Bachelor in Music

Why Study Music?

The mission of the Music Department in support of the mission of Aquinas College is to provide both to the music major and general education students: first, a deeper understanding and experience of music from the abundant diversity of cultures present today and through the ages; and, second, the verbal and technical skills to communicate that knowledge of music.

How We're Different

$70,000 in music department scholarships have been awarded for 2015-2016. Starting in October, applications are being accepted for next year. Students intern with area arts organizations and businesses including opera companies, touring Christian bands, schools of music, symphonies, international touring performers, travel agencies specializing in touring groups, and more. We host performances of exciting new works each semester by our student ensembles, faculty members, graduates and guest artists, in collaboration with rising star composers. We offer two professional degrees - Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Music in Liturgical Music - as well as a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in Performance or Jazz, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Dual Major in Business and Music. Faculty performances and presentations have taken place at scholarly conferences, festivals, and conventions, and in concert halls, cathedrals, outdoor venues, clubs, and universities across the U.S. and Europe, in Guinea West Africa, Japan, and South America. Graduates are leaders in music education, music ministry, performance, jazz studies, and music business. Liturgical music students prepare for their careers through partnering with young-alumni mentors, apprenticeships, and credited internships. Aquinas is home to: two pipe organs, a 210 seat recital hall with two 9-foot concert grand pianos - Steinway and Baldwin - on stage, a recording studio,the Performing Arts Center, and 28 additional grand, upright and electronic pianos from Steinway, Schimmel, Yamaha,Boston, Roland, Korg, Kawai and Baldwin. Music faculty members have recorded and toured extensively, and have received numerous honors including “Teacher of the Year,” “Composer of the Year,”winning two ArtPrize Jazz Awards for original compositions, silver medalist at the American Traditions Singing Competition, and multiple Grand Awards for musical theatre roles in West Michigan. Affiliations with state and national organizations.

Music Core Requirements

Forty-one (41) credit hours. Required courses:

• MCTH113, MCTH114 Integrated Theory I and II (3,3)
• MCTH115, MCTH116 Ear Training/Sight-Singing I and II (1,1)
• MCAP123, MCAP 124 Piano Techniques I and II (1,1)
• MCAP125-226 Piano; MCAP131-232 Organ, MCAP165,166,142-242 Voice; or MCAP151-252 Instrument - Studio Applied Lessons (2,2,2,2)
• MCEN143-244 College Chorus or MCEN155-256 College Band 1,1,1,1); or MCEN 171-272 Jazz Ensemble for Jazz Emphasis (1,1,1,1)
• MCTH203, MCTH204 Integrated Theory III and IV (3,3)
• MCTH205, MCTH206 Ear Training/Sight-Singing III and IV (1,1)
• MCED315 Conducting Fundamentals (1)
• *MCHL350, *MCHL351 Music History and Literature I and II (3,3)
• MCTH352 20th Century Analytical Techniques (2)
• MCTH/CS 160 Midi Music Publishing (1)
• MCHL360 or MCAP460 Capstone (1-3)

* for Jazz Emphasis replace MCHL 350 and MCHL 351 with MCHL 213 and MCHL 215.

The close-knit educational environment at Aquinas develops students who thrive in all dimensions of life. Learn more, in our students' words about the Aquinas experience and the Dominican pillars of prayer, study, service, and community.

The Dominican tradition is two-fold: contemplative and communal. At Aquinas, we are committed to gathering for liturgical prayer nourished by God's Word and the Spirit. Prayer leads us into the deeper Truth needed to live out God's call for us in the world. We commit ourselves to a love of learning, both formal and informal. This necessitates an openness to learn from the most unlikely sources as well as tried and true scholarship. Aquinas encourages students to engage in service projects and service-learning programs. It also offers preparation for careers that will enable graduates to spread the truths that they have learned - "to make a difference in the world."