Bulldog Band rallying the crowd at a Zag basketball game.
Enjoy an update on Gonzaga’s Music Department. Information has been provided by David Fague of the department.
Overview of Music Department:
The Music Department offers 2 degrees:
1) B.A. Music (40% music classes, 60% other classes)
- Performance
- Composition
- General Studies
2) B.A. Music Education
Items of Interest:
Ensemble consists of 80% non-music majors. There are various “sub-ensembles” taken from the larger ensemble, both from instrumental and choral ensembles.
Symphony orchestra consists of approximately 1/3 students and 2/3 community members.
Pep/Bulldog Band was renamed to be the Bulldog Band. Bulldog Band has a more collegiate and competitive tone than “pep” band. Pep bands are also generally considered high school bands. David Fague is director of the Bulldog Band.
Bulldog Band consists of 90% non-music majors. Students new to the Bulldog Band (freshmen or otherwise) must sign up for either the music ensemble (3-4 days practice) or the Gonzaga Band Class. The Gonzaga Band Class lasts for 9 weeks and specifically prepares the student for the Bulldog Band. There is a drum line section to the Gonzaga Band Class.
The Bulldog Band plays only for the Men’s and Women’s Basketball games.
Facilities:
The Music Department now has 4 buildings. Annex 1 is used as a rehearsal hall and is a welcome addition. The Mansion is used primarily for offices. Gonzaga Music Department now has facilities that put it in a competitive market for recruiting students. A performing arts center is a goal for the future and needs donor support.
Accreditation:
The Music Department is up for accreditation (National Association of Schools of Music) in 2011 and will be determined in November. This allows the department more exposure and recruiting leverage, as well as provides additional leverage for the department with the University.
There are 1,100 4-year accredited music programs in the nation. It is rare for one department within a school to seek accreditation, however, this puts Gonzaga’s Music Department in a competitive position.
Scholarships and Fund-raising Needs:
Currently there are 4 types of scholarship awards which can be viewed on Gonzaga’s website at Music Scholarships – Gonzaga University. Students must audition for music scholarships. They are awarded to both music and non-music majors. Students must be in an ensemble and take private music lessons.
For donors interested in assisting the Music Department, the department is in need of upgrading pianos. The average age of the current pianos is 75 years. A suggested expense for upgrading all the pianos (approximately 20) would be $300k-$800k, depending on type and quality of the piano. Upgrading and/or replacing pianos is the one thing in the Music Department that would impact the experience of every one of their students.
Alumni News:
Bernie Sauer, ’01 – Teaches in Regis High School (girls) in Colorado. His choir(s) sing the National Anthem at the Colorado Rockies’ games. Sauer is also instrumental in helping recruit students from the area to come to Gonzaga.
If you are interested in giving opportunities related to the Music Department’s needs, contact Stephanie Rockwell at rockwell@gonzaga.edu or 509-313-6404.