Music

Chair of Music: Sergio Ruiz

Professors: Jennifer Flory, Maureen Horgan, Wendy Mullen, Gregory Pepetone, and Sergio Ruiz

Associate Professor: David Johnson

Assistant Professors: Dana Gorzelany-Mostak, Tina Holmes-Davis, William McClain, and Clifford Towner

Staff Accompanists: Kaju Lee and Lev Ryabinin

Department Contact Information:

Georgia College

Department of Music

Campus Box 66

Milledgeville, GA 31061

478-445-8289

Music Department Website

Chair, Sergio Ruiz, sergio.ruiz@gcsu.edu  

Administrative Assistant, Chris O'Steen, chris.osteen@gcsu.edu

Mission

The Georgia College Department of Music is dedicated to developing and maintaining an excellent teaching and learning environment for those who are committed to the performing arts. We seek to offer curricula which will provide both a competitive advantage for our students as they seek entry into the larger cultural community; and an outlet for their creative and interpretive energies in their pursuit of a more meaningful appreciation of our society and the human spirit.

To the larger community we pledge ourselves to the advancement of cultural activities of a wide diversity through performances and productions by students, faculty, artists-in-residence and visiting artists/productions.

Music

Our music programs are based upon a comprehensive musicianship that begins in the classroom and blossoms on the concert stage. Our guest artist series provides a variety of guest artists in performance, and with whom the students "learn by doing." There are many opportunities for students to perform in solo and ensemble settings and to integrate their academic experience with professional activity.

Music Education

The music education program at Georgia College anchors itself in several strong foundations: the Conceptual Framework of the John H. Lounsbury College of Education; full accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE); and the liberal arts mission of the University. Students successfully completing the program are eligible for initial certification in teaching by the state of Georgia and are fully prepared to enter the profession as competent and caring music educators.

Additional Opportunities

The Department also offers opportunities through its vocal and instrumental ensembles, and music theatre productions for all those on campus who are interested in the performing arts. The minor in Music develop the skills and appreciation leading to a satisfying life-long avocation in the arts. By providing performance experiences to complement intellectual learning, the department seeks to enhance the University's Liberal Arts mission. A rich cultural arts calendar of recitals, theatre, and dance productions, featuring resident as well as visiting scholar/performers, enhances the aesthetic dimension of student life and the community at large. Liberal studies majors can use music as one of their concentrations. The Creative Music Media minor offers coursework for students interested in wider music industry careers. For Music Therapy info. see the Music Therapy Department section of this catalog.

Student Success

Earning a college degree is a significant milestone in one's life and requires a tremendous dedication to one's studies. In order to enable students to achieve this goal, we dedicate ourselves to developing measures that help ensure student success in our department's programs. This process begins with the First-Year Academic Seminar (MUSC 0001), in which students are introduced to the faculty and other students who make up the departmental community. First-year students join together for an overview of the subject matter covered in the major, explore career possibilities, and to develop techniques for getting the most out of your college courses and activities. You will also learn about departmental and university expectations, policies, and resources. Because the college experience at Georgia College is more intense than at many other schools, we have designed each curriculum to help students each step of the way. In addition, we are committed to offering the courses necessary to ensure that students who follow the program of study will graduate in four years. Toward that end we have developed a typical four-year program of study that serves as a guide for students' schedules each term, specifies required courses and recommended sequencing of courses, and advises students to enroll in an average of 30 semester hours each year. Students who follow the recommended program of study will graduate in four years.

Accreditation and Affiliations

Georgia College is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The Music Education Program is also accredited by the Professional Standards Commission of the Georgia Department of Education and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Student Organizations

For more information on student organizations offered by the Department of Music, view the music department student handbook.

Career Information

With the expansion of the arts industry, both nationally and internationally, the opportunities for employment for music graduates are wide and highly varied.

In music, these include the following: teaching (elementary and secondary school/university/studio); performing (professional, community and church-sponsored venues), composing, conducting, editing, and consulting in both commercial and non-commercial situations; librarianship, research, and publishing; recording engineering and editing; music sales and retailing; arts management; instrument repair and maintenance.

The Bachelor of Music Education is a special, dual concentration degree combining the music core of the B.A. with courses leading to comprehensive certification for teaching music in the Georgia public school system. This intensive program prepares the student for immediate success in the field of music education.

Other Requirements for Music Majors

See the Department of Music Student Handbook for further requirements.