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Music Department Receives Good News
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In a letter to department chairman Dr. Edward Pierce dated July 7, NASM executive director Samuel Hope wrote that the Commission on Accreditation voted "to approve the application (for renewal of membership) and continue the institution in good standing." The next review will not take place until the 2008-9 academic year.
Formal approval was also given to the department's bachelor of music in composition (technology) degree program.
"The site team was very impressed by the self-study," Dr. Pierce said, as well as by ORU's program. Work on the self-study began more than a year before the September 1998 site visit. Every music faculty member contributed, and Pierce wrote the final version. The site team received the self-study last spring so they could "read it and formulate the approach to their visit," Pierce said.
One of the recommendations the team made was for the department to make itself more visible off campus. That happens to be one of the goals of the University's academic enhancement campaign. Pierce has already taken steps in that direction. At an American Choral Directors convention this past year, he had a conversation with a tour agency representative. "We have not emphasized overseas travel with our groups, but the students were very enthused about traveling this year," Pierce said. Plans are now in place to send the Chamber Singers to England during the next spring break; the tour company will design the itinerary. Pierce also hopes to take along some instrumentalists. "The students already know about the trip, and are really looking forward to it," he said.
Another project on tap is a recruitment CD, which will feature selections from ensembles as well as student and faculty soloists.
Those who have been around ORU for a long time might assume that everyone knows about the music department, but that's no longer the case. The ministry's TV shows in the 1970s (Sunday morning and quarterly specials) gave musicians high visibility, but today's high school students need a full introduction to what the department has to offer.
"People are not familiar with the depth and the quality of our department," Pierce said, noting that more than half of his full-time faculty have doctorates. Two alumni, Larry Dalton (69) and David Osborne (81), are Steinway artists, a prestigious designation.
"If people knew more about us, they would be intrigued."
The word must be getting out, because enrollment is up for this fall. The department has 135 majors, and Pierce says the 50 anticipated freshman and transfer students enrolling in August will be talented additions.
"Our department is competitive, and our graduates are well qualified for their future endeavors," he said. "We continue to solidify, and to keep growing." In the past, the arranging course had not been emphasized, but it's getting more attention now.
NASM also asked ORU to expand its Sociology of Music in World Cultures course. Now a three-hour course, it will also be required of all majors. Acknowledging its importance, Pierce said, "We want to go into everyman's world with the ability to speak the musical language as well."
Basics of Improvisation has gone from one to three credit hours. Leanne Polvado of Music Ministries will be teaching that course.
In the future, Pierce hopes to see two new majors: Music Technology/Business and a Music-Drama-Performance emphasis.
"Music-Drama-Performance will also have a cognate for church musicians," he said. More and more these days, "churches want someone who can put on liturgical dances, plays, shows, musicals, and improv. The worship director is becoming a producer."
Preparing students for work in a field that continues to change requires that the department continue to change as well.
"We're working towards purchasing a new computer lab," Pierce said. "We have the room; we need the computers." Computers have a different kind of keyboard, but the goal is the same. "We want to train our students so they're marketable."
Scholarship dollars are always tight, but Pierce says the department continues to attract good students. Senior secretary Melodye Moore meets with many of the parents, Pierce said. "She's been very helpful in making those contacts." Not unlike recruiting basketball players, "it's a one-on-one process. It's very demanding. It takes a dedicated staff."
Pierce has several messages for alumni. Number one, your input is helpful, especially when it comes to suggesting new courses or new majors that will give future graduates an edge in the marketplace.
Number two, you can help with the recruiting process by directing prospective students to the department.
Number three, use e-mail to keep the department apprised of the progress you're making in your career, and to find out what's new in ORU music. Write to Pierce at epierce@oru.edu.
Number four, financial assistance is always welcome.
Number five, and most important: "Keep us in your prayers, that we will have the wisdom to make the best decisions," Pierce concluded.
