Why Study Music?
Studying music teaches discipline, develops analytical and creative habits of the mind, and leads to understanding the performing arts’ place in culture—both past and present. Being a music major requires energy, determination, and a willingness to think creatively and critically. Studying music also cultivates confidence, tenacity, collaborative skills, and an ability to grow through criticism. Music career paths range from performance to management, teaching, and publishing.
Why Study Music at Eastern?
Housed in the state-of-the-art Fine Arts Instructional Center, Eastern’s Music program provides theoretical and hands-on opportunities that emphasize the history, theory, performance, and criticism of music and musicians from Western and non-Western traditions. Three concentrations are available — Performance; Musicology: History, Composition and Criticism; and Music Industry and Leadership. Students benefit from many ensembles, personal instruction on a variety of instruments and voice types, and a variety of facilities: a 400-seat concert hall, a proscenium theater, a studio theater, two performance labs, a piano lab, and several graphic design classrooms. A Music minor is also available.
Salary Potential
Median salary, Music Directors/Composers
* U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Hands-on Learning
Private Lessons
Music students receive advanced training from faculty in many different areas, including voice, piano, guitar, strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion.
Performance Ensembles
Music students take advantage of opportunities to perform on and off campus. On-campus concerts take place in the new Fine Arts Concert Hall, while off-campus performances have included two concerts with renowned vocalist Josh Groban.
Tours
Performance destinations have included tours to Boston; Washington, DC; Carnegie Hall in New York City; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and the Bösendorfer Music Festival in Vienna, Austria.
Faculty Spotlight
Okon Hwang
Professor
“Everyone contributes to create a positive and productive learning environment. I learn from students as much as they learn from me.”
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Anthony Cornicello
Professor and Department Chair
“I love showing students music that they most likely have not encountered — whether it’s jazz or classical. Quite often, there is a wonderful positive reaction that makes it all so worthwhile!”
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David Belles
Professor
“We perform music from as far back as medieval times, as well as music in multiple languages. In addition, music is a vehicle for students to travel and experience cultures other than those they have experienced.”
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Jeffrey Calissi
Associate Professor
“My favorite percussion instrument is the marimba for several reasons. It is the most musical and accessible for both performer and audience, not to mention the sound of rosewood being unique and beautiful.”
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Career Options
Students who pursue undergraduate degrees in Music can have rewarding and successful careers in a variety of professional fields, including:
- Arts Administration
- Composition/Songwriting
- Conducting
- Musicology/Ethnomusicology
- Instrumental Performance and Pedagogy
- Music Education
- Music Production
- Music Therapy
- Performer (Voice and Instrumental)
- Enthomusicology
Successful Alumni
Recent graduates from Eastern’s Music program 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 contact
Emily Riggs
Associate Professor of Music
riggse@easternct.edu
(860) 465-0384
In the News
'Under a Starry Sky' gives auctioneers an enchanted evening
March 12, 2025
The Department of Music at Eastern held a fundraiser for its opera theatre program in the form of an elegant silent auction and cocktail hour on March 8 in the Fine Arts Instructional Center (FAIC). Themed “Under a Starry Sky: An Evening of Songs from the Great American Songbook,” the event showcased music students and alumni in a series of vocal performances.
Alumni Testimonials
Music
Melinda DeDominicis ’15
Melinda DeDominicis received her Masters in Arts Administration from FSU and is now campaign manager for Cygnet Theatre. “I credit my success in the field of arts administration to the well-rounded and individualized education I received at Eastern. As a graduate student, I’m often reminded of the expansive skillset I have to offer as both a musician and an academic.”
Theatre/Opera
Alexis Kurtz ’16
Alexis combined her acting and directing concentration with an interest in musical theatre and opera. “I had the privilege to take private voice lessons with Dr. Riggs for all four years at Eastern. She respects my love of musical theatre, so in addition to the classical foundation required for private voice study at the University, she constantly provided me with opportunities to put my character work to use.”
Business Development
Alex Smith ’12
Music major Alex Smith works for Parlor Coffee. She is also a drummer who has played with orchestras in New York City, performed at major productions such as South by Southwest, and toured the United States with different rock bands. “As a music student at Eastern, I learned how to appreciate music, how to compose music and how to listen to music.”
Business Advisor
Matthew Nemeth ’13
Music major Matthew Nemeth is a professional saxophone player as well as a business advisor with the Connecticut Small Business Development Center. “The music department at Eastern teaches much more than how to play and compose music. As part of the wind and jazz ensembles, one of my biggest takeaways was how to be a leader. These experiences gave me the tools to succeed as a business advisor.”
Ph.D. Student
Kelsey Fuller ’15
Music major Kelsey Fuller has a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the University of Colorado and is access services supervisor at Fairfield University. She also has written a book on Norse mythology. “At Eastern I explored my interests in various styles of music performance, composition and research, especially within the field of ethnomusicology."
Music Major
Jesse Steinmetz ’19
Jesse Steinmetz is the producer for Under the Radar at GBH, the NPR affiliate in Boston. He got his start at Eastern’s student-operated radio station. “Having the opportunity to get hands-on experience in a professional studio was exactly what I needed to launch my career.” After graduating, Jesse interned at WNPR in Hartford before working for three years at WFAE in Charlotte, NC.