Department of Music
Department website: http://www.wku.edu/music
Zachary Lopes, Chair
Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center 351
(270) 745-3751
music@wku.edu
The Department of Music promotes the study and experience of music in its broadest sense: preparing artist teachers and performers, enhancing creativity and the human spirit, and enriching the quality of life on campus, in the region, and in our global community. Western Kentucky University has been a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music since 1948.
A large part of the department’s mission is the preparation of music teachers and professional musicians. Students with broad musical interests may select a music major or minor within a diversified liberal arts program. Music degree programs provide for the development of basic musicianship through conceptual understanding of musical properties and their interrelationships, relevant opportunities for listening, performing, composing, and scholarship, and the acquisition of a repertory representative of various cultures and historical periods. Competencies in various areas and at varying levels appropriate to each program of music concentration are developed through a sequence of studies and assessments.
Faculty
Professor
Heidi P. Alvarez DM (Music Performance), Florida State University, 1998
Scott H. Harris DMA (Music), University of Oklahoma Norman, 2003
Paul L. Hondorp DMA (Music Conducting), Michigan State University, 2003
Elizabeth H. Kelly DMA (Voice), University of Cincinnati Main Campus, 2008
Ching-Yi Lin DM (Violin), Indiana University-Bloomington, 2010
Gary T. Schallert DA (Music, Conducting), University of Northern Colorado, 2001
Associate Professor
Matthew J. Herman DMA (Music Composition), Temple University, 2003
Zachary A. Lopes DMA (Piano), University of Cincinnati Main Campus, 2013
Brian A. St John DMA (Conducting), Arizona State University-ALL, 2010
Lauren E. Whitham DMA (Music), University of Georgia, 2017
Catherine M. Wilson PhD (Music), University of Iowa, 2013
Assistant Professor
Sarah Herbert DMA (Musical Arts), University of Cincinnati Main Campus, 2017
Pedagogical Assistant Professor
Matthew J. McCurry DMA (Musical Arts), West Virginia University, 2019
Jessica L. Welsh DMA (Piano Pedagogy), Texas Christian University, 2021
Instructor II
John E. Martin MM (Music), Austin Peay State University, 1995
Music Courses
MUS 500 Theory Seminar 3 Hours
Study and application of analytical techniques as they apply to the formal structure of music.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; spring 2024
MUS 509 Music Curriculum in the Elementary and Middle Schools 3 Hours
Includes advanced study of contemporary elementary music education trends, methodologies, instructional techniques, and materials. Expands contemporary instructional methods.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023
MUS 511 Research Methods in Music 3 Hours
The philosophical, historical and experimental research methods in music/music education and their application within 21st century teaching-learning contexts.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024
MUS 512 Music Education Workshop 1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
A variable topic workshop.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023
MUS 513 Independent Directed Study/Music Education 3 Hours (repeatable max of 12 hrs)
Research projects in music education.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024
MUS 514 Secondary Music Curriculum 3 Hours
Includes advanced study of 21st century music education curriculum, instruction, assessment, and research-based practices applicable for teaching junior and senior high school performing and non-performing courses. Classroom managment strategies and use of multiple modes of technology applicable for teaching and assessing music will be addressed.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022
MUS 517 Arts/Humanities for P-5 Instruction 3 Hours
Developmentally appropriate dance, drama/theatre, music, and visual art content (structural elements and purposes) and artisitic processes (skills inherent within each art form) within the context of humanities (historical periods and multi-cultures), culminating in the design of interdisciplinary arts units for P-5 instruction.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
MUS 518 Advanced Conducting 1 Hour (repeatable max of 4 hrs)
Course designed to sharpen and enhance skills as an ensemble conductor. Emphasis on specific conducting problems, rehearsal techniques and score study.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
MUS 519 Conducting Seminar 3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
A survey of topics and materials related to the analytical and pedagogical aspects of instrumental or choral conducting.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
MUS 520 Advanced Pedagogy 3 Hours
In-depth study and application of pedagogical principles for the applied music teacher in a private studio setting.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
MUS 525 Music and the Human Experience 3 Hours
An investigation and study of the art of music encompassing the historical, philosophical, psychological and sociological tenets of the discipline.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023
MUS 530 Music Literature 3 Hours
Investigation of a specialized area not covered in other music literature courses.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024
MUS 538 Independent Directed Study/Theory-Literature 3 Hours
Supervised private research culminating in a scholarly paper.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
MUS 540 Choral Union 1 Hour (repeatable max of 4 hrs)
Performing ensembles are open to the entire campus community and most require an audition prior to membership. Specific ensembles are an elective and require advisor approval for music degrees.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2024; fall 2024
MUS 541 University Choir 1 Hour (repeatable max of 4 hrs)
Performing ensembles are open to the entire campus community and most require an audition prior to membership. Specific ensembles are an elective and require advisor approval for music degrees.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
MUS 544 University Orchestra 1 Hour (repeatable max of 4 hrs)
Performing ensembles are open to the entire campus community and most require an audition prior to membership. Specific ensembles are an elective and require advisor approval for music degrees.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024
MUS 545 Chamber Singers 1 Hour (repeatable max of 4 hrs)
Performing ensembles are open to the entire campus community and most require an audition prior to membership. Specific ensembles are an elective and require advisor approval for music degrees.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
MUS 547 Marching Band 1 Hour
Performing ensembles are open to the entire campus community and most require an audition prior to membership. Specific ensembles are an elective and require advisor approval for music degrees.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
MUS 548 Band 1 Hour (repeatable max of 4 hrs)
Performing ensembles are open to the entire campus community and most require an audition prior to membership. Specific ensembles are an elective and require advisor approval for music degrees.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023
MUS 549 Chamber Music 1 Hour (repeatable max of 4 hrs)
Students enrolled in this course have attained considerable ability as a performer and must audition. This course can include all types of instrumental and choral chamber music literature.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
MUS 550 Applied Music Secondary 1 Hour (repeatable max of 4 hrs)
Applied study intended for beginners and requires no audition.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; spring 2024
MUS 553 Applied Music Principal 2 Hours (repeatable max of 8 hrs)
Applied study assumes graduate-level proficiency.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024
MUS 571 Jazz Ensemble 1 Hour (repeatable max of 4 hrs)
Performing ensembles are open to the entire campus community and most require an audition prior to membership. Specific ensembles are electives and require advisor approval for music degrees.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022
MUS 574 Opera Theatre 1 Hour
Performing ensembles are open to the entire campus community and most require an audition prior to membership. Specific ensembles are electives and require advisor approval for music degrees.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None