Ohio Wesleyan Expands Curriculum with Minor in Music Performance
Students seeking a new minor in music performance at Ohio Wesleyan University will perform in an ensemble, such as the Park Avenue Jazz Ensemble, during each semester after they are accepted into the program. The new minor was created for students who wish to study the art of performance and participate in music but not necessarily pursue a music major.
DELAWARE, OHIO – Ohio Wesleyan University’s newest academic program is intended to help students hit just the right note in their desire to study and perform music while pursuing additional academic interests.
Ohio Wesleyan’s Department of Music is adding a minor in music performance to the majors and minors already available to OWU students. Those existing options include bachelor of music degrees in performance, music education, or music composition; a bachelor of arts degree with a music major; and a music minor.
“Our new minor in music performance was created for our students who love studying the art of performance and participating in music, but who may not wish to pursue a major,” said music professor Nancy Gamso, D.M.A., coordinator of the new minor. “This performance-oriented minor has comparable minors in the fine arts and theatre & dance programs, so adding this minor was a logical next step for our active music program. The performance minor has already attracted a handful of exciting musicians who were accepted into the program in the fall semester, and we expect many more to join the music community next fall.”
To earn a minor in music performance, students must audition and, if accepted, complete one unit of music theory, one music elective, two units of applied lessons, and two units of ensemble credit such as participating in the Choral Art Society for voice, Wind Ensemble for winds and percussion, or Chamber Orchestra for strings. Students also must perform in an ensemble each semester after they are accepted into the program.
Gamso said the educational, artistic, and recreational value of making music is important.
“Taking music lessons and performing allows students to learn about a wide array of composers and musical genres,” she said. “These activities also hone group and individual performance skills. Applied lessons and ensemble participation are key components of Ohio Wesleyan’s music program.”
Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s premier small, private universities, with more than 90 undergraduate majors, sequences, and courses of study, and 23 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Located in Delaware, Ohio, just minutes north of Ohio’s capital and largest city, Columbus, the university combines a globally focused curriculum with off-campus learning and leadership opportunities that translate classroom theory into real-world practice. OWU’s close-knit community of 1,850 students represents 47 states and 57 countries. Ohio Wesleyan was named to the 2010 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with distinction, is featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives,” and is included on the “best colleges” lists of U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review. Learn more at www.owu.edu.