About Music at Lewis University
The Music Department teaches music not only as a liberal art but also
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 range from medieval to modern
music.
The department also offers specialized course work leading to the Bachelor
of Arts degree offering the following degrees:
Music merchandising majors combine their musical studies with courses in business and marketing to prepare themselves for music business careers such as music retailers, sales representatives, sound technicians, talent agents, and in symphony and opera management. Although available to all Lewis University students, the newly implemented minor in music technology is an innovative option to music merchandising majors interested in recording, software design, and electroacoustic composition. The music merchandising program also involves an internship experience, often at world class companies such as the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Courses in music theory and history are taught by experienced full-time faculty who are creatively active as composers, performers, conductors, and scholars. Computer assisted instruction is an essential component in the study of music theory. Students also 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 have the opportunity 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, a jazz band, a guitar ensemble and a wind ensemble. These ensembles are directed by full and part-time faculty who have established themselves as respected conductors at the local, regional, and national level. All 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 and 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 tracks are invited to participate in or 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 the financial aid available through the university, the Music Department 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 available from other sources.
BA in Music
Total Credit Hours Required: 128
Major Credit Hours Required: 59
Music Major Core Courses
| 14-120 Music Theory I with Lab | 4 |
| 14-121 Music Theory II with Lab | 4 |
| 14-220 Music Theory III with Lab | 4 |
| 14-221 Music Theory IV with Lab | 4 |
| 14-190 Music Literature | 3 |
| 14-311 Music History I | 3 |
| 14-312 Music History II | 3 |
| 14-321 Form and Analysis | 3 |
| 14-322 Orchestration | 3 |
| 14-299 Intro to Recording and Computer Music | 3 |
| 14-182 Applied Piano* | 4 |
| Applied voice, guitar, or orchestral instrument | 12 |
| Ensembles | 8 |
| 14-497 Music Seminar and Comprehensive Exams | 1 |
*Pianists have the option of taking 8 semesters of applied piano, but at least two semesters of piano are required of all music majors.
Additional departmental requirements for graduation include:
1. Registration for and participation in at least one musical ensemble each semester;
2. Successful completion of comprehensive examinations in music theory and history, normally taken at the end of the junior year.
Music majors meet the university's Advanced Writing Requirement by taking the following four music history courses: 14-311; 14-312; 14-313; and 14-314.
BA in Music Merchandising
Total Credit Hours Required: 128
Major Credit Hours Required: 62
Music Merchandising Core Courses
| 14-120 Music Theory I with Lab | 4 |
| 14-121 Music Theory II with Lab | 4 |
| 14-220 Music Theory III with Lab | 4 |
| 14-221 Music Theory IV with Lab | 4 |
| 14-190 Music Literature | 3 |
| 14-311 Music History I | 3 |
| 14-312 Music History II | 3 |
| 14-310 Music Merchandising | 3 |
| 14-498 Internship | 3 |
| 14-182 Applied Piano* | 2 |
| Applied voice, guitar, or orchestral instrument | 6 |
| Ensembles | 8 |
| 25-200 Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| 25-299 Current Topics in Marketing | 3 |
| 25-315 Advertising | 3 |
| 25-374 Salesmanship | 3 |
| 25-376 The Stratgies of E-Business and E-Marketing | 3 |
*One semester of applied piano may be taken
Additional departmental requirements for graduation include:
1. registration for and participation in at least one musical ensemble each semester;
2. successful completion of comprehensive examinations in music theory and history, (normally taken at the end of the junior year)
3. music merchandising majors must complete an internship.
Music merchandising majors meet the University's Advanced Writing Requirement by taking the following four music history courses: 14-311; 14-312; 14-313; and 14-314.
Minor in Music Technology
Music Credit Hours Required: 18
The Music Department also offers a minor in music technology for those students
who desire a focus on recording and electroacoustic composition. Music technology
minors are encouraged to seek additional electives in applied music, music
theory, and music history.
Almost all music is touched by technology in some way in today’s cultural
climate. Whether recording an orchestra concert, amplifying a pop singer,
or composing interactive electroacoustic music, a music technologist or
audio engineer is involved.
The primary mission of this degree adheres to the Lewis University and Music
Department Mission statements. Its primary goal is not to be a "knob-turning"
degree. Instead, it strives create life-long learners and adapters, through
study of standard techniques, music repertory, and creative endeavors such
as composition. Using this approach to music pedagogy, students who complete
the curriculum will be able to apply and adapt their knowledge to a variety
of technology environments, not just the environment and technology they
encounter at Lewis.
Music Technology Minor Core Courses
| 14-299 Intro to Recording and Computer Music | 3 |
|
14-300 Electronic Music Techniques (3 semesters) prerequisite 14-299 |
9 |
| 14-180/182 Applied Piano† | 2 |
|
14-XXX Recording Ensemble (4 semesters) |
4 |
†Since current Music or Music Merchandising Majors must take Applied Piano, they may elect to take Music Composition 14-186; however, non-music majors must take 14-181 or 14-182
Minor in Music
Music Credit Hours Required: 33
The Music Department also offers a minor in music for those students who
desire a secondary field of study in music. Music minors are encouraged
to seek additional electives in applied music, music theory, and music history.
Music Minor Core Courses
| 14-120 Music Theory I with Lab | 4 |
| 14-121 Music Theory II with Lab | 4 |
| 14-190 Music Literature | 3 |
| 14-311 Music History I | 3 |
| 14-312 Music History II | 3 |
| 14-182 Applied Piano† | 2 |
| Applied voice, guitar, or orchestral instrument | 6 |
| Ensembles | 8 |
†Pianists may choose to take all 3 semesters of applied music as piano
Scholarships
The Music Department has a limited number of Talent Scholarships which are
awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional musical ability and the
potential for contributing to the life of the Music Department. An audition
for the faculty is required for consideration. Because these awards are
not tied to student or family need, it is not necessary to file the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid ('FAFSA') to receive a Talent Scholarship.
Students chosen to receive Talent Scholarships are expected to major in
music and to participate in musical ensembles every semester.
The maximum award for talent scholarships is $3000 per academic
year. While this amount represents only about 17% of the average annual
tuition, students frequently are eligible for additional assistance to
augment this award. Various forms of financial aid based upon demonstrable
need are available and can be combined into a financial aid package; these
require the submission of the FAFSA. For more information, students should
visit the Office of Financial Aid Services in the LRC Building, or contact
them at (815)836-5263 or finaid@lewisu.edu
Since funding for talent scholarships is limited, prospective students are strongly encouraged to audition as
soon as possible.
To schedule an talent scholarship audition, contact the Department of
Music by calling (815)836-5619