Building upon the rich musical heritage of Azusa Pacific, it is my privilege as dean to provide leadership to this area of our university. For the benefit of both students and the surrounding community, the School of Music establishes programs that broaden the scope of our musical influence. The philosophy of music education we embrace includes a breadth of style: sweeping historically and culturally from contemporary to classical. As musicians, we want our students grounded in the rigors of academics and exposed to artists and scholars of esteem, both of late and living. We strive to instill in students the knowledge and skills to achieve success in the highly competitive world of music. Part of that process includes building a robust music library, where
students have access to substantial resources. These materials are essential
for students to attain the skill level required by course work and their
professional pursuits. The students we seek are those who will not only
achieve academic success, but also use music to serve God and humankind. Last year, Ruth Meints, director of the APU Symphony and string instructor,
made an important contact with the Jascha
Heifetz Society, an organization that pays ongoing tribute to the
life and career of one of the world's most renowned violinists, Jascha
Heifetz. The society exists to inspire and educate young violinists by
allowing them to interact with today's leading violin virtuosos through
master classes and concerts. This year our campus played host to the society's
events. The slate of artists who performed this season in Munson Recital
Hall are known internationally for their recordings and performances,
and have worked with many of the major orchestras and conductors of our
time. Prominent music instructors and performers have attended these events,
many of whom visited our campus for the first time. The Artist Concert Series has brought a diversification of musical artists, offering our students newly commissioned works by leading composers, as well as exposure to jazz, classical, and 20th century music. Visiting musicians of note include Los Angeles film composer Maria Newman, acclaimed jazz pianist Monte Alexander of New York City, and clarinetist Ken Grant from the Eastman School. |
These events enable us to offer a broad scope of high-level musical performance and education. With our growing emphasis in commercial music, key concerts are planned for the Richard and Vivian Felix Event Center that will involve our jazz program, and instrumental and choral ensembles. The Ralph Carmichael Big Band performed in March, with our own students playing and singing alongside the professional players. Next year, a night of Glenn Miller music will feature his original scores, which were recently given to our school for performance and study purposes. The most important benefit of these programs is what the students receive from them educationally. Many of our students have had opportunity to perform in and attend master classes and concerts, learning from todays leading musicians. Some of the most beautiful music I have heard of late resounds in various areas around Warren Music Center. It is the sound of musicians, not just from private practice rooms, but from those students practicing in the stairwells and hallways, and often in the courtyard. I would like to believe this is the case because our students are inspired to attain greatness. We have been called to excellence as an academic institution, offering young musicians a strong program, and in the process, preparing them for the future. We have also been called to connect with our world, participating in what our culture considers the best there is to offer, while at the same time retaining our Christian influence. The collaboration we are experiencing with guest artists, the Heifetz Society, and a widened musical influence allows us the opportunity to enhance the musical world around us and honor God. Originally published in APU Life Spring 2001, Vol. 14, No. 1. |
We have also been called to connect with our world . . . while
at the same time retaining our Christian influence.
