Majoring in music requires an incredible amount of energy, focus, and determination, but is extremely rewarding. In addition to academic coursework, students spend time practicing their instrument, learning to play new instruments, preparing for performances, and studying areas like theory, history, conducting, arranging, and composition. By the time students graduate, they will have developed advanced music literacy skills and a deeper understanding and appreciation of the many facets of music. Our integrated curriculum encourages musical creativity and artistic expression that prepares students for graduate school, teaching, performing, and other careers in music. We offer three ensemble groups in both the choral and instrumental programs. Our musical groups are diverse in nature and provide a wide variety of opportunities, including solo and small group work.
Music
Why a degree in Music from Missouri Valley?
Our program is structured to allow for an integrated approach to education, as you will be encouraged to “step out of the box” and develop new areas of artistry. Our small class sizes, personalized approach to education, and faculty that get to know you as an individual, will be important aspects of your educational experience. We offer several instrumental and vocal ensembles for all college students to take advantage of. All music majors, music minors, and non-music majors qualify to receive a Fine Arts Scholarship in Instrumental Music or Vocal Music. Interested students will need to audition to be considered for these scholarships.
Career Possibilities
- Teaching
- Arranging Music
- Agent for Musical Act
- Audio Engineer
- Private Vocal or Instrumental Coach
- Performer
Graduate Program Possibilities
- Fine Arts
- Music
Courses & Concentrations
Bachelor of Arts in Music
The BA in Music is designed for students who want a broader music curriculum. Students will focus on performance, composition, conducting, other music related careers, or preparations for graduate school. Students must declare and audition on their primary instrument, which can be any standard band or orchestral instrument, piano, or voice. Each semester, music majors must take applied music lessons for their instrument or voice and are required to participate in a music ensemble.
Bachelor of Arts in Music Education
The BA in Music Education is designed for students who want to teach K-12 music. Students will choose either instrumental certification, vocal certification, or both. In addition to the required music courses, you must complete the professional education courses listed in the college catalog. Students must declare and audition on their primary instrument, which can be any standard band or orchestral instrument, piano, or voice. Each semester, music majors must take applied music lessons for their instrument or voice and are required to participate in a music ensemble.
Choral Certification
The choral certification requires additional coursework in choral techniques, literature and arranging. You’ll learn the practical aspects of score preparation, choral concert programming, and study the necessary skills needed for arranging music for choral ensembles in various styles of accompanied and unaccompanied music. You may obtain an instrumental certificate by taking an additional 14 hours in the instrumental certification area.
Instrumental Certification
The instrumental certification focuses on teaching you the fundamentals of playing and teaching a number of instruments including stringed, percussion, woodwinds and brass. You’ll also learn techniques in instrumental arranging, and get hands-on experience through short writing projects for choirs, bands and orchestras. Instrumental students may obtain a choral certificate by taking an additional 14 hours in the choral certification area.
Minor in Music
The Minor in Music is designed for students who want a broad introduction into the study of music. This is helpful for a student interested in careers in businesses relating to music. It can also be valuable if a student simply desires a creative outlet. Students must declare and audition on their primary instrument, which can be any standard band or orchestral instrument, piano, or voice. Each semester, music minors must take applied music lessons for their instrument or voice and are required to participate in a music ensemble.
Non-Music Majors
Non-music majors can take advantage of many of the same musical opportunities that music majors do. All college students are welcome to enroll in any of the music ensembles and applied music lessons, however, previous musical experience is required. Non-music majors also have opportunities to earn scholarships in music. For more information about Instrumental Music, please contact Dr. Alexandros Fragiskatos at fragiskatosa@moval.edu or Kristine Poulsen at poulsenk@moval.edu. For vocal music, please contact Professor Ryan Hampton at hamptonr@moval.edu.
Admissions & Scholarships
To be admitted as a music major or music minor, applicants must complete the online application to Missouri Valley College by the college deadline and perform an audition by April 1 for admittance for fall semester of that calendar year. For information about audition requirements, or to set up an audition for Instrumental Music, please contact Dr. Alexandros Fragiskatos at fragiskatosa@moval.edu or Kristine Poulsen at poulsenk@moval.edu. For vocal music, please contact Professor Ryan Hampton at hamptonr@moval.edu.
Scholarships are available for music majors, music minors, and non-music majors. Music majors can earn up to $14,000 per academic year, and this will be determined based on their audition into the degree program. Music minors and non-music majors can earn up to $11,000 per academic year and must perform an audition before April 1 to be considered for fall semester of that calendar year. All scholarships are contingent upon students meeting certain requirements of participation in ensembles and applied music lessons. For information about scholarships, audition requirements, or to set up an audition for Instrumental Music, please contact Dr. Alexandros Fragiskatos at fragiskatosa@moval.edu or Kristine Poulsen at poulsenk@moval.edu. For vocal music, please contact Professor Ryan Hampton at hamptonr@moval.edu.
Ready to apply? Get started now by reviewing our admissions process and explore financial aid options.
Faculty
Director of Study Abroad
Music Ensembles at Missouri Valley College
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