Facilities & Strengths

Performing Ensembles

  • Civic Symphony (Music 110)
  • Wind Symphony (Music 112)
  • Wind Ensemble (Music 113)
  • Jazz Band (Music 114)
  • Choir (Music 115)
  • Women’s Ensemble (Music 116)
  • Chamber Choir (Music 117)
  • Men’s Ensemble (Music 119)
  • Instrumental and Vocal Chamber Ensembles (Music 120)

Any student, regardless of major or minor, is eligible to take private lessons. Individual instruction for academic credit is offered in voice, piano, organ, guitar, and all traditional orchestral and band instruments. Instruction on non-traditional instruments such as banjo, harmonica, and bagpipes is also available.
Chamber

Student-Faculty Collaboration

Students are often invited to collaborate with faculty in performances, conference presentations, and community outreach activities.  Additionally, students regularly perform with intercollegiate ensembles at the state and national levels.

Independent Study

With one-on-one faculty supervision, students can explore areas not offered in the standard curriculum.  Examples of recent independent studies include:

  • Conducting
  • Acoustic Analysis of Vocal Tract Resonance
  • Piano Literature from Classical and Romantic Periods
  • The History of Music Theory

Department Facilities

  • Performance venues includes 1,700-seat Shafer Auditorium and 450-seat Ford Memorial Chapel
  • Centrally located music facilities in Arnold Hall, adjoining Henderson Campus Center
  • Ample practice and rehearsal space for music students
  • An extensive inventory of large instruments available for loan to ensemble members
  • Technology for vocal analysis including spectrography and electroglottography

Visiting Musicians

  • Alexander String Quartet
  • U.S. Marine Band, “The President’s Own”
  • Boston Brass, brass quintet
  • U.S. Navy Band
  • Johan de Meij, composer
  • Demetrius Spaneas, saxophonist
  • Anthony Plog, composer
  • Yuval Ron Ensemble

Field Study

Annually, the department schedules trips to hear visiting artists and performing groups in the nearby cities of Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Erie, and Buffalo.

Public Events

In a typical semester, major performing ensembles present at least one concert on campus. In addition, several faculty and student recitals are scheduled.

Honors and Prizes

  • Morten J. Luvaas Prize to choral music student
  • Ethyl Moore Miller Prize to a junior or senior who shows exceptional progress and ability in musical studies and performance
  • Edith Mead Osborne Prize to the individual who shows marked musical ability, talent, or direction in voice, piano, or organ
  • The Frederick and Lucille Marantz Memorial Prize, awarded to outstanding piano students
  • The Robert and Bronwell Bond Award awarded to an exceptional talented Allegheny student who will benefit from a rich musical experience away from the campus
  • Ann H. and Daniel F. Sullivan Award for Outstanding Musicianship

Endorsements

  • “The music department here at Allegheny has allowed me to cultivate my musicianship in a challenging but comfortable environment.  Not only have I improved as a musician, but the wonderful faculty and staff here are great mentors and are always so supportive and helpful, even outside of the classroom.”
    -Liz Forrey, ‘21 French/Music Double major; Economics minor
  • “Allegheny’s music faculty has made me feel ‘at home’. They have been tireless in their efforts to help me improve as a musician. I am pushed to be the best performer that I can be, and I am extremely grateful for that.”
    -Nicholas Viall, ‘21 Biochemistry Major/Music Theory Minor
  • “Coming from one of the best high school music programs in the country, I know how an excellent music program can encourage and enrich students; Allegheny Music has not disappointed!”
    -Amelia Rockwell, ‘21 Economics Major/Education Minor