- Sonic Farm Studio
- Mark Custom Recording
- Chautauqua Institution
- Indigo Productions
- Riviera Theatre
Music & Music Industry
Music is powerful. It makes us listen, think and feel. If you count beats in your sleep, or dream of producing music, you may want to consider an education in Music or Music Industry. Bring your love for music and your passion for creating it to Villa Maria College, where you can customize your studies to showcase your unique talents and support your long-term career goals in our non-traditional music program.
Choose Your Own Path
Music
If you are serious about music, you do not pick it, it picks you. Villa’s Music students are able to deviate from the traditional path of classical music study and encouraged follow their musical passion — whatever it may be. While we offer the traditional path of study, students are also able to focus on pop, jazz, rap and even hip hop. Unlike most music programs, our curriculum is very flexible, so students can focus on the style of music they are most interested in.
Music Industry
If your passion for music and business are inseparably intertwined, Villa’s Music Industry program can help you forge your path. By focusing more on the behind-the-scenes aspects of the music and entertainment industries, students can learn more about the business and production sides of music. Our faculty can work with you to develop your skills and choose a career path within the multi-faucets of the music industry, such as recording or business.
Other Opportunities
Many graduates of Villa’s Music and Music Industry programs go on to become successful freelance musicians or apply to graduate school for performance or composition.
The Career Potential
Our experienced faculty has set one goal for all students: to experience, explore and gain knowledge in all areas of music. This means that Villa’s Music and Music Industry programs can prepare students for a career in a number of relevant fields.
Music
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment for musicians, singers, and related workers is expected to grow by 10% from 2010 to 2020. Musicians work for orchestras, ballet companies and religious organizations as well as in the entertainment industry.
Music Industry
A degree in Music Industry will prepare you to enter the 8th largest industry in the United States: the music business. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment for musicians, singers, and related workers is expected to grow by 10% from 2010 to 2020.
Interested in learning more about the Villa experience?
Internships
Over the course of their 4 years at Villa, all Music and Music Industry students are required to complete a set amount of internship hours. This helps you learn to apply what you are learning in the classroom in a professional setting and prepares you to work in the entertainment business after graduation.
- Deep Thinka Records
- GB Audio
- Al Hemer Music Corporation
- Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
- World of Noise Recording Studio
- Rapids Theatre
- O’Connell and Company Productions
- Art Services Initiative of Western NY
- WYRK
- WUFO
Dylan Brawn, ’14 - Bachelor of Science Degree, Music Industry
“Brawn is responsible for moving orchestra equipment to and from its regular storage at Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall and the Amp. We get what we call move sheets around a week ahead of any scheduled moves related to rehearsal or performance. It’s all pretty well organized.” The hours are long. “When the orchestra is playing, many of us work up to 12 hours on those days,” Brawn said. One of his jobs on performance nights is to make sure the maestro has what is needed. Brawn usually cues the concertmaster and the announcer for the performance, and can control the stage and house lights.” — Excerpt from an July 2014 article published in the Chautauqua Daily Newspaper.
Course Requirements
Music: You must attain a minimum Grade of C in all Music courses, fulfill recital seminar and concert attendance requirements, complete all Music Department outcomes assessment activities, and develop a demo according to Music Department guidelines.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music Curriculum Requirements
Music Industry: You must attain a minimum grade of C in all music courses, fulfill recital seminar and concert attendance requirements, and complete four semesters of performance ensemble.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Music Industry Curriculum Requirements
Placement Performances
All incoming Music and Music Industry students must schedule a time for their placement performance. The placement performance is similar to an audition, but is not required to gain admission. Upon acceptance into either Villa’s Music or Music Industry program, please contact our Office of Admissions to schedule your placement performance. Admissions can be reached at 716-961-1805 or [email protected]
Listen to Villa Students
Our students perform in ensembles, which can qualify you for special scholarship talent grants. Take a listen to the talent, while learning more about our program below. All Villa students, not just music students, are welcome to explore their musical talents by joining an ensemble.
Our Faculty
Questions about the program? Reach out to one of our professors.
Assistant Professor, Music, Music Department Chair
Anthony Casuccio
[email protected] • 716.961.1831 • Bio
