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What type of internship opportunities
do you have available?
Why are internship programs important
to the program?
What special facilities does Western
have for the music department?
Do students and faculty work together
on research projects?
What specific student research opportunities
are available?
Do students present research findings
or performances at national conferences?
Do students have the opportunity to
perform publicly?
Does your department offer any study
abroad opportunities?
 What
type of internship opportunities do you have available?
Students in the music program are involved in a variety of practical
learning experiences. Several students have received valuable
training through internships at recording studios, radio and television
stations, churches, and music retail businesses. Some specific
examples of local businesses our students have worked for include
KQTV-2, Lanham Music, Creative Productions, and Sound Logic Recording
Studio. Students also conduct private lessons and help with Kindermusik
through the Western Institute Center for Arts and Culture. Music
education majors complete three semesters of in-school experience
in area elementary, middle or high schools.
Why are internship programs
important to the program?
Experience in the field is
beneficial to each student’s
education. Internships provide students
with a valuable hands-on experience that is difficult to duplicate
in the classroom.
What special facilities
does Western have for the music department?
The Thompson E. Potter Hall houses the Departments of Art, Music,
and Theatre. Music facilities, with acoustic renovation, include:
- Two theaters
- Three of the best Steinway grand
pianos in the Midwest
- State-of-the-art Digital Recording
Studio
- Computer labs
- “Smart” classrooms
with up-to-date presentation technology
- A professional music library
- Private teaching studios
- Numerous well-equipped practice
rooms
- Keyboard lab
Do students and faculty
work together on research projects?
Many of our students work one-on-one with faculty and in small
groups on an assortment of independent research projects. Some
opportunities include music composition, music literature research,
music analysis, music pedagogy research (private teaching), opera
workshop, jazz combos and chamber music ensemble.
What specific student
research opportunities are available?
Students have worked with faculty on research projects such as
the harmonic and formal analysis of Chopin Mazurkas, Beethoven
Piano Sonatas, Jazz Combo development and performance, and computer
music applications.
Do students present research
findings or performances at national conferences?
Numerous ensemble and individual student performers have received
juried invitations to perform at prominent regional and national
conferences. Specific opportunities include:
- Students received awards at the
Missouri Music Teachers Association
- Students selected to perform at
the Missouri Bandmasters Association
- Students selected to perform at
the National Bandmasters Association
 Do
students have the opportunity to perform publicly?
All
of our students, majors and nonmajors, perform publicly. A variety
of area organizations have developed partnerships with Western’s
music department, including St. Joseph Symphony Orchestra, St.
Joseph Community Chorus and Chamber Singers, and the Coleman
Hawkins Jazz Festival. These partnerships provide numerous opportunities
for student performances. Our department also receives many
requests to perform at area schools, churches, community organizations,
community events, as well as yearly regional touring activities.
Does your department offer
any study abroad opportunities?
Students have toured Europe in pursuit
of a deeper understanding of music in the modern world. The study
abroad opportunity is in the developmental stages.
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