Texas Lutheran University - The School of Music

The School of Music

The School of Music offers training on a professional level for those interested in pursuing careers in music and music education. It also offers various opportunities to students from all majors to enhance and develop their musical education by choosing to study music, either from the offerings (music history, literature or theory) or performance (piano, organ, instrumental, voice, and vocal or instrumental ensembles). Student interested in music have several performance options, including the annual Choir Tour and popular Christmas Vespers.

During the holiday season, Texas Lutheran holds its annual Christmas Vespers service. This is a celebration of the musical arts and spoken work and exhibits the large role music plays in the cultural history and Texas Lutheran Curriculum. Many people come from the local community of Seguin and surrounding cities to be moved and entertained by the TLU voices and instrumentation of this event.

The addition of music in the liberal arts curriculum makes sure that all students at Texas Lutheran University will have an opportunity to experience the important role that music can play in their cultural, aesthetic, and religious lives. The School of Music strives to bring to the forefront the appreciation of music among all members of the student body, and it offers professional training for those interested in a career in music.

Degree options include Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Music in All-Level Music Education: Instrumental Emphasis, Bachelor of Music in All-Level Music Education: Vocal Emphasis, Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance, Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, and Minor in Music.

Numerous scholarship award opportunities are available both for music majors and non-majors.

Da capo Award in Music - up to full tuition per year (By Invitation Only) The Da cap Award is the most distinguished award available. Students who have excelled in high school, who are admitted by Feb. 5 and who have indicated that they plan to major in music are invited to participate in PACE Day at TLU. On PACE Day, you compete through interviews and auditions for TLU's top scholarship award of up to full tuition. This scholarship is renewed for up to three additional years provided you maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Performance Awards Performance awards may not be combined with Academic Distinction awards but may be awarded in addition to other scholarships and are determined by the level of your participation. When participating in more than one ensemble or performance area, you may receive up to $2,000 from the combined Performance awards. Auditions are required and must be scheduled in advance.

Jones Fine Arts for Music Majors - $2,000 to $4,000 per year Jones Fine Arts for Dramatic Media Majors - $2,000 to $4,000 per year Jones Fine Arts Awards provide artistic and cultural recognition for outstanding musical and dramatic media performance to those students majoring in music or dramatic media who demonstrate a meaningful contribution to the life of the university through participation in performance ensembles while they are pursuing a baccalaureate degree.

Performance Awards for Non-majors - Up to $2,000 per year Performance awards provide support for outstanding musical and dramatic media performance to those students in any major field of study who demonstrate a meaningful addition to the university through participation in performance ensembles while they are pursuing a bachelor degree. Performance awards are given in the areas of band, choir, strings, piano, solo vocal performance, organ and dramatic media.

Performance Opportunities

Texas Lutheran University Symphonic Winds Membership in the TLU Symphonic Winds is earned by audition at the start of each semester. Members are the top woodwind, brass and percussion performers enrolled at TLU. The ensemble rehearses four hours per week and performs regularly both on and off campus.

Texas Lutheran Concert Band Open by audition to all students of the university, the band performs in concert on campus and on tour. Band members participate in three hours of rehearsal each week, plus special appearances. Members are encouraged to enroll for private lessons.

Texas Lutheran Choir Open by audition to all students of the university, the choir performs a wide range of both sacred and secular genres on campus and on tour. The choir participates in five hours of rehearsal each week, plus special rehearsals, sectionals, and appearances.

TLU String Ensemble Open to all TLU students, the orchestra rehearses three hours per week and performs each semester.

Other Performance Opportunities Include: • Texas Lutheran Jazz Band • TLU Women’s Chorus • Chapel Choir • Bulldog Pep Band • Mid-Texas Symphony • Numerous wind and percussion ensembles • Opera • Musical theatre workshops • Annual Christmas Vespers • Solo recital opportunities

TLU Symphonic Winds and TLU Concert Band This band performs musical pieces from the traditional to the historical to contemporary art literature. Membership is open to all university students who wish to continue performing instrumental music either as a music major or non-major. Beth Bronk, Director of Bands

TLU String Ensemble The TLU String Ensemble consists of TLU students who choose to study string instruments. Work is done on chamber music as well as larger ensembles. Membership is open to all university students who wish to continue performing instrumental music either as a music major or non-major. Eliza Thomason, Director of Strings

Texas Lutheran University Choir Open by audition to all students of the university, the choir performs a wide range of both sacred and secular genres on campus and on tour. The TLU choir participates in five hours of rehearsal each week, plus special rehearsals, sectionals and appearances. Douglas Boyer, Director, Director of School of Music

Texas Lutheran University Women’s Choir Open by audition to all female students of the university, the choir performs a variety of both sacred and secular genres on campus and on tour. The TLU Women’s choir participates in two and a half hours of rehearsal each week, special rehearsals, sectionals and appearances. Dr. Douglas Boyer, Director, Director of School of Music

Kantorei Chamber Choir Open by audition to all members of the TLU Choir, the chamber choir focuses on the performance of the music of our time. The chamber choir participates in two hours of rehearsal each week, plus special rehearsals, sectionals and appearances. Dr. Douglas Boyer, Director, Director of School of Music

Additional Opportunities The Jazz Ensemble performs in concert at least once a semester to present a wide variety of big band jazz representing many historical styles. Membership is open by audition.

The Bulldog Pep Band, under the direction of Professor Beth Bronk, performs school spirit music at all university home football games and select home basketball games. Enrollment is open to all interested TLU students and serves as an opportunity for students to continue musical ensemble participation without the time commitment of Concert Band.

The Mid-Texas Symphony provides an opportunity for students to audition for membership in this professional orchestra, which is based on the TLU campus. Mr. David Mairs is conductor of this regional organization. The Mid-Texas Symphony performs at least seven concerts per year.

Performance opportunities are available at Texas Lutheran University in weekly recitals, chapel services and ensembles. In addition, the Seguin community offers the student pianist the opportunity to teach private piano lessons, work as a church pianist at a local church and serve as an accompanist for UIL competitions in the Texas area.

Faculty Clinics and Master Classes All TLU wind and percussion faculty are available for instructional aid. Arrangements for clinics and/or master classes can be made by contacting Beth Bronk or any individual instructor.

Music. (2011). Texas Lutheran University. Retreieved December 1, 2011, from http://www.tlu.edu/music?rc=0