LYNCHBURG, VA - Music students in Lynchburg have a choice to make after high school graduation: do they want to go to school for music? If they do, where should they go? In Lynchburg, Virginia, three schools offer music programs varying in size and available choices: the University of Lynchburg, Randolph College, and Liberty University. Each choice is different in size, and in programs.
The University of Lynchburg
The University of Lynchburg currently offers two degree programs for music majors: a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education with an instrumental or vocal emphasis and Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance with the same choices in emphases. There are also four options for a music minor available (music for children, music history, music performance, and music media). However, the University is adding a Bachelor of Arts in Music, to allow students to have more flexibility within their degree. Dr. Cynthia Ramsey, the department chair for the University of Lynchburg, said that the question at the core of this was, "How can we build you a program around what you want to do?"
Ramsey (pictured in the gallery above) works alongside Dr. Kara Dean, Professor Jeremy Craft, and other faculty members with projects such as recruiting incoming music students; Ramsey individually emails all of the incoming freshmen that have identified themselves as musicians. She hopes to make a connection with each individual student, instead of the department sending out an electronic notification to the (hopefully) future freshmen class.
At the ending of each academic year, usually in May, the music department holds a "faculty retreat," in which they discuss the previous year and what they would like to peruse in the fall. Tasks are delegated to different faculty for completion, and from there, the teaching schedule is constructed based on the professors' plan and the needs of the students. Some classes are not offered every year in order to have enough students in the course, so they must be placed in a time slot so that the students that do need them can get the credits they need.
Concerning the different ensembles on campus, Ramsey said:
Online course are also available for students at the University of Lynchburg. Music Appreciation and World Music are both offered online, and serve to fulfill general education and music requirements. This gives some flexibility to students, especially those with rigid schedules, like athletes or nursing students.
Opportunities for Students
The University of Lynchburg also has opportunities for students that help hone their skills and help prepare them for their future careers. Music education students must go through student teaching as a part of their program, and many of the music performance majors will take a second major or go onto graduate school. Students may also take part in service learning projects, or enter into an internship with a local band, church, etc. The University of Lynchburg does not have a marching band, so internships such as these become important so that students can get those experiences.
Education majors can also obtain teaching experience through Music Bridge, which is a student run program. Twenty underprivileged students in grades 1-5 that have been identified by their churches or community are brought to the University to do music lessons.
Ramsey said there was a "hidden curriculum" in the music program. She was referring to the concepts and skills learned in a class outside of the basic material- things like learning to write, and improving time management. This also means students are learning to juggle a large workload while taking care of themselves, physically and mentally. Ramsey stated that different students come into college at different places in their life and levels of maturity, and the same is true of when they leave, adding that she was unsure if anyone was really ready immediately after graduation. "Keep the faith that there is something out there you were meant to do," she said.
Keeping the Students Satisfied
Evaluating student satisfaction at the University of Lynchburg music department comes through several methods. Ramsey explained that there are course evaluations which are anonymous and available for students to fill out at the end of every semester, as a way to reflect on a course and offer student feedback. Because the music department is smaller, professors are often able to communicate with students directly as well and determine their wants and needs on an individual basis. Students may also be asked for musical preferences or suggestions as a way of being involved in their course work.
If students are struggling in their courses, the music faculty (including Ramsey) are widely available for discussion and potential assistance. As Ramsey said, "you are paying a tuition to know this information," and these professors are there to make sure you do. If a student is noticeably struggling, a professor may contact them directly and invite them to their office for what Ramsey calls a "coaching session." Here, rather than a lecture or a student being reprimanded, the student and professor work together to bring the student to where they need to be.
Thoughts on the Department: Success, Struggles & Progress
Ramsey also spoke about the growing department and the challenges of fitting everyone into the appropriate spaces. This year, the concert choir had to chance rehearsal locations because they no longer fit into Helen Wood Recital Hall with 55 singers. However, Ramsey stated that when she brings numbers and issues such as this to the University, they are willing to help so that everyone can get what they need.
Data
The data in the charts below is from the National Center for Education Statistics (click arrows for more).
The data from the following charts is from a small sample of students who responded to a survey distributed via Google Forms. Please note that this sample is not large enough to be statistically viable (click arrows for more).
Randolph College
Randolph College offers two music degrees as well: a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Music Performance. Randolph also offers a minor program in music. Emily Chua (pictured above), the department chair at Randolph, said that sometimes students will switch between majors. The BA in music allows students some "wiggle room" for those who aren't performance oriented and wouldn't want a recital to be the culminating project of their degree.
While Randolph's degree options seem limited, Chua stated that is actually allows for several options. Students can learn to compose music and collaborate with others while pursuing their degree. Those looking to become music educators will still be working to meet their requirements for educational licensure while at Randolph as well; Chua stated that Randolph is not large enough to offer a specific degree for education. There are currently no music courses available online, but there is work being done to make that a possibility out of growing demand for the option.
The department is indeed small, with three full time faculty working with other adjunct professors. Chua explained that as a result, each professor (including herself) will teach multiple courses, which allows for heavy interaction with each student on an individual level.
Chua said this about the Chorale and the Chamber orchestra on Randolph's campus, which are currently the main musical ensembles.
She then went on to explain that Randolph also has a jazz vocal group students may audition for called Touch of Harmony that travels as "singing ambassadors" for the college. Small chamber groups have come and gone over the years as well, depending on student ability and interest.
Opportunities for Students
Concerning student opportunities, Randolph provides students with multiple options for performances, including shows with the Opera on the James and the Lynchburg Symphony. Students may also take part in an internship with one of the churches in the area, the Opera on the James, or with the Lyric Opera of Chicago for their summer program.
Chua also said that students have multiple opportunities to apply skills through their music program that can be used outside of the music world. Critical thinking and learning systematic ways of approaching a problem, for example, applies to most situations, regardless of the subject at hand. Developing a student's focus and discipline, as well as assisting them in working towards long-term goals will also be beneficial, regardless of whether said student goes into music or something entirely different.
Because of the small department size, professors and students are able to have more interpersonal connections. Chua said that the department tracks the progress of their students, both in their classes and their ability during a performance.
Keeping the Students Satisfied
Similarly to the University of Lynchburg, Randolph College provides course evaluations for the students to provide individual feedback. Chua said that the graduating students are also given the National Survey of Student Engagement to complete as an exit survey concerning their overall experience. The music department itself does not do an evaluation separate from the requirements of the institution, however, the faculty advisers and their engagement with the students is likely to bring feedback as well.
Struggling students have help available as well. According to Chua, professors are frequently available if there are questions or if extra help is necessary. Because of the department size, a professor may notice that a student is struggling and may address it with them, or come to the other faculty for ideas of how to meet the present need. There are also students that have been identified as available tutors if needed, particularly for courses that tend to be more challenging, such as much theory. Randolph College also has their Academic Services Center. This includes tutor assistance, a writing lab, and other access to similar services.
Thoughts on the Department: Success, Struggles & Progress
Chua went on to say that the perspective of a liberal arts institution was unique, and offered a different perspective which impacts how the college serves its students. The music department actively strives to function within the curriculum while also keeping it current with the outside world; Randolph also pays attention to the social culture around them, and seek to include diversity in things like their performances and the composers they choose from. Finally, she said that there are always things to be improved, though she hopes the students are proud to be at Randolph College.
Data
The data in the charts below is from the National Center for Education Statistics (click arrows for more).
The data from the following charts is from a small sample of students who responded to a survey distributed via Google Forms. Please note that this sample is not large enough to be statistically viable (click arrows for more).
Liberty University
Liberty University's music department is actually an entire school of music, with two parts: the Center for Music Education and Performance, and the Center for Music and Worship. The Center for Music Education and Performance is focused on applied music, music education, music theory, music history, and band, while the Center for Music and Worship has a department of commercial music and multi-ethnic music studies, as well as music and worship studies (though they also cover applied music).
Combined, the two centers provide 29 degree programs to choose from, (including graduate programs). These programs range, from a Bachelor of Science in Music and Worship, to a Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music to a Bachelor of Science in Worship Studies.
Timmy Williamson, the Director of Communication for the Liberty University School of Music, said that they are able to tailor degrees and assignments around the needs and goals of the student. As he put it, "If the Lord has called you to Liberty then we've got a degree for you." Dr. Vernon Whaley, the Dean of the School of Music (pictured above) also said that the teaching begins at the level needed for the students, instead of assuming there's been previous education. The example he gave was expecting students to know how to read music upon entering the program.
Williamson had this to say about the ensembles at Liberty:
Liberty University offers several courses online- in fact, some of their degree programs, like the Doctor of Worship Studies, is only available online. Williamson said that there are those that may want a degree in something like music worship, but are unable to physically make the move to Lynchburg because of their lives (job, family, etc.) so this was Liberty's way of trying to meet that need.
Opportunities for Students
Williamson said that there were many opportunities for performance at Liberty University, including large ensembles, small ensembles, and student recitals. There are also large events that provide chances for performances; there's Christmas on the Boulevard in the fall semester, and a large night of worship at Thomas Road Baptist Church in the spring. "All of life is worship," according to Williamson, and Liberty tries to teach their music students that concept during their time at the university.
Students pursuing music education will go through student teaching and the process of obtaining their license to teach. Additionally, students are required to do an internship during their time at Liberty, according to Whaley, to give them experience in their desired field. Williamson also said that they are working to add more internship options in other areas, to provide more choices.
Keeping the Students Satisfied
Williamson said that there are end of course surveys, like at Randolph College and the University of Lynchburg. He also said that the school has freshmen and sophomore reviews, in which students are evaluated on their standing and progress. Here, students can also give input on what they think would be beneficial going forward.
There is also a lot of one-on-one interaction with students, according to Williamson. The professors genuinely care about the students, treat them like adults, and are willing to receive feedback from the students they work with.
For students struggling at Liberty, Williamson said they have different ways of finding help. The professors, coordinators, department chairs, etc. are willing to work with a student, and the four deans (one head, three associate) are available to meet with students as needed. Graduate students can also be found helping in the classrooms and offer regular tutoring sessions to other students.
On campus, there is a Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Collegiate Chapter that is student run. They put together workshops to address things such as performance anxiety, and hold community music clinics as well.
Thoughts on the Department: Sucess, Struggles and Progress
Whaley also said that he was excited about the way things are going at the school of music. There has been growth, like in the symphony orchestra, and progress towards further improvements.
Data
The data in the charts below is from the National Center for Education Statistics (click arrows for more).
The data from the following charts is from a small sample of students who responded to a survey distributed via Google Forms. Please note that this sample is not large enough to be statistically viable (click arrows for more).
As high school seniors are browsing potential colleges and universities, those same institutions are sending emails and attempting to recruit soon-to-be graduates to be a part of their next freshman class. For the Lynchburg area, this is even more so. All three of these universities are within 20 minutes of each other by car- which creates the potential for some competition. Each one is different in size and character, down to the department. Although the music departments vary widely in some cases, each one has advantages for its students.
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