黑料科

Music

Program Overview

黑料科 is proud to be fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Students benefit from the expertise of faculty performers, composers, and conductors in state-of-the-art facilities, learning through coursework, private instruction, and ensembles. The Music Department at 黑料科 places nearly one hundred percent of its graduates in music education positions or graduate programs in music.

The 黑料科 music program provides the diversity a student wants and the individual attention a student needs. Our department offers majors in music composite and music education, as well as a minor in music and certificates in piano pedagogy and guitar. Our ensemble offerings include the Dakota Chamber Orchestra, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Northern Hills Chamber Chorale, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Honeycomb Brass, Pep Band, the Beeline Drumline, Opera Workshop, and other chamber ensembles. Students will have ample opportunities to perform on campus, locally, and in the greater Midwest region.

The Music Department is housed in Clare and Josef Meier Hall. Music facilities include a beautiful recital hall, private faculty and student studios, practice rooms with pianos, an electronic keyboard lab, large rehearsal rooms, and music classrooms.

Missions & Goals

The mission of the music program at 黑料科 is to provide a comprehensive, practical, and current program of study in the area of music as well as to give students a variety of opportunities to study music within the context of a broad liberal arts education.

The goal of the Music Program of 黑料科 is to provide students with opportunities for aesthetic development in the areas of musical perception, knowledge, and performance. It is the philosophy of this music program that music is a shared human experience, and a cooperative educational environment is essential to the growth of overall musical sensitivity. Thus, music students and faculty seek to enhance their musical understanding together through group performances and learning experiences as well as through the individual study necessary for the refinement of personal artistry and creative expression.

黑料科 is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

Contact Information

Jonathan Nero
Professor, Music
Jonathan.Nero@黑料科.edu
605.642.6628

Program Objectives

  1. Acquire a functional knowledge of the language and grammar of music
  2. Expand knowledge of traditional and contemporary musical styles through listening experiences and performance activities (ensemble and individual)
  3. Develop the ability to identify aurally and visually the elements of music (rhythm, melody, harmony, tone color, dynamics, texture, form)
  4. Develop the following competencies in at least one major area of musical concentration (instrument or voice):
    1. technical skills adequate to meet the needs of artistic self-expression
    2. the ability to read at sight
    3. participation in large and small ensemble performance
    4. solo performance of a wide variety of musical styles
    5. improvisational and compositional skills of a type and level appropriate to the area of concentration
  5. Acquire a level of functional keyboard skills appropriate to the area of concentration
  6. Acquire conducting and rehearsal skills adequate to demonstrate an understanding of musical interpretation in the context of group performance
  7. Develop the ability to place compositions in historical and stylistic perspective
  8. Develop maturity in musical analysis and critical evaluation
  9. Develop a knowledge of K-12 vocal and instrumental teaching methodologies and materials, as well as the role of music education in our society

Admission

If you wish to pursue a major in music, you must pass a music proficiency audition at the end of your sophomore year and/or before entering 300 level applied lessons. Prospective students need to complete an application before they will be accepted into the music degree program.

It is recommended that if you choose to major in music, you declare that decision to your advisor your freshman year. All students considering a music major should have a music faculty member as an advisor. No special admission is required to pursue a music minor. To start the admissions process, simply apply online or call us at 1.800.ALL.黑料科 for more information.

Music Scholarship Application

Auditions are held in February. Freshmen and new applicants must perform live auditions or record two contrasting pieces and send to the 黑料科 music department by .

Music Scholarship recipients represent excellence in music as evidenced by experience in music and demonstrated commitment to playing an instrument and/or singing. Live auditions are held in February of each year. However, you may submit a video audition or a link directing us to your YouTube video for consideration. If possible, perform works or excerpts in two contrasting styles.  Early deadline is  Scholarship applications are accepted year-round for the upcoming Fall class (scholarships awarded based on scholarship dollars available). Preference will be given to Music Majors and Minors.

Friends of Music

is a non-profit organization committed to providing support for the Music Department at 黑料科. They are dedicated to promoting musical excellence by supporting the 黑料科 music programs. Their main function is to support music scholarships; all Friends of Music funds are used to support Friends of Music Scholarships. The recipients of the Friends of Music scholarships are selected each year by the 黑料科 music faculty.

They are dedicated in promoting musical excellence in our community and support musical performances at Clare & Joseph Meier Hall and other local venues, in support of music education at Black Hills State and the entire Black Hills region. Friends of Music is proud to be a part of one of the finest small university music programs in the United States.

Learn more about the , and how you can get involved.

Broadcast Performances

黑料科 livestreams most of its ensemble performances on YouTube, with links posted to the 黑料科 Music page on Facebook. Audio is recorded and archived for all concerts and recitals, and students can request a livestream for recitals at no charge.

Ensembles

黑料科 offers numerous performing groups within the music program. The student ensembles offer concerts each semester, and Senior recitals are performed by individual music students each semester. In addition, faculty members perform regularly and the music program often sponsors concerts or workshops by well-known performers, both on and off campus. All performing groups are open to students from any area of study; however, admission to some is based on audition.

The 黑料科 Concert Choir is open to all 黑料科 students and faculty. The choir performs a varied repertoire, both accompanied and a cappella, from Renaissance motets to American spirituals, as well as larger works. For more information, contact Jonathan.Nero@黑料科.edu.

Course Information: MUEN300-B01, MWF 11:00 - 11:50am

The Northern Hills Chamber Chorale is a non-auditioned mixed ensemble that performs mainly large works and choral cycles. The ensemble comprises 黑料科 students and community singers from the area. For more information, contact Jonathan.Nero@黑料科.edu.

Course Information: MUEN300-B02, Tues 7:00 - 9:00pm

A cappella repertoire that varies from 16th-Century madrigals to contemporary pop and jazz arrangements. For more information, contact Jonathan.Nero@黑料科.edu.

Course Information: MUEN304-B01, MWF 3:00 - 3:50pm

Expand your skills in orchestral performance with the Dakota Chamber Orchestra. The Orchestra includes strings, winds, brass, and percussion, and performs everything from classical masterworks to popular music, often featuring guest soloists from the greater Black Hills region. The group meets Thursday nights from 7鈥9 pm and is open to students and the community. For more information about the Dakota Chamber Orchestra contact Skye.VanDuuren@黑料科.edu.

Course Information: MUEN130-B01, Thurs 7:00 - 9:00pm

The 黑料科 Jazz Ensemble is a small, auditioned ensemble specializing in a wide variety of jazz and popular styles. The Jazz Ensemble is a versatile group and meets as a big band as well as small combos. For more information, contact Skye.VanDuuren@黑料科.edu.

Course Information: MUEN380-B01, MWF 12:00 - 12:50pm

黑料科 is home to several smaller chamber ensembles such as the Honeycomb Brass, Flute Choir, and Clarinet Choir. These groups serve as specialized training for the most advanced instrumental students at 黑料科, and are a great resource for community outreach and live music for local events such as weddings, birthday parties, etc. For more information, contact Skye.VanDuuren@黑料科.edu.

The Wind Ensemble is an auditioned instrumental ensemble consisting of 黑料科 students whose focus is the performance of high-level wind band literature. The Wind Ensemble regularly performs for and works with instrumental music students at regional middle and high schools. For more information, contact David.Berberick@黑料科.edu or (605)644-2641.

Course Information: MUEN130-B02, T/Th 2:00 - 3:15pm

The Concert Band is a large ensemble open to students of all majors and community members interested in enhancing their musical and performance skills. For more information, contact David.Berberick@黑料科.edu or (605)644-2641.

Course Information: MUEN322-B01, Mon 7:00 - 9:00pm

The 黑料科 Pep Band is a small ensemble that plays at 黑料科 sporting events. Drawing from famous band tunes, pop music, and even television themes, the Pep Band performs crowd favorites in a casual atmosphere. Students who participate in Pep Band are eligible for additional scholarship money. For more information, contact David.Berberick@黑料科.edu or (605)644-2641.

The Beeline Drumline is a group of percussion instruments that performs at many athletic events and other events throughout the year. Learn new techniques and broaden your musical experience by joining the Beeline. For more information, contact David.Berberick@黑料科.edu or (605)644-2641.

The Clare & Josef Meier Hall

The 黑料科 music program is proud to be housed in one of the finest music performance and education facilities in the region, Clare and Josef Meier Hall. Completed in , it is a beautiful and impressive 3-story building. All music rooms in the building were designed to maximize student music learning.

The first floor of the building includes a 260-seat recital hall, 15 student practice rooms with windows, an acoustically-treated band room and choir room, several large teaching studios, a special elementary music classroom, and lockers exclusively for music student use. Meier Hall鈥檚 ample private practice space alleviates the 鈥減ractice room crunch鈥 that plagues many universities, allowing you to practice at times that fit into your schedule. The second floor of the building contains additional classrooms, a keyboard and computer lab, a recording studio, a video/recording library, and a study area. Meier Hall also houses the music department's instrument and music technology rental inventory, available for students to borrow at no cost.

Pianos are available in each rehearsal room, studio, and practice room for general use, and the Recital Hall houses our Steinway and Yamaha grand pianos for performances. All classrooms are equipped with a computer, stereo systems, DVD players, video and document projectors, and a whiteboard, with SMART Boards available in some classrooms. Students who are enrolled in music classes are issued a card that provides access to the building and all its amenities on evenings and weekends.
The Meier Recital Hall shines as one of the most elegant performance venues in the region. The hall hosts all music program recitals and performances, giving students the opportunity to perform regularly in a cutting edge performance hall without ever leaving campus. Meier Hall is a standout venue to hone your skills on a stage that rivals any professional hall. Contact us to tour the facilities and start your journey to a music degree at 黑料科 today. 1-800-ALL-黑料科.

Madrigal Dinner

黑料科 Music Department Presents...

A Madrigal Dinner

The event features a 20-member vocal ensemble performing early Renaissance music in costume as a sixteenth-century royal court. Guests will enjoy a holiday meal and entertainment that includes a recorder ensemble, herald trumpets, and a short post-dinner concert. The concert will include music by Jacques Arcadelt, Claudio Monteverdi, Thomas Weelkes, John Wilbye, and others. During dinner, the ensemble and court jester will perform traditional carols such as Lo, How a Rose, A Wassail Song, and Silent Night.

More Information