Music

Through courses in the artistic, practical, and scholarly veins of music, the department seeks to prepare students for confident and competent entry into the fields of music performance and music education. These programs are designed to exit students prepared for either graduate school or their initial professional experience. Our graduates are successful in the public schools, graduate school, and in their private studios. The music department is passionate about exploring the body-mind-spirit connection that exists, and faith and learning are integrated in such a way as to prepare you for life-- not just your profession.

The York College Music Department offers degrees in music, music education, and vocal music performance. The curriculum is taught by artist/scholars who are committed to preparing students for their vocation and for graduate studies.

One of the main arteries of the music department is its performing ensembles. The Concert Choir, conducted by Dr. Roush, has achieved much notoriety for its choral excellence. They have performed for the second time in four years at the state convention of the Nebraska Music Educators Association. They've also performed recently with the Omaha Symphony Chamber Orchestra. The choir tours extensively presenting choral repertoire spanning the various historical time periods. Each spring the Concert Choir performs a "major works" concert. The past years have featured the music of Lloyd Webber, Bach, Brahms, Vivaldi, Schubert, Haydn, and Mozart.

Celebration Singers is the music department’s entertainment group. The group performs concerts and shows throughout the year including, but not limited to, vocal jazz, show/swing choir, and broadway. The group also performs a Christmas stage show each year, and is frequently asked to perform at various functions around the campus and community. This group gives the majors an opportunity to deal with the type of repertoire and shows they will most likely be doing in their jobs, and allows the students opportunities to sharpen their skills in teaching, conducting, choreography, and programming.

Private lessons in voice and piano are available, as are other performing venues. Songfest is directed out of the music department each April. From time to time the music and drama departments join force to produce a musical. There are also opportunities for individuals and temporary groups to perform both on campus and in the community.

At York College, the music department is passionate about exploring the body-mind-spirit connection that exists in music and preparing students for a lifetime of musical enrichment and enjoyment.