Music at Aquinas
It's your time to SHINE
The mission of the Music Department is to provide both to the music major and general
education students: first, a deeper understanding and experience of music from the
abundant diversity of cultures present today and through the ages; and, second, the
verbal and technical skills to communicate that knowledge of music.
The Music Department’s role is a unique and treasured component of a solid education within the context of the Catholic Dominican tradition. To further fulfill the Aquinas College mission, the Music Department offers programs of study to prepare students for graduate schools and careers in such fields as teaching, liturgical music, conducting, jazz studies, and performance.
Explore music at AQ
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See the academic catalog for more specific information on degrees and courses
Majors |
Minors |
|
Music with General Concentration Music with Church Music Concentration Music with Jazz Concentration Music with Performance Concentration |
Jazz Studies Music |
Aquinas College is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
Student Learning Goals
Successful music majors will complete their education with…
1. the ability to use the common elements and organizational patterns of music
2. a level of competency in sight-reading, keyboard, technology, and conducting as
required by the specific program of study
3. an acquaintance with a wide selection of musical literature and genres, exploring
their history, development, and cultural contexts
4. the skills of effective practicing, rehearsing, solo performing, and performing
in collaboration with other musicians in pursuit of artistic self-expression, educating,
and stylistically appropriate musical interpretation
5. experiences in creative problem-solving, critical thinking, forming and defending
value judgments about music and communicating them; this may include field placements,
peer teaching, research projects, recitals, and internships
| Name | Title | Department | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Austin | Adjunct Lecturer, French Horn | Music | |
| Larry Barton | Adjunct Lecturer, Liturgical Music Studies | Music | |
| Andrew Bergeron | Adjunct Associate Professor, Guitar, Composition | Music | |
| Brendan Bohnhorst | Lecturer of Music, Tuba | Music | |
| Paul Brewer | Associate Professor Emeritus, Jazz Trombone | Music | |
| Jake Castillo | Drumline Instructor | Music | |
| Robin Connell | Adjunct Assistant Professor, Jazz Piano | Music | |
| Barbara Corbato | Adjunct Lecturer, Viola | Music | |
| Ted Craig | Director of Athletic Bands | Music | (616) 632-1036 |
| Caroline Freihofer | Adjunct Assistant Professor, Violin | Music | |
| Kathy Gibson | Adjunct Lecturer, Contemporary and Jazz Voice | Music | |
| Morgan Haner | Adjunct Lecturer, Studio Recording | Music | |
| Paul Hardaker | Adjunct Professor, Trumpet | Music | |
| Lee Heerspink | Lecturer in Music, Jazz Guitar | Music | |
| Stephanie Hovnanian | Lecturer of Music, Clarinet | Music | |
| Mary Hurd | Associate Professor, Piano, Musicianship courses | Music | (616) 632-2419 |
| Samer Jeroudi | Adjunct Lecturer, Chamber Strings Ensemble and String Techniques | Music | |
| Peter Kurdziel | Lecturer in Music, Organ | Music | |
| Jack Latta | Adjunct Lecturer, Percussion | Music | |
| Thomas Lockwood | Adjunct | Music | |
| Giuseppe Lupis | Adjunct Lecturer, Piano | Music | |
| Carmen Maret | Adjunct Assistant Professor, Music History, Entrepreneurship, Technology | Music | |
| Barbara McCargar | Associate Professor, Chair, Director of Vocal Studies | Music | (616) 632-2417 |
| Gary McCourry | Adjunct Associate Professor, Saxophone, Woodwinds Techniques | Music | |
| Austin McWilliams | Faculty | Music | |
| Victoria Olson | Lecturer of Music, Bassoon | Music | |
| Joseph Oprea | Adjunct | Music | |
| Thomas Polett | Professor of Music, Instrumental Music Director | Music | (616) 632-2416 |
| James Sawyer | Adjunct Lecturer, Jazz Trumpet | Music | |
| Ellen Sherman | Adjunct Lecturer, Oboe | Music | |
| Jiin Shin | Lecturer, Cello | Music | |
| Sarah Stickney | Adjunct Lecturer, Teaching PK-6 Music in the 21st Century | Music | |
| Lisa Sung | Lecturer in Music, Jazz Piano | Music | |
| Martha Waldvogel-Warren | Adjunct Lecturer, Harp | Music | |
| Sr. Catherine Williams | Associate Professor Emerita, Piano | Music |
ensembles & OPPORTUNITIES
IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES
A music degree is a multi-faceted and engaging path, utilizing many learning approaches to investigate everything we recognize as Music. The great 20th Century American conductor and composer, Leonard Bernstein said “Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable.” While some degrees (such as the Bachelor of Arts) may be less of a singularly defined career path like others that are offered at Aquinas College (such as the Bachelor of Music Education or the Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Concentration in Church Music, Jazz or Performance), the nature of these studies which encompass music theory, piano, history and literature, performance - solo and ensembles, pedagogy and conducting, jazz and more enables students to develop skills desired by employers today, such as self-direction, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, perseverance, verbal and written communication, and creativity.
At Aquinas College, many students who are pursuing a Major outside of Music desire to continue their musical involvement and development after high school by: making Music their Second Major; adding Music as a Minor; participating in Performing Groups for General Education credit; taking other Fine Arts or Humanities courses offered by the Music Department; or taking Lessons for credit - Private or Group Instruction - in areas such as Piano, Voice, Guitar, Brass, Strings, Percussion, Harp, Jazz, or Organ. Learning music is a meaningful and gratifying experience for people of all ages.
| Quick Facts: Music Directors and Composers | |
|---|---|
| 2020 Median Pay | $52,250 per year |
| Typical Entry-Level Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation | None |
| On-the-job Training | None |
| Number of Jobs, 2020 | 48,100 |
| Job Outlook, 2020-30 | 6% (As fast as average) |
| Employment Change, 2020-30 | 3,000 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
music department essentials
Throughout the school year, the Music Department hosts many concerts and events. All events are FREE and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Click here to view the Music Events Calendar
Contact music@aquinas.edu if you’d like more information.
Follow us on social media
Facebook: Music Department - Aquinas Choirs
Instagram: Music Department - Aquinas Choirs
Contact: Barbara Witham McCargar, M.M.
Office: Arts & Music Center 126
Phone: (616) 632-2417
FAX: (616) 732-4487
Email: Barbara.McCargar@aquinas.edu
Art & Music Center, Aquinas College
1700 Fulton St. E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Want to Request for Musicians from the AQ Music Department?
Please complete this form for any on or off campus event(s) that you would like to request the involvement of the music department and its musicians. We ask that you allow 5 business days for a response back from a music department faculty or staff member.
| 1 | Graduates are: teachers in PK-12 and higher ed positions; church musicians; choir and band conductors; opera, classical, jazz, folk, musical theatre, and pop performing artists; private and community school teachers; composers; directors of arts programs; songwriters; and hold master and doctoral degrees in many areas including Performance, Composition, Sacred Music, Choral Conducting, Education, Film Scoring, and Collaborative Piano. |
| 2 | Faculty members have received numerous honors and awards including: Fullbright Award, Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, Director's Excellence Award, Young Artist Finalist, Silver Medalist at the American Traditions Singing Competition, New World Symphony Fellow, International Touring Artist, Michigan Arts & Humanities Touring Artist, and multiple Grand Awards for musical theatre roles in West Michigan. |
| 3 | Aquinas is home to a 2017 three-manual Allen Bravura L333 organ, a 2012 two-manual Laucks pipe organ, the 210-seat Kretschmer Recital Hall with two 9-foot concert grand pianos- Steinway and Baldwin- on stage, a recording studio, the 418-seat Performing Arts Center, and 30 additional grand, upright and electronic pianos from top makers: Steinway, Schimmel, Boston, Kawai, Yamaha, Mason & Hamlin, Young Chang, Kurzweil, Roland, and Casio. |
| 4 | Prospective music Majors, Minors, and Ensemble performers must apply and audition (live, virtual, or recorded) for the music faculty in order to receive music scholarship consideration. Almost every Music Major or Minor at Aquinas College receives a scholarship(s) from the department's endowments, over $100K this year. Talent scholarships are also awarded to strong instrumental/vocal ensemble performers who audition for a director. |