Music
Overview
This Hill is most definitely alive with the sound of music. The Music Department provides many opportunities for both majors and non-majors to develop their talents. Recitals and concerts are performed each semester by such groups as the College Choir, Gospel Choir, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble and various others, including the only electric bass ensemble south of New York City. Lessons are available to all students, regardless of major, and include voice, piano, guitar, brass, and strings, as well as both single and double reeds. The music program offers courses in music theory and composition, arranging and orchestration, music history, world musics, and popular musics. A wide variety of concerts and recitals are offered on campus each semester.
Location
Levine Hall
Contact
Dr. Margaret Boudreaux
Department Chair
(410) 857-2558
Majors & Minors
The McDaniel music program provides a lively community in which to explore diverse aspects of music in a liberal arts setting. Our various music majors prepare students for careers in performance, music management, music education, and various fields in the music industry. Many have continued with graduate work at major institutions.
Many of our graduates are now music teachers, both in the public schools and in private schools or private studios. Others are pursuing recording. Some are active as church musicians. A good number are actively performing in musical theater throughout the region. A few have gone into music/arts management positions, including one at a major theater in Philadelphia. Several have gone to graduate school for advanced study in fields such as solo performance, conducting, and ethno-musicology. Some have gone into other business pursuits and remain active in music as an important part of their life.
The following programs are offered through the Music Department:
Bachelor of Arts Degrees:
Music with Specializations in:
- Music Theory and Composition
- Music History
- Music with minor in Education (PreK-12 music certification in 4 yrs.)
Master of Science Degree with Music Certification:
Minors & Focus Areas:
Faculty
Professor and Department Chair Margaret Boudreaux
(D.M.A., University of Colorado), is active as a guest conductor throughout the region and is currently performing and publishing her own editions and arrangements of choral music. Her choirs have performed at The Kennedy Center, The National Cathedral, The Hartt School of Music, and for conferences of the College Music Society and the Music Educator’s National Conference.
Associate Professor Robin Armstrong
(Ph.D., University of Michigan), specializes in the history, interpretation and performance of early music, music in the African-American traditions and a variety of popular music styles.
Lecturer Eric Byrd
(MM-Morgan State University), Pianist/vocalist Eric Byrd has been playing professionally for over 20 years. Along with the principles of swing and be-bop, rousing gospel-tinged chords and trilling blues lines are fundamental elements of his performance style. Byrd has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Mike Stern, Keter Betts, Randy Brecker, Tim Green, Warren Wolf, Paul Carr, Buck Hill, Ethel Ennis, Marlena Shaw, harpist Jeff Majors, Charlie Byrd and Ernie Andrews, just to name a few. Along with his own recordings as a leader of the Eric Byrd Trio, he also guests on over a dozen CD’s by others.
Professor Glenn Caldwell
(Ph.D., Ohio State University), is an active composer and arranger. He created the orchestrations for Stevie Wonder’s “Natural Wonder Tour” (Europe), “American Idol” winner Ruben Studdard, Tramaine Hawkins, and the Lionel Hampton Orchestra with featured vocalist Chaka Khan, and numerous other orchestras. Dr. Caldwell presently oversees the computer aided instruction in theory and composition.
Senior Lecturer Steven “Bo” Eckard
(B.A., Loyola College), is the Director of Jazz Studies and the McDaniel College Electric Bass and Jazz ensembles, and is regionally known as a performer, songwriter, and studio musician. He has performed in a variety of settings, including the Kennedy Center.
Senior Lecturer Kyle Engler
(MM, Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University), has been featured with several orchestras throughout the East Coast and in the summer of 2002 toured Japan with the Washington Opera. She was a founding member of the New Horizons Contemporary Chamber Ensemble and the Morpheus Trio.
Senior Lecturer Linda Kirkpatrick
(D.M.A., University of Maryland), directs the college band, student chamber music series and teaches instrumental conducting. She also is a flutist and performs with The Mistral Winds Quintet, and is the administrator of the college summer music camp and Community Music Program.
Senior Lecturer David Kreider
(D.M.A., Catholic University of America), was a Fulbright scholar in Vienna, Austria, and has received recognition for his artistic contributions, most notably at Carnegie Hall. He is the founder and Artistic Director of Chamber Music on the Hill.
Members of our Adjunct Faculty include Timothy Anderson, Nicholas Currie, Tandy Dix, Dave Duree, Lynn Fleming, Lynne Griffith, Norma Hooks, Don Horneff, Timothy Jenkins, Mark Lortz, Lorriana Markovic, Kathrin Murray, Melinda Niles, Nicholas Reider , James Ryon, Jon Seligman, Stephen Swan, Alice Tung and Elijah Wirth.
Ensembles & More
• Lessons and Camps
McDaniel’s mission for music education extends beyond our campus to members of the community who would like to learn to play an instrument or hone their craft. We offer private lessons as well as residential and day camps for musicians at every level.
• Student Ensembles
Music organizations on campus offer excellent performance opportunities. Faculty directors are accomplished performer/scholars in the Baltimore-Washington area.
• Faculty Ensembles
Our talented faculty practice their craft in highly regarded professional ensembles. Keep an ear out for where these groups might be performing near you.
• Concert Series
Learn about the many opportunities presented by our talented faculty and students to come hear free musical performances.