Performing Arts (Music and Theatre)

Performing Arts

Faculty:
Sharlow - Chair, Allan, Cotter, O’Brien, and Robinson
Fine Arts Building • 417-625-9318

Mission

The Missouri Southern Department of Performing Arts seeks to serve the University and its community by providing access to music and theatre as a vocation or avocation through education, performance, and technology with the goal of creating performing arts supporters, entrepreneurs, participants, and professionals in music and/or theatre.

Performance Opportunities

Distinctive to Missouri Southern is the ability for all students, regardless of major, to participate in our musical ensembles and theatrical productions while taking private, one-on-one, lessons in music and acting. Students can also participate in more than one performing arts area and aren’t limited to only being in choir, band, or theatre. These opportunities provide for a variety of performance experiences makes MSSU a great place to further your performing arts interests and abilities regardless of your major.

Features of our Department

Participation our ensembles and productions does not require you to major or minor in music or theatre.
International travel opportunities even years - Ireland, Scandinavia, England, France, etc.
Domestic travel opportunities odd years - NYC (Carnegie Hall), St. Louis, Chicago, Kansas City, etc.
Workshops, masterclasses, and seminars from international professionals in the performing arts.
Nurturing of both a vocational and avocational future in the performing arts.

The Missouri Southern State University Division of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), meaning out degrees/certificates/courses/ensembles have been rigorously reviewed by outside music professionals and found to meet the highest standards. As a Missouri Southern music graduate, you will not only hold a degree that will be recognized for its rigor, but because of our ability to offer a variety of academic, programmatic, and performance opportunities, you will have the necessary experiences to enter the professional world of music education, performance, and industry with confidence.

Choral / Vocal Studies

The Choral and Vocal Studies Program provides the singer, regardless of major, the opportunity to perform a wide-ranging, yet complimentary, variety of music in an equally diverse number of ensembles, performances, and genre types. Our ensembles include Concert Chorale (large mixed choir) and Chamber Singers (highly-select mixed ensemble). MSSU vocalists compete alongside other state universities in competitions sponsored by the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) where they consistently place in the first and second place divisions at the district, state, and national levels.

Instrumental Studies

The Instrumental Studies Program provides the instrumentalist, regardless of major, the opportunity to perform in a variety of instrumental ensembles geared specifically for a variety of music and genres. Our two athletic ensembles include the Lion Pride Marching Band, the Lion Pride Pep Band, while our concert ensembles include the Missouri Southern Concert Band and the Southern Jazz Orchestra. Opportunities to perform in wind and brass chamber ensembles also exist. Our other various instrumental ensembles perform at a high-level while also creating a welcoming musical environment for all students.

Theatrical Studies

The Theatre Studies Program provides the actor and crew member, regardless of major, the opportunity to perform-in/work-on a wide-variety of repertoire meant for both the large and small stages. Our productions include the fall musical, and the spring straight-play. Other productions include the children’s play and student-directed plays that happen throughout the year.

Degrees / Certificates

With concentrations in education, performance, and industry, our degrees and certificates will give you the essential training and experience for a career in the performing arts. No matter what area of specialty you choose, the skills you will learn at Missouri Southern will provide you with the necessary foundation to put you in the workforce immediately or prepare you for further graduate study.

The Performing Arts Department offers a variety of degrees and certificates that provide a path to achieve your dreams in music and theatre!

Education

Performance

Industry

Music Major, Music Industry, BS, MU10

Elective Studies

Music Major, Electives Outside Field, BM, MU09

Liberal Arts Degrees

Undergraduate Certificate Offerings - These can be paired with any of the above degrees, or with the Bachelor of General Studies degree. They can also be earned separate from any degree.

Minors

Graduate Certificate Offerings - Our graduate certificates, which can be paired with the Master of Science in Education Curriculum and Instruction degree in Teacher Education, include:

General Education/Core 42

There are several Performing Arts courses available for consideration to fulfill both Area 2B and 5B of general education requirements.

Area 2B Oral Communications can be fulfilled by TH 0220 TH 0220 - Professional Interaction

Area 5B Fine Arts can be fulfilled by

What can you do with a performing arts degree or certificate

Education: Bachelor of Music Education / Bachelor of Science in Speech and Theatre / Certificate in Music Instruction / Certificate in Theatre Instruction / Graduate Certificate in Music Pedagogy / Certificate in Music Conducting

Conductor
Director
Teach community college
Teach elementary music
Teach secondary music - conduct a choir/conduct a band
Teach secondary speech/theatre - direct a play/direct a musical
Music Therapy

Performance: Bachelor of Music in Vocal, Instrumental, and Keyboard Performance / Bachelor of Fine Arts Theatre Performance / Bachelor of Musical Theatre / Certificate in Music Ensemble Performance / Certificate in Music Conducting / Certificate in Pit Orchestra Performance / Certificate in Musical Theatre

Accompanist
College applied music/theatre professor
Music theatre performer
Opera/oratorio singer
Rock/pop/country artist
Session artist
Theatre performer

Industry: Bachelor of Science in Music Industry / Bachelor of Science in Theatre Industry / Certificate in Arts Administration & Leadership / Certificate in Music Industry / Certificate in Theatre Industry

Acoustician
Arts administrator
Arts business manager
Audio techician
Designer: stage, lighting, costume, and set
Instrument repair
Talent Agent

Electives Studies: Bachelor of Music with Elective Studies in an Outside Field

Music business
Music engineer
Music therapy
Music lawyer

For additional information contact:
Dr. David Sharlow • Music Building 206
417-625-9562 • Sharlow-d@mssu.edu

Programs

Major Programs (Undergraduate)

Certificates (Undergraduate)

Certificates (Graduate)

Minors (Undergraduate)

Teacher Education Programs

Courses

Music

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