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Central College

Central College

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Music and Music Education

Central offers students interested in music the opportunity to develop their musicianship through ensembles, applied lessons, coursework and the department’s wide array of concerts. Central offers two degree options for those interested in music. A degree in music provides the foundation necessary for further study or work as performers, music scholars, church musicians music business executives and other professionals. The music education major allows students to receive certification in elementary and secondary education, instrumental or vocal music.

Faculty

Successful Careers

Internships

Looking for experience? An internship might be the answer. When it comes to future employment or entrance into graduate school, students with internship experience have a proven track record in a professional environment. In today's competitive job market, proven experience is a priceless commodity. Recent music majors have completed internships at the London Philharmonic, BMG Records, and Tower Records.

Graduate Placement

100 percent employed or attending graduated school with one year of graduation.

Learn more about internships at Central.

Courses

Sample Schedule

Freshman year

Sophomore year

Junior year

Senior year

Get more details from the course catalog! (Note: this is a PDF file)

Facilities

The Cox-Snow Music Center houses a newly renovated 200-seat recital hall, as well as rehearsal hall, classrooms, faculty studios, practice rooms and an electronic keyboard/computer lab. Included as part of the music facilities is the Center for Keyboard Studies. Unique in Iowa, the center allows students to play instruments appropriate to each period: including a double-manual Flemish harpsichord, Viennese fortepiano, Fazioli concert grand piano and Brunzema tracker-action organ. The building contains a 14-station Macintosh/MIDI keyboard lab used for music technology courses. The recital hall includes a state-of-the-art sound system including live CD-recording capabilities.

Organizations

Mu Gamma Pi, Central’s honorary music service organization, plays an active role in promoting interest in and appreciation for music on campus. Many Central music majors attend regional and national conventions of the Music Educators National Conference, the American Choral Directors Association, the Iowa Bandmasters Association and the Music Teacher’s National Association. Trips to Des Moines, Ames and Iowa City are also frequently arranged.

Study Abroad

Students are encouraged to study abroad with one of Central’s eight international programs to enhance their development as global citizens, or with Central’s Chicago program and the Washington, D.C., program. Learn more about Central’s study abroad programs.

Scholarships

Central offers music scholarships of up to $2,000 for all students (majors and non-majors) planning to continue involvement in music at the college level. Learn more about scholarships!

Ensembles

Both music majors and nonmajors may audition for any of the many ensembles on campus. Central’s performing groups tour annually. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble has traveled to Mexico, British Columbia, Quebec, New York, Florida and Texas. Central’s A Cappella Choir has toured the East Coast, Great Britain, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine and Mexico.

Choral Ensembles

Instrumental Ensembles

Chamber Ensembles