Mission & History

The Central Connecticut State University Department of Music is one of the state’s leading training grounds for Connecticut’s future music educators and musical artists. The students and faculty of the Department of Music contribute to the musical life of the campus and the community through performances both on and off campus.

The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Music Education, Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music with concentrations in Jazz Studies, Performance, Theory/Composition and General Studies. Entrance to the major is by competitive audition. Music-oriented scholarships are available to incoming and transfer students. Many students in other degree programs choose to minor in music.

The Department of Music degree programs are fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

Mission Statement

The CCSU Department of Music is dedicated to the development of competent and aesthetically sensitive musicians, intellectually deepened by a broad liberal arts education. Within the context of our music degrees, we prepare musicians for careers as educators, performers, composers and scholars while providing all students with strategies to cultivate artistic leadership in their chosen fields. We strive to foster in all students life-long connection and involvement with the art of music. The performance and scholarship of our faculty serves as an artistic and intellectual resources for Connecticut.

History

Since the first day of classes in 1849, CCSU (then called “Connecticut Normal School”) has been offering music courses and ensembles. The Department of Music was founded in the 1940’s, initially chaired by Dr. Etzel Wilhoit, the conductor of the New Britain Symphony. The music major, in education, was founded in the early 1970’s.