Applied music lesson students to present recital Dec. 7
A variety of musical solo and chamber works will be presented in a concert Thursday, Dec. 7, at Ripon College. The recital will begin at […]
The Department of Music, in partnership with the Department of Educational Studies, offers a Music Education major that can lead to state certification as a music teacher. The major itself does not automatically lead to a teaching credential. To receive state certification, students must complete the Music Education major and additional Educational Studies classes.
All of the classes focus on practical, real-world skills that will transfer directly to the student’s first classroom. The Department of Music works with students as individuals and in groups to develop performance skills and knowledge of music theory, history and literature. Music students share a personal relationship with faculty whose work as teachers, performers and scholars keeps them and their students in touch with the realities of today’s musical world.
The Music and Educational Studies departments also work together to ensure students have outstanding clinical and student teaching placements and complete their degrees in four years (if they start the program their first semester). All of the full-time music faculty have public school teaching experience and enjoy close relationships with music teachers in local school districts. The faculty also works closely with students after graduation to help them find a job.
Achieve More
Latest News
Ripon College music ensembles to present Holiday Concert Sunday
All of the music ensembles of the Department of Music at Ripon College will present their annual Holiday Concert Sunday, Dec. 3. Two performances are […]
Ripon College Choral Union, Orchestra will perform Sunday, Nov. 19
The Ripon College Choral Union and Orchestra will perform at 3:15 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, in Demmer Recital Hall, C.J. Rodman Center for the Arts, […]
Faculty
Bryan, Erin K.
Assistant Professor of Music and Voice Area Coordinator
Jensen, Jessica A.
Adjunct Instructor of Music (Brass)
MacKenzie, Deb
Adjunct Instructor of Music (Piano)
Nelson, William
Adjunct Instructor of Music (Single Reeds)
Polcyn, Sandra
Adjunct Instructor of Music (Double Reeds)
Sackman, Marc
Adjunct Instructor of Music (Flute)
Shucha, Tobin C.
Assistant Professor of Music, Chair of Music Department and Director of Music Education and Bands
Stephan, Charles
Adjunct Instructor of Music (Low Strings)
Advising
Ripon College faculty and professional staff are dedicated to helping you reach your goals, whatever they may be and however often they may change along the way. It’s part of our value statement to you.
As a student at Ripon, you will be assigned a faculty adviser based on your area(s) of interest. You will meet with your faculty adviser throughout your time as a student to discuss your current aspirations, plan your course schedule and plot a future trajectory. We also work collaboratively with Ripon College Career and Professional Development to help match your interests and skills to concrete goals and construct a plan for professional success offering personalized career counseling, off-campus learning opportunities and an online job board with potential to connect with local, national and international employers.
Advising at RiponRequirements
| Requirements for a Major in Music Education | |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 72-82 credits |
| Prerequisites | Music Education majors must pass five semesters of MUS 010 Recital Attendance |
| Elective Courses | The Music Theory sequence ; Music History cluster MUS 112-World Music; six semesters of applied lessons, not including piano lessons or lessons at the 050 level ; six semesters of ensembles; and EDU 421-Student Teaching: Music OR MUS 500 (students may elect either a seminar paper or recital option) - note that the MUS 500 option does NOT lead to state certification for licensure. |
|
Music Theory Sequence |
(MUS 121 Music Theory I, 123 Aural Skills I, 221 Music Theory II, 223 Aural Skills II, 225 Music Theory III and 227 Aural Skills III) and Music History Cluster (MUS 330 Departmental Studies, 331 and 332) |
|
Music History Cluster |
MUS 260:01, MUS 260:02, MUS 260:03, MUS 260:04, MUS 260:05, MUS 260:06, or MUS 265 Diction for Singers; MUS 270 Introduction to Music Eduction; MUS 280 Music Technology; MUS 302 Elementary School Music Methods; MUS 306 Middle and High School Music Methods; MUS 334 Conducting I; MUS 335190:xx) |
|
Lessons and Ensembles |
Lessons: 050 level (MUS 100 Group Voice Class, 140 Intermediate Voice Lessons, 240 Advanced Voice Lessons, 150:xx, or 250:xx); 4 semesters of piano (MUS 102 Class Piano I, 150:09 or 250:09)
Ensembles: (MUS 190:xx); |
| Additional Criteria | The completion of the Music Education major does not automatically lead to a teaching credential. To receive state certification as a music teacher, students will need to complete the Music Education major and take the following Educational Studies classes: EDU 190 School and Society; EDU 260 Diversity in American Education; EDU 270 Differentiated Instruction; EDU 311 Literacy Development in Middle/Secondary Schools; EDU 320 Clinical Block: Student Practicum in Teaching (Students should enroll in MUS 302 and EDU 320 concurrently.); EDU 421- Student Teaching: Music |
Career Tracks
A major in Music Education culminates in student teaching and certification. As a result of their learning in classes, individual lessons and ensembles, graduates are well-prepared to teach in K-12 schools. Music majors from Ripon College have successfully pursued careers in the following:
- Public school and studio teaching
- Performance
- Higher education
- Church music
- Other professional fields
Unique Opportunities
- Certification in instrumental music, choral music and general music is available in early childhood/adolescence (birth-grade 12).
- Students of any discipline can participate in Chamber Singers, Choral Union, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Orchestra, some on the basis of audition.
- Chamber Singers tours annually over spring break.
Ensembles
Choral Union
Ripon College’s Choral Union is open to students, faculty, staff, and community members and presents at least one concert per semester. Through the ensemble’s repertoire, singers are exposed to a variety of musical styles, time periods, languages, instrumental collaborations, and high-quality texts. Additionally, Choral Union frequently performs with other ensembles. Recent collaborations not only include the college’s orchestra and Chamber Singers, but also the Green Bay Civic Symphony. Highlights of the 2014–15 season include Brahms’s Schicksalslied, Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb, and Thompson’s Frostiana. Please contact Dr. John C. Hughes, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities, for more information ([email protected]; 920.748.8788).
Chamber Singers
Chamber Singers is Ripon College’s premier choral ensemble and is open to students of all majors through a rigorous audition process. Chamber Singers primarily performs advanced unaccompanied literature; however, instruments occasionally join in performance. The ensemble presents at least one major concert per semester, as well as several other concerts on and off campus as musical ambassadors for the college. In January 2017, Chamber Singers will tour four Midwestern cities. Please contact Dr. John C. Hughes, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities, for more information ([email protected]; 920.748.8788).
Jazz Ensemble
The Ripon College Jazz Ensemble is a big band that plays music from the earliest jazz through the most contemporary jazz styles. From within the group, a number of different jazz combos perform as well on the two major Jazz Ensemble concerts each year. Development of improvisation skills is a major goal of the group. The Jazz Ensemble also performs on a pops concert each year and occasionally at off-campus events.
Symphonic Wind Ensemble
The Ripon College Symphonic Wind Ensemble is made up of brass, winds and percussion. In recent years, the group has had approximately 50 to 55 members. It is largely a student group, although there are a few community members. The group performs two major concerts each year, as well as a pops concert and a concert of small ensemble music. Literature ranges from band classics from throughout the 20th century to transcriptions of music from other media, marches and lighter fare.
Orchestra
Unlike many schools its size, Ripon College has a long-standing, vital College Orchestra. Made up of students and community members, the group puts on two concerts a year that feature orchestral works from all of the style periods of Western music. Concerts often feature guest soloists. Children’s concerts are another type of event that the orchestra puts on with some regularity.