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Department of Music

   

Department of Music

Are you interested in performing on stage, teaching music or recording as a music technician? Sheridan College’s nationally recognized Music degree program features expert faculty and numerous performance opportunities with award-winning ensembles. Music students utilize our world-class music education center, the Whitney Center for the Arts. Earning a Music degree from Sheridan College will allow you to transfer into Bachelor’s degree programs nationwide or begin your career as a musician.

Why Sheridan College?

  • Learn from and perform with nationally recognized instructors in our state-of-the-art facility
  • A university feel, but with a one-on-one personal dedication to your success
  • Tailor your Associate degree program to emphasize General Music or Music Technology
  • Gain real-world experience performing public concerts on stage in our beautiful Kinnison Hall
  • Participate in our 10+ ensembles – whatever your interest, we have an ensemble for you!
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2024 Scholarship Audition Dates:
Fri. Mar. 1, 2-4pm
Fri. April 12, 2-4pm
Remote auditions also available.
Contact erichards@sheridan.edu with any questions.

Related programs:
Music Technology Certificate

music tech at sheridan college
Browse Our Music Offerings
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
Focused on recording arts, digital audio production and editing, music engraving, live sound operation, performance, and self-promotion. Our students have access to the latest hardware and software in our multimedia lab and recording studio.
bands at sheridan college
Browse Our Music Offerings
BANDS & JAZZ STUDIES
A vibrant opportunity to collaborate and perform a wide variety of musical styles in five different ensembles with an active performance schedule at the college and in the Sheridan community.
String Orchestra
Browse Our Music Offerings
STRINGS & ORCHESTRA STUDIES
A robust, comprehensive learning experience where students have the opportunity to perform major repertoire with the Symphony Orchestra, as well as small-ensemble chamber opportunities, and historically informed performance practice.
choirs at sheridan college
Browse Our Music Offerings
CHOIRS & VOCAL STUDIES
Music students interested in vocal studies have the opportunity to perform in a wide variety of choral music.
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Tyson B Music Technology testimonial
Tyson B Music Technology testimonial
Blessing O Vocal Major Testimonial
Blessing O Vocal Major Testimonial
Testimonial_Tyson
Tyson B. / Hometown: Belle Fourche, SD
Music Technology


"The music tech program has been a great experience. It’s a lot of fun to be able to compose music with other students in the class. Everybody here wants you to succeed."
Testimonial_Kaija
Kaija N. / Hometown: Sheridan, WY
Music Major


"If you're thinking of going into music, you should come to Sheridan College because the facilities are amazing, the faculty are outstanding, and it's the best family you could ever ask for."
Testimonial_Blessing O
Blessing O. / Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Vocal Major


"Every person in the faculty is invested in making sure that you understand every part, every process. They've made it a fun learning process."
Testimonial_Blessing O
Rayne G. / Hometown: Sheridan, WY
Music Major


"My time here at Sheridan College has been wonderful. It’s such a close community that the professors aren’t just your teachers, they become your friends in the sense that they want you to succeed. You know them so personally you feel like you can keep pushing yourself because they are rooting for you. "
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World-Class Facilities

As a Music student, you will have the opportunity to earn your music degree in one of the nation’s premier music education centers, the new Whitney Center for the Arts at Sheridan College. The WCA, a $20 million facility, includes recital and performance space, recording studios to enhance your music portfolio, classrooms and a 422-seat concert hall.

The Sheridan College Music program also features integration with the local arts community in the form of support for resources, the opportunity to perform with local musicians and more.

Music Faculty

Our distinguished faculty at Sheridan College are dedicated to helping you establish strong foundational skills in Music to advance your career. Our faculty have performed, recorded and composed music around the world, with academic backgrounds such as Yale University, Eastman School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, University of Maryland, University of Wyoming and University of Michigan.

The Music Department at Sheridan College has built strong relationships with music institutions across the region and nation.  Our Music students have been awarded unique learning opportunities, such as performing with the Small College Intercollegiate Band at the College Band Directors National Associate convention in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Sheridan College Music program also features integration with the local arts community in the form of support for resources, the opportunity to perform with local musicians and more.

Music Performance Ensembles

The Chamber Choir at Sheridan College includes singers who meet regularly to rehearse work of sufficient difficulty to challenge vocal music students. A variety of forms are included in the repertoire, from madrigals to modern jazz. The ensemble tours each spring and averages 10-20 performances a year. Students must audition for this group.

This select ensemble features compositions using 9 – 20 instruments.

Sheridan College Concert Brass ensembleThe Sheridan College Concert Brass Ensemble is a select group comprised of principal brass and percussion players in the Symphony Band. We perform classic and contemporary repertoire for brass and percussion.

Chamber ChoirsSheridan College’s Collegiate Chorale is a large chorus that performs a variety of choral music. The Collegiate Chorale typically performances once each semester.

Jazz at Sheridan CollegeThis group is a performing ensemble which provides opportunities for students to study jazz combo music in an organized group setting. Techniques for improvisation are explored.

SC Jazz EnsembleThe Jazz Ensemble at Sheridan College is an ensemble usually numbering from 14 to 18 members and performs an array of jazz genres. The group typically performs two concerts each semester and may perform at other functions such as dances.

Prism '22 concert

The Music Tech Ensemble creates, rehearses and performs music using handheld electronic devices, laptop computers, synthesizers, and other instruments. Emphasis is placed on group composition and improvisation in a variety of musical styles and genres.

SC Symphony BandThe Sheridan College Symphony Band, directed by Dr. Eric Richards, is comprised of 50-65 musicians drawn from both the SC student body as well as experienced local community musicians. This ensemble performs classic and contemporary wind band literature. The interaction of students and adult musicians of all ages, a number of whom are music educators and professional musicians, creates a vibrant and exciting music-making atmosphere in the SC Symphony Band.

Directed by Dr. Mark Elliot Bergman, this group provides opportunities for students to study and perform symphonic literature from a wide variety of historical periods in an ensemble setting.

Sheridan College Trombone ChoirThe Trombone Choir is comprised of 5-10 trombonists and tubists and performs Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and contemporary repertoire.

Viol ConsortThis group provides opportunities for the student to study and perform music predating the common practice era in a small-group ensemble. Period instruments, performance practice, and repertoire are explored. The ensemble performs on authentic Viola da Gambas built for Sheridan College.

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Professional Ensembles-In-Residence:

Skyline Singers group photoSkyline Singers is the professional choir-in-residence at the Whitney Center for the Arts at Sheridan College, directed by Dr. Robert Psurny. Our specialty is a cappella music, ranging from plainsong to part-songs, madrigals to motets, and from vocal jazz to contemporary pop.

jazz orchestra imageThe Whitney Center Jazz Orchestra is the professional big band-in-residence at the Whitney Center for the Arts at Sheridan College, directed by Dr. Eric Richards.

Wyoming Baroque imageWyoming Baroque brings together nationally known artists specializing in historically informed performances of 17th and 18th Century repertoire as well contemporary compositions featuring instruments built to the same specifications. The ensemble is the professional string ensemble-in-residence at the Whitney Center for the Arts at Sheridan College. Committed to education and arts advocacy, Wyoming Baroque also presents masterclasses at schools and community centers throughout the region.

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Careers and Opportunities

Musicians find employment in a variety of music-related fields. Earning an Associate degree in Music from Sheridan College will allow you to transfer to colleges, universities and music schools nationwide to receive advanced training and degrees.

  • Musician
  • Music teacher
  • Composer
  • Choral director
  • Entrepreneur
  • Music historian
  • Music agent
  • Music critic
  • Songwriter
  • Music school administrator
  • Performer
  • Vocalist
  • Music technician
  • Recording manager
  • Vocal coach

Industry Outlook

Many Music students transfer into Bachelor’s degree programs to earn advanced degrees in Music Education, Music Performance, Composition/Arranging and other related fields. Some Music graduates take their enhanced musical skills to work as musicians, performing across the nation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job growth in the job fields of Musicians and Singers, as well as Music Directors and Composers.

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T.K. – Complimentary Music for Big Bands Worldwide by Dr. Eric Richards

“T.K.” is an original composition for jazz orchestra written in tribute to our dear friend and advocate for the arts, the late great Tom Kinnison. It was premiered on September 28, 2018 by the USAF Falconaires big band in concert at Kinnison Hall, Whitney Center for the Arts. In the spirit of Tom’s generosity and advocacy for the arts, this work is available as a performance and educational resource to be shared freely with bands worldwide.

Have questions about the program, or want to setup a visit with faculty?
Contact the Sheridan College Department of Music: