About

American Roots Music (including Bluegrass)

American Roots Music majors take courses in the history of American folk, country, and bluegrass music along with private lessons and American Roots ensemble. They also complete the music composition seminar and do junior and senior recitals.

Composition

Music composition majors take composition seminars and private lessons along with courses in conducting and orchestration, 20th century music, computer music, and other electives, along with a senior recital or project.

General Music

General music majors take private lessons and participate in core ensembles each semester. They also complete the music composition seminar and either a senior recital or project.

Denison is also one of the few colleges that offers for-credit courses in the Alexander Technique.

Music History

Music history majors take at least four advanced history courses and participate in private lessons and ensembles, along with the music composition seminar and senior project.

Performance

Music performance majors (accepted by audition) take private lessons and core ensembles, a course in conducting and orchestration, and the music composition seminar, as well as junior and senior recitals.

Denison’s Ensemble-in-Residence program is unlike a traditional artist residency program. In addition to offering music students enriching experiences, knowledge, and opportunities beyond the curriculum, they fulfil Denison’s liberal arts mission by collaborating with faculty and students from across the campus.

Since 2014, acclaimed New York City-based string quartet ETHEL has been spending up to two weeks per semester on campus. In 2019, Grammy award-winning Third Coast Percussion joined us. We are thrilled to have these two ensembles enriching our experiences.

Their work has covered everything from debuting student composers’ works to creating an exhibition showcasing the sounds, images, and music of farms with environmental studies students. They’ve worked with creative writers and scientists. They’ve collaborated with dancers and athletes. They’ve helped students investigate issues within psychology, physics, communication, and studio art, among others.

Many students travel the country and the world participating in Denison’s Off-Campus Study program. Through summer programs and semester programs at European musical centers, students supplement their Denison education with amazing opportunities to learn and continue their musical studies.

Denison’s Summer Scholars program offers many opportunities for students to work in depth on a project with a Denison faculty member, whether it is research into performance practices, creating new music, or studying various performance techniques, students have delved into many areas of inquiry during the summer.

In addition, students serve as Vail Series Interns, supporting visiting artists and ensembles, and as Middleton Arts Liaisons, serving members of the community. Others have found internships in arts organizations and recording studios. As Denison expands opportunities in Columbus, even more opportunities await.

Many of Denison’s ensembles tour both domestically and internationally. These have been amazing experiences to share our music with others, whether here in the Midwest, on the East Coast, or in Italy, Bulgaria, China, or Iceland. Where will we go next?

Denison’s students and ensembles have been selected to perform and compete at statewide, regional, and national conferences and competitions. They have excelled at these opportunities.

Deeply grounded in the liberal arts, the department offers exposure to a broad array of musics across time and place. Classes, lessons, and ensembles are open to the entire campus, making music not only an integral part of life at Denison, but also a tool for connecting our students with the broader community. By modeling a vibrant community of musicians and audiences, we foster a culturally and ethically informed citizenship with a lifelong passion for the arts.