Music Department Features

The Music Department sees its purpose in the context of the world of music and its relation to life experience. This experience can be arranged into three areas of human thought and endeavor: spirituality (faith), education (academics), and service.

The spiritual aspect involves a musical experience in terms of Christian values and imperatives: to develop and employ musical talent as outreach, to improve the quality of spiritual life for oneself and others, and to develop an enhanced understanding of God. This is achieved through an increased appreciation of creativity and the emphasis of the brotherhood of all people, regardless of culture, through the recognition of their commonality within the family of God.

In the area of academic education the Music Department is committed to developing the understanding and skills in performance, historical and theoretical studies, creativity and evaluation. Music graduates are prepared to function successfully in the musical pursuit of their choice, whether teaching in schools or in the studio, performing on stage or in church, going on to graduate studies, or using music as an avocation while preparing for a career in a different position.

Music adapts especially well to, and has great efficacy in, providing service to others, whether through entertainment, concerts and recitals, religious services, community events, or service to the public relations and enrollment activities of the college. Hence, the department provides numerous and extensive opportunities for both faculty and students to participate in service to the immediate community and society at large, as well as to the institution.

The Society of Pi Kappa Lambda is the only college honor society in music, and is so recognized by its membership in the Association of College Honor Societies. Since its establishment more that seventy years ago, Pi Kappa Lambda has consistently adhered to the principles of its founders in honoring scholarship, musicianship, and personal character.

Pacific Union College joined PKL on May 19, 1995, when Dr. Robert Blocker, currently Dean of the School of Music at Yale University, came to our campus for the charter ceremony of our Theta Zeta Chapter. Only about two hundred colleges and universities nationwide have ever been approved for membership in Pi Kappa Lambda, and PUC is only the ninth to join from the state of California.

Why choose the Associate of Science in Music Degree?

Many students enjoy music but are afraid to major in music because of the concern that they might not be able to be employed after completing college. This degree offers several options:

1. Earn a degree in only two years. Some students want to earn a degree from a Seventh-day Adventist institution without having to spend four years in college. The Piano Pedagogy Module prepares one to teach in a private studio. The Church Music Module helps prepare one for leading out in music in a church setting-including salaried positions in some churches.

2. Complete a music degree while also earning a baccalaureate degree in another area of study. For example, one can complete a science or business major while still getting an associate degree in music. This student once took a minor in music, but the AS Music degree actually awards a diploma and requires only five hours more than the previous minor.

3. Build a foundation for other degrees in music. Some students thoroughly enjoy music and would like to make music their life's profession, but they are unsure of their abilities. This program can help them see whether or not they wish to continue earning higher degrees in music or not. An additional 30 hours in music can earn one the Bachelor of Science in Music, and/or one could also continue toward the Bachelor of Music in Performance or Music Education.

For details about the other academic offerings at PUC please refer to the Music Department Guidesheets. For more information email Lorraine Field, in the Music Department or call the phone number shown below.

The Musical Arts Symposium is the organization of musical students who are dedicating themselves to the development of those who study music at PUC. The officers for previous years organized parties, served as ushers for campus recitals and sponsored trips to the San Francisco Opera and University of California at Davis.