Music

Course Information

Program Overview

Pursue your love of music with courses in music theory and music history and develop your artistic gifts by improving your individual performance skills. You’ll deepen your knowledge of Western and non-Western music from ancient to modern times and apply principles that lead to an intellectual grasp of the music and your ability to perform.

Whether you major or minor in music, you will feed your intellectual desire to learn more and fulfill your passion to perform. Private lessons are available for voice or a variety of instruments.

Opportunities to perform at Assumption

AC Chorale. The College’s auditioned concert choir of 50-60 voices performs on campus and throughout the U.S. and abroad. Their concerts feature full orchestra and instrumental ensembles. The Chorale’s international concert tours have taken them to Italy, Russia, Greece, and, most recently, France, where they sang at Notre Dame Cathedral.
A cappella at Assumption. VOCE is the select mixed a cappella ensemble for advanced Chorale singers. In addition, student-run groups give students an opportunity to explore different types of music without instrumental accompaniment.
AC Band. A 40-50 member concert band of students, faculty and occasional community members perform concerts throughout the school year.
AC Jazz Ensemble. This ensemble focuses on stylistic performance of small group jazz, with opportunities for solo improvisation.
AC String Camerata. Students who play string instruments can keep up their playing in this chamber ensemble that explores the repertoire for string orchestra.
AC Advanced Flute Choir. Advanced flutists can participate in an ensemble that performs advanced chamber literature for flutes.

Assumption believes that the study of music enhances all areas of a liberal arts education. Our graduates have opportunities to pursue careers in performance, arts management, theatre, advertising and marketing, the recording industry, and education. Students also are well qualified to pursue a graduate degree in music studies.

The video above was created by an Assumption College student who learned this guitar solo during a semester course at Assumption

Major

The music major requires a total of 11 courses in music. Within a liberal arts context, this major offers a balance of historical, theoretical, and performance-based study of a diversity of styles of music, combining high artistic standards with intellectual rigor and breadth. Students have opportunities to develop their performance skills through private lessons and department vocal and instrumental ensembles. Through the major, students are exposed to the essential elements of musical language, and they acquire the critical skills that can be used to develop a deeper understanding of the art.

Minor

To earn a minor in music, a student must take 6 courses in the department, including 3 required courses, 2 electives and 1 required ensemble (1 credit) for 3 semesters, equaling a 3-credit course. A minor in music is meant to harmonize with a program of study in the liberal arts, while providing the possibility for concentrated work in this area of the arts.

Degree Requirements

The music degree requires that students take 11 music courses. To earn a minor in music, students must take 6 courses in the department.

Required courses for major:

MUS 122 History of Music I
MUS 124 History of Music II
MUS 201 Music Theory I
MUS 301 Music Theory II
MUS 330 Conducting
MUS 401 Music Theory III
Chorale or Band,or Jazz Ensemble, or String Camerata for six semesters (equaling 6 credits, or 2 courses)

Three electives selected from the following:

MUS 111 Applied Wind Instruction
MUS 121 Applied Percussion Instruction
MUS 125 World Music
MUS 131 Applied Flute Instruction
MUS 140 Beginning Class Voice*
MUS 141 Applied Vocal Instruction*
MUS 151 Applied Piano Instruction*
MUS 161 Applied Guitar Instruction*
MUS 171 Applied Organ Instruction*
MUS 181 Applied String Instruction
MUS 191 Applied Brass Instruction
MUS 221 Music of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance
MUS 223 Bach to Beethoven
MUS 229 Music and Worship
MUS 231 History of Opera
MUS 233 Music in the United States
MUS 235 Women and Music
MUS 240 Intermediate Class Voice*
MUS 250 Intermediate Class Piano*
MUS 260 Intermediate Class Guitar*
MUS 299, 399, or 499 Independent Study in Music
MUS 300 Internship in Music
MUS 400 Special Topics in Music

* Applied music instruction in voice or an instrument may be counted toward the music major. Three semesters at 1 credit per semester are required to count as 1 course.

Required courses for minor:

MUS 122 History of Music I
MUS 124 History of Music II
MUS 201 Music Theory I
Chorale or Band or Jazz Ensemble, or String Camerata for 3 semesters (equaling 3 credits, or 1 course)

Two electives to be selected from the following:

MUS 111 Applied Wind Instruction
MUS 121 Applied Percussion Instruction
MUS 125 World Music
MUS 131 Applied Flute Instruction
MUS 140 Beginning Class Voice*
MUS 141 Applied Vocal Instruction*
MUS 151 Applied Piano Instruction*
MUS 161 Applied Guitar Instruction*
MUS 171 Applied Organ Instruction*
MUS 181 Applied String Instruction
MUS 191 Applied Brass Instruction
MUS 221 Music of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance
MUS 223 Bach to Beethoven
MUS 229 Music and Worship
MUS 231 History of Opera
MUS 233 Music in the United States
MUS 235 Women and Music
MUS 240 Intermediate Class Voice*
MUS 250 Intermediate Class Piano*
MUS 260 Intermediate Class Guitar*
MUS 300 Internship in Music
MUS 400 Special Topics in Music
MUS 299, 399, or 499 Independent Study in Music

* Applied music instruction in voice or an instrument may be counted toward the music major. Three semesters at 1 credit per semester are required to count as 1 course.

Other considerations:

There are other interesting music electives available through Assumption College’s participation in the Colleges of Worcester Consortium. Assumption students can cross register for courses at 11 other institutions in the Worcester region. All music majors and minors, however, must complete a minimum of one-half of their course requirements through Assumption.

Faculty

The music faculty is a group of educators and musicians passionate about the study of music and developing musicianship skills in their students. Due to their teachers’ diverse backgrounds, students who take music courses at Assumption have the opportunity to learn about to different kinds of music from around the world. Our professors are also mentors and get to know students individually. Faculty advisors assist students with everything from course selection to exploring their career opportunities.

	Peter Clemente Visiting Assistant Professor of Music
	Michelle Graveline Professor of Music
	Bruce Hopkins Lecturer in Music, Band Director
	David Jost Lecturer in Music
	Rev. Donat Lamothe Professor of Music; Archivist
	Peter Sulski Lecturer in Music: Director of Strings
	Margaret Tartaglia

Courses

MUS 101 Fundamentals of Music and Musicianship
MUS 120 Introduction to the Study of Music
MUS 122 History of Music I
MUS 124 History of Music II
MUS 125 World Music
MUS 140 Beginning Voice Class
MUS 141 Applied Vocal Instruction
MUS 151 Applied Piano Instruction
MUS 161 Applied Guitar Instruction
MUS 171 Applied Organ Instruction
MUS 181 Applied String Instruction
MUS 193 Chorale
MUS 195 Band
MUS 196 Jazz Ensemble
MUS 197 String Camerata
MUS 201 Music Theory I
MUS 221 Music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance
MUS 223 Bach to Beethoven
MUS 229 Music and Worship
MUS 231 History of Opera
MUS 233 Music in the United States
MUS 234 Music of France
MUS 235 Women and Music
MUS 240 Intermediate Class Voice
MUS 250 Intermediate Class Piano
MUS 260 Intermediate Class Guitar
MUS 300 Internship in Music
MUS 301 Music Theory II
MUS 330 Conducting
MUS 400 Special Topics in Music
MUS 401 Music Theory III
MUS 299, 399 or 499 Independent Study

Internships & Outcomes

Internships

Students may participate in the College’s internship programs and spend a semester gaining practical experience. There are two types of internships. Students can earn academic credit by working with an academic advisor and the internship site. Or students may participate in a career internship, which provides valuable experience but does not offer academic credit. This type of internship may be paid or unpaid and it generally occurs during or following junior year.

Our students have opportunities for internships in a variety of organizations, including:

Worcester Children’s Chorus
St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir School
Local Arts Organizations

Careers

There are an interesting array of opportunities in television, theater, the recording industry, advertising, marketing, education and human services for music graduates. Students are also well prepared to enter graduate programs in music performance, composition or other areas.

Our graduates find careers in:

Composing
Performing
Advertising
Art therapy
Education

Recent graduate schools

Boston Architectural Center
Rhode Island School of Design - M.A. in Landscape Architecture
UMASS - Amherst; M.A. in Art History
New England Conservatory of Music
Syracuse University

Recent employers

WCVB - TV Channel 5
Museums and auction houses
David French Music
Teaching

#ACachieves

Christopher Cuzzupe

Computer Science and Liturgical Music '17

IT Intern for the Infrastructure Technology Organization Group at The Hanover

I am responsible for assisting with projects that involve the Infrastructure Technology Organization at The Hanover. I am working with many different types of databases within the organization, making reports and gathering the necessary requirements to upgrade these databases.
Erin Dougherty

Graphic Design and Marketing '17

Internship: Sales Marketing Intern with BlueSky Capital Partners, LLC

Through this internship, I have had the opportunity to be involved in all areas of an e-commerce company. I was able to work hands on with everything from website management to billing and shipping. I have gained practical experience in the field and have been able to build both my organization and communication skills.
Rebecca Oliveira

Graphic Design '16

Internship: World Wide Planning Intern at EMC

While at EMC, I had the opportunity to work in Ireland for one week. This was a great learning experience! I got to meet individuals I had collaborated with virtually. It was amazing to see how the work environment is different from the United States. I was able to share some strategies with them that are used in the United States to help globalize the planning operations at EMC.
Breanna Papalia

Graphic Design '15

Graphic Design Intern for the Assumption College Athletics and Recreation Department

"Assumption College has given me the programing skills and visual eye needed to succeed at my internship, where I’ve learned to work as an individual, prioritize projects and estimate the amount of time needed to complete a project. This internship has given me the confidence to believe in myself and my skills."
Aubrey Lovejoy

Graphic Design '16

Intern at Pagio, Inc.

"At my internship I am learning what it’s like to work for a magazine and work around a deadline. I am helping to create ads, update the online magazine and promote the magazine through the use of different types of social media. I feel very confident at my internship because of the classes I've taken."
Chantal James

Graphic Design and Studio Art '15

Graphic Design Intern at the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce

"Assumption has been the number one reason I continue to grow and succeed at my internship. I’ve had the opportunity to obtain a wide range of experiences in visual arts, graphic design and marketing. My internship supervisor has showed me how business and graphic design function together in a business."

Contact Information

Michelle Graveline

Professor of Music

mgraveli@assumption.edu

508-767-7386

2017-2018 Course Catalog

Academics