School of Music, Art, and Theatre Viewbook

A GREATER PURSUIT

School of Music, Art, and Theatre

CREATE A LIFE OF SIGNIFICANCE You have the ability to create beauty that transforms. Turning that ability into a life of significance requires the right kind of investment. In the music program of North Park’s School of Music, Art, and Theatre, you will find a uniquely nurturing environment that offers meaningful faculty artist and student collaboration—in a city filled with world-class musicians and limitless performance opportunities. With an emphasis on practice, performance, and passion, you will be inspired to achieve success in your music career and significance in your art and your life. This is more than a degree.

IT IS MORE THAN A DEGREE. IT’S A GREATER PURSUIT. COLLABORATIVE

RESPONSIVE

Great music engages the mind, body, and spirit. Your music education should, too. In the classroom, in the studio, and on the stage, you will work closely with your accomplished professors and peers, refining skills and creating together. Small class sizes, meaningful interaction with faculty, and a nurturing environment will ensure your success.

Deciding on this next step in your music education is personal. We will make sure your experience here is personal, too. Through one-on-one advising, meaningful communication with peers and supportive but demanding professors, as well as plentiful professional opportunities, we will tailor your experience to your skills and goals.

RESOURCEFUL

EXPERIENTIAL

Our vision for music education is a big one—fitting for a big city. A faculty of working professional musicians will give you access to everything the Chicago music scene has to offer. In our personal, accessible, encouraging programs, you will find world-class opportunities and exceptional training.

Our innovative curriculum is shaped by our professors’ backgrounds performing, teaching, and creating across the globe. With these specialized instructors teaching courses that combine academic understanding and performance—and a wealth of opportunities to put your abilities into practice—you’ll know that your education is enabling you to find success in the real world.

BIG-HEARTED You’ll find things here that you won’t find anywhere else. At the top of that list is our compassionate, caring environment. Students in the music program care for and support each other. Our extraordinary faculty invests not only in your success, but also in you as a person—because as you take risks and aim to achieve great things through your music, that’s the kind of big-hearted program you’ll want.

YOUR RIGHT PLACE In the music program of the School of Music, Art, and Theatre, our small class sizes, experienced faculty, supportive environment, and hands-on focus are the foundation for your success. Everything we offer is designed to build your skills and artistry, create meaningful connections, open doors, and advance your music career. Sound good? Then you’ve come to the right place.

The program you want.

“We are a faculty of accomplished professionals who love to teach. Most of us have active performing lives in Chicago and can bring that experience into the classroom. We are small so that enables us to give personal attention to our students. We care about the entire person, not just the part we educate. “[NPU’s School of Music, Art, and Theatre] is a thriving, nurturing community.”

— DR. TERREE SHOFNER-EMRICH Professor of Music

With two innovative and complementary master’s degree programs, we will give you the right education to develop as a musician and achieve the right kind of success.

These programs offer vital collaboration with peers and professional musicians to build a practical set of skills you can use for the rest of your career.

A reputation for excellence.

Through decades of experience in performance and education, our faculty has built deep connections with the Chicago creative community. Combine that with master classes taught by world-renowned artists, and you can be confident that the School of Music, Art, and Theatre graduates skilled musicians ready to thrive. Your degree offers more than an education—it equips you with a network of professional musicians and artists, committed faculty, and alumni ready to help you succeed for decades to come.

A practical focus.

Everything we do is designed with the real world in mind. From a wide range of performance opportunities to coursework that crosses traditional boundaries, we’re committed to investing in your skills and shaping them to meet the world’s changing needs—all so that you can graduate with confidence in your future.

DEGREES THAT MATTER Whether you are an accomplished classical pianist or singer, North Park’s School of Music, Art, and Theatre has the program to get you exactly where you want to be.

MASTER OF MUSIC IN COLLABORATIVE PIANO (VOCAL COACHING) Learn from working professional musicians as you gain experience in a studio, opera, choral, or classroom setting. Through advanced coursework, pedagogical instruction, practical experience, and performance opportunities, you will train to coach and collaborate with singers in a wide range of classical styles.

Coursework Applied piano, master classes, diction, vocal pedagogy, and a significant practicum will offer you vital experience as a collaborative pianist in a recital, opera, or choral setting. You can also take courses focused on practical strategies for establishing your career—from résumé building to establishing your own teaching studio.

Practical Experience You will work as a collaborative pianist in North Park’s vocal, choral, and opera programs. With guidance and mentorship from expert faculty and conductors, you will also serve as vocal coach in both rehearsals and performances. Showcase your performance skills, vocal knowledge, and artistry through both solo and ensemble performances.

Performance-Oriented Learning Build your foundational knowledge of the vocal repertory through survey courses in art song, opera, oratorio, cantata, and mass. Study the history of each, then receive intensive training from experienced faculty as you practice and perform, advancing your training as a collaborative pianist.

Requirements 32 hours of core courses 4 hours of elective courses

“After auditioning and talking with faculty, it was clear [NPU’s School of Music, Art and Theatre] would be a good fit for me. North Park is a great training ground for learning good skills at the next level up from undergraduate work. I was able to glean really good experience and knowledge about what my voice needs to continue singing and developing my skill. It’s not too big that you’ll feel like you’ll get lost, and it’s small enough to feel like you are making a contribution.” — JOHN CONCEPCION ’06

MASTER OF MUSIC IN VOCAL PERFORMANCE Take the next important step in your career as a classical singer. Explore technique, style, lyric diction, and more, as you gain valuable performance experience through solo, opera, and ensemble work. Grow your talent and ability through advanced training, and pursue success as you emerge into the profession—from opera companies to the teaching studio to professional choirs.

Stage Time Perform solo, ensemble, and opera repertory both on and off campus, developing your vocal abilities and artistry while putting your education into practice.

Challenging, Personalized Curriculum A core curriculum covering everything from vocal technique to authoritative performance practice will provide a rock-solid foundation for your career—and creative elective courses will allow you to tailor your education to match your specific career goals.

Requirements 34 hours of core courses 2 hours of elective courses

“After 31 years at another institution of higher learning, I chose to come to North Park because I was very drawn to the mission of the institution, and I was attracted by the reputation and strong history of the music program.

We have an exemplary faculty, comprising many of the finest music professionals in the region.”

— CRAIG JOHNSON Dean, School of Music, Art, and Theatre

PREPARE TO SUCCEED Earning a master’s degree in music from North Park University will empower you to shape the future of your career as a professional musician. As an exemplary pianist or singer, you will have the opportunity to find success and fulfillment in a variety of creative careers, build a life of significance, and contribute in meaningful ways to the artistic community.

Students and alumni of our Master of Music in Vocal Performance program are thriving in a wide range of settings, including: • Lyric Opera of Chicago • Glimmerglass Festival • Midwest Institute of Opera • Chicago Symphony Chorus A Master of Music in Collaborative Piano (Vocal Coaching) degree opens doors to many careers, including: • Vocal Coach • Studio Accompanist • Assistant Conductor • Church Musician

AUDITION AND INTERVIEW All graduate candidates are required to audition and interview for acceptance into the program. One graduate audition day in the spring semester is scheduled each year, but you can also arrange individual audition appointments with our Director of Operations. More information at northpark.edu/smat.

VOCAL PERFORMANCE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS Select five pieces covering a variety of styles, technical characteristics, and languages.

Include at least one art song, one operatic aria, one English selection, and one piece composed after 1900. On the day of your audition, please provide three copies of your résumé and audition repertoire list. An accompanist will be provided.

COLLABORATIVE PIANO AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

• “Il pleure dans mon coeur” by Claude Debussy • “St. Ita’s Vision” by Samuel Barber • “Nichts” by Richard Strauss • “Meine Liebe ist grün” by Johannes Brahms • “Mandoline” by Claude Debussy • “Morgen” by Richard Strauss (measures 1 through the downbeat of measure 16) • “Mi chiamano Mimi” from La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini Faculty members will select two to three of the required six art songs—as well as the aria—to be performed with a singer, unrehearsed. On the day of your audition, please provide three copies of your resume and audition repertoire list. A singer will be provided. Sight-reading will be required.

Prepare the following six art songs (each in the high key), one aria, and one solo piano work of your choice (memorization optional), which demonstrate technique and musicianship.

START HERE

Are you ready to take the next step? It’s easy (and free) to get started—and we will walk you through it. Here is what you will need:

APPLICATION CHECKLIST Complete online application at northpark.edu/smat/apply.

Request official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.

Request two letters of recommendation on your behalf.

Contact the Director of Operations to schedule your audition at northpark.edu/smat/audition.

DETERMINE YOUR COST

• Visit northpark.edu/smat/ financialaid to see up-to-date tuition and scholarship information.

• As part of your audition, there will be an opportunity to discuss financial aid and scholarship options.

• If desired, file your FAFSA at fafsa.gov.

ENROLL

That is all there is to it. Once you complete your application, audition, and interview, we will let you know if you are accepted as soon as possible. Then, we will build a tailored plan to help you earn your degree and advance your career as a professional musician.

apply.northpark.edu

COME SEE FOR YOURSELF

One of the best ways to learn about North Park University is to schedule a campus visit where you will have an opportunity to learn more about admission requirements, experiential learning opportunities, and financial aid.

We look forward to meeting with you soon! chedule a personal appointment with an admissions S representative and while you’re on campus, sit in on a class or take a sample lesson with one of our faculty.

Plan your visit at northpark.edu/smat.

School of Music, Art, and Theatre Office of Graduate Admissions 3225 West Foster Ave. Box 40 Chicago, IL 60625 (773) 244-4880 www.northpark.edu

OUR MISSION To prepare students for lives of significance and service through education in the liberal arts, professional studies, and theology.