Music

The Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music

The Conservatory of Music at Baldwin Wallace is an artistic community within a liberal arts university, where the lives of students of all ages are transformed in pursuit of personal and professional excellence through the humanizing discipline of music.

Founded in 1899 by organist and Bach scholar Albert Riemenschneider, the Conservatory offers a professional training program enhanced by a liberal arts curriculum.  In this program, students must meet rigorous academic and musical standards and achieve a high level of accomplishment.  The Conservatory provides a learning environment small enough for individual attention but also large enough for significant ensemble performing opportunities.  The Conservatory is also home for the internationally-known Riemenschneider Bach Institute, the Jones Music Library, the Community Arts School serving 4,000 participants of all ages throughout northeast Ohio, and the Cleveland Music Therapy Consortium.  The Conservatory is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music and offers the following degrees:

• Bachelor of Music (BM):
     Music Performance (Instrumental)
     Music Performance (Keyboard)
     Music Performance (Voice)
     Music Theatre
     Music Theatre Direction
     Music History and Literature
     Music Theory
     Music Composition
     Music Therapy
• Bachelor of Music Education (BME)
• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
      Music
      Music Industry

These Conservatory of Music degree programs are designed for students with outstanding talent and a desire to pursue music as a profession or advanced graduate study.  Double majors and/or double-degree programs may be pursued in consultation with the Conservatory Academic Affairs office, and usually require additional semesters of study.  An Emphasis program may be combined with a music major and could require additional semesters of study. 

Non-majors are encouraged to enroll in Conservatory survey courses, private study and/or ensembles (by audition).  Please see individual course descriptions for more information about these opportunities.

Requirements for Graduation

In addition to completing successfully all course and non-course requirements for their specific degrees and majors, all Conservatory students must complete the following:

1. Performance attendance - 6 semesters (4 semesters for BA in Music; 2 semesters for BA in Music Industry).
2. Departmental recitals - Mandatory during all semesters of Primary Instrument private study.
3. Jury examinations - Number and timing determined by individual departments.
4. Piano proficiency – Secondary piano study required (for all non-piano primaries) every semester until requisite proficiency level is attained; a total of 4 semesters of secondary instrument required for all majors except Music Theatre and BA in Music (2 semesters). Music Industry major has no secondary instrument requirement.
5. Ensemble participation - Number of semesters varies by major; particular ensemble assignments determined by audition on the primary instrument:

• Wind and percussion players - wind bands
• String players - orchestra
• Singers - choirs
• Guitarists- ensemble determined according to secondary instrument or voice
• Piano performance majors - major ensemble during freshman year and Collaborative Piano during remaining three years
• Organ performance majors - three years of major ensemble and one year of Collaborative Piano
• Other majors with keyboard as primary instrument - ensemble assignment determined according to secondary instrument or voice.
• Qualified students may participate in more than one ensemble per semester.

6. Sophomore review - Assessment of students’ academic and musical progress; requirements determined according to each major or by department. (Not required for the BA in Music or the BA in Music Industry).
7. GPA of 3.0 in primary instrument in addition to the University requirement of an overall GPA of 2.0. Not required for the BA in Music or Music Industry major.
8. In accordance with University policy, a maximum of four credits of D grades in MUC courses. (Some majors have additional requirements; see specific curricular listings.)

Community Arts School

The Community Arts School (CAS) is a non-degree-granting divisional school that offers quality arts education to University students, faculty, staff and community members. The Community Arts School calendar aligns with the campus academic year, consisting of two semesters (fall and spring) and a flexible summer session. Community Arts School faculty include full-time and adjunct members of the Baldwin Wallace University faculty as well as student instructors who have successfully completed pedagogy requirements.

Students of all ages and levels can receive group class instruction in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts. Singers and instrumentalists may audition for placement in a wide array of large ensembles (choirs, bands, and orchestras) and chamber ensembles. Private Lessons in dance, music, and theatre are also available.

The Community Arts School also offers a wide range of summer arts programs for middle and high school students in addition to professional development courses for music educators. Contact the Community Arts School office at 440/826-2365, cas@bw.edu, or www.bwcommunityarts.bw.edu for more information.