Raising the bar
Involvement in art departments rise on campus; faculty challenge students
Julie Ryan
Issue date: 9/6/07 Section: Arts
The art departments at Hillsdale College have attracted a growing number of students over the past several years. Since its dedication in 2003, Howard Music Hall has pulled students into the music department, while classes at Sage Center for the Arts are brimming with students of various majors.
Fifth-year senior Natalie Mock said the sophomore music classes average 20 students each year. This year, more than 30 students are registered for it. The basement of Howard, where students can go to practice, is also busy with student activity.
"When I was a freshman the practice rooms were more empty," Mock said. "Now, you have to fight for a room."
The class of 2008 will be graduating 10 music majors, the largest class since before Howard opened.
"I think people enjoy the classes," Mock said. "There's a kind of community down there [in Howard]."
Mock said the "great faculty" attract current students and prospectives.
The faculty have also raised the bar and challenged students to perform difficult pieces. Mock said the chamber choir performed it's most difficult piece last year. The quality of the orchestra has also improved, she said.
Howard also attracts non-majors and minors. The building is used for campus-wide events such as SAI Charity Ball and Battle of the Bands.
Choir is open to the student body and students can receive private lessons.
"It's a steal to get private lessons for $75," Mock said.
Mock said she sees freshmen interested in music and "getting their feet wet" through the music department.
Next to Howard, the art department in Sage is also seeing more involvement from the college community, Art Department Chairman
Samuel Knecht said. He attributes the interest to new facilites and a staff that has grown three-fold since the early '90s.
After 30 years at Hillsdale, Knecht said he's seen a 30 to 40 percent increase in students interested in the art department.
He said he sees the rise in enrollment as students' expression of "an age- old human desire for experiencing new things or being well rounded."
Assistant Professor of Art Barbara Bushey said many students attend the art shows as a requirement for class. Knecht said he encourages students to attend art shows so they can learn more and continue their experience.
"We're getting lots of non-majors and minors in the studio classes," he said. These classes, he said, are good for a student who "longs for alternative experiences."
Fifth-year senior Natalie Mock said the sophomore music classes average 20 students each year. This year, more than 30 students are registered for it. The basement of Howard, where students can go to practice, is also busy with student activity.
"When I was a freshman the practice rooms were more empty," Mock said. "Now, you have to fight for a room."
The class of 2008 will be graduating 10 music majors, the largest class since before Howard opened.
"I think people enjoy the classes," Mock said. "There's a kind of community down there [in Howard]."
Mock said the "great faculty" attract current students and prospectives.
The faculty have also raised the bar and challenged students to perform difficult pieces. Mock said the chamber choir performed it's most difficult piece last year. The quality of the orchestra has also improved, she said.
Howard also attracts non-majors and minors. The building is used for campus-wide events such as SAI Charity Ball and Battle of the Bands.
Choir is open to the student body and students can receive private lessons.
"It's a steal to get private lessons for $75," Mock said.
Mock said she sees freshmen interested in music and "getting their feet wet" through the music department.
Next to Howard, the art department in Sage is also seeing more involvement from the college community, Art Department Chairman
Samuel Knecht said. He attributes the interest to new facilites and a staff that has grown three-fold since the early '90s.
After 30 years at Hillsdale, Knecht said he's seen a 30 to 40 percent increase in students interested in the art department.
He said he sees the rise in enrollment as students' expression of "an age- old human desire for experiencing new things or being well rounded."
Assistant Professor of Art Barbara Bushey said many students attend the art shows as a requirement for class. Knecht said he encourages students to attend art shows so they can learn more and continue their experience.
"We're getting lots of non-majors and minors in the studio classes," he said. These classes, he said, are good for a student who "longs for alternative experiences."
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