There is a distinctive vibrancy to a Sunderman Conservatory education.
The Conservatory offers three music degrees and an extraordinary range of opportunity for all students. As part of Gettysburg College, the Conservatory resides within an energetic liberal arts community that blends academic pursuits and engaged commitment to a broad spectrum of activities, service and creative endeavors.
But most of all, the Conservatory prides itself on the synergy between its students and the notable faculty who span the breadth of musical excellence. Indeed, it's this invaluable sharing of ideas, creativity and knowledge that enables Conservatory students to develop their voices as musicians as they rise to their full potential as adults.
The Sunderman Conservatory is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
Bachelor of Arts in Music
The Bachelor of Arts in music degree is designed for students with serious preparation for and interest in the study of music within a liberal arts context. Students build strong musical foundations through performance, applied study, music theory, music history, and world music. Advanced work in the major continues with a selection of courses that serve to concentrate and contextualize students' understanding of music.
Some students may choose to work with a faculty mentor to focus on particular areas of interest within music (for example, composition, conducting, teaching, jazz studies, musicology, ethnomusicology) through coursework, independent study, or internships.
The BA in Music offers a broad array of options, including the opportunity to pursue a second major or a minor in another disciplinary field. Graduates have gone on to pursue careers in music performance, composition, conducting, teaching, musicology, and ethnomusicology and in related fields such as arts management, arts marketing, music recording, and music librarianship. Others have completed graduate or professional programs in law, medicine, chemistry, physics, math, and numerous other fields while continuing to remain involved in music as an avocation. Admission to the Bachelor of Arts in Music is by audition.
Major Requirements
- MUS_CLAS 141, 142, 210, 211, 212, 241, 242, 442
- One additional restricted elective course in music theory or history at the 300-level (MUS_CLAS 304, 318, 341, 342) or other with Conservatory approval
- Major ensemble participation on the student’s principal instrument/voice all semesters in residence
- Minimum of 6 semesters of applied lessons at the 200 level on the student's principal instrument/voice. Concurrent registration in applied lessons required during semester of senior capstone
- Senior Capstone (Mus 456)
Bachelor of Music in Performance
This 36-course degree typically leads to graduate work in performance for those who seek careers as performers and studio teachers. It also provides the foundation for those pursuing careers as singers in opera and musical theater, as instrumentalists in orchestras and bands, as solo recitalists, collaborative pianists, conductors, college instructors, and church musicians. It is considered a professional music degree with approximately two-thirds of the course work in music. Admission to the Bachelor of Music is by audition.
Major Requirements
Voice Track
- Eight semesters of Applied Study that includes a weekly studio class and, during the junior and senior years, preparation and performance of the junior and senior recitals (MUSIC 157, 158, 257, 258, 357, 358, 457, 458; 1.0 course units each)
- Major ensemble participation on the student’s principal instrument/voice all semesters in residence (0.25 course units each)
- One semester of Chamber Music (MUS_ENS 191; 0.25 course units)
- Two semesters of MUS_CLAS 250 Opera Workshop
- Vocal Diction 1 and 2 (MUS_CLAS 207, 208; 0.50 course units each)
- Vocal Literature 1 and 2 (MUS_CLAS 213, 214; 0.50 course units each)
- Vocal Pedagogy (MUS_CLAS 334; 0.50 course units)
- Five courses in music theory (Mus_Clas 141, 142, 241, 242, and a choice among the following: 304, 341, or 342)
- Conducting (Mus_Clas 205)
- Four courses in music history (Mus_Clas 210, 211, 212, 442)
- An elective course.
Voice students must also take one year minimum studying each of two approved languages, which are Italian, French, German, and Spanish.
Keyboard Track
- Eight semesters of Applied Study that includes a weekly studio class and, during the junior and senior years, preparation and performance of the junior and senior recitals (MUSIC 157, 158, 257, 258, 357, 358, 457, 458; 1.0 course units each)
- Major ensemble participation on the student’s principal instrument/voice all semesters in residence (0.25 course units each)
- Two semesters of Chamber Music (MUS_ENS 191; 0.25 course units each)
- Four semesters of Accompanying
- Keyboard Literature (MUS_CLAS 332; 0.50 course units)
- Keyboard Pedagogy (MUS_CLAS 334; 0.50 course units)
- Five courses in music theory (MUS_CLAS 141, 142, 241, 242, and a choice among the following: 304, 341, or 342)
- Conducting (Mus_Clas 205)
- Four courses in music history (MUS_CLAS 210, 211, 212, 442)
- Four elective courses.
Strings Track
- Eight semesters of Applied Study that includes a weekly studio class and, during the junior and senior years, preparation and performance of the junior and senior recitals (MUSIC 157, 158, 257, 258, 357, 358, 457, 458; 1.0 course units each)/li>
- Major ensemble participation on the student’s principal instrument/voice all semesters in residence (0.25 course units each)
- Seven semesters of Chamber Music (MUS_ENS 191/192; 0.25 course units each)
- String Literature (MUS_CLAS 332; 0.50 course units)
- String Pedagogy (MUS_CLAS 334; 0.50 course units)
- Five courses in music theory (MUS_CLAS 141, 142, 241, 242, and a choice among the following: 304, 341, or 342)
- Conducting (MUS_CLAS 205)
- Four courses in music history (Mus_Clas 210, 211, 212, 442)
- 3.5 elective courses.
Wind/Percussion Track
- Eight semesters of Applied Study that includes a weekly studio class and, during the junior and senior years, preparation and performance of the junior and senior recitals (MUSIC 157, 158, 257, 258, 357, 358, 457, 458; 1.0 course units each)
- Major ensemble participation on the student’s principal instrument/voice all semesters in residence (0.25 course units each)
- Seven semesters of Chamber Music (MUS_ENS 191; 0.25 course units each)
- Woodwind, Brass, or Percussion Literature (MUS_CLAS 332; 0.50 course units)
- Woodwind, Brass. or Percussion Pedagogy (MUS_CLAS 334; 0.50 course units)
- Five courses in music theory (Mus_Clas 141, 142, 241, 242, and a choice among the following: 304, 341, or 342)
- Conducting (MUS_CLAS 205)
- Four courses in music history (MUS_CLAS 210, 211, 212, 442)
- 3.5 elective courses.
Bachelor of Music Education
This 36-course degree prepares students for careers as music educators at all levels in public and independent schools upon graduation. The curriculum treats all aspects of music education, including general music, vocal/choral music, and instrumental music. Music education students are given a wealth of classroom experience prior to graduation and will develop the performance skills essential to good teaching through applied lessons, large and small ensemble participation, and an impressive variety of performance opportunities. Non-Western traditions and approaches to popular music are integrated throughout the music education curriculum. While the majority of graduates move immediately into a teaching career, some may also choose to pursue graduate work in music education or in music performance, composition, or arts administration. Approximately one-half of the coursework is in music, while another 15 percent is in education courses. Students earn Pennsylvania K-12 music teaching certification upon successful completion of all requirements. Admission to the Bachelor of Music Education is by audition.
Major requirements
- Music courses (MUS_CLAS 141, 142, 205, 210, 211, 212, 241, 242, 341)
- Music education courses (MUS_CLAS 120, 121, 149, 150, 152, 154, 156, 159, 320, 321, 410, 412, 440, 476)
- Education courses (MUS_CLAS 149, EDUC 201, 298/320, 340)
- Electives must include two semesters of a foreign language, two math courses, one writing course, and one literature course in American or British literature.
- Performance requirements include a degree recital performance, major ensemble participation on the student’s principal instrument/voice all semesters in residence, small/chamber ensemble for two semesters (MUS_ENS 191), applied study on the principal instrument/voice each semester in residence at the 200-level, and participation in an ensemble outside the student’s primary performance area for one semester (students whose primary area is instrumental to participate in a choral ensemble; students whose primary area is voice to participate in an instrumental ensemble)
- Other requirements include successful completion of a piano proficiency exam and all state education exams, as well as acceptance into music teacher education in the spring of the sophomore year (sophomore assessment and interview) and teacher education in the fall of the junior year
Music Minor
For students whose involvement with music and the Conservatory forms an essential aspect of their undergraduate career, the minor in music offers both formal recognition and structural coherence to their musical studies. The music minor encourages students to engage with musical theories, materials, and techniques, the study of music in history and culture, and performance. Admission to the music minor is by audition.
Music Minor Requirements
- Two courses in music theory (MUS_CLAS 141, 142)
- Two courses in musicology (MUS_CLAS 210, 212)
- Minimum of 4 semesters of major ensemble participation on the student’s principal instrument/voice (0.25 course units each)
- Minimum of 4 semesters of applied lessons (at the 100 level) on the student's principal instrument/voice culminating in a jury in the fourth semester of applied study. Music minors on Wagnild scholarships will enroll in applied study for a minimum of 4 semesters at the 200-level and follow guidelines for music majors with regard to applied study, including performance of a jury each semester of enrollment (0.25 course units each)