Major/Minor
Please note that significant and exciting changes to the Music major and minor will start in academic year 2022-23. Here are some highlights; further details will be updated to the WFU Bulletin by the Registrar in early June 2022. If you have questions about the new major and minor before then, please contact Associate Chair Jacqui Carrasco at carrasj@nullwfu.edu.
REVISED MUSIC MAJOR – HIGHLIGHTS
Now one major with your choice of a performance or liberal arts concentration; flexibility to switch concentrations or create a unique senior project focus as you gain more experience in the music department.
Fewer credit hours: now a minimum of 36; previously 41
Fewer “hidden” requirements: now two semesters of the 0-credit concert attendance course MSC 200; previously four semesters (formerly MUS100). Individual instruction before major declaration can now count toward music major requirements.
Greater flexibility with theory requirements: now Theory I-II (MSC 131-132) and then your choice of two theory electives including options like Music Theory for Popular and Jazz Styles (MSC 134), for a total of 14 credit hours; replaces the former Theory I-IV sequence of 16 credit hours.
Greater flexibility with music history requirements: a new music minor/major seminar sequence, Music History and Culture I-II (MSC 121-122, 6 credit hours), which offers an introduction to music research and allows for exploration of music beyond the Western classical canon. It replaces the previous music history I-III sequence (9 credit hours). More music history and culture elective options to fulfill major requirements; in 2022-23, these options include American Music (MSC 108); Music and Film (MSC 112); Gender, Sexuality and Music (MSC 109); Performing Arts of Bali (MSC 106); Introduction to Modern Popular Music (MSC 102); and Introduction to the Music of World Cultures (MSC 101).
REVISED MUSIC MINOR – HIGHLIGHTS:
Fewer “hidden” requirements: now only one semester of the 0-credit concert attendance course MSC 200 (old MUS100); previously three semesters.
A more flexible music theory requirement: now only Theory I is required (previously Theory I-II), but you can take up to two more theory electives for music minor credit, including new options like Theory for Popular and Jazz Styles.
Course Requirements
Specific course requirements for music majors and minors and a full course lists can be found in the Undergraduate Bulletin, but note that the current bulletin contains outdated info on the music major/minor and will be updated by the registrar in June 2022. Please email Dr. Carrasco at carrasj@nullwfu.edu if you need major/minor/course info before then.
Courses
The Department of Music offers everything from introductory courses for students with little or no musical background, to advanced specialized courses for the music major, as well as a variety of musical ensembles and performance opportunities open to all students (not just music majors and minors).
Individual Instruction
The Department of Music offers individual instruction to Wake Forest students in voice, piano, guitar, and all orchestral and jazz instruments. Students can receive course credit for weekly lessons of 30 minutes (MSC181) or 60 minutes (MSC182 and music major courses 282, 382 and 383). Lessons are available to students of all levels, though a POI (permission of instructor) number is required for registration.
Registration takes place at the beginning of each semester, and interested students should stop by the music department office (M309) or contact the appropriate instructor listed below for more information.
First-time registrants for voice, guitar, and piano lessons will additionally need to interview or audition (depending on level of experience) at the start of each semester; see the current “Auditions” tab at the top of the Music Dept. homepage for more information.
Like many liberal arts universities, Wake Forest assesses an additional individual instruction fee. Current rates are $325 per semester for 30 minute weekly lessons (MSC181) and $650 per semester for hour-long weekly lessons (MSC182 and music major courses 282, 382, and 383), and fees are billed to a student’s account by Financial Services. Need-based scholarships are available; please see the Applied Lesson Fee Scholarship Application.
If you are a beginning student in voice, guitar, or piano, you also have the option to register for class instruction in those areas (MSC161-164), for which there is no additional fee.
Voice and Keyboard
- Bryon Grohman, Assistant Professor of Music
Voice - Elizabeth Pacheco Rose, Visiting Assistant Professor of Music
Voice - Peter Kairoff, Professor of Music, Chair
Piano - Larry Weng, Assistant Professor of Music
Piano - Joanne Inkman, Associate Teaching Professor
Piano and class piano - Mary Ann Bills, adjunct faculty
Piano - Yong Im Lee Federle, adjunct faculty
Piano - Susan Bates, adjunct faculty
Organ, harpsichord - Ryan McCollum, adjunct faculty
Jazz piano - Anthony Tang, adjunct faculty
Carillon
Strings
- Jacqui Carrasco, Professor of Music, Associate Chair
Violin, viola - Marco Sartor, Assistant Teaching Professor
Guitar and jazz guitar - Evan Richey, adjunct faculty
Cello - Court Wynter, adjunct faculty
Bass - Helen Rifas, adjunct faculty
Harp
Winds, Brass, and Percussion
- Kathryn Levy, Professor of the Practice
Flute - John Sadak, Assistant Professor of the Practice
Clarinet - Taiki Azuma, adjunct faculty
Saxophone - Anna Lampidis, adjunct faculty
Oboe - Amber Ferenz, adjunct faculty
Bassoon - Kevin Bowen, Director of Bands
Trumpet - Robert Campbell, adjunct faculty
French horn - Brian French, adjunct faculty
Trombone - Brent Harvey, adjunct faculty
Tuba/euphonium - John Beck, adjunct faculty
Percussion, Afro-Cuban drumming - Tim Heath, Director of Athletic Bands
Percussion
