Classical Liberal Arts Music Track

Introduction

The Music Track of the Classical Liberal Arts Major offers specialized instruction and experience in music, reinforcing and building on the solid foundation of the liberal arts core.

Students who choose to study under the Classical Liberal Arts major will receive a robust foundation in history, philosophy, biblical studies, literature, a classical language, and the distinctive Biblical Worldview and Pedagogy course sequence. The courses in the Music track add experience in Music Theory, Aural Skills, Conducting, Music Pedagogy, and Art and Worship in the Church. With this foundation, students may also participate in instrumental or vocal ensembles and will study applied music to complete their degree requirements.

A Word from the Director

“This program is one of the most exciting offerings at Patrick Henry College. It expands upon the best of what makes PHC distinctive -- its core curriculum -- and provides Biblical, practical, and philosophical foundations of how and why people learn, in addition to an excellent music curriculum, which is more robust than many music minors offered at other colleges.”

~Dr. Steven McCollum, Director of Music

Admission and Objectives

Due to the rigor of the course work, admission into the Music Track requires some significant pre-college musical experience. Interested students should have previous experience learning an applied musical skill (piano, voice, various instruments, etc.) and have the ability to read music.

If you have questions about this, please contact the Director of Music at PHC for clarification. Our objective is to equip skilled musical leaders who can serve their communities through their knowledge of the musical enterprise.

 

 

CLA Objectives:

• Improve research, writing, and speaking skills.
• Understand the function of the liberal arts as a means of transmitting knowledge in the Western tradition.
• Understand the role of the liberal arts in the formation of a Christian worldview.
• Develop a Biblical view of the unity of knowledge across the various disciplines of the liberal arts.
• Articulate a thorough integration of faith and learning.

 

 

Music Track Objectives:

• The ability to hear, identify, and work conceptually with the elements of music such as rhythm, melody, harmony, structure, timbre, texture.
• An understanding of, and the ability to read and realize, musical notation.
• An understanding of compositional processes, aesthetic properties of style, and the ways these shape and are shaped by artistic and cultural forces.
• An acquaintance with a wide selection of musical literature, eras, genres, and cultures. 
• The ability to develop and defend musical judgments.
• An ability to perform competently in a student’s chosen applied area.
• To see the degree requirements, visit the page for the Bachelor of Arts in Classical Liberal Arts: Music Track.

 

 

Scholarship

PHC offers the J.S. Bach Music Leadership Scholarship to support musicians who desire to steward their gifts and abilities as students of Patrick Henry College. Not limited to CLA: Music Track students, this scholarship is offered to all qualified students who wish to serve with their musical gifts during their time at PHC.