Music

Get ready for a music career

The arts are integral to the development of self-expression, innovation and well-being. Through arts experiences, students learn to observe and engage with and shape the world, which provides opportunities for professional preparation and personal growth.

The Music Department at Alverno College prepares students with the knowledge and performance skills necessary to enter a career with confidence and success. Our /Faculty-Musicemphasis is on a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy degree, and minors in Music /Faculty-MusicPerformance and Music History and Cultures. The Music curriculum features a diversity of relevant courses spanning historical timelines and musical styles, as well as clinical experiences that guide the student towards her career goals.

The Alverno difference

The Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy produces graduates who work with ease in this profession upon graduation. The combination of low student to faculty ratios, a curriculum that is attuned to the diversity of music styles relevant in today’s world, and internships that skillfully guide students into a career, brings distinction to Alverno’s Music Department in offering music that works.

Alverno College has a worldwide reputation for its innovative ability-based curriculum, which the Music Department infuses with performance assessments and career based core classes. Every music major refines her skills through private study, performance opportunities, and a progression of competences, which include the self-assessment of one’s own abilities. Student-centered learning, combined with Alverno’s strong Liberal Arts curriculum, produces music graduates who then successfully enter employment within their chosen field.

AUDITION INFORMATION
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 and can be found below. 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.

Audition Process Information (PDF)

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

Alverno Audition Days:

We have decided to cancel the on-campus music auditions originally scheduled for April 3rd and 4th in observance of policies of the CDC and WHO to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Instead, all students applying for a fall 2020 admission should submit a video recording of the performance portion by Friday, April 11th. Please follow the instructions in the attached document explaining our guidelines for video auditions. 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.

Guidelines for Video Auditions (PDF)

Placement assessments in piano and theory will happen on campus in the fall should you be accepted to the program. Please contact me with any questions about your video submission.

Any other questions that we can help you with are welcome, using the following contact info:

Leslie Henry (Music Therapy) leslie.henry@alverno.edu

Rob Collier (Music Theory) rob.collier@alverno.edu

Theresa Camilli (Piano) theresa.camilli@alverno.edu

We look forward to seeing your audition videos!