-you've got to live it." Students are briefed on the major jazz styles and the idea of improvisation, and then head for Greenwich Village to experience jazz firsthand at such major jazz venues as Sweet Basil, The Blue Note, Village Vanguard, and St. Peter's Church. Through the years, the professors have been able to arrange private sessions for the class with performers Lew Soloff, Doc Cheatham, The Mingus Big Band, Jeanie Bryson, and Hilton Ruiz.

Excellent Facilities

The music department is located in the contemporary Morris R. Williams Center for the Arts. The facility includes a 400-seat concert hall/theater; large and small rehearsal rooms; practice rooms with new pianos; an electronic music studio with analog and digital synthesizers and MIDI; a music library with more than 12,000 CDs, records, and scores; and music listening and computer instruction facilities.

Classrooms with audiovisual equipment, faculty offices, and teaching studios are also located in the center.

Students have the use of three harpsichords, two Steinway concert grand pianos, and a three-manual pipe organ. In addition, the department holds a complete collection of band, orchestral, Asian, Indian, and African instruments.

A Chance to Perform

Musical ensembles are open to all qualified students regardless of major. Rehearsals do not conflict with other classes, and each ensemble (listed below) can be taken for credit. Concerts are performed both on and off campus throughout the year. You can also enhance your performance skills by taking private voice or instrumental lessons.

Chamber Orchestra/String Ensembles—opportunities for string players to perform in a variety of settings.

Concert Choir/Chamber Singers—performances and tours throughout the year.

Concert Band/Wind Ensembles—a wide range of literature and many opportunities to perform in large or small group settings.

Jazz Ensemble—a “swinging” big-band opportunity performing both standard and contemporary literature.

Pep Band—performs at home and selected away football and basketball games.

World Music Ensembles—unique opportunities to learn the music of Africa, India, Indonesia, and Japan.

After Graduation

The world of professional music is extremely competitive, but interesting and rewarding opportunities do exist if you have the motivation, talent, and preparation to succeed. Some students combine their major in music with other majors or interests to begin careers in music-related areas such as music journalism, arts management, recording engineering, arts medicine, or music therapy.

Many students graduating with a music degree continue their study in graduate programs at such schools as University of California-Los Angeles, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, and University of North Carolina.

Faculty and Staff

Full-time professors are complemented by a large group of music professionals in order to provide the flexibility and breadth of interests to which the department is committed. Instrumental and vocal instructors, ensemble directors, and chamber music coaches are highly qualified professional musicians drawn from the greater Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia, and New York City areas.

Anthony Cummings, Professor, Provost and Dean of the Faculty. Ph.D., Princeton University. Special interest: Italian Renaissance music.

Jennifer Kelly, (Choirs Page) Assistant Professor and Director of Choral Activities. D.M.A., University of California, Los Angeles. Directs all choral groups and teaches a variety of courses in the department.

James A. Moyer, Associate Professor and Director of bands. D.M.A., University of Oklahoma. A performing, recording, and touring percussionist, he has number of published works and methods on marimba and a solo CD.

J. Larry Stockton, (Home Page), Professor and Department Head; D.M.A., Temple University. Special interests: world music traditions, jazz, percussion; has produced professional recordings and published articles on Japanese music and Asian Studies.

George Torres, Associate Professor. Ph.D., Cornell University. Special interests: 17th-century French lute performance, Latin American bolero romántico, and Latin American big band music.

Walter "Skip" Wilkins, Assistant Professor. M.M., University of Northern Colorado. Performing, recording, and touring jazz pianist. Special Interests: music theory, jazz history, Solfeggio.

J. Larry Stockton
Head, Music
(610) 330-5366
stocktoj@lafayette.edu

For general information:
Office of admissions
Lafayette College
Easton, PA 18042
(610) 330-5100
FAX (610) 330-5355
admissions@lafayette.edu