Skip to the main content
×

Registration for summer & fall classes is open! Attend class in person, virtually or both | Get started now

Music

 

The Palm Beach State Music Program builds the groundwork for a career as a performer, composer, music educator or music therapist. The A.A. degree is transferable to any university in the state of Florida. The program includes 36 credit hours of General Education courses and 24 credit hours of Music courses.

In support of Palm Beach State’s mission, the mission of the Music Cluster is to provide a broad music education emphasizing the technical, artistic, and interpersonal skills necessary for employment and/or personal growth by offering a comprehensive curriculum which nurtures an appreciation of music through exposure to a variety of styles of music, performance opportunities, and a mentoring under the direction of a recognized, knowledgeable, and experienced faculty and staff.


History

The Glee Club and College Singers existed as student clubs in the late 1940s and early 1950s. In 1956, Music Appreciation, freshman Music Theory, and College Singers were instituted as courses, and sophomore Music Theory was added in 1957. A music education major was begun in 1961, and included Applied Music courses and Instrumental Techniques courses. Courses in Music Fundamentals, Church Music, Conducting, Music Theatre Workshop, Stage (Jazz) Band, String Ensemble, and Class Instruction in Guitar, Piano and Voice were added in 1966, and in 1970, Brass, Woodwind and Percussion Ensembles were added.


Audition Info

Auditions are held at the beginning of each semester for all new and some returning students who wish to participate in musical ensembles, applied lessons, or receive a Palm Beach State Music-Department-related scholarship. These auditions are usually held the day before classes begin in HU 111. This information should be posted on the class schedule online when you register for classes.


Who Needs to Audition?

You need to audition for the music faculty if you are a …

  1. new student wishing to participate in any musical ensemble other than Concert Chorus.
  2. new student wishing to take applied lessons.
  3. new student wishing to apply for a Music-Department-related scholarship.
  4. returning student wishing to participate in new “by audition only" ensemble.
  5. returning student wishing to take applied lessons on a second instrument.
  6. returning student not currently on a Music Department scholarship, but who would like to receive one.


What to Play for the Audition

In general, you should be looking to play or sing a piece (or pieces) that best display your overall musicianship as well as your technical facility and sound. Some suggestions are listed below.

  1. Vocalists
    Choose a song(s) that displays your tone quality, technique & overall musicianship. This may be either classical and/or popular in nature (i.e. show tune). An accompanist will be provided for your audition if you wish, but you may bring an accompaniment CD if you prefer. You may also be asked to vocalize to check your vocal range and/or asked to repeat simple musical patterns.

  2. Instrumentalists
    Choose an etude or excerpt from the standard repertoire that best showcases your playing level on your instrument. You may want to consider choosing two short excerpts:one that displays your technical facility and one that displays your tone & lyricism. You may also be asked to play some scales as part of your audition.

  3. Percussionists
    Choose etudes or excerpts for each one of the main percussion areas in which you can play:snare drum, timpani, mallets, and/or drum set. If auditioning on snare drum, you may also be asked to play some of the standard rudiments. If auditioning on mallets, you may also be asked to play some scales. If auditioning on drum set, you may be asked to play some basic grooves in the jazz, rock, and Latin styles.

  4. Jazz Piano
    Choose a song(s) that displays your ability to play in a jazz style. During this selection you should be prepared to play the melody and the chords that accompany the tune. You may be asked to play a brief improvised solo. You may also be asked to play some scales and chords as part of your audition.

  5. Jazz Guitar
    Choose a song(s) that displays your ability to play in a jazz style. During this selection you should be prepared to play the melody, a brief improvised solo, and the chords that accompany the tune. You may bring an accompaniment CD if you wish. You may also be asked to play some scales as part of your audition.

  6. Jazz Bass
    Choose a song(s) that displays your ability to play in a jazz style. During this selection you should be prepared to play a walking bass line and the melody (if possible). You may bring an accompaniment CD if you wish. You may also be asked to play some scales as part of your audition.

 

For more information contact:
Michael MacMullen, Music Department Chair
Palm Beach State College MS #15
4200 Congress Ave.
Lake Worth, FL 33461-4796
561-868-3264
macmullm@palmbeachstate.edu


Music Department Scholarships

The Palm Beach State Music Department offers a wide range of scholarships for students. These scholarships are awarded based on an auditions and GPA. See below for more information on the four different scholarships offered by the Palm Beach State Music Department.

Some students prefer to work on campus through the work study or student assistant programs. To qualify for these programs the process begins by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and indicate on question No. 28 of the FAFSA your interest in part-time employment as part of your financial assistance.

All of the following scholarships are determined through auditions held one day before classes and/or during the first week of classes of each fall and spring semester. Contact faculty or check the Music Department website for specific dates and information.

General Music Department Scholarship Requirements
  1. Must be a full-time student (12 semester hrs. minimum) with a specialization in music. This would include taking the Music Theory and Ear Training/Sight Singing cycle of classes (levels I-IV for each class).
  2. Register for and participate in at least one Palm Bech State-Lake Worth musical ensemble. Ensemble participation is required each subsequent semester for scholarship renewal.
    1. Instrumentalists (except piano) must take Concert Band.
    2. Vocalists must take Concert Chorus.
    3. Pianists must take either Concert Chorus, Concert Band (on approval by director) or the Piano Accompanying Class (offered as needed)  
    4. Guitarists must take Guitar Ensemble (classical or jazz).
  3. Take private applied lessons in voice or major instrument of your choice, with a minimum grade of B required for scholarship renewal.
  4. Register for and attend Recital Seminar (MUS 0010, W 12:30-1:20)
  5. Perform in a student recital each semester (including the first semester) in which you are receiving a scholarship.
  6. Achieve and maintain cumulative minimum grade point averages (GPAs) of 2.5 in overall coursework, and 3.0 in music coursework.
  7. Meet with a music faculty member for advisement on scheduling, and receive that faculty member's signature of schedule approval on the intended schedule.
  8. Students will be notified of Music Department scholarship awards by a list posted outside of Mr. MacMullen’s office (HU 118) and/or by email.
Troubadours Scholarship Requirements (Vocal Jazz Ensemble)
  1. Open to all music and non-music full-time students determined through an audition held during the first week of the fall semester. Part-time students are eligible for a reduced award.
  2. Must be a member of an additional related Palm Beach State Music Department ensemble.
  3. Must be available for Troubadours rehearsals and performances.
  4. If receiving a Music Department scholarship, the Troubadours scholarship is in addition to the Music Department scholarship.
  5. Membership in the Troubadours is a two-semester commitment on the part of the student. However, membership in the ensemble (and the accompanying scholarship) may be revoked by the Music Department for a subsequent semester, if the student fails to meet all requirements for the scholarship.
  6. Students will be notified of Troubadours scholarship awards by a list posted outside of Mr. MacMullen’s office (HU 118) and/or by email.
Nick Nicholson Scholarship Requirements (Instrumentalists only)

Note: Students who wish to be considered for the following scholarship must FIRST apply to the Palm Beach State College Foundation. This MUST be done by the deadline (usually before fall semester classes begin) in order to be eligible for the scholarship in the upcoming school year.

  1. The Nick Nicholson Scholarship is supplemental to any other Music Department Scholarships that you may receive.
  2. It is open to music and non-music instrumental students taking 9 or more credits.
  3. Students must possess and maintain a 3.0 minimum GPA.
  4. Participate in instrumental ensembles where applicable as determined by audition.
  5. Students will be notified of Nick Nicholson scholarship awards by email and/or letter.
Paul Chafin Scholarship Requirements (Instrumentalists only)

Note: Students who wish to be considered for the following scholarship must FIRST apply to the Palm Beach State College Foundation. This MUST be done by the deadline (usually before fall semester classes begin) in order to be eligible for the scholarship in the upcoming school year.

  1. Must be a student with a specialization in music enrolled in a minimum of 9 semester hrs. This would include taking courses within the Music Theory and Ear Training/Sight Singing cycle of classes (levels I-IV for each class).
  2. Register for and participate in at least one Palm Beach State-Lake Worth jazz ensemble: Jazz Combo, Jazz Guitar ensemble and/or Jazz Ensemble (big band). Ensemble participation is required each subsequent semester for scholarship renewal.
  3. Take private applied lessons on your major instrument of your choice, with a minimum grade of B required for scholarship renewal.
  4. Achieve and maintain cumulative minimum grade point averages (GPAs) of 2.5 in overall coursework, and 3.0 in music coursework.
  5. Audition for Music faculty
    Wind Instruments
    1. Perform a jazz etude or transcription of your own choice
    2. Play melody and improvise over one of the following tunes:
        • "Now's the Time" - one chorus melody, two choruses of solo
        • "Satin Doll" - one chorus melody, one chorus of solo
        • "Take the A Train - one chorus melody, one chorus of solo
    Piano/Guitar/Bass/Drums
    1. Perform a jazz etude or transcription of your own choice
    2. Play melody, comp (or walk), and improvise over one of the following tunes:
        • "Now's the Time" - one chorus melody, one chorus comp/walk, one chorus solo
        • "Satin Doll" - one chorus melody, one chorus comp/walk, one chorus solo
        • "Take the A Train - one chorus melody, one chorus comp/walk, one chorus solo
  6. Students will be notified of the Paul Chafin scholarship award by email and/or letter.


Music Faculty

David Gibble, Faculty
561-868-3266 |  Location: HU 125

Michael MacMullen, Faculty
561-868-3264 |  Location: HU 118

Allen Webber, Faculty
561-868-3267  |  Location: HU 116

PBSC

CATALOG

Fees &

TUITION

Academic

CALENDAR

FL

RESIDENCY

Apply

Search Classes

Related Links:

Print page