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Curriculum

Music courses at Carroll College are general, with a broad focus, serving the liberal arts mission of the College.

Course offerings in music aim to serve students on two levels:

  1. to allow those students who have had prior background in music to continue their development.
  2. to provide an initial exposure/experience in music to those students who have not previously had the opportunity or desire to study music.

Students at Carroll College have the following options for participating in Music:

  • MUS 129 Carroll College Choir.  Open to all students who can demonstrate basic skills in singing and pitch retention. The Choir rehearses three days a week and performs regularly at campus events and for Mass at the Cathedral of St. Helena twice a semester. The choir also presents a major concert each semester. A limited number of choral scholarships are available for participation in the Carroll College Choir to returning and incoming students. For more information, contact Dr. Robert Psurny, Jr.
  • MUS 229 Chamber Choir.  The Chamber Choir is the premiere choral ensemble on campus. Membership is limited to 16 singers, and openings are filled by competitive audition. The Chamber Choir rehearses three days a week and presents a major concert each semester. The Chamber Choir represents Carroll College in the community by presenting choral programs at local events and on regional tours. The Chamber Choir is also active in presenting concerts at College Admission Visit Days and in performing for public and parochial High School music programs across Montana. Typically, all students in the Chamber Choir receive financial aid in the form of a Choral Music Scholarship, available to returning and incoming students. For more information, contact Dr. Robert Psurny, Jr.
  • MUS 199 Music Practicum provides students with the opportunity to receive credit for participation in community ensembles such as the Helena Symphony Orchestra and Chorale (www.helenasymphony.org), subject to openings.
  • MUS 475 Applied Music provides students with the opportunity to receive credit for advanced private instruction in music with qualified music teachers in the community (HMTA, MSMTA).
  • MUS 131-132 Pep Band - Students may participate in the college’s Pep Band, which performs at home football and basketball games.
  • MUS 289 Jazz Ensemble - Open by audition to instrumentalists and vocalists.  Students work on building jazz repertoire and improvisation skills in a combo format.  For more information, contact Dr. Lynn L. Petersen.

Facilities

Music classes are held in Old North 039. The music classroom includes a lecture area and a lab that is equipped with digital pianos, synthesizers, Macintosh computers, and MIDI capabilities.

Faculty and Staff

Lynn L. Petersen, Ph.D, Associate Professor, Musicianship I and II, Music Appreciation, Composition, Improvisation, Sight-Singing and Aural Skills
Link to personal page

Robert D. Psurny Jr., D.M.A., Associate Professor, Choral Director, Class Voice, Pop, Rock and all that Jazz, Musical Director.
Link to personal page

Adam Liberty, Pep Band Director

Emeritus Faculty

Joseph W. Munzenrider, M.Mus.

Our Purpose

Our goal is to give students a greater appreciation for music as an art form and a vehicle for self-expression. We provide quality instruction to challenge and enrich all students through music studies.