Music
Chair: Don Parker
Professors: Jennifer Flory, David Johnson, Don Parker, Clifford Towner
Associate Professor: Dana Gorzelany-Mostak, Tina Holmes-Davis, Owen Lovell
Assistant Professors: Andrew Allen, Bryan Hall, Youngmi Kim, Laurie Peebles
Lecturers: Gabrielle Banzon, Robert Stewart, Katie Whipple
Part-Time Instructors: Rebecca Cooke, Susan Craig, DeLaine Crutchfield, Mia Eaton, Chris Enghauser, James Helms, Camilla Packroff, Matthew Robinson, Andrew Sehman, Jay Wucher
Staff Accompanists: Hue Jang, Lev Ryabinin
Department Contact Information
Georgia College
Department of Music
Campus Box 66
Milledgeville, GA 31061
478-445-8289
Chair, Don Parker, don.parker@gcsu.edu
Administrative Assistants, Chris O'Steen, chris.osteen@gcsu.edu, Tammie Burke, tammie.burke@gcsu.edu
Office Assistant, Kate Phillips, kate.phillips@gcsu.edu
Mission
The mission of the Georgia College Department of Music is to provide an interdisciplinary, liberal arts-oriented education in music, music education, and music therapy. We prepare students to embark on rewarding career paths within these fields while emphasizing the cultivation of critical thinking skills and diverse global perspectives. The department is committed to serving the broader university community through inclusive participation in ensembles and engaging course offerings. Our students learn to think independently and lead creatively through undergraduate research, community outreach, clinical training, professional development, continuing education, and mentoring opportunities.
Music
Our music programs are based upon a comprehensive musicianship that begins in the classroom and blossoms on the concert stage. Our concert series provides a variety of guest artists in performance, and with whom the students "learn by doing" in masterclasses. 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. Students who wish to pursue music education should first enroll in the BA music degree and the music precertification minor. Then students will complete certificate requirements in the MAT: music education degree program.
Music Therapy
The Music Therapy program prepares individuals for careers as music therapists. The program provides the interdisciplinary and clinical training necessary to meet the emotional, mental, and physical health care needs of clientele.
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 participating 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. The Creative Music Media minor offers coursework for students interested in wider music industry careers.
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 or MUST 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. Georgia College is nationally approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).
Student Organizations
The Department of Music encourages all music majors to affiliate through student membership with the professional organizations relative to their major and their interests.
Collegiate National Association for Music Education (CNAfME)
Music Therapy Society (MTS)
MTNA Student Chapter
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Sigma Alpha Iota
For more information on student organizations offered by the Department of Music, please see the appropriate 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.
Music therapists may work in a variety of settings - in private practice or on staff at hospitals, hospices, schools, or other facilities. While salaries vary according to location, employment opportunities are increasing nationwide, particularly in preventative therapy and services for older adults. The Bachelor of Music Therapy degree program prepares students for a rewarding career in music therapy and requires extensive training in both musical and clinical skills. The BMT program provides the interdisciplinary and clinical training necessary to meet the diverse emotional, mental, social, and physical health care needs of clientele. As an established allied health profession, music therapists work in a variety of settings including private practices or in hospitals, hospices, schools, and other facilities. Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for the Certification Board of Music Therapists (CBMT) exam. Upon passing the exam, graduates earn the MT-BC (music therapist - board certified) credential and are then eligible to apply for the music therapy license in the state of Georgia to practice as a licensed professional music therapist (LPMT).
Other Requirements for Majors
Students must also follow all requirements included in the appropriate Music Department Student Handbook for their course of study.