Music
Mount Mercy's music department is committed to providing a comprehensive music background that ensures you will be grounded in all areas of music. You will learn the fundamentals of music theory, progress to the study of advanced harmony, and investigate formal structures and conceptual techniques.
The theory sequence encourages individual creativity through extensive writing exercises, ranging from simple melody harmonization to the composition of larger original works. You will become familiar with the major genres and styles of music, including key composers from medieval times to modern day. Courses in conducting, instrumental and vocal methods, and private music lessons round out the curriculum.
One of the most important objectives of Mount Mercy's music department is to provide opportunities for individual and group performances in the Mount Mercy Choir, Women's Choir, Jazz Connection, and Instrumental Ensemble. The choir performs in all styles and genres, presenting concerts on and off campus.
The music department also offers a fully equipped teaching performance facility, which includes Stello Performance Hall and a new digital music laboratory.
In addition to academics, you can participate in Mount Mercy's student music club, Music and More. It includes members from many areas of music study. The club's main objective is to increase awareness of musical activities on campus and in the Cedar Rapids community. In the past, the club has attended performances at Hancher Auditorium, Theatre Cedar Rapids, and many other venues. The club sponsors on-campus activities such as musical events, a Club Friday, Christmas caroling, singing Valentines, and a Retro Dance.
Mount Mercy also offers an interdisciplinary music/business administration major. It combines business with music in a program that supplements the comprehensive music preparation of the music major. This broad-based major prepares you for administrative careers with performing-arts organizations. Additionally, the music education program is designed for teacher certification at the elementary and secondary school level.
