Academic Program

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This information is part of the Colgate University catalog, 2024-25.

Faculty

Professors Cheng, Klugherz
Associate Professors Coluzzi
Assistant Professor Chase (Chair), Lee
Visiting Assistant Professors Hutchinson, Stark
Concert Manager Joseph
Artists in Residence Pilgrim (voice), Heyman (piano)
Teachers of Applied Music Berry (cello), Campbell (flute), Cleveland (violin, viola), Ferlo (guitar), Haddock (voice), Hane (bassoon), Johns (drums), Klugherz (violin/viola), Koen (piano), MacDowell (clarinet), Meredith (trombone), Montalbano (jazz piano), Nightingale (trumpet), Ogilvie (French horn), Sharpe (oboe)

Many students come to Colgate with significant musical experience behind them, won through arduous and focused study. The fundamental aim of the curriculum in music is to develop that experience to its utmost potential. Performance ensembles and private instruction build directly on that experience, while classroom instruction introduces student musicians to important ideas, histories, and various cultures that inform and broaden that experience. Qualified students can choose to develop in ways that most interest them. Those who choose to major in music will find their development guided by a balanced program of performance and classroom studies. Graduating majors have gone on to graduate study in every area of music or have immediately entered careers in arts management, mathematics, medicine, law, business, sound engineering, and many other fields.

Another fundamental aim of the curriculum is to introduce students with little or no musical background into the world of music as part of Colgate's liberal arts program. These students should begin with , , , , , or .

Upper-level courses divided into three groups: history, theory, and performance. The history courses are designed to provide students with an understanding of music through a study of composers and historical periods. The theory sequence teaches how music is created and how to compose it. The performance courses offer opportunities for students to engage in the art of performance and to gain credit in department-sponsored ensembles and private instruction.

Students with some musical background are encouraged to take  and  or  first.  and  can be taken in any order.

The music department offers extensive performing opportunities open to all qualified students regardless of major. Performance opportunities are offered in the Colgate University Orchestra, Colgate University Choral Ensembles, the Colgate Chamber Players (chamber music) and the Colgate University Concert Jazz Ensemble. (Auditions required for all ensembles) Private instruction in most instruments and in voice is available to students at an additional fee. All of these programs (except private instruction) may be elected on a credit or non-credit basis, and they are open to all Colgate students regardless of major.

Course Information

Course classifications:

History and Appreciation (H&A)
Performance (PF)
Theory (TH)

Awards

The Class of 1909 Music Prize — awarded by the department to "the person who has, during the year, contributed the most to the advancement of the standards of musical performance on the campus."

The Donald Lloyd Cotton '36 Endowed Prize — established to recognize one or more outstanding student musician(s). Recipient(s) are eligible to submit a proposal for an additional grant that provides financial support for the furtherance of the student's music education. The grant may be used to cover expenses such as the purchase of musical instruments or relevant equipment, private music lessons, music research projects, summer music school, or music festival participation. Grants are awarded based on the merit of the written proposal, demonstrated musical talent, and participation in music department programs.

The Felix Eyle Memorial Prize in Music — awarded annually to an outstanding violin student at Colgate. The recipient is chosen by the faculty of the music department solely on the basis of talent, not financial need. The student will be featured during a normally scheduled concert.

The Robert G. Ingraham Memorial Music Prize — established as an annual award to the graduating senior who, in the judgment of the president, dean, chair of the Department of Music, and director of CSLI, did the most to promote and stimulate good music as an undergraduate by voluntary activity, leadership, performance, or participation in the band, orchestra, choir, glee club, or any other musical endeavor, individual or group.

The Lorey Family Senior Music Prize — established in 2012 by Evan Lorey and Paul Schupf, in memory of Wilhemine and Fred Lorey, and awarded annually to one or more senior majors in music. This award will benefit talented students who excel in the history, theory, and composition of music.

Transfer or Advanced Placement Credit

May be given at the discretion of the department faculty to students who have completed music courses at other institutions or taken an AP exam in music.

Honors and High Honors

Candidates for honors in music must

  1. Have or exceed, by the time of graduation, a major GPA of 3.50 and an overall GPA of 3.20.
  2. Complete an honors project () with a grade of at least A–.
  3. Pass a general examination in music history and theory.

Candidates for high honors in music must

  1. Have or exceed, by the time of graduation, a major GPA of 3.80 and an overall GPA of 3.20.
  2. Complete an honors project () with a grade of at least A–.
  3. Pass with distinction a general examination in music history and theory.

To elect , the candidate must provide the department chair with a written proposal for the project by April 15 for a fall-semester project or December 1 for a spring-semester project. The project should have as its outcome a thesis, a composition, or a recital. It is both approved in advance and graded by the entire department.

Majors and Minors

Major

Minor

Courses