Music

Get ready for a music career

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Music provides students with a well-rounded, contemporary music education. Students enroll in music lessons in their area of specialization, as well as courses in music theory, history, and technology. They have the opportunity to perform in a variety of diverse and modern small ensembles such as Vocal A Cappella, Improvisation Ensemble, Latin Percussion, and Guitar Ensemble, as well as the Alverno Choir and Wind Ensemble. There are plenty of opportunities for students to customize their learning with electives including Songwriting and Arranging, Hip Hop Music in American Culture, Jazz History, or Rock and Roll History. To culminate their program, students complete upper level projects in the form of a recital or another music-based project upon approval of the department.

The Alverno difference

The Bachelor of Arts in Music will prepare students to go into a variety of fields including performance, teaching, music journalism, and music production. Students may also choose to continue their music studies in graduate school with focuses in musicology, composition, performance, theory, music education, or ethnomusicology.

Curriculum

Alverno is the only Catholic Institution in the Milwaukee area to offer the Bachelor of Arts in Music degree. The curriculum focuses on contemporary music history, theory, and applied repertoire with less emphasis on Western Classical Music than our competitors in the region.

The college has a strong tradition and commitment to educating women and there are few women who go into music theory, composition, and production. The BA in Music would provide a supportive environment to foster these skills in women, helping women realize their potential in otherwise male-dominated fields.

Bachelor of Arts in Music students will take applied lessons in voice or a designated primary instrument for eight semesters, leading to a culminating recital, drawing from a diverse cross-section of the repertoire of their instrument. At the end of each semester of applied lessons, the student will participate in a performance assessment (jury), receiving written feedback from a panel of music faculty, and writing their own self assessment of musical skills gained and to be improved upon in future studies. In addition to lessons with a private instructor, students will participate in a weekly performance lab which provides additional opportunities to perform and receive feedback, review important repertoire for their performance area, and play in small group settings with other students.

Outcomes

1. Adeptly demonstrate creativity, independence, and musical leadership skills in analyzing, evaluating, creating, or performing musical works. (Aesthetic Engagement L5 & 6)
2. Understand and effectively communicate the connection and political or societal purpose of music in specific historical and cultural moments. (Communication and Valuing L5 & 6)
3. Effectively integrate knowledge and understanding of music theory and history into
performance and musical discussion. (Analysis L5 and 6)
4. Integrate musical skills and understanding of a broad range of styles and genres into practical applications in a variety of contexts. (Problem Solving L5 & 6)

AUDITION INFORMATION

Contact: Rob Collier, Music Program Director
414-382-6155

Entrance auditions are required of all students who desire to major in music at Alverno College. The auditions are designed to assess the applicant's ability to successfully pursue college level studies in music and place the applicant in courses consistent with current ability level. Audition registration is electronic.

Please fill out this online form to register. Once you have completed and submitted your registration, you are considered registered for the Music Department auditions. Any questions can be directed to the Performance & Audition Coordinator at audition@alverno.edu.

As a reminder, here is our description of the performance portion of the audition process: Performance on your major instrument (which may be your own voice) shows faculty that you are ready to study musicianship at a college level. Students must perform two contrasting pieces on their major instrument at their live audition. A good measure of what is expected for an audition at the college level would be two contrasting pieces of Class A (sometimes Class B) music from the state Solo and Ensemble list. It is advised that those intending to audition work with a private teacher in preparation for the audition. Accuracy of notes and rhythm is expected and expressive components are assessed.

Placement assessments in piano and theory will happen on campus in the fall should you be accepted to the program.

Please refer to the documents available here to help you prepare for your audition:

Audition Process Information (PDF)
Virtual Audition Instructions (PDF)

Any other questions? We are here to help. Please contact the following faculty by email for any further inquiries:
Leslie Henry (Music Therapy)
Rob Collier (Music Theory)
Sarah Richardson (Audition Coordinator)

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