Academics > Department of Music
Department of Music
Department at a Glance
| Chair: | Prof. Margaret Hollis |
| Founded: | 1947 |
| Faculty: | 31 (full-time) |
| Students: | ~310 |
| Degrees: | BM, MM, Artist Diploma |
| NASM accredited: | Yes (since 1952) |
| Location: | Hartwell Music Hall |
| Phone: | (802) 555-0140 |
| Email: | music@acapa.edu |
Upcoming:
Apr 3 – Chamber Music Series: String Quartet Recital
7:30 pm, Caldwell Recital Hall. Free admission.
The Department of Music at ACAPA is one of the oldest and most respected conservatory-style programs in New England. Established at the college's founding in 1947, the department has trained generations of professional musicians, composers, conductors, and educators. The department offers intensive applied study alongside rigorous coursework in music theory, history, and ensemble performance within a close-knit artistic community of approximately 310 students.
Students work directly with an active faculty of 31, many of whom maintain international performance and publication careers. Ensemble participation is required every semester. Small studio class sizes — typically 8–12 students per applied area — ensure individual attention from the first year onward.
The department is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and holds membership in the College Music Society. Located in Hartwell Music Hall and the adjacent Craven Center for Musical Arts, the department occupies the north end of the ACAPA campus facing the Green Mountains.
Degree Programs
Bachelor of Music (BM)
The four-year Bachelor of Music is the department's primary undergraduate degree. It combines intensive applied study (one hour of private lessons per week) with a full complement of academic music courses. All BM students complete a junior jury and a public senior recital of 45–50 minutes. The BM is offered in four concentrations:
- Performance (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, piano, organ, voice, harp, guitar)
- Composition
- Conducting (choral and orchestral tracks)
- Jazz Studies (performance and arranging)
Total credits required: 128. Typical completion: 4 years.
Master of Music (MM)
The two-year Master of Music is a graduate professional degree designed for musicians who have completed a BM or equivalent. Coursework emphasizes advanced private study, graduate seminars, pedagogy, and scholarly writing. MM students present a full graduate recital (60–70 minutes) and complete a written thesis or project in their area of concentration. Concentrations mirror those of the BM, with the addition of a Music Pedagogy concentration.
Total credits required: 60. Admission requires audition and interview.
Artist Diploma (AD)
The Artist Diploma is a post-master's credential for exceptional performers who have completed a master's degree or conservatory equivalent and seek concentrated, high-level performance study without additional academic requirements. Artist Diploma candidates are expected to have established a music career and have demonstrated success through professional concert performances, competitions, and engagements. The program typically lasts two semesters. Students present two full recitals during the year and participate in the department's chamber series and masterclass program.
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Contact music-grad@acapa.edu for information.
Concentrations
Performance
The Performance concentration is the largest in the department. Students may specialize in orchestral instruments (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion), keyboard (piano, organ, harpsichord), voice, harp, or classical guitar. Each student is assigned a primary applied instructor in their instrument or voice type. Studio classes, performance seminars, and regular jury evaluations supplement private lessons. BM Performance students are required to complete one year of chamber music and one year in a large ensemble (ACAPA Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, or Chamber Choir).
Composition
The Composition concentration trains students in the craft of musical composition across a range of styles and media. Students develop skills in acoustic composition, electronic and electroacoustic music, music for film and media, and notation software. Private composition lessons are supplemented by weekly composition seminars and new music workshops. Composition students are expected to have their works performed by department ensembles each year. A portfolio review is required at the end of the sophomore year.
Conducting
The Conducting concentration offers both choral and orchestral tracks. Students study conducting technique, score reading, rehearsal psychology, and repertoire. Conducting students lead sections of the ACAPA Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Choir in rehearsal and in public performance. The concentration includes coursework in orchestration, choral arranging, and performance practice. Guest conductors participate in the department's annual conducting workshop each fall.
Jazz Studies
The Jazz Studies concentration offers training in jazz performance and jazz arranging/composition. Students participate in the ACAPA Jazz Ensemble, small combo classes, and improvisation workshops. The curriculum covers jazz theory and harmony, jazz history, transcription and ear training, arranging for large ensemble, and studio recording. The department maintains a close relationship with the Eastbridge jazz community; students regularly perform at local venues and festivals. A Jazz Arranging track is available within this concentration.
Faculty
The department employs 31 full-time faculty across applied studios, musicology, theory, and conducting. A selection of faculty appears below. View the full faculty directory »
| Name | Title / Area | Degree | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret Hollis | Chair; Professor of Music; Violin | DMA, Juilliard | View |
| David Carver | Professor; Piano | DMA, Eastman | View |
| Renata Szabo | Associate Professor; Voice (Soprano) | MM, Curtis Institute | View |
| James Okafor | Associate Professor; Composition | PhD, Yale | View |
| Linda Tran | Assistant Professor; Flute | MM, New England Conservatory | View |
| Robert Sievert | Professor; Music Theory | PhD, University of Michigan | View |
| Yolanda Ferris | Associate Professor; Cello | MM, Indiana University | View |
| Marcus Webb | Professor; Jazz Studies & Saxophone | MM, Berklee College of Music | View |
| Christine Almeida | Associate Professor; Choral Conducting | DMA, Boston University | View |
| Peter Nwachukwu | Assistant Professor; Orchestral Conducting | MM, Northwestern University | View |
| Sarah Drummond | Associate Professor; Music History & Musicology | PhD, Harvard | View |
| (+20 additional faculty) | Full faculty listing » | ||
Facilities
Music facilities are housed across two buildings: Hartwell Music Hall (1952, renovated 2008) and the Craven Center for Musical Arts (2001). Both buildings are open to music students 7 days a week.
Performance Spaces
| Venue | Capacity | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Caldwell Recital Hall | 280 seats | Student and faculty recitals, Chamber Music Series, guest artists, masterclasses |
| Craven Studio Theater | 120 seats | Informal recitals, composition workshops, new music concerts, opera scenes |
| Hartwell Main Rehearsal Room | — | ACAPA Symphony Orchestra rehearsals, large ensemble classes |
| Choral Rehearsal Hall | — | Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, choral conducting classes |
| Morrison Organ Chapel | 80 seats | Organ recitals, early music performances, chamber music |
Practice Rooms
Hartwell Music Hall contains 38 acoustically isolated practice rooms of varying sizes, including 4 large rooms suitable for brass and percussion. The Craven Center adds 12 additional practice rooms. All music majors receive a swipe-card key for after-hours access. Rooms may be reserved online up to 48 hours in advance through the Room Reservation System. Practice rooms are equipped with upright pianos; 8 rooms are equipped with Steinway grand pianos.
Rosen Recording Studio
The Rosen Recording Studio, located in the lower level of the Craven Center, is a professional-grade facility available to music students for sessions, recital recordings, and composition projects. The studio features a large live room, an isolation booth, and a control room equipped with a Pro Tools HDX system, analog outboard gear, and a comprehensive microphone collection. A staff recording engineer supervises all sessions. Students may book studio time through the department office beginning the second semester of their first year.
Other Facilities
- Electronic Music Lab – 18 workstations running Logic Pro, Ableton Live, Sibelius, and Max/MSP; located in Craven 104.
- Music Library Branch – Hartwell lower level; 14,000 scores, 8,000 recordings, listening stations; staffed by a specialist librarian.
- Instrument Lending Library – Departmental instruments available for loan: orchestral strings, woodwinds, brass, baroque instruments, percussion.
- Jazz Suite – Dedicated rehearsal space for jazz ensembles in Craven 207, with Hammond B-3, drum kit, bass amp, and PA system.
- Keyboard Lab – 20 Yamaha digital pianos with headphone monitoring; used for group piano, sight-singing, and ear training classes.
Chamber Music Series — Spring 2026
The ACAPA Chamber Music Series presents public concerts by faculty, students, and guest artists throughout the academic year. All events are free and open to the public and take place in Caldwell Recital Hall unless otherwise noted. Full series schedule »
| Date | Program | Artists | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 3 | String Quartet Recital | ACAPA Faculty String Quartet (Hollis, Adjei, Ferris, Park) |
7:30 pm |
| Apr 17 | Piano & Voice – German Lieder Evening | Renata Szabo, soprano; David Carver, piano | 7:30 pm |
| May 1 | Wind Quintet Program | ACAPA Graduate Wind Quintet | 7:30 pm |
| May 8 | Student Composition Forum | ACAPA New Music Ensemble | 7:00 pm, Craven Studio Theater |
| May 15 | Senior Recital Week (multiple dates) | Various BM graduating students | See schedule |
Ensembles
All degree students are required to participate in at least one ensemble per semester. Major ensembles include:
- ACAPA Symphony Orchestra – Full symphony orchestra; performs 3 major programs per year. Open by audition.
- Chamber Choir – Select 24-voice ensemble; performs with the orchestra and independently. Audition required.
- Concert Choir – Open choral ensemble, 60–80 voices. No audition required for music majors.
- Concert Band – Wind and percussion ensemble; performs 2 programs per year.
- ACAPA Jazz Ensemble – Big band format; performs at campus and regional venues. Audition required.
- New Music Ensemble – Focuses on 20th- and 21st-century repertoire; collaborates with the Composition area.
- Chamber Music Program – Students are assigned to coached chamber groups (piano trios, string quartets, wind quintets, mixed chamber). All BM students participate for at least 2 semesters.
- Early Music Consort – Performs baroque and Renaissance repertoire on period instruments. Contact the department for availability of baroque instruments.
Sample Course Offerings
A selection of courses offered by the Music Department. Full course catalog »
Theory & Musicianship
| Course # | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 101 | Music Theory I: Fundamentals, Voice Leading, and Diatonic Harmony | 3 |
| MUS 102 | Music Theory II: Chromatic Harmony and Form | 3 |
| MUS 201 | Ear Training and Sightsinging I | 2 |
| MUS 202 | Ear Training and Sightsinging II | 2 |
| MUS 303 | Counterpoint: Species and Free | 3 |
| MUS 304 | Post-Tonal Theory and Analysis | 3 |
| MUS 405 | Graduate Seminar: Form and Analysis | 3 |
| MUS 410 | Jazz Theory and Harmony | 3 |
Music History & Musicology
| Course # | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 110 | History of Western Music I: Antiquity through Baroque | 3 |
| MUS 111 | History of Western Music II: Classical through Romantic | 3 |
| MUS 212 | 20th-Century Music: Modernism and Beyond | 3 |
| MUS 315 | History of Jazz | 3 |
| MUS 320 | Music of the Americas | 3 |
| MUS 420 | Graduate Seminar: Topics in Musicology | 3 |
Applied / Studio
| Course # | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 151–451 | Private Applied Instruction (all instruments/voice, by level) | 2–4 |
| MUS 155 | Studio Class (weekly performance seminar by instrument) | 0–1 |
| MUS 260 | Chamber Music (coached small ensemble) | 1 |
| MUS 490 | Senior Recital | 2 |
| MUS 560 | Graduate Recital | 3 |
Composition & Technology
| Course # | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 221 | Introduction to Composition | 3 |
| MUS 222 | Orchestration and Score Reading | 3 |
| MUS 323 | Electronic and Electroacoustic Music | 3 |
| MUS 324 | Music for Film and Media | 3 |
| MUS 425 | Advanced Composition Seminar | 3 |
| MUS 327 | Music Notation Software (Sibelius/Finale/Dorico) | 2 |
Audition Requirements
Admission to all degree programs in the Music Department requires a live audition (or, for remote applicants, a recorded video audition by prior arrangement). Audition dates for Fall 2026 entry: February 7, February 21, and March 7, 2026. Register for an audition »
Bachelor of Music (BM) Audition
- Two or three contrasting solo works representing different style periods (e.g., Baroque, Classical or Romantic, and 20th/21st century). At least one work must be performed from memory.
- Performance and Jazz applicants may be asked to sight-read.
- An accompanist will be provided for wind and string applicants auditioning in Eastbridge; applicants may also bring their own accompanist.
- Voice applicants must prepare 4 selections in at least 2 languages, including one aria or art song in English.
- Composition applicants submit a portfolio of 2–4 recent works (written within the last 3 years), at least one of which must be for two or more instruments. Portfolio review replaces the live performance audition; selected applicants are invited for an interview.
- Conducting applicants submit a video of themselves conducting and are interviewed by faculty; finalists are invited to conduct an ensemble on campus.
- Jazz applicants perform two contrasting jazz standards, demonstrate improvisation, and may be asked to play prepared scales and modes.
Master of Music (MM) Audition
- Applicants should prepare material equivalent to a full graduate-level recital program (45–60 minutes of repertoire); auditions last approximately 20–25 minutes.
- Three contrasting works demonstrating technical command and stylistic range are required.
- A writing sample (music history or theory paper, 10–15 pages) is required for all MM applicants.
- Two letters of recommendation from musicians or teachers who can speak to your musical development and potential.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and conservatories attended.
Artist Diploma (AD) Audition
- Applicants must hold a master's degree or conservatory equivalent. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
- Submit CV and press kit by November 1 for spring review; faculty will advise on whether to proceed to live audition.
- Invited applicants prepare a recital-length program of contrasting material demonstrating high-level technical and artistic command. At least two stylistic periods must be represented.
- Artist Diploma applicants are required to provide their own pianist for the audition.
- An interview with the full faculty committee follows the audition.
All applicants must complete the ACAPA application for admission in addition to scheduling an audition. Application deadline for Fall 2026: January 15, 2026 (BM); December 1, 2025 (MM/AD — rolling thereafter until filled).
Student Resources
- Full Course Catalog – Music
- Faculty Directory
- Audition Registration & Requirements
- ACAPA Symphony Orchestra
- ACAPA Jazz Ensemble
- Chamber Music Series Schedule
- Rosen Recording Studio – Booking
- Practice Room Reservations
- Music Scholarships & Aid
- Music Student Handbook (PDF)
Contact
Department of Music
Hartwell Music Hall, Room 102
American College of Arts and Performing Arts
44 Craven Drive, Eastbridge, VT 05401
Phone: (802) 555-0140
Fax: (802) 555-0141
Email: music@acapa.edu
Graduate admissions: music-grad@acapa.edu