Music at Adams State University

A music degree from Adams State University combines your artistic expression with personalized instruction and ​the skills, ​practical hands-on learning experiences, and career readiness to become a successful, 21st century music professional. Whether your ​goal​ is to perform, teach, or work in the
many other areas of the music industry, our dedicated and professionally-active faculty will work with you to define your career goals and create a plan of action to achieve them.

Music Student for the Day

The best way to find out if Adams State is right for you is to come and immerse yourself in our program for a day. Be a Music Student for a Day.

Bachelor of Arts in Music

with areas of emphasis in

  • Music Education K-12
  • Performance
  • Composition
  • Music Business
  • Liberal Arts

Minor in Music

A minor in music is available on a limited basis under any bachelor’s degree program at the university through the Department of Music.

Learning Outcomes
Adams State campus north

Music Highlights

Music at Adams State is an active and vital program, committed to musical excellence within a small college environment. Each year, more than 500  on-campus students participate in music through classes, lessons and performing ensembles. The Colorado Commission on Higher Education designated the Adams State Department of Music a Program of Excellence, one of three Adams State programs to have received this honor.

Adams State University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The Department of Music offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in music education (K-12) and music with emphases in liberal arts, music business, music performance, or music composition. Students in any area of emphasis will have the preparation and background necessary to succeed in their chosen fields.

Program of Excellence

The Colorado Commission on Higher Education designated the Adams State Department of Music a Program of Excellence.

Music Outcomes

52%
Students surveyed have become K-12 music educators
38%
Students surveyed are in performance and other professional music industry fields
100%
Job placement for K-12 music teaching positions
Music graduates offer skills that employers in all fields value: creative thinking,  problem solving, and teamwork.

Graduate School Acceptance Rates

In the past 5 years, 35 percent of graduating music students have chosen to pursued graduate-level education, and 100 percent have been accepted in graduate music schools.

Careers

Band or Choir Director
Music Educator
Performer
Ethnomusicologist
Music Business
Arts Administrator
Recording Engineer
Continuing Graduate Studies

Adams State north campus

Music Program Faculty

Beth Robison
Beth Robison, D.M.A.
Department Chair | Professor of Music
James Doyle
James Doyle, D.M.A
Associate Professor of Music
Angela Winter
Angela Winter, D.M.A
Assistant Professor of Music
William Lipke
William Lipke, D.M.A
Professor of Music
matthew-valverde
Matthew Valverde, D.M.A
Assistant Professor of Voice
Tracy Doyle
Tracy Doyle, D.M.A
Professor of Music
Dr.-Schildt-Picture
Matthew Schildt, Ph.D.
Professor of Music

Music Curriculum

Explore Some of Our Courses

MUS 103: Intro to Music Technology (1 hours)
Introduction to basic music technology including MIDI, sequencing, music notation, and tutorials. Development of music technology skills utilizing music technology utilizing music lab facilities and equipment.

MUS 333: Form and Analysis (2 hours)
The study and analysis of the structural elements of music and principle musical forms from the Renaissance through the twentieth century. Includes study of 16th and 18th-century contrapuntal forms. This course requires instructor approval for registration purposes.

MUS 375: Music Recording Techniques (3 hours)
The class is designed as an introduction to computer music composition techniques. Students will design sounds using both waveform and sample techniques. Sound libraries are developed and then implemented in original compositions performed twice per semester. Advanced sequencing techniques are also explored. Contemporary computer music examples are assigned for discussion and analysis.

Academic Catalog