Why Study Music?
The mission of the Music Department in support of the mission of Aquinas College is to provide both to the music major and general education students: first, a deeper understanding and experience of music from the abundant diversity of cultures present today and through the ages; and, second, the verbal and technical skills to communicate that knowledge of music.
How We're Different
$70,000 in music department scholarships have been awarded for 2015-2016. Starting in October, applications are being accepted for next year.
Students intern with area arts organizations and businesses including opera companies, touring Christian bands, schools of music, symphonies, international touring performers, travel agencies specializing in touring groups, and more.
We host performances of exciting new works each semester by our student ensembles, faculty members, graduates and guest artists, in collaboration with rising star composers.
We offer two professional degrees - Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Music in Liturgical Music - as well as a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in Performance or Jazz, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Dual Major in Business and Music.
Faculty performances and presentations have taken place at scholarly conferences, festivals, and conventions, and in concert halls, cathedrals, outdoor venues, clubs, and universities across the U.S. and Europe, in Guinea West Africa, Japan, and South America.
Graduates are leaders in music education, music ministry, performance, jazz studies, and music business.
Liturgical music students prepare for their careers through partnering with young-alumni mentors, apprenticeships, and credited internships.
Aquinas is home to: two pipe organs, a 210 seat recital hall with two 9-foot concert grand pianos - Steinway and Baldwin - on stage, a recording studio,the Performing Arts Center, and 28 additional grand, upright and electronic pianos from Steinway, Schimmel, Yamaha,Boston, Roland, Korg, Kawai and Baldwin.
Music faculty members have recorded and toured extensively, and have received numerous honors including “Teacher of the Year,” “Composer of the Year,”winning two ArtPrize Jazz Awards for original compositions, silver medalist at the American Traditions Singing Competition, and multiple Grand Awards for musical theatre roles in West Michigan.
Affiliations with state and national organizations.
Designed for the student who is interested in music industry management.
Major requirements
Seventy-one (71) semester hours minimum. Required courses:
MCTH113,114 Integrated Theory I and II (3, 3)
MCTH115,116 Ear Training/Sight-Singing I and II (1, 1)
MCTH102,202 Studio Recording I and II (2, 2)
MCAP127,123 or MCAP123,124 Piano Classes (1, 1)
MCHL213 Music History Survey (3)
MCHL214 History of Popular Music (3)
MCEN143,144 College Chorus OR MCEN155,156 College Band OR
MCEN167,168 Chamber Ensemble OR MCEN171,172 Jazz Band (1,1)
MCAP125,126 Piano (1, 1) OR MCAP132,132 Organ OR
MCAP165,166,142, Voice OR MCAP151,152 Instrument (1,1)
CS152, MCTH/CS160, and MCTH/CS260 Technology (1,1,1)
ES211 Microeconomics (3)
ES212 Macroeconomics (3)
MS151, MS252 OR MS494 Mathematics Statistics (3)
AG210 Accounting I (4)
AG211 Accounting II (4)
Business (3 credits each)
BS106
BS201
BS202
BS305
BS332
BS460
Three (3) semester hours selected from BS442, BS457 and BS492
MCAP460 Music Production Project Capstone (1-3)
Internship in Music/Business Administration MCAP397 (3-12)
Courses
MCTH113, 114 Integrated Theory (3,3) QR
MCTH115, 116 Ear Training/Sight-Singing I and II (1,1)
MCTH102 Studio Recording 1 (2)
MCTH202 Studio Recording 2 (2)
MCAP127 Group Piano Class (1)
MCAP123, 124 Piano Techniques I and II (1,1)
MCHL213 Music Appreciation (3) AC
MCHL214 The History of Popular Music (3) AC
MCEN143, 144, 243, 244, 343, 344, 443, 444 College Chorus (1 each)
MCEN155, 156, 255, 256, 355, 356, 455, 456 College Band (1 each)
MCEN167 - Chamber Ensembles (variable)
MCEN171, 172, 271, 272, 371, 372, 471, 472 Jazz Band (1 each)
MCAP125, 126, 225, 226, 325, 326, 425, 426 Studio Applied Piano (2 each)
MCAP131, 132, 231, 232, 331, 332, 431, 432 Studio Applied Organ (2 each)
MCAP165, 166 Voice Techniques Class I and II (1,1)
MCAP141, 142, 241, 242, 341, 342, 441, 442 S1, S3, S5 Studio Applied Voice (2 each)
MCAP151, 152, 251, 252, 351, 352, 451, 452 Studio Applied Instrumental (2 each)
CS152 Spreadsheets (1) T
MCTH/CS160 MIDI Music Publishing (1) AC
MCTH/CS260 Advanced MIDI Music Publishing (1)
ES211 Microeconomic Principles (3) BE
ES212 Macroeconomic Principles (3) BE
MS151 Elementary Statistics (3) QR
MS252 Statistics (3)
MS494 Mathematical Statistics (3) SC (Senior Capstone with MS493)
AG210 Principles of Accounting I (4)
AG211 Principles of Accounting II (4)
EH/BS106 Business Communication (3)
BS201 Principles of Management (3) BE
BS202 Principles of Marketing (3)
BS305 Financial Management (3)
BS332 Business Law II (3)
BS460 Ethical Application in Business (3) BE
BS442 Cases in Marketing Management (3)
BS457 Cases in Public Relations (3)
BS492 Cases in Business Policy (3) SC
MCAP397 Music Internship (3-12)
MCAP462 Advanced Private Lessons (1-2)
