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LIBERAL ARTS

Learning for a Lifetime, Learning for Success

Your ability to connect with others, communicate clearly, think critically and creatively, and understand the broader world might make the difference in creating and sustaining a music career. Liberal arts classes add breadth and depth to the music education core of McNally Smith College.  These courses are part of a well-balanced and rich education that cultivates knowledge, as well as intellectual and artistic skills – all vital for a successful entry into professional life.  

We offer a wide curriculum of communications, social sciences, humanities, natural science, math, and elective classes that are geared towards artists’ needs, including the physiology of music performance.  Traditional liberal arts classes are given with a musical slant to stimulate student interest.  

Creative Writing, Exploring the Fine Arts, Interpersonal Communication: Presentation and Collaboration in the Music Industry – these are just a few examples of liberal arts courses designed to help you expand and develop your artistic options.  

Through a curriculum that emphasizes written and interpersonal communication skills, critical thinking, and awareness of the world, students are prepared to enter and build a life beyond academia.
INSIDE THE CLASSROOM

Writing About Music
From concert reviews to press releases, one-sheets to blogs, grant proposals to bios, you’ll apply your critical and creative thinking techniques and develop skills for communicating as a music professional.

Exploring the Fine Arts
Throughout the ages and in all civilizations around the world, humankind has created art. Discover the impact of art-making of all kinds on the human cultures that created them.

Musical Linguistics
Race, class, and gender play key roles in our personal and professional lives. This course explores the role of popular culture in society, and includes off-campus connections using the language of music.

Musical and Room Acoustics
Sound is the root of all music. In these courses you’ll discover the energy behind sound, analyze how musical instruments work, and consider decibels, sound waves, and how sound is affected by its environment.

Commonly Searched Phrases: Music Education | Top Music Schools | Physiology of Music Performance | Music in Literature | Music and Anthropology | Music Journalism | Musical Linguistics

REQUIREMENTS
Communication
Humanities
Social Sciences
Math/Natural Science

CAREERS
Liberal Arts courses form a web of interconnection with all your music degree coursework, helping to prepare you for the exciting transition into professional life.

 

    Dr. Stuart Anderson
    Stuart Anderson is Associate Professor of Physics and Assistant Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Augsburg College in Minneapolis.
  • Dr. Stuart Anderson
    • Evan Barshak
  • Evan Barshak
    • Julie Brice
    Julie has taught elementary to advanced Spanish courses at Illinois Wesleyan University, Illinois State University, and the University of Iowa.
  • Julie Brice
    • Richard Brown
    Richard has taught writing and literature courses at Normandale Community College, Inver Hills Community College, Century College, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, and the University of Minnesota
  • Richard Brown
    • Linda Chacholiades
    Linda Chacholiades studied at the University of Georgia, Mozarteum Conservatory, Salzburg, Austria, and holds a Master of Music Degree in Piano Performance from Cleveland Institute of Music.
  • Linda Chacholiades
    • William Franklin
    Billy Franklin is an accomplished musician with a passion for teaching the humanities and art history.
  • William Franklin
    • Chris Gaalaas
    Chris earned a B.S. in Mathematics and an M.S. in Mathematics Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
  • Chris Gaalaas
    • Dr. Daniel Halvorson
    Dr. Dan Halvorsen is Adjunct Assistant Professor in the University of Minnesota Medical School Physiology Department, Clinical Director of the Exercise Medicine Center, and Team Physiologist for the University of Minnesota sports teams.
  • Dr. Daniel Halvorson
    • Jerry Kosak
    Department Head, Guitar
    Jerry Kosak is a Jerome Foundation Grant recipient who has recorded two CDs of original music for solo guitar, "Many Dances" and "Sounds Like This."
  • Jerry Kosak
    • Mike Krajewski
    Mike has studied with: John Sutherland, Mark French, Jon Finn, Jim Kelly, Dave Frackenphol, and Kevin Bales.
  • Mike Krajewski
    • Steve McPherson
    Steve McPherson is a musician and writer who’s lived in the Twin Cities since 2004, where he’s performed with bands and artists including Big Trouble, Brutal Becomings, Crossing Guards, Jessy Greene, and Heiruspecs.
  • Steve McPherson
    • April Mitchell
    April began her career teaching all areas of English and Speech Communications for eight years in secondary schools.
  • April Mitchell
    • Jake Mohan
    Jake Mohan is a writer and musician living in Minneapolis. At McNally Smith, Jake Mohan teaches Music Journalism and Writing and Research and is the faculty adviser to The Decibel, the campus paper.
  • Jake Mohan
    • Nneka Onyilofor
    Nneka completed her master’s thesis on globalization in West African contemporary culture, with a major focus on Ghanaian hip-life music.
  • Nneka Onyilofor
    • Elise Robinson
    Elise has taught acting and theatre at institutions across the country and is currently in the final stages of her PhD program with UC Santa Barbara.
  • Elise Robinson
    • Becky Weis
    Becky developed her Scandinavian heritage musical traditions into performance of Swedish and Norwegian fiddle traditions, studying extensively in Norway and Sweden.
  • Becky Weis
    • Janis Weller
    Chair, Liberal Arts
    Janis has been active in the arts community of Minneapolis/St. Paul for many years as a flutist, teacher, residency artist, author, consultant, and arts administrator.
  • Janis Weller
    • Teresa Whitman
    Teresa Whitman is an award winning, published poet, fiction, and creative non-fiction writer, teacher, and editor.
  • Teresa Whitman
    • Anabel Wirt
    While earning her bachelor’s at UW-Madison, she taught conversational English and led field trips for international students.
  • Anabel Wirt
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