According to College of Communication Dean John Pauly, there are currently more than 400 students enrolled in zero-credit music programs. To help attract more musically inclined students to Marquette, the College of Communication will begin offering a music minor in fall 2008.
"We are very excited to institute the music minor for next fall, and we hope that the additional courses and opportunities that the minor bring will help to satisfy the growing needs of our students and attract new additional students, as well," said Erik Janners, director of music.
It's about time, Marquette. Musical opportunities and resources for students are noticeably lacking at this university, and it is time that this is turned around. The establishment of this minor is the first step on a long road. Marquette has some opportunities for students in the form of the chorus program, band and orchestra, but this is not enough.
According to Gregory Carpenter, chorus director, "Marquette has few, if any, locations where students can practice-an item in much need of change. The few pianos that do exist in some of the residence halls are in such poor condition that they do not afford successful practice."
Marquette needs to provide outlets for musical expression, even for non-music minors.
"The music program here is nice, but unless you are a part of one of the musical groups, there is nowhere to just play or sing a song. There should be a piano in all of the dorms," said Kelly Mackey, a freshman involved in the chorus program.
Another problem is that the music minor that will be offered next fall will include no aspect of private study, and there are no private lessons available on campus. "This is usually a component of any music degree program," Carpenter said.
How can private study not be part of a music degree? Just like any other academic endeavor, musicians need to be able practice and learn material on their own. The lack of opportunities for individual independent study combined with the lack of practice space makes the minor less credible.
According to Janners, the university is working to correct this problem. However the change cannot come soon enough.
"We are planning to bring several new pianos to campus, including pianos for every residence hall and several to be placed in the Varsity Theatre for student practice as well," Janners said. "Plans are also in place to create practice rooms in the Varsity Theatre."
We credit Marquette for taking the first step by creating a music minor, but now the university must follow through and make this a strong program.