Music
Objectives
The mission of the Department of Music is consonant with that of the University as a whole: “We seek in all that we do and teach to foster knowledge, wisdom, fidelity, justice and association. We endeavor to provide a program of liberal education and professional training in music. Respectful of our heritage, we nevertheless seek to cultivate music as a living art form, and to be open, creative, inclusive, and innovative in our approach to music of our own time.”
The Department of Music teaches music as one of the liberal arts and for professional pursuits, offering courses for students in all majors. Many students choose to satisfy the fine arts requirement by taking Music for the Listener, which is offered every semester, or by taking one of several courses in music history, which cover a range of music from medieval to modern.
The department also offers specialized coursework leading to the bachelor of arts degree with a major or a minor in Music or Music Business. Students who major in Music may choose to concentrate on applied vocal or instrumental music, music theory and composition, or music history. This track prepares students for graduate study or to pursue music as a performer and/or teacher.
Courses in music theory and music history are taught by experienced, full-time faculty who are creatively active as composers, performers, conductors, and scholars. Students take private lessons in piano, voice, guitar, and all orchestral instruments with instructors who are active in music performance in the Chicago area.
Music majors and minors are expected to perform in one of the University’s many ensembles every semester. The department maintains a symphony orchestra, a college choir, a vocal jazz ensemble, a gospel choir, and a jazz band. These ensembles are directed by full- and part-time faculty who have established themselves as respected conductors at the local, regional, and national levels. All of these ensembles perform every semester and are open to members of the community, as well as to students in all majors. Some require an audition.
Every semester the department, in cooperation with the Arts & Ideas program, sponsors a series of concerts presented by guest artists, faculty, alumni and students, as well as performances by the resident music ensembles. Music majors in both programs are expected to participate in or to attend these concerts, which are provided without additional charge to students.
Financial aid is available for music study at Lewis University in a number of forms. In addition to financial aid through the University, the Department of Music offers a limited number of Talent Scholarships to promising students who intend to major in Music. These scholarships are not based upon financial need, but on musical ability and potential as demonstrated in an audition for the faculty. Talent Scholarships may be combined with grants, loans, and work-study programs from other sources.
The Department of Music also offers non-credit music instruction through private lessons with instructors teaching in the college division. Students of all ages come to the Romeoville campus each week for lessons in piano, guitar, voice, and all orchestral instruments. Many of these are high school students who also play in the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO), which is sponsored jointly by Lewis University and Joliet Junior College.