Music student realizes his full music potential
Jonathan Markson '12 didn't have much free time. As a music and technology major with a computer science minor, he devoted his senior year - and nearly every free minute - to the creation of music through two major projects.
Music students take their talent on the road
In April 2011, eight Connecticut College music students were selected to perform at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research at Ithaca College, and the 2011 New England Intercollegiate Band Festival. "... a true honor for a liberal arts college to have two students presenting at such a prestigious conference and six performing with the region's premier honors ensemble," said professor Margaret Thomas, chair of the music department.
Music students enjoy:
- The opportunity to perform publicly, an essential part of the educational experience. Individual students and ensembles present concerts each semester. Senior performers are encouraged to present their own senior recitals.
- Attending faculty concerts.
- Access to free music lessons, thanks to the Jack Niblack '98 Music Lessons Fund. Please consult the department about requirements for these lessons.
- Visits by internationally renowned performers, composers, and scholars who regularly offer master classes and lectures. Students have enjoyed recent master classes with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, pianist Christopher O'Riley, trombonist and jazz composer John Fedchock, ethnomusicologist Steven Feld, flutist and composer Robert Dick, forte-pianist David Kim, jazz saxophonist Glenn Wilson, jazz drummer Rory Stuart, and more.
- onStage at Connecticut College, bringing world-class dance, music, art and theater performances and events to our stages and concert halls.
- A biennial Symposium on Arts & Technology, a major international conference devoted to presenting the edge and exploring the increasing links in the interdisciplinary world of arts, sciences, media, and technology. There are speakers, panels, and concerts that include electroacoustic music.
The Composers Forum
The Connecticut College Composers Forum sponsors meetings for music students and faculty in which new music compositions are presented and discussed. Forum meetings often feature guest composers and are always open to interested members of the campus community. Recent guest composers have included Chinary Ung, Paul Moravec, Tod Winkler and Joseph Rovan.
A Cappella Student Groups
Any student may audition for a cappella groups on campus, including The Williams Street Mix, The Shwiffs,the ConnChords, and the CoCoBeaux. These groups perform regularly on and off-campus. These are student-run organizations which hold their own auditions, set rehearsal times and schedule events.