Music
Why McKendree?
Focus on individual learning opportunities and hands-on experience.
Teaching opportunities:
Summer Junior High Concert Band Camp
Summer Choir Camp
Conducting university ensembles in rehearsal and performance
Special events:
Trips to St. Louis Symphony Performances
Guest Masterclasses and Residencies including Grammy Award-winning soprano, Christine Brewer
Educational Retreats
Regional Performance Opportunities
Why a Degree in Music?
The Bachelor of Arts in Music is an engaging degree program designed to prepare you
for a career in music performance, education, theatre, and many other fields in the
arts and humanities. Our talented faculty and small class sizes give you the one-on-one
guidance you need to grow your skills in music. Scholarship opportunities abound for
music students, and our long list of performance ensembles gives you the chance to
get involved on campus while enhancing your talents and experience.
Click here for information regarding a degree in Music Education.
About the Music Major
Housed in the Division of Visual and Performing Arts, the Music degree offers you
many different ways to personalize your degree to fit your own unique interests and
passions. Students may earn a BA in music and have the option to choose one of two
distinct areas of emphasis for more experience in the area of music that best suits
your particular talents.
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Classical Performance Emphasis: Available for students of piano, organ, voice, brass, woodwind, or percussion instruments.
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Jazz Performance Emphasis: Available for students of trumpet, trombone, saxophone, guitar, or string bass.
Minor in Music
The Music minor is offered to students who choose to major in a different field, but
would still like to incorporate music in their curriculum. It is available to all
majors and includes classes in music theory, conducting, and applied lessons.
Music Minor Requirements
Performances Ensembles
Our Music program boasts many outstanding and diverse performance ensembles, giving
you the opportunity to earn scholarship funds, meet lifelong friends, and have fun
showcasing McKendree’s musical talent.
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Concert Band
- Wind Ensemble
- Concert Choir
- Chamber Choir
- Jazz Ensemble
- Jazz Combo
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Percussion Ensemble
- Spirit of McKendree
Why McKendree?
McKendree University provides you with interactive learning opportunities through
our small class sizes, experienced faculty, and unique internship experiences that
move you beyond the classroom. We are committed to your success in the degree programs
we offer, the internships and extracurricular activities that will set you apart,
and the college experience you will receive at McKendree. Just 25 minutes from downtown
St. Louis, Missouri, McKendree University is located in historic Lebanon, Illinois,
and affords students a host of enriching cultural, career, and entertainment opportunities.
Program Highlights
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Two unique degree tracks in Classical Performance, and Jazz Performance give you the opportunity to shape your coursework to fit your career goals.
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Music minor gives you the tools to perform and study music while majoring in another related field.
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More than 10 different performance ensembles in everything from bands to choirs enable you to make lasting memories doing what you love while earning scholarship funds.
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The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts: Opened in 2006, the Hett gives music students an impressive venue to demonstrate their talents to audiences. Perform in this state-of-the-art theater that hosts countless professional dancers, musicians, and actors from around the world.
Employment Opportunities
Music majors find employment in a number of careers, including performance, composing,
and teaching. Our graduates work as orchestral musicians, professional singers and
instrumentalists, church music directors, and teachers in their own studios.
Interesting Courses
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Introduction to Conducting
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History of Jazz
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History of Music
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Performance Labs
Club Information / Honor Societies
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Kappa Kappa Psi (National Honorary Band Fraternity)
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Illinois Collegiate Music Education Association
ILCMEA Chapter of McKendree University
- ILCMEA (Illinois Collegiate Music Education Association) is a subgroup within ILMEA (Illinois Music Educator Association). Participants are current Music Educator students in progress of a Music degree. The goal of the Association is to provide the following:
- Professional learning oppurtunities
- Build leadership oppurtunities
ILCMEA of McKendree University Executive Board
Riley Wuebbles
President
riley.wuebbles20@mckendree.edu
Gabi Cuba
Vice President
Laura Dismer
Secretary
Marin Jalinsky
Treasurer
Related Programs
Your Student Success Support Team
Social Media
Key Faculty
Chair of the Division of Visual & Performing Arts and Humanities
Professor of Music
Hettenhausen Center for the Arts
(618) 537-6922
nypma@mckendree.edu
Associate Professor of Music Education
Director of Bands
Hettenhausen Center for the Arts 1092
(618) 537-6428
jamoder-bell@mckendree.edu
Full List of Music Department Faculty & Staff
