The Music Program at Eastern provides opportunities to explore the history, theory, performance and criticism of music from Western and non-Western traditions. All music majors take a common set of foundation courses while choosing from one of two concentrations: Performance and Musicology: History, Composition and Criticism. In music classes, students engage in critical and analytical thinking, develop written and verbal communication skills, and practice creative expression.
Music students also take advantage of advanced training opportunities tailored to their unique interests and goals, including independent study, internships, senior capstone projects and study tours. The Music Program presents a full season of concerts and recitals featuring students and faculty, as well as performances and lectures by guest artists, which expose students and the community to music of varied styles, eras, practices and global locations.
There are many performance ensembles available for students, regardless of their chosen major, including Eastern Chamber Singers, Opera Workshop, Jazz and Percussion Ensembles, Eastern Wind Ensemble, and many other unique chamber ensembles. In addition, two large ensembles at the core of the Music Program ‑– the Eastern Concert Chorale and Eastern Concert Band ‑– also welcome members of the community to participate.
Eastern’s Music Program is active in taking its musicians on the road, showcasing students to audiences near and far. In addition to frequent local performances and concerts, the Eastern Concert Chorale traveled to Vienna, Austria, for Mozart’s 250th anniversary, and has performed at Carnegie Hall on five separate occasions. The Eastern Chamber Singers have toured up and down the Eastern seaboard; performed in Montreal, Canada and Puerto Rico; and recently performed with international performing artist Josh Groban. The Opera Workshop has toured with children’s opera, and has represented the Music Program at academic conferences. The Eastern Concert Band and Percussion Ensembles, among others, have also performed to appreciative audiences in local and regional settings.
Recent Music Program graduates perform with internationally acclaimed ensembles; have become music teachers and private instructors; are pursuing graduate study in music and other performance disciplines; and are successful composers and arrangers.
For more information about the Music Program, visit www.easternct.edu/performingarts/music.
