Department of Fine Arts

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

Statement of Purpose

The mission of the Department of Fine Arts is to provide the finest professional musical and visual art education to GWU students, and the finest performances and education to the community-at-large, while providing a well-rounded education that encompasses a liberal arts philosophy and Christian values while training students in the history, performance, exhibition, teaching, composition, business, creation and ministry of music and art. We also seek to stimulate interest in the arts, and strive to stimulate in our students an interest in serving the Greater Glory of God by serving others with art and music.

Goals

  • To provide a superior university education in art and music;
  • To provide ample opportunities to perform and compose the finest repertoire, both old and new, from all areas of the world, in all styles, and to provide a creative outlet for artists to display works; and
  • To stimulate interest in the arts and to inspire our students to strive to attain their highest potential as performers, teachers, composers, music ministers, music executives, and visual artists, and to use that potential to serve God and Humanity.

Statement of Objectives

Bachelor of Music Degree - COMPOSITION

Students who graduate with a major in Composition will:

Demonstrate technical proficiency that enables artistic creativity and self-expression;

Demonstrate an understanding of how the composer functions professionally in society;

Demonstrate the ability to compose and arrange music for private and public performance; and

Be prepare for advanced professional study in music.

Bachelor of Music Degree - ELECTIVE STUDIES IN MUSIC BUSINESS

Students will:

Be prepared for positions in all areas and at all levels of the music business industry;

Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the music business industry and

Possess an understanding of theoretical and historical knowledge, listening skills, a high level of proficiency in one area of applied performance, and basic skills in conducting and keyboard.

Bachelor of Music Degree - MUSIC EDUCATION

Students who graduate with a major in Music Education will demonstrate:

The knowledge base of learning, methodologies, social content, and professional development needed to teach in a private or public school setting;

The ability to perform and utilize musical understanding in the classroom and performance arenas; and

The competencies required to obtain North Carolina teacher licensure for grades K-12 in the fields of general music, instrumental, and vocal music.

Bachelor of Music Degree - PERFORMANCE

Students who graduate with a major in Music Performance will:

Demonstrate technical proficiency in the chosen concentration that will enable a high level of artistic self-expression in both solo and ensemble performance;

Demonstrate musical understanding based on knowledge of music fundamentals and historical styles and the ability to use this understanding in aural, verbal, and visual analyses;

Develop skill in composition and improvisation; and

Develop familiarity with technological resources so as to enhance research, composition, teaching, or performance.

Bachelor of Music Degree - SACRED MUSIC

Students who graduate with a major in Sacred Music will:

Understand the aesthetic principles found in sacred music used for worship and Christian education;

Demonstrate a continuing interest in the areas of music performance, worship, leadership, choral and instrumental conducting, and required communication skills; and

Think independently and critically concerning music, theology, and church music issues and their interrelationships.

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Students who graduate with a major in Music will:

Demonstrate technical proficiency that enables artistic creativity and self-expression;

Demonstrate the ability to compose and arrange music for private and public performance; and

Be prepared for a career in a music-related field.