Music
Mission
The Music program prepares and equips students for positions in the fields of music and audio production, developing students with technical skill, artistry, and a sophisticated knowledge of music and audio production. Our program works closely with the Film & Media Arts program, providing students a unique opportunity to realize their projects in a multi-disciplinary environment. Students and faculty work closely on creative projects ranging from concerts and albums to films and documentaries.
Our program size allows us to focus attention on each student as an individual, helping each one grow into a well-rounded, competent, and confident musician. We offer the degrees:
- Bachelor of Music in Music Production and Audio Engineering
- Bachelor of Arts in Music
- Bachelor of Arts in Musical Theatre (in collaboration with the Theatre Arts Program)
- Minor in Music.
LaGrange College Music Objectives
The LaGrange College Music program strives to:
- provides opportunities college-wide for all students to develop an appreciation of and critically engage in the music and audio production arts through offerings in music literature, music/audio production, applied instrument instruction, and ensembles.
- provides a strong music and audio production curriculum for majors and minors;
- provides opportunities for student research projects in music and audio production.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of a Music degree, a student should be able to
- demonstrate a broad range of music performance, audio production and/or post-production techniques (these may include but are not limited to studio realizations and recital performances);
- demonstrate the ability to synthesize ideas and techniques in creative expression;
- demonstrate appropriate facility with the tools and techniques of their chosen field that can result in ongoing participation in artistic and professional endeavor.
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
Sophomore Portfolio Review—A faculty committee from Music and Film & Media Arts will review sophomore portfolios using a standard rubric. The evaluation will include an assessment of the student’s technical facility, ability to express themselves creatively, and their ability to explain their work orally or in writing.
Senior Capstone Review—A faculty committee from Music and Film & Media Arts will review capstone projects using a standard rubric. The evaluation will include an assessment of the student’s technical facility, ability to express themselves creatively, and their ability to explain their work orally or in writing.
Ensembles
Several musical ensembles are available for both music majors and non-majors: LC Singers, LC Recording Studio Band, and Musical Theatre. To learn more about our various ensembles, and to set up an audition, please contact us at awieland@lagrange.edu.
Facilities and Resources
Housed in the West Side Building, the Music Department includes the modern 150-seat Beason Recital hall, a suite of mixing and editing rooms, applied studios, smart classrooms, dedicated ensemble rehearsal rooms and a live recording studio and control room. For students planning to work in the TV and film industry, the facility features a video staging and shooting room with grid lighting, a Chromakey (green screen) wall and a dedicated project workroom for stop-motion animation and detailed videography. Price Theater houses a 280-seat performance space, a 60-seat experimental lab theater, a studio classroom, costume shop, scene shop and costume and properties storage. Callaway Auditorium, a state-of-the art concert hall, provides more than 740 seats and superior acoustics.
Music Awards/Scholarships
Renewable talent-based awards and scholarships are available for incoming first-year students as well as for transfer students. Recipients must be a music major/minor and participate in an ensemble. Contact awieland@lagrange.edu for more information.
Majors and Minors
Major Minor
B.A. in Music B.M. in Music Production and Audio Engineering Minor in MusicCourses
This course focuses on the basic elements of music theory and music production, providing the student with an elementary understanding of musical structure and studio production techniques. Topics include: an introduction to studio production & mixing, scales, key signatures, simple and compound meters, intervals, triads, and seventh chords. Some lab time will be devoted to studio recording, production, and music notation.
A broad survey of American music and musical technology from the late 1700s to present.
A broad survey of music aimed at developing aesthetic awareness and critical analysis of music from diverse styles and genres.
This course is designed to provide the student with basic sight singing and listening skills. Some lab time will be devoted to transcription and notation of simple melodies and basic chord progressions.
This course continues the study of basic sight singing and listening skills. Some lab time will be devoted to transcription and notation of simple melodies and basic chord progressions. Topics will include aural identification of cadence types.
A weekly seminar hour for the presentation, discussion and critique of compositional and creative student works in progress. Guest lectures and topical presentations will also occur throughout the semester.
Beginning instruction in piano for music majors with no previous keyboard training. Development of basic reading skills. Open to non-majors with the approval of the instructor.
Topics covered include: basic vocal technique, vocal anatomy, breath management, maintaining vocal health, vocal registers, theatrics of singing, IPA, and basic score reading.
This course trains students in the use of the International Phonetic Alphabet to pronounce foreign language art songs and arias. Emphasis is on IPA symbols applied to English, Italian, German, and French.
Recording studio instruction in digital audio engineering, focusing on DAW environments: LOGIC and PROTOOLS. Topics include: signal routing; recording console operation; microphone selection, placement and usage; sound mixing; and sound design.
Continuation of Piano 1 with additional emphasis on sight-reading.
Individual instruction in the student’s choice of instrument or voice to develop technical proficiency, repertoire knowledge, and performance skills. May be repeated for credit. (N.B., Composition does not count as a primary applied instrument for degree completion. Refer to “Primary Applied Instrument” above.) Section codes are as follows: Voice (A), Piano (B), Organ (C), Guitar (Classical and Contemporary)(D), Percussion (E), Applied Composition and Sound Design (F), Strings (G), Flute (H), Clarinet (I), Oboe (J), Saxophone (K), Trumpet (L), Trombone (M), Euphonium (N), Horn (O)
Individual instruction in the student’s choice of instrument or voice to develop technical proficiency, repertoire knowledge, and performance skills. May be repeated for credit. (N.B., Composition does not count as a primary applied instrument for degree completion. Refer to “Primary Applied Instrument” above.) Section codes are as follows: Voice (A), Piano (B), Organ (C), Guitar (Classical and Contemporary)(D), Percussion (E), Applied Composition and Sound Design (F), Strings (G), Flute (H), Clarinet (I), Oboe (J), Saxophone (K), Trumpet (L), Trombone (M), Euphonium (N), Horn (O)
Performance organization(s) providing ensemble experience. May be repeated for credit. Section codes are as follows: LC Singers (A), LC Wind Ensemble (B), LC Jazz Ensemble (C), LC Percussion Ensemble (D), String Ensemble (E), LC Recording Studio Band (F)
Performance organization(s) providing ensemble experience. May be repeated for credit. Section codes are as follows: LC Singers(A), LC Wind Ensemble (B), LC Jazz Ensemble (C), LC Percussion Ensemble (D), String Ensemble (E), LC Recording Studio Band (F)
This course focuses on various aspects of diatonic/chromatic harmony, musical style/genre traits, and musical form/structure. Topics include but are not limited to: modulations, phrase structure/analysis, basic part writing, and basic orchestration/arranging. Some lab time will be devoted to studio recording/production and music notation. Other topics will include basic MAC computer skills, especially as they pertain to music theory and music production. This course may be taken before or after MUSI 2201 & 2202.
Advanced compositional study of large-scale forms and genres. Assigned and student-initiated composition projects that include brass quintet, string quartet, art song, mixed-voiced choir, and chamber orchestra. Students may also compose works that use live or pre-recorded elements and/or techniques, music for video or short film, or other nontraditional means. All completed compositions that meet the required criteria for these listed performing groups will be rehearsed and recorded.
Music of the Classical, Romantic, and Modern eras, beginning with Beethoven. Course will emphasize historical analysis and criticism, aural identification, and research.
This course focuses on various aspects of diatonic/chromatic harmony, musical style/genre traits, and musical form/structure. Topics include but are not limited to: binary form, rounded binary form, sonata form, strophic form, 32-bar pop song form, church modes, and pitch-class sets. Some lab time will be devoted to studio recording/production and music notation. Other topics will include basic MAC computer skills, especially as they pertain to music theory and music production. This course may be taken before or after MUSI 1102 & 2202.
Class instruction for musical theory topics of a highly specialized nature. The content of this course will change based upon the expertise of the instructor and the needs of the students. Topics include, but not limited to, pop music form and chord progressions, arranging, Schenkerian Analysis, Nashville numbers, lead sheets and chord charts, etc. May be repeated for credit. May be taken for 1-3 credit hours.
Class instruction for musical technology topics of a highly specialized nature. Topics will focus on music technologies used in commercial music. The content of this course will change based upon the expertise of the instructor and the needs of the students. Topics include, but are not limited to, microphone techniques, music notation software, live sound reinforcement, on-the-fly multi-media presentation software, Ableton Live, etc. May be repeated for credit.
Conducting techniques, score reading, rehearsal techniques for choral and/or instrumental ensembles.
This course covers techniques for combining video, sound, and sound effects in various creative contexts. Projects include: recording voice over, introductory video recording, basic lighting for video, basic interview techniques, introductory video editing techniques, advanced sound design, and advanced audio editing techniques.
The study of basic issues pertaining to the music industry which may include: entrepreneurship, music copyrights, music synchronization, musical mechanical licensing, standard music contracts, royalties, artists’ advances and contracts, buyouts. Introduction to the major licensing organizations, i.e., ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, the professional society of musicians.
A special projects course with hands-on participation and teamwork required. Each project is unique; specific content will be publicized in the semester preceding the course offering.
A supervised, practical “real world” experience in a professional off-campus environment. May be repeated for credit.
The study of selected operas and operatic excerpts that may result in staged performances.
Class instruction for musical topics of a highly specialized nature. The content of this course will change based upon the expertise of the instructor and the needs of the students. May be repeated for credit.
The capstone presentation is a senior-level exploration of a faculty-approved music topic.
Approval of instructor.
