MC’s Department of Music can look back at a long and storied heritage. A member of the National Association of Schools of Music since 1951, our musical history actually goes back even further. Today, our accomplished music students compete all over the country — even the world — winning awards at NATS, MMTA, and other competitions.
Music majors benefit from impressive facilities for practice and performance. Aven Fine Arts Building includes an auditorium for opera and music theater productions and sixteen practice pianos including two grand pianos. The Mississippi College Band Hall holds a major rehearsal hall, practice rooms and music library. Leland Speed Library contains nearly 4,500 music-related volumes, and the Learning Resources Center contains 2,467 musical scores, 2,009 CDs, 3,967 records and 337 music videos, providing a wealth of research material. Swor Auditorium is an impressive performance space seating up to 823 guests. The Jean Pittman Williams Recital Hall is a newly renovated space featuring two 7’ Steinway grand pianos and a 9’ Baldwin.
Music students also take their show to the road. MC Singers travel internationally every three years. And many other great travel opportunities abound, with students traveling nationally and abroad to attend piano competitions and perform for new audiences.
For aspiring composers, the Music Technology Lab will probably become a favorite spot. It holds 10 Mac G4 workstations, equipped with Finale 2010, iLife, Garage Band, Audacity and more. There, students can compose music, experiment with electronic music, conduct internet research and create MIDI sequences.
Recently, students participated in the first annual Mississippi Symphony Orchestra Composer’s Forum. Under the direction of Maestro Crafton Beck, the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra performed and discussed the compositions of student composers in a workshop setting.
Internships give music students an edge. Music students have interned at College Light Opera Company, Intermezzo Opera, Songfest at Pepperdine University, and the Taylor School at Mississippi College (a musical education program for the community). Music Education students get hands-on, classroom experience at public schools in Clinton, Pearl, Madison, Ridgeland, Jackson, Vicksburg, and more, teaching in elementary and choral settings.
Our recent graduates are making a joyful noise in exciting new careers. Music Education graduates are teaching at Florence High School, Clinton High School, Southwood (LA) High School, Madison County Public Schools and Jackson County Public Schools. Others are attending graduate school at the Brooklyn Conservatory, Mercer University, Mississippi College, Florida State University, University of Kentucky, and Louisiana State University.
Jeremy Little is a contracted chorus member with The Metropolitan Opera Company in NYC. Chris Crook is the Minister of Music and Worship at St. Andrew United Methodist Church. Gerald White is a freelance singer in Hollywood, California. Dan Fenn is an accomplished organist and choirmaster at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield, Minnesota. Tonya Morgan Kirk is an instructor at the North Carolina School for the Arts.
The Department of Music is designed to give talented students the opportunity to develop in both knowledge and skill, acquiring musical theory while refining musical ability. Outstanding practice labs and rehearsal facilities help students develop the discipline and commitment of the musician’s lifestyle. Opportunities for musical performance offer experience with the joy of bringing uplifting music to an audience. Dedicated faculty — who are accomplished musicians themselves — exhibit the Christian values and commitment to service that we hope to instill in our graduates.
