The Department of Music provides a creative environment for the study and performance of music with a global perspective, and encourages students to develop skills, expand knowledge, and contribute actively to society as artists and citizens.
We offer a diverse curriculum that engages students in historical and cultural study, as well as analysis, creation, and performance of music. Our emphasis on global perspective and experiential learning provides opportunities for each student to explore and develop their own musical passions, and to collaborate with peers and faculty in many ways, including interdisciplinary work, ensemble participation, and independent projects.
All music department courses, ensembles, lessons, and other activities are equally available to non-majors and majors alike. The curriculum for music majors offers a balance between thoroughness and flexibility, offering each student a chance to develop areas of strength in the context of a broad liberal arts education.
A wide range of lessons is available from piano, voice, and most orchestral instruments to folk fiddle, bagpipes, and blues harmonica.
Facilities include a highly acclaimed concert hall, practice facilities including several Steinway grand pianos, an electronic music lab and MIDI/notation lab.
The Chapel is home to our 51-rank Gress-Miles pipe organ. Other specialized instruments include a French double-manual harpsichord built by William Dowd (1964), a single-manual Flemish harpsichord by Richard Kingston, and a three-rank portable pipe organ by Giuletti and Bennet.
The music collection at the Davis Family Library offers reference, CD/tape/record, book, and score collections, videos and instructional computer software in the field of music, and online streaming services including Alexander Street Press.