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Department of Music

Contact Us

Department Chair

Dr. Ron Blackley
Chair, Departments of Music and Theatre, Professor of Music
209, Center for the Arts
419-289-5114
rblackle@ashland.edu

Auditions and General Information

Brittany Kohut
Administrative Assistant
419-289-5100
music@ashland.edu

Programs

Undergraduate
Degree Type: BM
Learning to Teach Music

If you want to be a music teacher, Ashland University’s Music Education program is a great place to start.

This program combines courses in music with courses from our College of Education, which is nationally recognized as one of the best programs in the state. You’ll...

Undergraduate

The music minor programs are designed for students majoring in another field that want significant music study as a part of their education. The required courses for the music minor can be distributed over several years, to ease scheduling. Students select either an Applied performance track (the applied Music Minor)...

Undergraduate
Degree Type: BA
Making A Career in Music

Do you want to explore the world of music? The Bachelor of Arts in Music provides a thorough musical education within the context of a liberal arts education.

Curriculum

Brochures, Course Rotations & Four-Year Guides

Each department provides information specific to its majors and programs to help ensure you choose exactly which major is right for you. Use the supplemental material below to assist you in finding a major that most interests you.

COURSE ROTATIONS & FOUR YEAR GUIDES

Current Academic Year
Music Education, Multi-Age (PreK-12)
BM in Music Education Four-Year Guide
Music Minor
Music Minor
Music Studies
BA in Music, Music Studies Four-Year Guide
BA in Music, Music Studies Three-Year Guide
Music Performance
BM in Music Performance - Instrumental Four-Year Guide
BM in Music Performance - Vocal Four-Year Guide

Faculty

Dr. Rowland Blackley
Dr. Rowland (Ron) Blackley
Chair, Departments of Music and Theatre, Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities, Coordinator of Music Education
209, Center for the Arts
419.289.5114 / rblackle@ashland.edu
Department of Music
Scott Garlock
Dr. Scott Garlock
Professor of Music
104, Center for the Arts
419.289.5134 / sgarlock@ashland.edu
Department of Music
Joseph Lewis Jr
Joseph Lewis, Jr.
Director of Bands
106, Center for the Arts
419.289.5132 / jlewisjr@ashland.edu
Department of Music
Dr. Tom Reed, Chair, Music and Theatre, Professor of Music
Dr. Tom Reed
Professor of Music
206, Center for the Arts
419.289.5158 / treed@ashland.edu
Department of Music

Department News

19.20 Music Department Awards

Congratulations to the 2019.2020 Music Department Award recipients!

Department Academic Awards
Sophomore: Bethany Leggett
Junior: Kailyn Buyok
Senior: Rebecca Young

OCMEA leadership award: Kendra Garver

Outstanding Student Teacher: Kendra Garver

Zach Spier Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Non-Music Major
Nathan Roblin
Kyle Ackert
Branden Barber

Most Improved Music Major: Jenna Niedermier

Outstanding Performer: Jedidiah McFadden

Outstanding Music Major: Eric Watts

And Congratulations to the Graduating Seniors (Dec. 2019 & May 2020)
Sami Eron Kendra Garver Moriah Goldsmith Alli Lange Alex Trotter Rebecca Young...Read more

Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Headlines Maplerock

Ashland University’s award-winning jazz program is proud to present the 41st Annual Maplerock Jazz Festival slated for Friday, March 20. Along with free performances by nine area school jazz ensembles from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event presents a main stage concert at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre which will headline The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra.

The Jazz Festival's evening concert will open with the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock fresh off of their tour to Spain. Dr. Garlock will then switch roles and take the stage as lead trombonist in The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra (CJO).

For 35 years, The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra has been Northeast Ohio’s premier jazz voice. Led by Paul Ferguson as the artistic director, the CJO promotes jazz in its historical and contemporary forms, through concerts with gifted jazz musicians, arrangers, composers and educators in northeast Ohio. The CJO aims for worldwide recognition in cooperation with guest artists, and looks to shepherd young musicians toward the future of jazz. Their 2019-2020 season exemplifies this mission and vision through a variety of new music, new compositions and arrangements, and a stellar line-up of well-known guest artists and young up-and-coming talent.

Paul has played with the CJO since 1988 and was named the artistic director in CJO's 31st season. Before joining CJO, Paul traveled with and arranged for the Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller Orchestras. Recognized as one of the leading jazz composer/arrangers of his generation, he was recipient of the Gil Evans fellowship in Jazz Composition in 1995 and was the sole American finalist at the ART-EZ Jazz composition contest in Enschede, Holland in 2012. His works have been recorded by various radio orchestras in Europe and his arrangements for Pops...Read more

AU Jazz Returns to Spain

The Ashland University Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock returned to Spain for another concert tour. Here is a photo of them waiting for their departure from Ashland University yesterday. They arrived safely across the pond. All the best to them in their concerts and adventures....Read more

Pre-Spain Jazz Concert

The Ashland University Jazz Orchestra will preview their Spain tour repertoire at a special Jazz at the Nest concert on Monday, Mar. 2 at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public....Read more

Events & Tickets

Auditions & Admissions

Audition Process

GetAcceptd.com

Admission to the Department of Music requires an entrance audition which also determines a variety of talent-based scholarships for majors, minors and participants. For strong scholarship consideration, all scholarship auditions must be completed by March 18 prior to the proposed academic year of enrollment. All department majors, minors and ensemble participants are eligible, but a limited number of awards are available.

Prospective students must complete the formal Ashland University application process and be accepted to the University before they can be awarded a scholarship. It is highly recommended that students complete the Ashland University Application for Admission prior to an audition. Please refer to the checklist page for details about applying to the Department of Music and for auditioning information which includes:

Ensemble auditions for students not completing a scholarship audition are held in summer and fall; contact the ensemble director or email music@ashland.edu for more information. No audition is required for Marching Band.

Music placement testing takes place after admission to the music program, but before the start of classes. Placement testing is typically completed during summer. The placement tests do not affect admissions decisions.

Contact Us

Contact Us

Department Chair

Dr. Ron Blackley
Chair, Departments of Music and Theatre, Professor of Music
209, Center for the Arts
419-289-5114
rblackle@ashland.edu

Auditions and General Information

Brittany Kohut
Administrative Assistant
419-289-5100
music@ashland.edu

Programs

Programs

Undergraduate
Degree Type: BM
Learning to Teach Music

If you want to be a music teacher, Ashland University’s Music Education program is a great place to start.

This program combines courses in music with courses from our College of Education, which is nationally recognized as one of the best programs in the state. You’ll...

Undergraduate

The music minor programs are designed for students majoring in another field that want significant music study as a part of their education. The required courses for the music minor can be distributed over several years, to ease scheduling. Students select either an Applied performance track (the applied Music Minor)...

Undergraduate
Degree Type: BA
Making A Career in Music

Do you want to explore the world of music? The Bachelor of Arts in Music provides a thorough musical education within the context of a liberal arts education.

Curriculum

Curriculum

Brochures, Course Rotations & Four-Year Guides

Each department provides information specific to its majors and programs to help ensure you choose exactly which major is right for you. Use the supplemental material below to assist you in finding a major that most interests you.

COURSE ROTATIONS & FOUR YEAR GUIDES

Current Academic Year
Music Education, Multi-Age (PreK-12)
BM in Music Education Four-Year Guide
Music Minor
Music Minor
Music Studies
BA in Music, Music Studies Four-Year Guide
BA in Music, Music Studies Three-Year Guide
Music Performance
BM in Music Performance - Instrumental Four-Year Guide
BM in Music Performance - Vocal Four-Year Guide

Faculty

Faculty

Dr. Rowland Blackley
Dr. Rowland (Ron) Blackley
Chair, Departments of Music and Theatre, Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities, Coordinator of Music Education
209, Center for the Arts
419.289.5114 / rblackle@ashland.edu
Department of Music
Scott Garlock
Dr. Scott Garlock
Professor of Music
104, Center for the Arts
419.289.5134 / sgarlock@ashland.edu
Department of Music
Joseph Lewis Jr
Joseph Lewis, Jr.
Director of Bands
106, Center for the Arts
419.289.5132 / jlewisjr@ashland.edu
Department of Music
Dr. Tom Reed, Chair, Music and Theatre, Professor of Music
Dr. Tom Reed
Professor of Music
206, Center for the Arts
419.289.5158 / treed@ashland.edu
Department of Music

Department News

Department News

19.20 Music Department Awards

Congratulations to the 2019.2020 Music Department Award recipients!

Department Academic Awards
Sophomore: Bethany Leggett
Junior: Kailyn Buyok
Senior: Rebecca Young

OCMEA leadership award: Kendra Garver

Outstanding Student Teacher: Kendra Garver

Zach Spier Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Non-Music Major
Nathan Roblin
Kyle Ackert
Branden Barber

Most Improved Music Major: Jenna Niedermier

Outstanding Performer: Jedidiah McFadden

Outstanding Music Major: Eric Watts

And Congratulations to the Graduating Seniors (Dec. 2019 & May 2020)
Sami Eron Kendra Garver Moriah Goldsmith Alli Lange Alex Trotter Rebecca Young...Read more

Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Headlines Maplerock

Ashland University’s award-winning jazz program is proud to present the 41st Annual Maplerock Jazz Festival slated for Friday, March 20. Along with free performances by nine area school jazz ensembles from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event presents a main stage concert at 7:30 p.m. in Hugo Young Theatre which will headline The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra.

The Jazz Festival's evening concert will open with the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock fresh off of their tour to Spain. Dr. Garlock will then switch roles and take the stage as lead trombonist in The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra (CJO).

For 35 years, The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra has been Northeast Ohio’s premier jazz voice. Led by Paul Ferguson as the artistic director, the CJO promotes jazz in its historical and contemporary forms, through concerts with gifted jazz musicians, arrangers, composers and educators in northeast Ohio. The CJO aims for worldwide recognition in cooperation with guest artists, and looks to shepherd young musicians toward the future of jazz. Their 2019-2020 season exemplifies this mission and vision through a variety of new music, new compositions and arrangements, and a stellar line-up of well-known guest artists and young up-and-coming talent.

Paul has played with the CJO since 1988 and was named the artistic director in CJO's 31st season. Before joining CJO, Paul traveled with and arranged for the Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller Orchestras. Recognized as one of the leading jazz composer/arrangers of his generation, he was recipient of the Gil Evans fellowship in Jazz Composition in 1995 and was the sole American finalist at the ART-EZ Jazz composition contest in Enschede, Holland in 2012. His works have been recorded by various radio orchestras in Europe and his arrangements for Pops...Read more

AU Jazz Returns to Spain

The Ashland University Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Scott Garlock returned to Spain for another concert tour. Here is a photo of them waiting for their departure from Ashland University yesterday. They arrived safely across the pond. All the best to them in their concerts and adventures....Read more

Pre-Spain Jazz Concert

The Ashland University Jazz Orchestra will preview their Spain tour repertoire at a special Jazz at the Nest concert on Monday, Mar. 2 at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public....Read more

Events & Tickets

Events & Tickets

Auditions & Admissions

Auditions & Admissions

Audition Process

GetAcceptd.com

Admission to the Department of Music requires an entrance audition which also determines a variety of talent-based scholarships for majors, minors and participants. For strong scholarship consideration, all scholarship auditions must be completed by March 18 prior to the proposed academic year of enrollment. All department majors, minors and ensemble participants are eligible, but a limited number of awards are available.

Prospective students must complete the formal Ashland University application process and be accepted to the University before they can be awarded a scholarship. It is highly recommended that students complete the Ashland University Application for Admission prior to an audition. Please refer to the checklist page for details about applying to the Department of Music and for auditioning information which includes:

Ensemble auditions for students not completing a scholarship audition are held in summer and fall; contact the ensemble director or email music@ashland.edu for more information. No audition is required for Marching Band.

Music placement testing takes place after admission to the music program, but before the start of classes. Placement testing is typically completed during summer. The placement tests do not affect admissions decisions.

Expressing Yourself Through Music

Whether you want to study music as a major or minor or continue your involvement in music by performing in an excellent ensemble, the Ashland University Music Department offers you many opportunities to express yourself musically.

Music Department Differentiators

In the Music Department, you’ll discover:

  • Outstanding artist-teachers and scholars who are dedicated to encouraging and inspiring you every day
  • Small class sizes and individual attention in a challenging and supportive environment
  • Fine ensembles that are an active part of campus life, where you’ll perform concerts on campus and tour regionally each year
  • Opportunities to travel and perform internationally—previous trips have included Spain, Italy, Germany, and Austria
  • Campus involvement opportunities including the Ashland University band and choirs

The Department of Music is a proud accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

Pursue one of our music programs to find one that meets your career objectives.

Bands and Choirs

The Ashland University Department of Music supports the University Symphonic Band, The University Marching Band, Jazz Orchestra, Community Band, and several small ensembles including woodwind ensemble, jazz combo, brass ensemble, flute choir and percussion ensemble. We also support The Ashland Area Chorus, The Women's Chorus, The Ashland University Choir, The Chamber Singers and The Opera Workshop.

For more information, click on the appropriate link below:

Visit the Department of Music

  • Prospective students can easily arrange to visit classes, have a lesson and attend rehearsals.
  • Email Brittany Kohut at music@ashland.edu to make an appointment for your visit.
  • The Office of Admission offers extensive information about the university and campus tours.

Student Resources

There are many components that contribute to the academic and professional experience.  Ashland University's Department of Music offers a number of student resources to help improve development and organizational skills.  Follow the links below for more information.

Reserve the Liz Pastor Recital Hall

AU Music: A Significant Cultural Force

Support the Department of Music

Make a donation to this departmentBy donating any amount you're making a big difference in our department's future. To designate your gift to the Department of Music , select “Other” in the "Designated Options" and type the department's name in the associated box.