The Carolyn C. and David M.’38 Ellis Distinguished Teaching Professor of Music
Heather Buchman
Heather Buchman is director of the Hamilton College Orchestra and the Chamber Music program.
Music
The Hamilton College Music Department is here to nourish, inform, and expand your love of music. Our courses blend the study of theoretical concepts and historical contexts of many styles of music, from classical to popular. Enjoy extensive opportunities for both private study and public performance. Join an ensemble. Explore our state-of-the-art digital music studio. Play in our Javanese gamelan. Come to a great concert in the Performing Arts Series.
About the Major
In addition to courses in music theory, history, private lessons, and various ensembles, the curriculum includes courses in world music, music and film, folk and country music, opera, the history of jazz, jazz arranging, composition, conducting, and music technology.
The music concentration is very flexible, with students able to choose up to four full-credit courses as electives. Concentrators must pass proficiency exams in aural and keyboard skills, and demonstrate basic skills in music technology. They are also expected to participate in department ensembles in each semester.
I think we have incredibly passionate music faculty at Hamilton. They love to challenge us to the best of our abilities and maintain a close relationship. The music faculty is also very diverse in the different fields of music but equally dedicated.
Sungmin Kim — music major
Music is a fundamental form of human art, communication and pleasure – celebratory, sacred, exploratory and communal. It inspires and informs a remarkable range of human movements and activities, from dance crazes to military marches, from medieval prayer to modern choreography. The music department maintains its own website with additional details about the concentration.
Careers After Hamilton
- Sound Design, WHYY-FM, Philadelphia
- Director of Finance, American Composers Forum
- Professor of Music and Music Technology, California State University San Marcos
- Conductor/Artistic Director, Indianapolis Opera
- Pediatric Dentist
- Violinist, American Ballet Theatre
- Senior Manager Digital Products, Los Angeles Times
- Executive Director, New Hampshire Humanities Council
- Assistant Professor of Music-Voice, Crane School of Music
- Senior Vice President, Bank of America
Meet Our Faculty
Assistant Professor of Music
Ryan Carter
Ryan Carter's music has been commissioned by Carnegie Hall, among other entities.
Chair, Professor of Music
Lydia Hamessley
Lydia Hamessley has published numerous articles and is the coeditor of Audible Traces: Gender, Identity, and Music.
Associate Professor of Music
Robert Hopkins
Robert Hopkins' interests include the evolution of the barbershop quartet style of singing.
the Margaret Bundy Scott Professor of Music
Michael Woods
“Doctuh" Michael Woods has written more than 700 compositions in many styles.
Lecturer in Music (Jazz Guitar)
Rick Balestra
Rick Balestra has performed as a soloist with the Syracuse Symphony and its pops orchestra, and the Syracuse Opera Company.
Lecturer in Music (Violoncello)
Suzanne Beevers
Sue Beevers has taught cello for 40 years, at Hamilton College and privately.
Lecturer in Music (Keyboard and Organ; Keyboard Harmony)
Stephen Best
Stephen Best has taught at Hamilton since 1970.
Instructor in Music
Charlotte Botha
Botha’s research interests include the study of choral text-painting and equitable practices for the inclusive programming of music by and for marginalized members of the music community.
Lecturer in Music (Flute)
Cornelia Brewster
Cornelia Brewster has performed with the Birmingham, Utica and Syracuse symphony orchestras.
Lecturer in Music (Folk Guitar)
Adam Dudding
Dudding is a songwriter and guitarist who has collaborated with world-class songwriters in Nashville.
Lecturer in Music (Horn)
Jon Garland
Jon Garland is a member of the Symphoria Horn section as well as member of the board of trustees.
Lecturer in Music (Jazz Percussion)
Jim Johns
A top-tier Central New York jazz drummer and vibist, Jim Johns has performed with jazz icons who include Hank Jones and Cedar Walton, among others.
Lecturer in Music (Bassoon)
Jessica King
Lecturer in Music (Clarinet)
Allan Kolsky
Allan Kolsky is principal clarinet of Symphoria, in Syracuse, N.Y.
Lecturer in Music (Harp)
Ursula Kwasnicka
Ursula Kwasnicka has won prestigious competitions and been a member of several orchestras.
Lecturer in Music (Oboe)
Katie Martins
Lecturer in Music (Jazz Piano)
Rick Montalbano
Rick Montalbano has performed with jazz greats such as Lou Rawls and Phil Woods.
Lecturer in Music
Kay Smith Paulsen
Kay Paulsen has more than 40 years experience as a professional singer.
Lecturer in Music (Piano), Student Pianist Coach
Colleen Roberts Pellman
Colleen Roberts Pellman is a pianist and educator.
Lecturer in Music (Trumpet)
John Raschella
John Raschella is principal trumpet with Symphoria, in Syracuse, N.Y.
Lecturer in Music
Sam Reenan
Sam Reenan is a Ph.D. candidate in music theory at the Eastman School of Music.
Lecturer in Music (Violin)
Peter Rovit
As a chamber musician, recitalist and soloist, violinist Peter Rovit has performed throughout the U.S.
the Joe Williams Director of the Fillius Jazz Archive and Lecturer in Music (Saxophone)
Monk Rowe
Monk Rowe directs Hamilton's Fillius Jazz Archive.
Lecturer in Music (Piano) and Coordinator of Staff Pianists
Sar-Shalom Strong
Sar-Shalom Strong performs extensively as both a soloist and a collaborative musician, and he has an extensive teaching background.
Lecturer in Music (Piano)
Tina Toglia
Pianist Tina Toglia has more than 30 years of performance experience.
Lecturer in Music (Voice)
Jon Frederic West
Jon Fredric West has lectured and given master classes at opera companies and universities around the world.
Lecturer in Music (Voice)
Sharon West
A lyric soprano, Sharon West specialized in Puccini and Verdi.
the Marjorie and Robert W. McEwen Professor of Music Emeritus
G. Roberts Kolb
G. Roberts Kolb is director of choral activities at Hamilton and conductor of the Hamilton College Masterworks Chorale.
A Sampling of Courses
The Art of Active Listening 100S
A study of how to listen to music and get the most out of it. Consideration of approaches to listening to Western art music, film music, jazz, popular music, and selected gamelan and African musics. Focus on strategies of active listening and learning a vocabulary for discussing musical perceptions in various kinds of music. Does not include study of musical notation.
View All CoursesTheories of Music: Fundamentals and Chromatic Harmony 210F
Intensive training in the elements of music, with an emphasis on the study of melody, intervals, chords, rhythm and meter, and basic musical forms. Special attention devoted to harmonic progressions and chromatic harmony. Regular written assignments, including computer assignments aimed to develop musicianship skills. Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning.
View All CoursesJazz Arranging 213S
The theoretical designs used in combo, big band and third-stream writing. Coverage of jazz scales, chords, voicings, ranges and tonal properties. Students are expected to compose and copy the parts to three compositions, one of which will be read and recorded.
View All CoursesConducting 316S
The elements of conducting, including baton technique, aural perception, rehearsal techniques and score study (both instrumental and choral).
View All CoursesAdvanced Audio Production 370S
This course will explore the techniques of audio production in the recording studio and the increasingly portable platforms for computer music that continue to be developed. Topics will include digital audio synthesis, digital signal processing, MIDI and other systems for controlling audio, mixing, and mastering. Students will work in digital audio workstations and music programming environments. Projects will include producing a professional-quality album of music.
View All CoursesToday and Tomorrow
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