Music

Full Time Faculty and Staff: Mark Mandarano (Chair), Michael Breidenbach, Geli Li, Victoria Malawey, Michael McGaghie, Mark Mazullo, Sowah Mensah, Chuen-Fung Wong

Part Time Faculty: Cléa Galhano, Joan Griffith, Shelley Hanson, Peter Hennig

Studio Faculty: Chris Bates (jazz bass), Charles Block (Bass), Michael Breidenbach (Highland piping), Claudia Chen (piano/keyboard skills), Grace Choi (Piano), Julie Elhard (viola da gamba), Cléa Galhano (recorder), James Garlick (violin), Lovrick Gary III (Trombone/Euphonium), Joan Griffith (electric guitar/electric bass/jazz improvisation/mandolin/bass), Lydia Grimes (Viola), Shelley Hanson (clarinet), Rachel Holder (voice), Marni J. Hougham (Oboe), Martha Jamsa (flute), Winston Kaehler (harpsichord/organ), Linh Kauffman (Voice), Patricia Kent (Voice), Steve Kimball (percussion), LeAnn Lindgren (saxophone), Mark Mazullo (piano), Carole Mason-Smith (bassoon), Matthew McClung (Percussion), Sowah Mensah (African drums/xylophones/flute/voice), Natalia Moiseeva (violin), Dan Newton (accordion), Laura Nichols (voice), Aisling O’Sullivan Goel (Horn), Solomon J. Parham (jazz trumpet), Thomas Rosenberg (cello), Lauri Sager-Wright (piano/keyboard skills), Hyobi Sim (viola), Jeffrey Thygeson (classical guitar), Mike Vasich (Jazz Piano), Thi Ngoc-Vu Lalum (Dan Tranh), Chuck Wazanowski (tuba), David Whetstone (sitar).

The music department offers many opportunities for general students and for students interested in music as a major or minor. All performing ensembles and most courses are open to majors and non-majors alike, although some courses carry prerequisites. The music major provides preparation for graduate study in music, and many music-related jobs and professions. The major and minor prepare students for lifelong enjoyment of music through the study of appropriate skills, repertoire, and performance practice.

General Distribution Requirement

All courses in the music department count toward the general distribution requirement in fine arts except, on occasion, courses cross-listed with other departments. Credit accumulated through ensemble performance and studio instruction counts toward the general distribution requirement upon completion of four consecutive semesters. These four consecutive semesters must be taken in a single ensemble or performance medium in order to fulfill the distribution requirement.

General Education Requirements

Courses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism and US identities and differences will be posted on the Registrar’s web page each semester prior to registration.

Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements section of this catalog.

Performance Studies

Performing ensembles are open to students by audition without regard for music major or minor status. These groups include the large vocal and instrumental ensembles, chamber music groups in the Western concert tradition, and other ensembles performing a spectrum of musical styles: African Music Ensemble, Mac Jazz (big band jazz), Early Music Ensemble, Highland Pipe Band, and the Mac Jazz and Popular Music Combos. Additional chamber ensembles such as string quartets and flute ensembles are formed in response to student interest. Students are also involved as soloists, conductors, or managers for the ensembles. Special performance projects such as dance concerts requiring live and electronic music, opera, and musical theater are scheduled as opportunities arise.

Studio instruction in voice, piano, harpsichord, organ, guitar, all standard orchestral instruments, jazz improvisation, bagpipe, African drumming, African flute, African voice, viola da gamba, recorder, and sitar, is available to all students in the College. Studio instruction is with studio faculty who are all active professional musicians.

Lesson fees: Please consult the “Studio Instruction/Private Lesson” section of the Music department website.

1) Students can receive credit for successful completion of a sequence of 2 semesters of studio instruction and/or 2 semesters of ensemble participation. All majors and minors enrolled in lessons must complete a 15-minute performance exam at the end of each semester. Credit is given in the following manner:

Credit will be applied after completion of 2 consecutive semesters of the same studio instruction and/or ensemble participation. Consecutive semesters are usually fall-spring, but may be spring-fall.

Credit for a single semester of studio instruction or ensemble participation is not awarded.

Interruption of a sequence due to participation in an approved Study Abroad program is not considered a discontinuity.

2) Performance studies will be graded as follows:

Students with music major/minor concentrations, those receiving fee reductions, and those enrolled in ensemble courses, will receive letter grades.

General students without fee waivers have the option of letter grade or S/NC in studio instruction. Letter grades will be assigned unless the student designates in writing to the department coordinator a request for pass/fail option by the all-college deadline.

A student must earn a passing grade for each term to receive credit for the course. All majors and minors enrolled in studio instruction must receive a grade of C or higher and complete an end-of-semester performance review, or the reduced fee will be reversed and the student will be required to pay the entire fee for the instruction.

3) A student may count no more than 8 credits for performance studies toward graduation, but no limit is placed on continued participation. Continued participation will appear on a student’s transcript, but will not fulfill Macalester graduation requirements.

4) Credit for performance studies satisfies the general distribution requirement if four consecutive semesters of a single ensemble or performance medium are completed. The grade a student receives for credit-bearing performance studies is computed in the student’s cumulative GPA when the block of 2 consecutive semesters is completed.

Music Ensembles

Ensembles are open to all Macalester students. Selection of members is usually made on the basis of auditions in the fall. Students joining an ensemble are expected to remain active in it throughout both fall and spring terms. However, it is possible to audition to join an ensemble in the second term. Students with a declared major in music are encouraged to participate in ensembles for their entire residence as a major, with two semesters required in one of the following: Orchestra, Mac Jazz Band, Concert Choir, Macalester Chorale, or African Music Ensemble. Students with a declared minor in music are required to participate in ensembles for at least two semesters. Specific information about ensemble participation and required length may be found in the major/minor section, see below.

Keyboard Skills Requirement

All music majors and minors will take Keyboard Skills for one or two semesters depending on placement. Instruction takes the form of a weekly private piano lesson. Towards this end, each music major and minor is offered a fee reduction to complete these lessons. Students will normally complete their first semester concurrently with MUSI 113; students with advanced standing will be placed appropriately. Required skills include sight reading and the ability to play major and minor scales (hands together), triads in inversions (broken and solid), simple chord progressions, and short pieces in contrasting styles.

Honors Program

The music department participates in the honors program. Eligibility requirements, application procedures and specific project expectations for the department are available from either the department office or the Academic Programs and Advising Office.

Topics Courses

MUSI 194, MUSI 294, MUSI 394, MUSI 494

Examination of special topics of interest to faculty and students. Recent topics have included: Beethoven, Cover Songs, Passion Music, The Art and Practice of Improvisation, and Music and the Meaning of Life. To be announced at registration. (4 credits)

Independent Study

The department offers independent study options in the form of tutorials, independent projects, internships, and preceptorships. For more information contact the department and review the Curriculum section of the catalog.