Music

Are you interested in doing something music-related this semester? Whether you are thinking of majoring or minoring in music, looking for lessons or an ensemble to participate in, or simply interested in fulfilling your fine arts core requirement, we have something to offer you! See below for an overview of what the Music Program offers.

Academic Program

The Music Program offers both a music major and a minor, but you don’t have to be degree-seeking to participate in ensembles, take private lessons, or classes. Each semester, full credit courses are offered in performance, music history, and music theory for both the interested novice and more musically experienced student. Find more information about classes and majors.

Extra- and Co-curricular Activities

As someone who is interested in music, one question may have crossed your mind: How can I be musically involved at Loyola and earn credits at the same time?

The Music Program offers vocal and instrumental ensembles and private lessons, all of which are available to all Loyola students. We have two vocal ensembles (Concert Choir and Cantorei) and five instrumental ensembles (Chamber Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combo, and Steel Pan Ensemble). The vocal, chamber, guitar, and jazz ensembles require an audition. No previous experience is necessary to play in Steel Pan Ensemble. You can get more information on Loyola's ensembles via the Music Ensembles & Applied Lessons tab, or by contacting the ensemble directors for more details:

• Concert Choir and Cantorei: Dr. Clay Price (cprice1@loyola.edu)
• Chamber Ensemble: Mr. David LaVorgna (dlavorgna@loyola.edu)
• Guitar Ensemble: Mr. Ian Hrdlicka (ianhrdlickaguitar@gmail.com)
• Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo: Mr. Mark St. Pierre (mastpierre@loyola.edu)
• Steel Pan Ensemble: Mr. Barry Dove (BDJQdove@aol.com) 

All ensembles can be taken for academic credit! One semester of an ensemble is 1.5 credits. Two semesters of an ensemble count as a 3-credit general elective for your course of study.

Private Music Lessons

Whether you’ve never played an instrument and always wanted to learn, or have been studying privately for years, private applied lessons are available in voice and most string, wind, and percussion instruments. (Note: Unless you are a pianist, you will need to have your own instrument to take lessons. If you don’t yet have one, our faculty can help you rent or buy one.) All of our applied lesson faculty are professional performers and excellent teachers.

Applied lessons can also be taken for academic credit: 1 credit per semester for a 30-minute lesson; 1.5 credits per semester for a 45-minute lesson.

Recording Studio

Loyola’s Music Program offers hands-on courses in audio recording (miking, tracking, mixing, and basic mastering) and in synthesis, sequencing, and sampling. Students in the department’s courses work in – and have 24/7 access to  – Loyola’s recording studio (which includes a control room, live room and vocal booth) and Loyola’s project studio.