Music Department Information
College of Arts and Humanities
Ellensburg
Jerilyn S. McIntyre Music Building
Mail Stop 7458
509-963-1216
Fax: 509-963-1239
www.cwu.edu/music
See website for how these programs may be used for educational and career purposes.
Faculty and Staff
Chair
Todd Shiver, DMA
Associate Chair
Jeff Snedeker, DMA
Professors
Joseph Brooks, MM, clarinet, saxophone, woodwind methods
Chris Bruya, MM, jazz studies
Lewis Norfleet, MM, bands, music education, conducting
Mark Goodenberger, MM, percussion
John Harbaugh, MME, trumpet, jazz studies
Carrie Rehkopf-Michel, MM, violin, chamber music, Kairos String Quartet
John Michel, MM, cello, chamber music, pedagogy, Kairos String Quartet
Hal Ott, DM, flute, literature
John F. Pickett, DM, piano, literature, pedagogy
Vijay Singh, MAT, jazz studies, choir, voice
Associate Professors
Gayla Blaisdell, PhD, voice, opera
Nikolas Caoile, DMA, orchestra, conducting
Mark Lane, MM, music education, band
Daniel Lipori, DMA, music history, bassoon, double reed methods
Bret Smith, PhD, music education, string pedagogy
Gary Weidenaar, DMA, choir, conducting, music education
Assistant Professors
Martin Kennedy, DMA, theory, composition
John Neurohr, DMA, trombone, brass pedagogy, brass literature
Melissa Schiel, DMA, voice, pedagogy
Lecturers
Tim Betts, MM, viola, music appreciation, Kairos String Quartet
Tor Blaisdell, MM, voice
Denise Dillenbeck, MM, Kairos String Quartet
Laura Goben, BM oboe
Anna Jensen, MM, string bass
Teresa Harbaugh, MM, class piano
Kirsten Neurohr, DMA, theory, music appreciation
David McLemore, MM, tuba, euphonium, history of jazz
Scott Peterson, DMA, men’s choir
Barbara Pickett, MM, piano, class piano
Maria Roditeleva-Wibe, PhD, music history, theory, world music
Leslie Schneider, MM, music education
Emelie Spencer, MM, voice, theory
Norm Wallen, MM, theory
Adam Pelandini, MM, saxophone
Staff
Marcie Brown, program assistant
Sara Caroll, advisor/recruiter
Star Heger, fiscal specialist
Allen Larsen, hall manager, audio technician, web manager
Teresa Larsen, secretary supervisor
Harry Whitaker, piano technician
Department Information
Mission
The Department of Music is a community of artists, scholars, and educators dedicated to achieving the highest standards of musical knowledge, performance, and teaching. The department is committed to preparing students for careers in music, providing the opportunity to become literate, skilled, knowledgeable, and confident music educators, performers, and practitioners, able to influence and enrich the musical lives of the communities in which they serve. The department provides opportunities for the general student to study music as an essential part of a liberal arts education and engage in artistic experiences, serve as a leader for K-12 music education, and provides opportunities for the general public to experience music performances of the highest quality in a broad range of styles and genres.
Department Vision
The Department of Music will be recognized and respected for its challenging
curriculum and supportive environment, for the excellence of its student, ensemble and faculty performances in a broad range of styles and genres, and for the fulfillment of
its motto: “Where teaching is a performing art.”
Core Values
As a community of practicing musicians and scholars, we believe that the department’s mission is best realized when we:
- Hold each student’s greatest good as our primary concern
- Provide models of the highest ethical and moral standards
- Deem outstanding teaching to be the most important attribute of the faculty
- Implement a rigorous curriculum in each degree program
- Regard each degree program as equally valid, with no program intrinsically superior to any other
- Create an intellectually and emotionally safe environment in which students can learn, develop and mature
- Respect and embrace diversity in all its forms
- Respond creatively and thoughtfully to the inevitable changes of the fluid society in which we live
Accreditation
The department is an institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
Admission Requirement
All entering students who plan to pursue either a major or minor in the music department must audition for acceptance into the program before a faculty committee. See the department’s website for audition information.
Common Exit Requirements
All music majors must pass a keyboard proficiency exam as a graduation requirement. Music education majors will not be scheduled for student teaching until this proficiency is completed.
Standards
Music education majors must meet the standards for acceptance into the Professional Education Program.
Required Participation:
- All entering music majors with no previous college music theory credits must pass an online exam in music fundamentals as a prerequisite for MUS 144, the first quarter of the theory sequence (fee required).
- All entering music majors with college credits in music theory must take an in-house diagnostic theory exam, which will be given during the transfer student orientation sessions and before the fall quarter begins. Credit for previous college theory courses may be given based on the results of this exam. Details about both exams can be found on the department website.
- All music majors must enroll in a large ensemble appropriate to their major performance area during each quarter of enrollment as a full-time student. Enrollment in either Women’s Choir or Men’s Choir can be substituted for enrollment in a choral large ensemble for a maximum of three quarters.
Graduation Requirements
- All music majors must pass the required piano proficiency exam. MUS 154A (Piano Class III) must be retaken until this requirement is fulfilled.
- All music majors must attend four (4) convocations and an average of eight (8) recitals/concerts for each quarter, (Fall, Winter, and Spring) that they are in residence.
Departmental Honors
Consult the department website for information about the departmental honors program.
Certification Programs
Students enrolled in music education degree programs will be concurrently enrolled in the teacher certification program and will graduate with Teacher Certification. The department also offers post-baccalaureate students the opportunity to earn Teaching Certification in three endorsement areas. To enter the certification program, a baccalaureate degree in music is required. Endorsement for certification requires completion of all courses listed in the CWU curricular requirements of each specialization. Consultation with the faculty music education specialist is mandatory for students entering this program.
Department Fees
All fees are billed to students’ accounts.
- $15 fee for each MUS 154 (Class Instruction) course (all sections except B and H).
- $85 fee for 1 credit and $170 fee for 2 credits each quarter of enrollment in MUS 164, 264, or 364 (Individual applied instruction).
- $170 fee each quarter of enrollment in MUS 464 (Individual applied instruction).
- $85 fee for 2 credits and $170 fee for 4 credits each quarter of enrollment in MUS 564 and 664 (Individual applied instruction).
- $85 fee each quarter of enrollment in X71 (Secondary applied instruction).
- $40 fee each quarter for students enrolled in Vocal Jazz I
- $40 fee for each scheduled student recital
- $15 fee for each MUS 252, 253, and 254 (Class Instrumental Methods) course
- $5 annual locker fee (Optional if you choose to get a locker)
- $5 fee for students enrolled in Percussion Ensemble
- $25 university tech fee covers use of electronic equipment used in all music courses. Part-time students enrolled in theory, class piano, composition, or electronic music courses will be assessed this fee.
Applied Music (Individual Lessons)
Student advancement through performance levels (164-464) is determined by jury examination. This is done at the end of the quarter when a level change is attempted. Students studying at the 364 level must present a one-half recital as a graduation requirement. Students studying at the 464 level must present at least a full recital as a graduation requirement. See the Undergraduate Handbook for policies regarding applied music study. The handbook is available on the department website at www.cwu.edu/~music. Applied music requirements differ according to the degree.
Ensemble Participation
Participation in performance ensembles is an essential part of the music major experience. Rehearsing and performing as part of a band, orchestra, or choir provides many benefits. It develops musical listening and performing skills, expands knowledge of repertoire, including contemporary and traditional works, provides the opportunity to learn the style characteristics of historical periods and elements of musical structures, and promotes cohesiveness in the musical community.
For future music directors and educators, the ensemble directors serve as models of how to develop such ensembles and how to utilize efficient and productive rehearsal techniques. To ensure that all music majors derive full benefit of this experience, participation in a large ensemble (defined below) appropriate to the major performing area is required of all music majors every quarter in residence as a full-time student, regardless of the number of credits required in each degree.
When circumstances justify not being in a large ensemble, a large ensemble participation waiver form, available in the music department office and signed by the applied instructor/advisor and ensemble director, must be submitted for approval by the department chair.
Only the following are designated as large ensembles: Wind Ensemble, MUS 266/466; Choir, MUS 267/467; Chamber Choir, MUS 268/468; Orchestra, MUS 277/477; Marching and Concert Band, MUS 287/487 (fall quarter only); Concert Band, MUS 288/488. Enrollment in either Women’s Choir or Men’s Choir can be substituted for enrollment in a choral large ensemble for a maximum of three quarters.
Bachelor of Music - Composition Major
Bachelor of music in composition is intended for students whose primary interest is in composition and for those who intend to pursue graduate work in music theory or composition. Audition requirement: Submit 2 or 3 short contrasting compositions and demonstrate proficiency on a primary instrument. (Formal declaration of a major in composition cannot occur until the end of the first-year theory sequence 146 and 146A with the grade of at least a B- in all theory courses. Students must also, complete MUS 120, and have instructor.) Transfer students may bypass MUS 120 with permission based upon composition knowledge, submissions, and a successful audition on their primary instrument. It will normally take transfer students three years to complete the degree requirements.
Bachelor of Music - Music Education with Specializations
All students majoring in music education will be assigned a music education advisor form the music education committee. During each year of full-time enrollment, students will meet with their advisor. The purpose of these reviews is to assist the student in developing all the skills necessary to be an effective music educator and make sure the student is on track to student teach. One year before student teaching, the student’s accomplishments are reviewed by the entire music faculty. In order to receive an endorsement to student teach the student must receive a satisfactory evaluation in all areas of music study. All music education majors must pass the required piano proficiency examination prior to endorsement for student teaching. Students in this major must apply for admission into the Teacher Certification Program with the education foundations and curriculum department. This is typically done at the beginning of the students second year. Transfer students should apply prior to or during their first quarter on campus. Students are required to complete the Professional Education Program requirements offered through the education foundations and curriculum department.
Music Courses
Performance activities are designated by the following code:
A. Piano
B. Voice
C. Strings
D. Woodwinds
E. Brass
G. Percussion
College of Arts and Humanities Information
Administration and Organization
Dean
Stacey Robertson, PhD (Hebeler Hall, room 202)
Interim Associate Dean
Katharine Whitcomb, PhD (Hebeler Hall, room 202)
Mail Stop 7518
509-963-1858
Fax: 509-963-1851
www.cwu.edu/arts/
Overview
The College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) is comprised of 12 departments and programs, which represent the disciplines of the arts and humanities. All of the departments and some of the programs of CAH offer undergraduate degrees as well as minors which supplement other degree programs. Five departments offer Master’s degrees. In addition to its role in providing degree programs, CAH is responsible for many of the course offerings of the general education programs as well as extensive service coursework for the entire university. The college also plays a major role in Central’s teacher education programs, offering bachelors and master’s degrees for students preparing to be secondary teachers and providing coursework in educational foundations and discipline-specific methods for teacher education majors. Building on a legacy of teaching excellence, college faculty are engaged in research, creative activities and service, involving students in the scholarship and practical applications of their various academic specializations, while making important contributions to the intellectual tradition and to society at large. There are no special requirements for admission to the college, but some departments have requirements that are described under the respective department and program headings in the catalog.
Mission
The College of Arts and Humanities advances knowledge, promotes intellectual inquiry, and cultivates creative endeavor among students and faculty through teaching informed by scholarship, creative activity, and public and professional involvement. We are committed to helping students develop intellectual and practical skills for responsible citizenship and the challenges of contemporary life in a global society. The college offers disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs of the highest quality, acts as a steward of the foundational disciplines upon which all inquiry is based, and serves as a cultural center for arts and humanities for the university and the region.
Vision
The College of Arts and Humanities will be recognized as a distinguished learning community known regionally for scholarly and creative excellence, innovative, and rigorous foundational liberal arts education, and undergraduate and graduate programs that are outstanding and unique in the state.
Departments and Programs
Africana and Black Studies Program: Bobby Cummings, PhD (Michaelsen Hall, room 104)
Art: Gregg Schlanger, MFA (Randall Hall, room 100)
Asia/Pacific Studies Program: Jeffrey Dippman, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 337C)
Communication: Marji Morgan, PhD (Bouillon Hall, room 232A)
English: George Drake, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 423)
Film and Video Studies Program: Liahna Armstrong, PhD and Jon Ward (Bouillon Hall, room 225)
History: Jason Knirck, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 100)
Latino and Latin American Studies Program: Stella Moreno, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 102J)
Music: Todd Shiver, DMA (Jerilyn S. McIntyre Music Building, room 144)
Philosophy and Religious Studies: Matthew Altman, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 337)
Theatre Arts: Scott Robinson, MFA (McConnell Hall, room 106)
World Languages: Laila Abdalla, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 102)