salemstate.edu/musicdance
Salem State University provides classes and experiences to study music and dance at your level of interest and ability. A dedicated faculty offers you a variety of opportunities in coursework, performance and research that will expand your skills in music and/or dance. Here you will be encouraged to develop your artistic passions. Regardless of your major, you will find the opportunity to explore, sharpen and refine your talents on our campus. This is the first critical step toward success.
FACULTY Experienced and qualified faculty in the field of music and dance are dedicated to creating a supportive learning environment that will allow each student to thrive artistically. Students and faculty are bound together as a community of learners who continually seek knowledge, experience and creative expression within a department that, though two distinct artistic disciplines, finds common unity in the higher pursuit of education and artistry.
VISITING ARTISTS Visiting artists from varied backgrounds are invited to teach master classes, choreograph and perform in a diverse range of styles, giving you exposure to current trends in the dance and music fields and enhancing your educational experience.
WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN MUSIC?
Who better to tell you about this than our music alumni? “The music department helped me to transform from a guitar player in a rock band struggling to read sheet music to a well-rounded musician. I found opportunities not only to play guitar and sing, but also to learn percussion, trombone, clarinet, and tabla. I took music education and conducting courses, which helped to prepare me for my future as a music educator. As a master’s degree student at The Boston Conservatory (’12) with a major in music education, I found that between my educational studies minor and the music education electives I took at Salem State, I was well prepared for an advanced degree in music education.” —TJ Gansenberg ’11
MUSIC MUSIC AS A MAJOR WHAT IS THE BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN MUSIC? Students with a music major are challenged in all areas of musicianship including performance, analysis, cultural and historical practice, improvisation and composition, and aesthetics. Within a collaborative, creative and innovative liberal arts environment, students develop critical thinking, problem solving, listening, and communication skills. Private instruction is available in voice, piano, woodwind, brass, string and percussion instruments (including certain world music instruments), guitar, and composition. Music majors pay no additional fees for their first eight semesters of private music study.
HOW CAN I BECOME A MUSIC MAJOR AT SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY? All prospective music majors must audition to be considered for entrance into the bachelor’s degree program in music; visit salemstate.edu/musicdance to learn more. Requirements and application deadlines can be found at salemstate.edu/admissions.
MUSIC AS A MINOR MUSIC MINOR As a music minor, students can broaden their musical understanding and performance abilities. Students can study something they are passionate about, alongside others who share their musical interests. There is no audition requirement for the music minor. Private study on an instrument or in voice is available for a fee.
“I knew Salem State was the right place for me from the first day I set foot in Dr. Kvetko’s Introduction to World Music. As I learned more about the music department and its supportive, knowledgeable professors, I was further reassured that I was in the right place. I immersed myself in the vibrant arts scene the university has to offer, and thrived as both an artist and a human being. Salem State has challenged me intellectually. It has nourished my creative soul, and I have made connections there that I know will last my whole life. For that, and much more, I am forever grateful.” —Molly Pinto Madigan ’13
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY MINOR Music technology minors develop technical skills with music, computers and recording processes. We offer courses in with studies in MIDI, sound synthesis, programming, recording production and technology, mixing and studio management. Students use our recording facility where a variety of industry standard digital audio workstations such as ProTools and Apple Logic are taught.
UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATES CERTIFICATE IN MUSIC TECHNOLOGY A certificate in music technology helps students to develop an understanding of recording production, beat creation, creative music technology and more. Fundamental courses in audio engineering, record production and sound synthesis allows students to develop a creative process for producing music on a number of digital platforms. This certificate is open to all, including community members and music majors.
CERTIFICATE IN MUSIC IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION This certificate introduces students to music education concepts for Pre-K children and their relation to early-childhood development. The sequence of courses helps students develop competency in teaching music to young children, as well as providing an introductory understanding of cognitive and social development in early childhood. This certificate is open to all, including community members and music majors.
NO MATTER THE INSTRUMENT OR STYLE OF MUSIC, STUDENT MUSICIANS RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION FROM SALEM STATE’S MUSIC FACULTY—ALL OF WHOM ARE UNSURPASSED IN THEIR ABILITIES AND THEIR PASSION FOR TEACHING. MUSIC STUDENTS ALSO HAVE COUNTLESS OPPORTUNITIES TO PERFORM IN ENSEMBLE SETTINGS.
MUSIC ENSEMBLES OPPORTUNITIES Nothing quite matches the experience of performing with others in a music ensemble, which is why Salem State offers such a diverse number of opportunities to make music in an ensemble setting. Each ensemble promises an unforgettable educational experience. Whether you sing or play an instrument or enjoy jazz, classical or world music, you will find a home in the music department. All ensembles are open to any student, regardless of major. All ensembles rehearse one to three times weekly and perform at least once each semester. Available ensembles are: University band University wind ensemble Concert band Foundations jazz ensemble Jazz band Women’s chorale University chorus Chamber singers (by audition)
University chamber orchestra World music ensemble Percussion ensemble Guitar ensemble Handbell ensemble Chamber music ensembles
WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN DANCE?
Who better to tell you about this than our dance alumni? “The dance department provided me with the freedom and guidance needed to express myself choreographically as well as intellectually. Since graduating I moved to New York City to be closer to the performing arts scene where I continue to take class regularly while serving as the Marketing Manager for the performing arts theater New York Live Arts, home of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company.” —Katie Jennings ’12
DANCE DANCE AS A MAJOR WHAT IS THE BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN DANCE? The bachelor of arts in dance provides students with a comprehensive liberal arts education in the field of dance. With a focus on choreography and performance, students develop technical proficiency, critical thinking skills and find their personal artistic voice.
TECHNIQUE Throughout your studies in the dance program, you will develop skills in various dance techniques: modern, ballet, improvisation, mind-body awareness, as well as rotating topics in dance technique (hip-hop, tap, jazz, flamenco, tango, and so on), providing you with a well-rounded assortment of technique classes from a breadth of diverse cultures.
CHOREOGRAPHY AND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES The dance program encourages experimentation, risk-taking and interdisciplinary approaches in your development as a dance artist. Discovering and developing a personal artistic voice is a strong focus that is supported by the many choreographic and performance opportunities offered within the program.
“The dance program at Salem State was where I began expanding my dance vocabulary. I was strictly a hip-hop trained student and I was able to open my mind to the possibilities of learning different dance styles. Of course, as anyone would be, I was very ambivalent about stepping out of my comfort zone... but I did. Thanks to the wonderful professors, classmates and courses, I was able to become a well-rounded dancer. I now teach at Beverly Richards Dance Center and have been dancing professionally with IMPACT Dance Company.” —Emmanuel Encarnacion ’13
EXPANDING YOUR DANCE KNOWLEDGE The program offers an array of other courses to expand your knowledge about the field of dance. Courses about the art of teaching dance form will provide you with a solid foundation for dance instruction. A course in dance production offers an introduction to dance company and studio administration. Studies in dance history and theory expose you to the vast richness of dance from a historical perspective and will provide you with a strong foundation in critical and creative thinking. Our capstone seminar offers a culminating experience for you to further research an area of personal interest.
DANCE AS A MINOR A 15-credit minor in dance can be a perfect complement to any major and offers a positive experience for students at any level. With many performance opportunities and a diverse collection of courses to choose from, a dance minor is the perfect course of study to balance out your major. It is a great way to connect with other dance students who share the same passion for dance.
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM, STUDENTS HAVE A VARIETY OF OPPORTUNITIES TO BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE DANCE PROGRAM AT SALEM STATE. APART FROM THE NUMEROUS OCCASIONS FOR PERFORMING ON CAMPUS, YOU CAN TRAVEL TO OUR REGIONAL CONFERENCE TO TAKE CLASSES AND PERFORM, BECOME A MEMBER OF OUR NATIONAL HONORS SOCIETY FOR DANCE ARTS AND MORE.
OPPORTUNITIES IN THE DANCE PROGRAM SALEM DANCE ENSEMBLE This faculty-run dance performance group performs twice a year. Student and faculty choreography is presented at all performances. Here you will have many exciting opportunities to perform with fellow dance students and be involved in the Salem State dance community. Working closely with faculty you will receive feedback in a supportive environment, cultivating the development of your artistic voice.
AMERICAN COLLEGE DANCE ASSOCIATION Each year students travel with faculty to attend the American College Dance Association Conference, where students from other regional colleges and universities gather to perform, engage in dance classes and discuss the current field of dance. Two student-choreographed dances are selected by Salem State faculty to be performed at this conference, providing you with another great opportunity to learn and grow as a dance artist.
NATIONAL HONORS SOCIETY FOR DANCE ARTS Exceptional students are initiated into this dance honors society run through the National Dance Education Organization. Students must achieve a 3.5 GPA in their dance courses and meet criteria in the categories of artistic merit, leadership and academic achievement.
SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY 352 Lafayette Street Salem, Massachusetts 01970
ADMISSIONS Phone: 978.542.6200 Email: admissions@salemstate.edu facebook.com/salemstateuniversity Twitter: @SalemState Instagram: @SalemState
MUSIC AND DANCE Mary-Jo Grenfell, chair: mgrenfell@salemstate.edu Department office: 978.542.6296