About the Music Department

One of the University's most viable, visible, and valued disciplinary units, the Music Department offers performance and enrichment opportunities for all students. Our 2022 music curriculum celebrates the opening of a new and unique music education licensure program with a strong P-12 clinical program. The music education program offers single licensure for grades kindergarten through 12 inclusive of Choral, Instrumental, and General Music The curriculum is a competency-based program following national teaching standards from CAEP, DPI, and NASM.

The Music Department is staffed by a faculty of highly qualified teaching performers who have concert experience and are active in teaching, service, research, and performance. Their specialties span all areas of undergraduate music study, and students can expect to receive excellent training in the applied and academic branches of music. The music faculty maintains high professional standards in the education and training of its students.

At the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, students enjoy the full academic and musical challenge of a larger institution while retaining the advantage of close student-faculty relationships. Large ensembles enroll a combined total of over 200 participants. Music major courses boast a very favorable teacher/student ratio, enrolling an average of a dozen or less music students. Relationships within the department are cordial and professors are accessible and easy to talk to. Students are able to make friends, maintain friendships, and have fun informally in organizations like NAfME Collegiate, a student organization dedicated to supporting music students and serving the local community. Highlights of this organization include attending the annual Wisconsin Music Educators Conference in Madison, having guest speakers during their biweekly meetings, and giving back to the local community through food drives.

The Rita – Regional Center for the Arts and Humanities, was completed in the spring of 2011, and it houses the new music "wing". This part of the building houses state-of-the-art music classrooms, large rehearsal rooms, offices, studios, performance library, technology lab, recording booth, storage spaces, student lockers, and the acoustically perfect Bedford Concert Hall with 340 seats. 

I am looking forward to meeting you here as a student, community member, or as an avid concert supporter.   

Warmly,

Donna Hewitt, Music Department Chair