Department of Music

Claflin University

2 Dean’s Welcome, School of Humanities and Social Sciences Chair’s Welcome, Department of the Music Department

3 Claflin University and the Department of Music

4 Faculty / Facilities

5 Student Performance Opportunities

6 Degree Programs and University Honors Program

7 Audition Information

8 Admission/Financial Aid/Departmental Scholarships

Table of Contents

Welcome from the Claflin University Department of Music! Since 1877, the Department of Music has had a long tradition of musical excellence, training some of the state’s most recognized music educa-tors. With our commitment to preparing students to excel in a variety of professional careers in music, the Department of Music aims to provide a flexible career oriented education. Recognized as one of the centers of excellence at the University, the Department of Music is accredited by the Na-tional Association of Schools of Music and features new and newly renovated facilities, a balanced curriculum, and a distinguished faculty with the majority holding terminal degrees.

Throughout each year, our students benefit from the vast number of performance opportunities through a variety of concerts and music produc-tions both on campus and as a part of national and

international tours. Our ensembles are second to none as the University Concert Choir performed in China for the 2008 Olympics.

We hope that you will review the information provided in this brochure and that you will con-sider applying for admission to Claflin University and the Department of Music as you plan the next phase of your musical training. By choosing Claflin, you will encounter a warm, caring, family-oriented environment dedicated to your musical success!

Sincerely,

Isaiah R. McGeeChair, Department of Music

Dean’s WelcomeGreetings:

Welcome to the Department of Music at Claflin University, home of the internationally known Claflin University Concert Choir and where music majors and non-music majors alike can participate in a number of excellent ensembles, such as the Jazz Band, the Lyric Opera Theatre, the Pep Band, the Brass Ensemble and the Wind Ensemble.

The Department of Music faculty are experts in their discipline and are ready to assist you in reaching your goals. Claflin University has a rich history of preparing musicians who have gone on to have successful careers.

Our Music Department’s curriculum is designed to help students become successful in graduate and/or professional school and in the workplace. The Claflin University environment is conducive to learning, and you will find that the Claflin family is ready and willing to help prepare you for the world.

Claflin is an institution with strong values and aspirations. We emphasize visionary leadership, undergraduate research, innovation and excellent instruction.

Our Department of Music challenges you to do your best and prepares you to become agents of change. The information in this brochure will assist you in gaining knowledge about the Depart-ment and the University. However, if you still have questions after reading this document, please contact the Department Chair or me, and we will gladly assist you.

Sincerely,

M. Peggy Stevenson Ratliff, Ph.D.DeanSchool of Humanities and Social Sciencespratliff@claflin.edu

Department Chair’s Welcome

2 • Claflin University Department of Music

Claflin University’s Vision: Claflin University will be recognized as one of the premier under-graduate teaching and research universities in the world that prepares effective and visionary leaders with global perspectives.

Claflin UniversityClaflin University is an independent, four-year,

co-educational, residential, career-oriented liberal arts university affiliated with the United Method-ist Church. Founded in 1869, Claflin is the oldest historically black college or university in South Carolina. It was also the first college in the state to welcome all students regardless of race or gender. Claflin is committed to providing students with access to exemplary educational opportunities in its undergraduate, graduate and continuing educa-tion programs. Claflin seeks to foster a rich com-munity comprised of students, faculty, staff, and administrators who work to nurture and develop the skills and character needed for engaged citizen-ship and visionary and effective leadership. The academic platform consists of four schools with 35 undergraduate majors along with select graduate programs. There are 117 fulltime faculty members with nearly 80 percent holding terminal degrees. This faculty serves a student population of approxi-mately 2,000 and the student-faculty ratio is 14:1.

Department of MusicThe Department of Music at Claflin University

offers a variety of musically and academically stimulating courses at the undergraduate level. With a student population of approximately 60 students, we embrace the small nurturing environ-ment that enables the faculty to focus on individu-al growth to develop compassion, articulation and creative zeal with a thirst for learning in each of our students. The goal of the Department of Music is to provide exceptional educational experiences in each of our undergraduate programs. The fac-ulty members are experienced professionals dedi-cated to training students to become sustainable musicians. The Department of Music strives to become recognized as one of the nation’s premier departments of music and to elevate each program to international distinction.

The Department of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Its de-gree requirements are in accordance with the latest published regulations of that association.

Claflin University Department of Music • 3

Opposite page left: Department of Music Chair and Director of Choral Studies Dr. Isaiah McGee directs the Claflin University Concert Choir during rehearsal. Right: Students receive voice instruction from Assistant Professor of Voice Dr. Lori Hicks. This page: Music major Cory Cuffie performs a solo during the annual community performance of Handel’s Messiah.

FacultyThe Department of Music’s nine full-

time faculty members are leaders in performance, music education, music theory, composition, jazz, musicology and ethnomusicology. The faculty regularly performs at regional, national and international venues. Recent faculty accomplishments include instrumental sponsorships, national conducting residence and a district Metropolitan Opera audition winner. In addition to their professional accomplishments, our faculty are focused on their commitment to teaching and serving students. More information about our faculty is available on our website at www.claflin.edu/academics

Facilities Claflin University’s music facilities con-

sist of a state-of-the-art Music Center which houses the Department of Music. This three-story building includes large band and choral rehearsal rooms,seven faculty office suites, 19 practice rooms, two music-designated class-rooms with one devoted to music education, a music technology lab with viewing/listen-ing stations and six MIDI stations.

The Whittaker Vernon Middleton Fine Arts Center is the main auditorium for the campus. This facility includes a balcony and seats approximately 650 people. Most of the university’s large functions are held in this building along with most of the ensemble concerts and lyceum series events.

Ministers’ Hall is one of the universities oldest buildings. It has been renovated and retrofitted into a small performing arts center. This building has won several awards for it historic preservation and craftsmanship. Seating approximately 325 people, most of the department’s senior recitals and chamber concerts are presented on the stage of this historic hall, which also includes a library named after notable alumnus Justice Ernest Finney, the first African-American Supreme Court Justice in South Carolina.

In 2006, the University completed the con-struction of the James and Dorothy Z. Elmore Chapel. This facility is also used for recitals and choir concerts with a religious theme. The Department of Music also encourages and promotes the university’s affiliation with the United Methodist Church, although it is inclusive of all religions and cultures.

4 • Claflin University Department of Music

Student Performance OpportunitiesThe Department of Music encourages students to foster and create avenues of

creative expression through a variety of ensemble performances that transcends the university and academic settings.

More than 150 students participate in a variety of performance ensembles that present approximately 75 concerts of classical, jazz and world music each year within and outside of the university’s boundaries.

CHORAL ENSEMBLESUniversity ChoraleChamber SingersMen’s EnsembleWomen’s EnsembleUniversity Concert ChoirOpera Workshop

BANDSUniversity Wind EnsembleChamber WindsPercussion EnsembleSaxophone EnsembleWoodwind EnsembleBrass Ensemble

JAZZ ENSEMBLESUniversity Jazz BandJazz Combo

Claflin University Department of Music • 5

Opposite page top: Music major Darius Gillard is shown in an applied lesson with Dr. Lori Hicks, assistant professor of voice. Bottom: Honors College music major student Fernando Ramirez sings and plays guitar during a choir performance. This page top: Music minor Marion Kelley plays the bassoon during the winter concert. Bottom: Director of Jazz Studies Dr. Dorsey “Mitch” Butler solos during the Jazz Ensemble’s annual spring concert.

Degree ProgramsUNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MUSICThe Bachelor of Arts in Music is a liberal arts

degree designed for those students who either plan careers as musicians and who wish to enter graduate or professional music schools, or for those who wish to pursue music as a vocation. Performing areas includes Piano, Vocal, or Instru-mental Music.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MUSIC EDUCATIONThe Bachelor of Arts in Music Education is a

professional degree designed for students who plan to teach music in levels K-12 schools. It also prepares students to pursue graduate studies in Music Education. Performing areas include Piano, Vocal, or Instrumental Music.

MINOR IN MUSICThis minor program is open to students from all

academic areas of the university.

UNIVERSITY’S HONORS PROGRAMThe Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College is a

prestigious college within the University that of-fers a stimulating learning environment for high-achieving continuing students and for first-year students who come to Claflin clearly prepared for success in their college-level work.

The Alice Carson Tisdale Honors College provides a program that includes rigorous and coherent learning experiences, intense academic advising, cultural enrichment activities, communi-ty-service experiences and other activities de-signed to enhance and develop students’ academic and leadership potential.

Honors students take courses in which instruc-tion is challenging and accelerated. A special Honors Laboratory and an Honors Lounge offer honors students reserved facilities for studying, holding seminars and meeting informally.

6 • Claflin University Department of Music

Above: The Claflin University Concert Choir presents at least two formal concerts a year. Pictured is a performance during one of the winter concerts.

AUDITION INFORMATIONAll Department of Music applicants must complete an admission audition in their applied area of

study. To be admitted to the Department of Music, applicants must meet the minimum standards in ap-plied music through the placement audition. Audition dates are listed in the back of this book.

AUDITION APPOINTMENTSAudition appointments are obtained by submission of the Department of Music application. A prelimi-

nary confirmation will be sent to applicants within four weeks following receipt of the Department of Music application. Confirmation of the audition time will be sent to applicants a minimum of two weeks prior to the requested audition date. Please do not make travel arrangements until this confirmation is received.

The Department of Music begins accepting applications on August 1; the priority deadline to submit the Department of Music application is February 28. The department of Music will continue to accept ap-plications until all openings are filled.

RECORDED AUDITIONSAll applicants are strongly encouraged to audition on campus. If a live audition cannot be arranged, a

recorded audition will be accepted only when approved by the department chair. Although a recorded audition may be granted, admittance to the department may require the student to reaffirm their place-ment with a live audition once on campus. Recorded auditions must meet certain standards of quality; for details, please visit our website.

Students who are interested in Department of Music scholarships are encouraged to complete the ap-plication process on or before February 28. Priority consideration for merit-based financial aid will be given to applicants who have successfully completed the Department of Music application process by the above date.

Claflin University Department of Music • 7

Below: The Claflin University Concert Choir repertoire is very diverse. Pictured are members of the Concert Choir rehearsing a gospel arrangement.

Admission/ Financial Aid/ Department Scholarships

All applicants must file a Claflin University application and a Department of Music supplemental application. These applications are available online at www.claflin.edu/admissions; printed applications may be requested from the Department of Music or the university’s’ Admissions Office.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• Transcripts, including currently enrolled courses, GPA, rank-in-class

• SAT or ACT score

• Counselor’s recommendation form

• Student who achieved a high school diploma through the General Education Development (GED) test must have the GED score sent to the Office of Admissions.

• Supplemental Department of Music application

Forward completed application and required documents to:Claflin University Office of Admissions400 Magnolia Street,Orangeburg, SC 29115

NOTE: All materials submitted Claflin University become the property of the university and are not returned to the student or forwarded to any other party.

FINANCIAL AIDOur experienced and responsive professionals in the Financial Aid Office will guide you through the

financial aid process. Students may apply online atwww.fafsa.ed.gov and are encouraged to submit the FAFSA online. To sign electronically, students and their parents must apply for a pin number at www.pin.ed.gov. Claflin’s University school code is 003424. Please note that the FAFSA cannot be submitted until taxes are filed.

For assistance with financial aid process, contact the Office of Financial Aid at (803) 535 5334 or 1-800-922-1276 ext 5334.

8 • Claflin University Department of Music

The Claflin University Music Center and The W.V. Middleton Fine Arts Center are home to the Claflin University Department of Music.

Visiting the Department of Music at Claflin

Visits to the Department of Music at Claflin are encouraged for all students, although they are not required. Students and parents are encouraged to sit in on classes for observation during their visit. This is only possible if scheduled prior to on-campus visits. Auditions can only be scheduled during the campus visit with special permission from the department chair. Campus tours may be arranged through the admissions office (803-535-5339). Overnight facilities are not available on campus; visitors

should make reservations for overnight housing with local hotels.