- What is the difference between the Conservatory and the Arts
and Sciences division of Wheaton College?
The Conservatory offers professional music degrees: Bachelor
of Music and Bachelor of Music Education. The College liberal
arts degrees are Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science. In
order to distribute professional music degrees and be certified
by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), a school
must have at least 55% of the coursework in music. Wheaton Conservatory
has about 65%. So, in a degree that has a total of 120 hours
to complete, about 80 hours will be music and 40 hours will
be general requirements like Art, History, Bible, Philosophy,
Literature, etc.
In the liberal arts side of the College, it's just the opposite.
About 80 hours is a core of general education requirements.
It is much broader based including natural and social sciences,
foreign language, math, etc. There are about 35 majors to choose
from including the liberal arts music degree. A major requires
about 40 hours of courses in your degree subject. The actual
music classes would be the same, there are just fewer of them
in a Liberal Arts degree. A minor is 20 hours.
- What does the word Conservatory mean? How is it different
from a Department of Music or a School of Music?
The word Conservatory means to conserve or preserve. Here
at Wheaton, it means to preserve the finest traditions of high
level music training and performance. Not all conservatories use
the word in their name. For example, Curtis Institute, The Juilliard
School, and Eastman School of Music are all fine conservatories,
but none of them use the word Conservatory in their name. So what
is the difference? At Wheaton, we are providing students with
a unique combination - exceptional music training, academic excellence,
a national reputation, and a Christian community.
- Can I reserve my audition date now, even though I don't have
my application finished?
Yes. Sign
up online or contact our Admissions Counselor, Debbie Rodgers.
music@wheaton.edu 800/222-2419
x 3.
- What are the extra costs for a music student?
Conservatory of Music fees vary from semester to semester
depending on how many music courses a student takes. They include
the following:
| General Music Fee, per credit hour |
$30 |
| Private Lessons |
$545 |
| Class Piano I-V |
$280 |
| Large Ensemble & Chamber Music |
$140 |
A complete listing of undergraduate costs is in the catalog.
- How can I combine my love for music with another academic
area? Do you have a double degree?
One of our degree options is called Bachelor of Music
with Elective Studies in an Outside Field. It is still
a professional music degree from the Conservatory, but built
into the program is a 24-hour track of non-music coursework.
There are thirteen options with coursework in these fields:
- Arts Ministries
- Biblical and Theological Studies
- Business
- Christian Education and Ministry
- English
- Math/Computer Science
- Media
- Modern Languages (French, German or Spanish)
- Pre-Law
- Psychology
- Sociocultural Studies
- Theater
- Third World Studies (including HNGR internship)
- Alternative Field - design your own.
- Is it better to come in person for my audition?
Yes. On campus auditions are strongly recommended. In fact,
they are required if you live within 350 miles of campus. Visit
http://www.wheaton.edu/conservatory/admissions/dates.html
to get a listing of dates for the upcoming audition season.
- Do I need to audition if I want to be a liberal arts music
major or minor?
No. The only students required to audition are those applying
to the Conservatory of Music.
- Do you have music scholarships? Can I apply for one even
if I'm not going to be a Conservatory student?
The Conservatory has merit-based awards (about 20 per year).
All applicants to the Conservatory are considered based on outstanding
musical and academic achievement. The audition performed for
admission to the Conservatory is used for award consideration.
At this time only Conservatory students are eligible for merit-based
awards.
- Can I be in an ensemble if I'm not a Music Major?
Yes. We have about 200 music majors here in the Conservatory,
but we need many additional liberal arts students to fill all
our ensembles. Auditions for these ensembles are held in the
spring for current students and in the fall for new students.
For incoming freshmen or transfer instrumentalists, audition
music is posted online: Symphony
Orchestra or Symphonic
Band. You can sign up for an audition slot at the Orientation
Welcome Center. More detail about all the ensembles is available
on our website. We hope you will
join us!
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