I have been Director of Choral Activities at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL, since 1981. I'd like to think that we have a 'successful music program.'  I could write an entire thesis on this subject, but I'll reduce to a few comments.

 

It takes exactly what it takes at any institution of higher learning.

It takes a quality faculty.

It takes a visionary administration.

It takes a large enough pool of students.

It takes the attitude that one teaches people -- and that there is always teaching to be done.

It takes the ability to teach quickly and efficiently, because students transition quickly at community colleges.

And, -- this might be the truly unique factor -- it takes the ability to improvise, because conditions change quickly and unexpectedly.

 

Good luck,

Lee Kesselman

Director of Choral Activities

College of DuPage

 

 

 

Take a look at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, MI. They've become the first Steinway School in Michigan.

www.lakemichigancollege.edu

 

Hi Cody,

Some things we do at the community college where I work are:

  

    - Require all music majors to perform in ensembles

    - Offer many ensembles (we have 3 choirs, symphonic band, jazz band, orchestra, guitar ensemble, and contemporary music 

              ensemble - most are directed by full-time professors)

    - Require members of the auditioned choir to perform in the non-auditioned choir

    - Require music majors to take theory, aural skills, and piano simultaneously and require them to pass each course with a C or better 

          before advancing to ANY of the next level courses (for example, if you pass theory 1 and aural skills 1 but fail piano 1, you cannot go

          into theory 2, aural skills 2, and piano 2).

   -  Agressively recruit at orientation and in music appreciation classes and try to involve many non-majors in the ensembles

   -  Bring in guest performers every semester for recitals and/or masterclasses

   - Require 3 semesters of juries and 1 sophomore recital

   - Try to align our program with the first 2 years of any 4-year college music degree

   - Create partnerships with local 4-year colleges

 

Alice Cavanaugh

Suffolk County Community College, NY

Dear Cody,

 

A good Community College Music Program requires only a few things to succeed. These are qualified teachers who are actually involved in other performances outside of school (for instance, 6 of the Professors at my school play in the Albany Symphony Orchestra), really good classes such as Theory and Aural Skills, practice rooms (we ALWAYS need more practice rooms!!!), ensembles where both music and non-music majors can join, music classes that are open to non-music majors such as Music Fundamentals and Enjoyment of Music (Music History) ,and most importantly, dedicated students. Along with this our program requires that you must do 4 recitals (2 for Music Business), 4 semesters of Performance Concentration (2 for Music Business as well), 4 semesters of Theory and Aural Skills, 2 semesters of Lit and Style (Music History), 2 semesters of Conducting, and 3 semesters of piano for Music Majors.

 

Hope This Helps!,

Stacy Heller :)

Voice Major - Schenectady County Community College