Swarthmore Music Department: Overview

At the core of Swarthmore’s music program is a rich community of faculty and students who share a passion for music. We believe that the intellectual breadth of the liberal arts curriculum is the ideal environment for the curious musician. Our academic courses invite students to think deeply about music; our ensembles bring talented students together to perform challenging and varied repertoire; and our program of private instruction enables students to study with top-notch teachers. We welcome all students, whether or not they pursue a major or minor in our Department. Indeed, students in our program are also active in many other fields, such as Art History, Biology, Engineering, English, Linguistics, and Mathematics; the wealth of interests they bring to their music-making fosters an atmosphere in Lang Music Building that is singularly exciting.

Academic Music Courses

The Music Faculty is firmly committed to the idea that music scholarship enhances performance, and performance enhances scholarship. We offer a full array of courses, including a five semester sequence in Music Theory and Musicianship; Composition; a four-semester survey of the history of Western Music that includes Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary Art Music; Jazz History; Music of Asia; and other topics ranging from Music of the Holocaust Era through the Broadway Musical. Our faculty members are distinguished performers, composers, and scholars of music with active professional careers. For more information about music classes, see the Course Listings and the list of our Faculty. Click here for the Departmental Requirements for Majors and Minors.

There are several Musical Ensembles that you can audition for and play in. You do not have to major in music in order to participate. There are traditional large groups like the Orchestra, Chorus, and Wind Ensemble, which are led by some of the area's top conductors. The Jazz Ensemble features a rigorous approach to learning Jazz in several different styles. If you're looking for a more intimate setting for your music-making, you may audition for the Fetter Chamber Music Program, or for the Chamber Choir, which performs demanding, adventurous music. Or you can form your own ensemble and perform in one of several Chamber Music Concerts. Finally, Swarthmore has a full Balinese gamelan (traditional Indonesian percussion orchestra), Gamelan Semara Santi.

Private Lessons

The Department offers private music lessons to many students. We do not have a performance faculty; instead, we help to match up students with excellent private teachers. We provide a subsidy – in some cases, 100% of the cost of lessons – and give academic credit for private lessons. In addition, the most accomplished music students may apply to receive transportation expenses to study with teachers off campus.

In many cases it isn't necessary to leave campus for private lessons. The Department has invited a number of prominent musicians and vocalists to teach in Lang Music Building. These are performers of the first rank, including musicians who have toured worldwide and who have appeared as soloists with the Philadelphia Orchestra and other major orchestras, opera houses, and recital series. We also have a first rate vocal coach on campus who works with student singers regularly. For biographies of some of these artists, click here.

Practice rooms are readily available in Lang Music Building. There are no sign-up sheets; just show up and play. Practice rooms are equipped with high-quality Steinway and Yamaha pianos. Also located in Lang Music Building is The Underhill Music Library, which provides access to a vast collection of books, scores, and audio recordings.

Concerts

Each year the Department of Music and Dance sponsors approximately 50 concerts and other public events. There are performances by internationally acclaimed artists as well as student and faculty groups. Contemporary and classical music and dance traditions from all over the world are represented.

Most musical performances take place in Lang Concert Hall, which is famous for the superb clarity and warmth of its acoustics. Dance events take place in the Lang Performing Arts Center. All events are free and open to students. Click here for information about Concerts.

Service Learning Opportunities

Some of the music faculty members are involved in community outreach programs, especially in the nearby city of Chester, Pennsylvania. We encourage students to participate as volunteers and, in some cases, as paid interns.

Students and Alumni in Music

Student-Run Groups

There are many student-run groups, including at least 10 a cappella groups for which you can audition. There's a Gospel Choir that performs traditional gospel music. Students can also apply for funding from the Student Activities Fund to start new musical ensembles.