Music and Music Education

Programs of Study in Music

“Where your passion becomes your future”

Majors

• Music
• Music Education—Vocal/Choral (P–12)
• Music Education—Instrumental (P–12)

Minor

• Music

Educator Preparation

• Music (Instrumental or Vocal/Choral, P–12)

Major requirements and course descriptions are outlined in the Huntingdon College Catalog. These programs of study are part of the Department of Teacher Education and Fine Arts.

A Symphony of Opportunities

• Huntingdon College Bands: The Marching Scarlet & Grey, Huntingdon Winds Concert Band, BallHawks Pep Band, Huntingdon Jazz, Percussion Studio, Instrumental Ensembles
• Huntingdon College Choirs: Concert Choir, Choral Ensembles
• Huntingdon Percussion Studio
• Honor Bands
• Request Music Information

Interested in being part of a praise worship team? Campus Ministries holds auditions each semester. Planning to teach? You will work with young musicians as you complete your Teacher Candidate clinical hours.

Music at Huntingdon

Huntingdon offers the best of all worlds in Music and Music Education. Here, you will find a complete music curriculum accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). At the same time, Huntingdon offers a full liberal arts educational experience. The Music major provides a strong foundation in music theory; auditory skills (sight-reading and ear training); music history; and vocal or instrumental ensemble participation (band or choir). Music Education majors complete the requirements for the Music major as well as Teacher Candidate clinical experiences to become eligible for certification from the Alabama State Department of Education. This certification allows one to teach at the P–12 levels in either choral or instrumental music.

Why Huntingdon?

Huntingdon has long been known for excellence in Music and Music Education. The program offers:

• National music accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)
• Educator Preparation in either choral or instrumental music—or both!
• Abundant performance opportunities for singers and instrumentalists.
• Teacher Candidate clinical experiences for Music Education majors.
• Weekly studio lessons—one-on-one instruction from experienced musician-professors.
• Piano proficiency training in Huntingdon’s Yamaha keyboard lab.
• Emphasis on student success from basic music fundamentals through all levels of theory and sight-singing.
• Numerous practice studios in Smith Hall, dedicated to the fine arts.
• Assistance with placement into graduate programs or employment.
• Successful graduates who are professional musicians in the areas of performance, education, music therapy, worship leadership, and fine arts administration.
• Flexibility to combine the Music major with a second major.
• Judy Marley Montgomery Choir Awards or Scarlet and Grey Awards—generous scholarships for participation and performance.
• Strong liberal arts core curriculum emphasizes communication and critical thinking skills.
• Study in the Hobbs Honors Program for qualified students.
• Part-time worship leadership, choir, and other music ministry positions in local churches.

Exceptional Facilities

Sybil Smith Hall is the hub of music activity on campus. Theory, voice, ear and sight training, instruments, and voice are studied here. A new Huntingdon Bands Rehearsal Hall opened in Roland Student Center during the 2017–2018 academic year. Huntingdon Bands rehearse in the Huntingdon Bands Rehearsal Hall in Roland Student Center —a dedicated, premium space for acoustics and instrumentation.

Dedicated Faculty-Musicians

Members of the music faculty at Huntingdon are active professional musicians participating in community musical venues such as the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, the Montgomery Chorale, Montgomery Brass, Montgomery Madrigal Voices, and Cloverdale Wind Ensemble. The music faculty also serve as guest performers, conductors, adjudicators, and clinicians throughout Alabama and the Southeast.

• For more information about the music majors and programs of study, contact Dr. Brandon Slocumb.
• For more information about Huntingdon Choirs, contact Dr. Scott Sexton.
• For more information about Huntingdon Bands, contact Mr. Anthony Vittore.
• For more information about the Huntingdon Percussion Team, contact Mr. Brandon Mooney.

Graduate Success

Huntingdon Music and Music Education alumni have been admitted to graduate programs at the Manhattan School of Music, Eastman School of Music, Westminster Choir College, the Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, the University of Alabama, the University of North Carolina, the University of Oklahoma, and numerous other programs. Graduates have entered career fields from teaching and performance to music therapy and law. Many graduates are music educators, band directors, and choral directors at schools and colleges throughout the United States.

Interested in learning more about Huntingdon Music?  Submit the Music Interest Form.

Music Major Scholarship Audition Information

Note that the Scarlet and Grey Band Scholarship or the Scarlet and Grey Choral Scholarship are open to students of any major who make the commitment to be part of either the Huntingdon Bands Program or the Huntingdon Choirs Program and who are not involved in NCAA-III athletics, the Presidential Scholars Program, the Kingswood Initiative, or receiving a participation scholarship for cheer, dance, or Esports involvement. Scarlet and Grey Choral or Band Scholarships do not require auditions.

Music Major Scholarships are reserved for students who plan to major in Music or Music Education. An audition, either in person or virtually, is required for consideration.

On-Campus Audition Dates:

• Saturday, November 11, 2023
• Monday, February 19, 2024

We’re thrilled that you’re interested in being part of the Music Program at Huntingdon College! We can’t wait to learn more about you.

Huntingdon has established two dates for on-campus scholarship auditions for Music and Music Education majors. We encourage on-campus auditions because you can combine your audition with a campus visit, meet some of your fellow students and band and choir members, meet the music faculty and choral and band directors, and get a better feel for “The Home We Love So Well,” (borrowing a line from our Alma Mater).

Huntingdon auditions are low-pressure. We don’t want nerves to take over your performance. Choose a musical piece you have performed before, perhaps from a solo or method book—a selection with which you are comfortable and confident, and one that showcases your best playing/singing.

Music or Music Education majors who are unable to attend one of the on-campus audition dates may audition virtually by video.

Steps to Complete Your Music Major Scholarship Audition:

1. Apply for Admission to Huntingdon College , if you haven’t done so already.
2. Complete the Music Major Scholarship Audition Form and submit it (do in advance of an on-campus audition or after recording your virtual audition).
3. Follow the steps necessary to gain admission to the College (see the How to Apply section for Freshman or Transfer students under Traditional Admission.) Note: You may audition before you have been accepted if your application is still in process.
4. Prepare for your audition.
5. Audition!

Audition Video Instructions

Audition videos must be uploaded to YouTube as unlisted. Each selection may be recorded separately, but please combine all recordings into one singular video submission. Recordings do not have to be professionally made; we do, however, recommend that you ensure the recording is of high quality, contains clear audio and video, and is without technical problems. For instance, be sure that the performer is in the camera shot, and that the microphone is far enough away from the performer to avoid distortion. Consider making a few test recordings before attempting your first full take.

Don’t forget to complete the Music Major Scholarship Audition Form to provide the Music Program faculty with the URL!

Read about Health and Safety for Musicians.