Music 

The mission of the Rhodes College Music Department is to create a dynamic, welcoming, and collaborative community that helps students write their own unique music stories. Every semester, over one quarter of the Rhodes student body joins with us to perform, compose, take classes, and gain real-world experiences that connect them directly with professionals in the field. Every story is different, and the Department of Music is committed to supporting each student’s journey through a flexible and student-centered curriculum, access to top-tier faculty, international learning opportunities, and a deep connection to the vibrant and culturally rich city of Memphis.  Rhodes College is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music [NASM].

Becoming a Music Major

Music majors are required to undergo a sophomore-year review in February.  This review helps assess academic and artistic progress and helps focus direction for the remainder of their undergraduate studies in music. Students must complete a Declaration of Major form which includes: an outline of their proposed course of study, an essay which details why they wish to major in music, and consultation with their academic advisor. The review includes assessment of all previous juries, review of the student's Declaration of Major form, and an interview with full-time music faculty. 

Performance Opportunities 

All Rhodes students have the opportunity to participate in private lessons and musical ensembles, regardless of their major. Our well-rounded Liberal Arts framework prepares students to become accomplished performers, composers, music scholars, and entrepreneurs.

All students are invited to enroll in performance ensembles. See course offerings: MUSC 181 through 199.

All students are invited to enroll in private (applied) lessons in voice/instrument. See course offerings: MUSC 160 through 180.

Applied Lesson Fee

Applied Music Fee. Students enrolled in applied music will be charged an additional fee of $490.00 per credit for private lessons. After the first applied music lesson, this applied lesson fee is nonrefundable.

Once declared, Music majors will have the Applied Music fees waived for up to eight (8) credits of their principal applied instrument. Music majors taking more than eight (8) credits of Applied Music and lessons taken prior to declaration of the major will be charged the applied fee for those credits.

Once declared, Music minors will have the Applied Music fees waived for up to four (4) credits of Applied Music and lessons taken prior to declaration of the minor will be charged the applied fee for those credits.

*All students enrolled in 20 or more credits in a semester are assessed the extra fee for each credit beginning with the 20th credit. When one of those credits is an applied music course which carries its own fee, the following happens:

Students who are neither music majors nor music minors are assessed the applied music fee, but have the extra hour fee removed from their account.

Students who are either music majors or music minors have the applied music fee removed from their account, but are assessed the extra credit fee at a rate that is equal to the current applied music fee.

Professors

Carole Choate Blankenship. 1990. Chair. B.A., Rhodes College; M.M., D.M.A., University of Memphis. (Voice, Senior Seminar, Opera Scenes.)    
Courtenay L. Harter. 2000. B.F.A., Carnegie Mellon University; M.M., Northwestern University; Ph.D., University of Connecticut. (Music Theory, Music & Psychology, Oboe/English Horn, Chamber Music.)    

Associate Professors

John B. Bass, III. 2010. B.M., University of Southern Mississippi; M.M., Ph.D., University of Memphis. (Director of the Mike Curb Institute, African-American Studies, Jazz Studies, Improvisation, Guitar.)    
Thomas E. Bryant. 1987. B.M., M.M., University of Georgia; D.M., Northwestern University. (Piano, Collaborative Piano, Music Literature.)    
Vanessa L. Rogers. 2010. B.M.E., Illinois Wesleyan University; M.A., Ph.D., University of Southern California. (Music History, Music Literature, Search.)

Assistant Professors

Jacob Sunshine. 2023. B.A.., Columbia University; M.A., Ph.D. A.B.D., Harvard University. (Ethnomusicology, African/African-American Studies, Jazz Studies, Guitar.) 

Adjunct Instructors

Mike Assad. B.M., University of Kentucky; M.M., University of Memphis. (Percussion, World Drum Ensemble.)    
Whitney Branan. B.A., Wagner College; SAG-AFTRA. (Dance, Choreography.)  
Michael Brennan. B.M., ; M.M., . (Violin.)   
Elizabeth Cawein.  B.A., Murray State University; M.A., Brunel University. (Music Urbanism, Mike Curb Institute for Music.) 
Barrie Cooper. B.M., Ithaca College; M.M., Peabody Conservatory. Memphis Symphony Orchestra. (Violin.)   
Jenny Davis. B.M., Middle Tennessee State University; M.M., Boston University. D.M.A. Candidate, University of South Carolina. (Flute, Flute Ensemble.)    
Rena Feller. B.M., Oberlin College Conservatory of Music; M.M., The Juilliard School. Memphis Symphony Orchestra. (Clarinet.)    
Tyler Fritts. B.A., Berea College; M.M., University of Louisville; Ph.D, University of Memphis. (Musicology, Southern Regional Studies.)    
Alaina Graiser. B.M., University of Texas; M.M., University of Toronto; D.M.A., Cinicinnati College Conservatory of Music. (Harp.)   
Desiree Howe. B.M., M.M., Texas Tech University; D.M.A. Candidate, University of Memphis. (Voice, Opera Scenes, Musical Theatre.)   
Kevin Houston. B.M., . (Music Technology.)   
Dennis Janzer. B.S., Marquette University; M.S., Marquette University; B.A., M.M., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; D.M.A., University of Miami. (Organ.)    
Marcus King. B.M.E., University of Memphis; M.M., University of Memphis. (Voice.)        
Will Lang. B.A., Rhodes College; M.M., University of Memphis. (Jazz Ensemble.)   
Francisco Lara. B.M., Northwestern University, M.M., Ph.D., Florida State University. (Musicology, Ethnomusicology.)    
David T. Lay. B.M., Lambuth University. (Guitar.)    
Sean O'Hara. B.M., The Julliard School; M.M., Carnegie Mellon University. (Classical Bass.)   
Žak Ozmo. B.M., Wilfrid Laurier University; M.M., D.M.A., University of Southern California. (Music History, Music and Healing.)    
Brian Ray. B.M., University of Tennessee at Martin; M.M., University of Memphis; D.M.A., University of Memphis. (Piano, Department Collaborative Pianist.)    
John Ross. B.M., Northern Illinois University; M.M., Illinois State University. (Guitar, Guitar Ensemble.)    
Alisha Rufty. B.M.E., Florida State University; M.M., D.M.A., Univeristy of Memphis. (Cello.)   
Jane Gerard-Schranze. B.M., Eastman School of Music; M.M., New England Conservatory. (Viola, Violin, Chamber Music.)    
Sylvester Sample. B.S., University of Memphis; M.B.A., Illinois Institute of Technology. (Jazz Bass.)    
Jonathan H. Schallert. B.M.E., Harding University; M.M., Ph.D., University of Memphis. (Orchestra, Conducting, Music Theory.)    
David L. Shotsberger. B.M., M.M., Pennsylvania State University; D.M.A., University of Memphis. (Music Technology, Composition, Jazz Band.)    
Debra H. Smith. B.M., Mississippi College; M.M., University of Memphis. (Piano, Organ, Music Literature and Theory.)     
Gerald Stephens. B.F.A., University of Memphis. (Jazz Piano.)    
Kate Stimson. B.A., Hollins College; M.M., University of Memphis. (Piano.)    
Mark Vail. B.M., University of North Texas. Memphis Symphony Orchestra. (Trombone, Low Brass.)    
Yukiko Whitehead. B.M., University of Tennessee; M.M., D.M.A., University of Memphis; Yamaha Music Foundation Suzuki Piano Teachers Certificate, Suzuki Association of America. (Piano.)    
Carl R. Wolfe. U.S. Navy Chief Musician (ret.); U.S. Armed Forces School of Music. Memphis Jazz Orchestra. (Saxophone.)

Staff

Erika Pope. 2016. Musical Arts Coordinator. B.A., Henderson State University.

Requirements for the Certificate in Content Production

Students must complete a total of 14 credits as follows:

1. MUSC/URBN 262: Music & Community in Memphis (2 credits)  
    
2. Twelve (12) credits from the following electives:     
   MUSC 222: Music Tech I  
   MUSC 322: Music Tech II  
   MUSC 323: Audio Engineering: History, Theory, & Practice  
   MUSC/URBN 382: Music & Community in Memphis II  
   ART 102: Intro to Digital Art I  
   ART 110: Film & Experimental Video Production  
   ART 115: Creative Publishing: Zines, Comics, Manifestos, and Artist’s Books  
   ART 202: Intermediate Digital Art  
   MST 120: Acting for New Media  
   MST 245: Screenwriting  
   ENGL 206+207: Creative Publishing I & II  
   Relevant Department or Program Topics Courses approved by Curb Institute Director and Department/Program Chair  
    
3. Mike Curb Institute Fellowship (one semester minimum)

Requirements for the Certificate in Arts Entrepreneurship

Students must complete a total of 14 credits as follows:

1. MUSC/URBN 262: Music & Community in Memphis (2 credits)  
    
2. Twelve (12) credits from the following electives:     
   MUSC 250: Music Urbansim  
   MUSC/URBN: Survey of Music Industry Studies  
   MUSC/URBN 382: Music & Community in Memphis II  
   MUSC 140: Music & Healing  
   BUS 125: Intro to Entreprenuership  
   MST 265: LGBTQ++ Culture in Media  
   PLAW 208: Media & Politics  
   PLAW: Urban Politics and Policy  
   URBN 340: Non-Profits in the City  
   Relevant Department or Program Topics Courses approved by Curb Institute Director and Department/Program Chair  
    
3. Mike Curb Institute Fellowship (one semester minimum)

A total of twenty-two (22) credits as follows:

1. Dance Performance (14 credits)
   Select from MUSC 150-155 and MUSC 251-255, such as:
   •MUSC 150 (Dance for Musical Theatre) [F5]   
   •MUSC 155 (Topics in Dance) [F5 pending]   
   •MUSC 251 (Adv Jazz/Contemporary Dance) [F5]   
   •MUSC 255 (Advanced Topics in Dance) 
    
2. Musical Structure (4 credits/1 course, dependent on placement)
   •MUSC 103 (Elements of Music) [F5] or    
   •MUSC 204 (Understanding Musicianship) [F5] or    
   •one from MUSC 306-313 [F6 & F2i available] 
    
3. Dance in Culture (4 credits/1 course)
   •MUSC 265 (History of Musical Theatre) [F3 & F5]   
   •MUSC 231/HIST 226 (Musical Paris 1870-1940) [F3 & F5]   
   •ANSO 333 (Sociology and Hip Hop) [F9]   
   •Other courses/topics as approved by department. 
    

A total of fifty-two (52) credits as follows:

1. Music Theory Courses (12 credits)
         a. MUSC 204: Understanding Musicianship [F5]*
         b. Two 300-level music theory courses (306-313)
         *If placement test determines this course is redundant,
           choose three (3) 300-level music theory courses.
    
2. Music History & Literature Courses (12 credits)
         a.  MUSC 227: Western Art Music I [F3]
         b.  MUSC 228: Western Art Music II [F3]
         c.  One F9 elective: MUSC 116, 117, 118, 119, 130, or select 105 sections
     
3. Performance Courses (12 credits)
         a. 6 semesters of applied music lessons (MUSC 160-180 = 1 credit each)
         b. 6 semesters of large ensembles (MUSC 181-184, 190-194 = 1 credit each)
    
4. Senior Experience (8 credits)
         a. MUSC 485-486: Senior Seminar & Presentation (4 credits)**
         b. MUSC 414: Conducting I (2 credits)
         c. MUSC 415: Conducting II or 300-level Composition (2 credits)
         **Co-requisite of applied music lessons (if choosing a performance project) OR
            Co-requisite of applied composition lessons (if choosing a composition project).
    
5. Music Electives (8 credits)
   MUSC 101 does not fulfill this requirement.

Once declared, Music majors will have the Applied Music fees waived for up to eight (8) credits of their principal applied instrument. Music majors taking more than eight (8) credits of Applied Music and lessons taken prior to declaration of the major will be charged the applied fee for those credits.

NOTE: Fine Arts Scholarship waivers for Applied Music fees are outlined in the award letter which supersedes music major and minor fee waivers outlined here.

A total of twenty-four (24) credits as follows:

1. One Music Theory Course (4 credits)
      a. MUSC 204: Understanding Musicianship OR 
          One (1) 300-level music theory course (306-313), depending on placement.
    
2. One Music History & Literature Course (4 credits)
      a. MUSC 227: Western Art Music I [F3]
      b. MUSC 228: Western Art Music II [F3]
    
3. Performance Courses (8 credits)
      a. 4 semesters of applied lessons (MUSC 160-180 = 1 credit each)
      b. 4 semesters of large ensembles (MUSC 181-184, 190-194 = 1 credit each)
    
4. Two 4-credit Music Electives (8 credits)
      a. Courses from MUSC 160-199 do not fulfill this requirement.

Once declared, Music minors will have the Applied Music fees waived for up to four (4) credits of their principal applied instrument. Music minors taking more than four (4) credits of Applied Music and lessons taken prior to declaration of the minor will be charged the applied fee for those credits.

NOTE: Fine Arts Scholarship waivers for Applied Music fees are outlined in the award letter which supersedes music major and minor fee waivers outlined here.

A music theory placement test is given by the department to determine a student’s skill level. Any student demonstrating the appropriate level of proficiency may place into either Music 204 or a 300-level music theory elective. Students may alternatively fulfill this prerequisite by taking Music 103 before beginning the theory sequence. Contact Dr. Courtenay Harter for more information. harterc@rhodes.edu

All Honors in Music candidates must meet the College's eligibility criteria established for the Honors Program. Only students with a minimum overall GPA of 3.5 and a GPA within the major of 3.5 by the end of the fall semester of their junior year will be eligible to pursue honors. In addition to fulfilling the requirements for the major, students seeking honors will be expected to complete the following additional work:

1. The one-credit Honors Tutorial, Music 399, in spring of the junior year: in consultation with an appropriate member of the Music faculty, the Honors candidate must write a proposal for Honors work, positing a substantial Honors thesis or creative project that demonstrates an exceptional understanding of the area(s) studied, to be implemented in the senior year. The department must approve the proposal.

2. The Senior Honors Tutorials, Music 495-496, in fall and spring of the senior year. An overall grade of A- on the thesis or project itself is required for Honors credit.