Mission
The mission of the South Suburban College Music Department is to offer educational and service programs in music for the Chicago south suburban and Northwest Indiana communities it serves. In keeping with the mission statement of the college as a whole, the music department is dedicated to:
- High quality education, training, and services for all individuals who have the ability to benefit from our programs through community ensembles, private lessons, and music courses.
- Providing programs that are accessible and affordable to a diverse community of learners via online, college-credit, continuing education and community education courses.
- Presenting a wide variety of musical performances and offerings that will enhance international cultural diversity and understanding.
- A community of staff, faculty, and students that create an environment and resources for learning through highly-trained music faculty, who are professional performers, theorists, composers, engineers and conductors.
- Collaboration with area elementary, middle and high schools to provide ancillary learning opportunities through clinics, festivals, guest artists, guest performances and guest conducting.
- Up-to-date facilities and technology that help prepare students for transfer to baccalaureate programs, using state-of-the-art music labs, rehearsal facilities and “smart” classrooms.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who complete courses in the South Suburban College music department will be able to successfully demonstrate:
- An understanding and appreciation for music of multiple cultures
- Aural skills
- Keyboard harmony skills
- Knowledge of music history
- Knowledge of music theory and compositional techniques
- Music performance skills
Additional Information
Admission to the AFA in Music is open to any student striving for a professional career in music. Contact the Music Department about auditions and music placement examinations.
Associate in Fine Arts with Concentration in Music Recommended Transfer Curriculum
This curriculum is designed to facilitate smooth transfer to a four-year institution for the completion of a baccalaureate degree in music performance, music education, music therapy, music theory, music composition and music history.
Students will need to complete additional general education requirements in humanities and social and behavioral sciences at the institution to which they transfer. The reduced credits in general education at SSC enable students to complete the required sequences of music courses during their freshman and sophomore years, which replicates the distribution of general education in the four-year institutions. Students should consult the Transfer Center regarding transferability of elective courses.
Faculty are available during scheduled office hours to advise music students.
Overview for College Success
Overview for College Success (OCS 121) is a course designed to assist students in the navigation of becoming successful in college and life. Major topics include setting academic, career and personal goals; effective communication strategies; study skills; critical thinking; self-discovery; and learning styles. In addition, this course delves into topics such as stress management, diversity and other well-being topics. Students will develop educational and career plans, learn to utilize college resources and receive extensive help in course planning. OCS 121 credit is not calculated in the course minimum credit totals listed in this section.
Students must take OCS 121 if they meet one or more of the following:
- First time degree seeking students.
- Transfer student with less than 12 credit hours and no evidence of similar course on transcript.
- Registering for 6 or more credits.
- Test into 2 or more developmental classes.
- Currently does not have OCS credit or registered for OCS.
Minimum General Education (39)
Overview for College Success | CREDITS | |
---|---|---|
OCS 121 | Overview for College Success | 1 |
Communications (9) | ||
---|---|---|
ENG 101 | Composition and Rhetoric | 3 |
ENG 102 | Composition and Research | 3 |
SPE 108 | Oral Communication | 3 |
Humanities and Fine Arts (6) | ||
GROUP II | Select ONE COURSE from Humanities Electives (Required) Students earning an Associate degree must meet the requirement for coursework on improving human relations as defined in Public Act 87-581. |
3-4 |
GROUP II | Select ONE COURSE from Fine Arts Electives (Required) Students earning an Associate degree must meet the requirement for coursework on improving human relations as defined in Public Act 87-581. |
3-4 |
Social and Behavioral Science (9) | ||
GROUP III | Select from Social Science Electives Students earning an Associate degree must meet the requirement for coursework on improving human relations as defined in Public Act 87-581. |
9 |
Mathematics (3) | ||
MTH 115
MTH 126 |
General Education Mathematics OR Fundamentals of Statistics |
3
3 |
Physical and Life Science (7-8) | ||
GROUP V | Select ONE COURSE from Physical Science Electives. Must include one lab. (Required) | 7-8 |
GROUP V | Select ONE COURSE from Life Science Electives. Must include one lab. (Required) | 7-8 |
Area of Concentration (35)
Students will need to complete additional general education requirements in humanities and social and behavioral sciences of the institution to which they transfer. The reduced credits in general education enable students to complete the required sequences of music courses during their first two years, which replicates the distribution of general education in the four-year institutions.
Music Theory I-IV (12) | ||
---|---|---|
MUS 116 | Music Theory I | 3 |
MUS 126 | Music Theory II | 3 |
MUS 216 | Music Theory III | 3 |
MUS 226 | Music Theory IV | 3 |
Music Literature/History (3) | ||
MUS 115 | Introduction to Music Literature | 3 |
Keyboard Harmony (4) | ||
MUS 171 | Keyboard Harmony I | 1 |
MUS 172 | Keyboard Harmony II | 1 |
MUS 271 | Keyboard Harmony III | 1 |
MUS 272 | Keyboard Harmony IV | 1 |
Aural Skills (4) | ||
MUS 117 | Ear Training and Sight Reading I | 1 |
MUS 127 | Ear Training and Sight Reading II | 1 |
MUS 217 | Ear Training and Sight Reading III | 1 |
MUS 227 | Ear Training and Sight Reading IV | 1 |
Ensemble (4) | ||
MUS 187 | South Suburban College Voices | 1 |
MUS 190 | South Suburban Chorale | 1 |
MUS 195 | Symphonic Band | 1 |
MUS 197 | Jazz Band | 1 |
MUS 198 | Orchestra | 1 |
MUS 199 | Chamber Ensemble | 1 |
Applied Music Major Emphasis (8) | ||
MUS 131-146 | Private Applied Music | 4 |
MUS 231-246 | Advanced Applied Music | 4 |
Electives
Students should consult the College & Career Success Center regarding transferability of elective courses. Faculty are available during scheduled office hours to advise music students.
Suggested courses | ||
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Minimum for AFA Degree | 63-66 |
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