Whether you see yourself performing in the spotlight, inspiring in the classroom, or creating magic in a recording studio, Quincy University can prepare you for a future of achievement. Our Music program offers the following degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts in Music, with a concentration in instrumental or vocal music
- Bachelor of Science in Music Education with a concentration in instrumental or vocal music and certification to teach in K– 12 classrooms
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Music Production [1.4.4]
- Minor in Music
All students wishing to major or minor in Music audition before members of the music faculty prior to acceptance as a Music major or minor. If you're ready to join a talented team of performers, your audition may qualify you for scholarships or grants, renewable for up to four years. The prestigious Hugh Soebbing Scholarship, for instance, carries an award of up to $6,500.
Quincy's Music program prepares you for a well-rounded degree in music, with particular emphasis on music history, music theory, literature, and performance. Junior and senior recitals cap the performance component of this degree. Our Music professors are experienced musicians and will mentor and guide you through the program. Additionally, our small class sizes allow for improved interaction among you and your fellow students and between you and your professors.
Outside the Classroom
Select instrumentalists hone their leadership skills as members of Quincy's student-run Kappa Kappa Psi honorary band fraternity. In addition, our ensembles include the following:
- Hawk Marching Band – Performs at all home football games, in addition to other various venues, with performances during pregame, halftime, and in the stands during games. Any Music and non-Music major students with musical talent are invited to audition.
- Brass Quintet – Comprised of the top five brass players at Quincy University. The group performs at any number of special occasions, including off-campus events. Repertoire includes standard brass quintet literature, special occasion music, and holiday classics.
- Concert Choir – The largest singing ensemble at Quincy University, the choir performs a variety of music with accompaniment or a cappella. Students with singing talent may register to be in Concert Choir.
- Chamber Choir – A 16-member a cappella singing group that performs a variety of music. Members are chosen from auditions at the beginning of each fall semester. The Chamber Choir holds the distinction of being the music department's elite singing ensemble.
- Guitar Ensemble – Consists of five to eight instrumentalists and comprised of students, alumni, and Quincy community members. The ensemble performs three to four concerts each academic year plus other university functions. The Guitar Ensemble hosts guest guitarists from various colleges, conservatories, and universities and has also performed at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. The Guitar Ensemble is offered as a university course for credit, and student participation is by audition only.
- Jazz Ensemble – Consists of 17 instrumentalists and comprised of students, alumni, and Quincy community members. The ensemble performs three concerts each academic year plus a special showcase concert featuring vocalists and small jazz groups. Jazz Ensemble is offered as a university course for credit, and student participation is by audition only.
- Jazz Combo – An ensemble consisting of three to six performing jazz musicians. The Jazz Combo performs in the special showcase concert and features jazz improvisation and original compositions. Jazz Combo is offered as a university course for credit, and student participation is by audition only.
- Hawk Pep Band – Sponsored by the athletic department to support school spirit at Quincy football and basketball games. The band is made up of approximately 20 top musicians that perform at all home games. The band is open to students of any major who complete a short audition.
- Symphonic Band - Made up of university students, alumni, and Quincy community members. The band performs at least two concerts per semester in addition to special university functions, such as graduation, Quincy All-School Mass, and other celebrations. In 2009, the band commissioned and premiered a brand new composition, Ars Antiqua, by alumnus Randall Snyder. The band is open to students of any major who complete a short audition.