Music

Loras offers Music majors two concentrations:  Education or Performance.  We offer quality instruction in all instruments and voice to students of wide-ranging interest, not limited to those seeking a musical career.  In fact, many students combine their music major with another study in preparation for their careers or graduate school.

The Bachelor of Music program with certification in Education prepares students to serve as music teachers in elementary and secondary schools. In cooperation with the Loras Department of Education, we have developed a comprehensive program for our future educators.

The Bachelor of Music program with an emphasis in performance prepares students for advanced study. Students from Loras have entered prestigious graduate programs across the country. This program also helps prepare for private (lesson) teaching. Loras graduates also are serving as liturgical ministers, music therapists, and studio musicians. A music degree also can prepare a student for careers in arts administration and even medicine! It is well-documented that many health care programs actively seek out those who come forward with demonstrated discipline as well as compassion for all people—hallmarks of a musical person. 

Students in both concentrations practice and perform with quality educators and instruments, including Steinway pianos.

PROGRAM VISION & GOALS

All students participating in the creative process are constantly involved as active learners. The training of a musician demands that the student engage many different faculties concurrently, all with the goal of reaching the whole potential of the creative or   re-creative process.

In determining the worth of musical study or the components thereof, students are challenged to be reflective thinkers. Although musicians are always involved in the activity of their art, we are demanded to constantly reflect upon how and why we act, teach, and perform.

Graduating ethical decision makers is the foundation of this institution’s and department’s contribution to the world around us. As music is a discipline strongly tied to its historical foundations, students are continually made aware of the traditions which are an inseparable part of our identity.

It is almost impossible to separate a musician from his/her art: the art is a part of who we are and continually a part of what we do, whether “on the job” or not. As an active calling or an avocation, musicians remain responsible contributors in diverse professional, social and religious roles.

CORE CURRICULUM

Major requirements and course descriptions

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Loras College students have the opportunity to tour and participate in regional and international festivals such as the 2008 Olympic Arts festival in Beijing, China and at such venues as Carnegie Hall, as well as abroad in countries like Ireland. We also perform with local Dubuque arts organizations such as the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra.  Many music majors also participate in our many performance ensembles.

Our majors also compete in the Iowa Region with the National Association of Teachers of Singing; perform in the Iowa Collegiate Honor Band, and the Collegiate Repertoire Choir with the American Choral Directors Association.



ENSEMBLES

The Music program at Loras offers several choral and instrumental ensembles for all Loras students, regardless of major, and may audition for music scholarships, regardless of major.


FACULTY

Our three full-time music faculty have either Ph.D. or D.M.A.credentials, and participate in master classes with some of the most respected performers in the arts, such as Broadway legends Karen Morrow, Bob Kaliban and Rita Harvey.  Our dedicated faculty work with Loras College students to combine scholarship and performance, bringing experience on topics such as Conducting, Orchestration, History of Sacred Music, Opera, Music and Society, and Jazz Studies.  We give our students the added benefit of working with adjunct faculty who are highly acclaimed performers and experienced educators.


WHAT MUSIC ALUMNI SAY

"By participating in both instrumental and vocal programs and activities at Loras, it greatly prepared me for the many diverse aspects of today's music education curriculum."

-- Ray Kirkpatrick ('87)
Director of Music - Harvard Public Schools
Harvard, Neb.

Contact Information:
Bruce Kotowich
Director of Choral Activities
(563) 557-4096
Bruce.Kotowich@loras.edu