College and University Music Programs Key Terms

Brush up on college and university music programs key terms to maximize educational options

By Christine Pollock

When one works with a college or university music program, one realizes that there are many facets to the job. The education goes well beyond performance. Understanding college and university music programs key terms helps faculty and students understand all the program offers.

Music students learn a variety of musical standards from theory to world music. Knowing college and university music programs key terms helps students and faculty communicate with each other on the finer points of musical education.

Vocal

The term vocal refers to something that relates to the voice. Colleges and universities offering music courses frequently offer vocal lessons, educating students on ways to maximize vocal potential.
Try: You can learn more about a vocal program by reading the information on the voice program at the Musicians Institute.

Instrumental

Many colleges and universities offer instrumental lessons, even for non-instrumental majors. This term refers to performing on musical instruments, such as ones played in an ensemble, like a violin or trumpet.
Try: The University of Central Missouri offers a detailed look at what one might expect when attending a college or university for instrumental training. You can learn more by clicking on the link "Bachelor of Music Education: Instrumental Emphasis."

Composing

Composing courses at a university or college involve the creation of music through thinking and organizing music. It covers topics such as adapting pieces of music, arranging music, enriching musical pieces or creating totally new works of music.
Try: Go to the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University website for information on composition and music theory. This site discusses the benefits of this type of university and college education and explains what one might expect from the classes.

Conducting

Many universities and colleges offer a conducting education. This involves leading a musical performer or group such as an orchestra through a piece of music, generally with hand motions.
Try: SMU, a school of the arts, details courses one must take to receive a degree in conducting. It highlights the titles of the courses, as well as credit hours you receive for taking the courses.

Ethnomusicologist

An ethnomusicologist is one who studies a particular type of music from a certain region or people from its cultural or social viewpoint.
Try: The Center for Ethnomusicology at Columbia University offers a wealth of information and resources for an ethnomusicologist. It offers links to books, studies and music reviews.

Hazzan

Universities and colleges sometimes offer musical lessons for students interested in becoming a hazzan, also called a cantor. This is a person who conducts a liturgical religious service, generally Jewish, through chanting and the singing of prayers.
Try: Kehilat Shalom offers a detailed explanation of a hazzan, including training places. It highlights, Kimberly Komrad, a female hazzan.