Sheridan College Music Degree
Are you interested in performing on stage, teaching music, or recording as a music technician? Sheridan College’s nationally recognized music degree program features expert faculty and numerous performance opportunities with award-winning ensembles. Music students enjoy access to a variety of facilities in our world-class music education center: the Whitney Center for the Arts. Earning a music degree from Sheridan College will allow you to transfer into bachelor’s degree programs nationwide or begin your career as a musician.
Related programs:
Music Technology Certificate
More information:
Music Student Handbook
Why Sheridan College?
- Learn from and perform with nationally recognized instructors in our state-of-the-art facility
- A university feel, but with a one-on-one personal dedication to your success
- Tailor your associate degree program to emphasize General Music or Music Technology
- Gain real-world experience by performing public concerts on stage in our beautiful Kinnison Hall
- Participate in our numerous ensembles – whatever your interest, we have an ensemble for you!
- Strong community and professional connections and opportunities integrated into your studies.
Student Testimonials
World-Class Facilities
As a music student, you will have the opportunity to earn your music degree in one of the nation’s premier music education centers, the new Whitney Center for the Arts at Sheridan College. The WCA, a $20 million facility, includes recital and performance space, recording studios to enhance your music portfolio, classrooms and a 422-seat concert hall.
The Sheridan College Music Degree Program also features integration with the local arts community in the form of support for resources, the opportunity to perform with local musicians, and more.
Music Faculty
Our distinguished faculty at Sheridan College are dedicated to helping you establish strong foundational skills in music to advance your career. Our faculty have performed, recorded, and composed music around the world, with academic backgrounds such as Yale University, Eastman School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, University of Maryland, University of Wyoming, and University of Michigan.
The Music Department at Sheridan College has built strong relationships with music institutions across the region and nation. Our music students have been awarded unique learning opportunities, such as performing with the Small College Intercollegiate Band at the College Band Directors National Associate convention in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Sheridan College Music Program also features integration with the local arts community in the form of support for resources, the opportunity to perform with local musicians, and more.
Music Performance ensembles
The Chamber Choir at Sheridan College includes singers who meet regularly to rehearse work of sufficient difficulty to challenge vocal music students. A variety of forms are included in the repertoire, from madrigals to modern jazz. The ensemble tours each spring and averages 10-20 performances a year. Students must audition for this group.
This select ensemble features compositions using 9 – 20 instruments.
The Sheridan College Concert Brass Ensemble is a select group comprised of principal brass and percussion players in the Symphony Band. We perform classic and contemporary repertoire for brass and percussion.
Sheridan College’s Collegiate Chorale is a large chorus that performs a variety of choral music. The Collegiate Chorale typically performances once each semester.
This group is a performing ensemble that provides opportunities for students to study jazz combo music in an organized group setting. Techniques for improvisation are explored.
The Jazz Ensemble at Sheridan College is an ensemble usually numbering from 14 to 18 members and performs an array of jazz genres. The group typically performs two concerts each semester and may perform at other functions, such as dances and events.
The Music Tech Ensemble creates, rehearses, and performs music using handheld electronic devices, laptop computers, synthesizers, and other instruments. Emphasis is placed on group composition and improvisation in a variety of musical styles and genres.
The Sheridan College Symphony Band, directed by Dr. Eric Richards, is comprised of 50-65 musicians drawn from both the SC student body, as well as experienced local community musicians. This ensemble performs classic and contemporary wind band literature. The interaction of students and adult musicians of all ages, many of whom are music educators and professional musicians, creates a vibrant and exciting music-making atmosphere in the SC Symphony Band.
Directed by Ryan Walker, this group provides opportunities for students to study and perform symphonic literature from a wide variety of historical periods in an ensemble setting.
The Trombone Choir is comprised of 5-10 trombonists and tubists and performs Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and contemporary repertoire.
This group provides opportunities for the student to study and perform music predating the common practice era in a small-group ensemble. Period instruments, performance practice, and repertoire are explored. The ensemble performs on authentic Viola da Gambas built for Sheridan College.
Professional Ensembles in Residence
Skyline Singers is the professional choir-in-residence at the Whitney Center for the Arts at Sheridan College, directed by Dr. Robert Psurny. Our specialty is a cappella music, ranging from plainsong to part-songs, madrigals to motets, and from vocal jazz to contemporary pop.
The Bighorn Jazz Orchestra is the professional big band-in-residence at the Whitney Center for the Arts at Sheridan College, directed by Dr. Eric Richards.
Spring 2024 Live Streams
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Upcoming Music Events:
Careers and Opportunities
Musicians find employment in a variety of music-related fields. Earning an associate degree in music from Sheridan College will allow you to transfer to colleges, universities and music schools nationwide to receive advanced training and degrees. Some possible careers in this field include:
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Industry Outlook
Many Music students transfer into bachelor’s degree programs to earn advanced degrees in Music Education, Music Performance, Composition/Arranging, and other related fields. Some music graduates take their enhanced musical skills to work as musicians, performing across the nation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job growth in the job fields of musicians and singers, as well as music directors and composers.
T.K. – Complimentary Music for Big Bands Worldwide by Dr. Eric Richards
“T.K.” is an original composition for jazz orchestra written in tribute to our dear friend and advocate for the arts, the late great Tom Kinnison. It was premiered on September 28, 2018, by the USAF Falconaires Big Band in concert at Kinnison Hall, Whitney Center for the Arts. In the spirit of Tom’s generosity and advocacy for the arts, this work is available as a performance and educational resource to be shared freely with bands worldwide.
