Music Department Mission Statement

The Music Department at Seattle Pacific University seeks to be an exemplary music community committed to helping students to develop their talents and abilities fully, to appreciate cultural heritage, and to integrate music knowledge and skills in a life characterized by Christian faith, wholeness and service.

Music Department Goals

(1) We are committed to helping students develop their talents and abilities fully. As Christians, we affirm that we are formed in the image of God, and are endowed with the ability and the mandate to be creative. Therefore, we expect students to embrace their own giftedness, understand their potential, and exercise good stewardship through study, practice, and performance.

(2) Through the study of music in its cultural, sociological, and historical contexts, we seek to graduate people who appreciate cultural heritage, who understand who they are, who possess historical perspective, and who will therefore, be positive change agents in their communities.

(3) We value music as a way to serve God and the greater community. Therefore, we are committed to helping students to integrate their knowledge and skills with their faith, equipping them for lives of service.

Statement on Music for Instruction and Performance

To achieve our goals, the following criteria serve in the selection of music for study and performance at Seattle Pacific University:

1. DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS - The development of performance skills and allied competencies constitutes a major factor in the selection of music. Skill must be combined with artistic understanding and insights.

2. HIGH ARTISTIC STANDARDS - Compositions of acknowledged master composers provide a basis for judgment of artistic merit. In the case of contemporary music, jazz, popular music, and other types, appropriate artistic standards will be used.

3. BROAD SCOPE OF MUSICAL EXPERIENCE - Music of various styles and genres from all periods of music history will be used. Students are encouraged to perform in large and small ensembles to gain familiarity with a range of literature. A student will be challenged to enrich their lives by attending and experiencing musical events.

4. SUITABILITY OF THE MUSIC - Performers will be challenged with music commensurate with their abilities and needs.