Applied Music Major
Applied Music prepares students for professional performance, studio teaching, and graduate school.
Find out what our students and professors have to say about studying Applied Music at JBU.
Why Study Applied Music at JBU?
1
Enjoy Fantastic Facilities
Students have access to labs, practice rooms, and performance areas in the Berry Performing Arts Center.
2
Make Great Music
Join one of the many JBU music groups on campus: Cathedral Choir, Chamber Orchestra, Red Steps, Women’s Chorus, Jazz Ensemble, or a chapel band.
3
Study Under Professionals
In addition to the veteran professors who are incredibly talented musicians, every semester JBU invites various professional musicians to perform and conduct master classes with the students.
4
Gain Performance Experience
JBU music students have innumerable opportunities to perform in recitals, master classes, musicals, concerts, competitions, and fun campus activities.
5
Compete in Singing Competitions
Voice majors compete annually and advance to the finals at the state competition sponsored by the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS).
Meet Our Applied Music Professors
Paul Whitley
Dr. Paul Whitley received his Doctor of Music degree from Northwestern University, where he was a student of Alan Chow. He also holds degrees from Wheaton Conservatory and New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied piano with Dr. William Phemister and Gabriel Chodos respectively.
Dr. Whitley is currently Assistant Professor of Music at JBU, and he also enjoys teaching private piano lessons in JBU's Community Arts Academy. He has been soloist with several orchestras and ensembles (including Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra, NU Saxophone Ensemble, Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra), and has won various competitions (including the Thaivu-Isaac Competition, the Union League Civic & Arts Foundation of Chicago Competition, and Illinois State MTNA Piano Competition.)
Before coming to Arkansas, Dr. Whitley held teaching positions at Wheaton Conservatory of Music and Northwestern College in Iowa.
Liesl Dromi
Mrs. Liesl M. Dromi is a classically trained lyric coloratura soprano. Since she first sang in a children’s chorus at the age of 2, Mrs. Dromi knew that singing and performing was her life’s calling. Mrs. Dromi holds a Bachelor of Arts (vocal performance concentration) from John Brown University and Master of Music in Vocal Pedagogy from Belmont University, two semesters of which were spent studying at the world-renowned Vanderbilt Voice Center.
Mrs. Dromi has appeared in numerous opera and musical roles, including the Plaintiff (Trial by Jury), Mabel (The Pirates of Penzance), Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), the Witch (Into the Woods), Cunegonde (Candide), and Monica (The Medium). Ms. Dromi has taught privately since 2009 and joined the JBU music faculty in Fall 2014. When she is not teaching or performing, she can be found reading Mo Willems to her three children Nora, Patrick, and Cecily, or watching anything Vince Gilligan with her husband Matt.
Possible Careers for an Applied Music Major
1
Music Teaching
Private schools, private companies, public companies, elementary and secondary schools, and colleges all look for quality music training.
2
Recording Industry
Careers in the recording industry can look like administrative work, promotion, research, budgeting, mastering music, producing music, packaging recording, sales, or merchandising. There are also many jobs involving contracts and other legal issues. Experience or training in business is a great combination for a career in the recording industry.
3
Music Industry
Conducting usually requires an advanced degree in music. Responsibilities can range from rehearsing and scheduling to raising funds for performances.
4
Performance Industry
Typically, performance careers start locally. Theaters, community colleges, restaurants, and other entertainment organizations are always looking for quality performers.
5
Music Director
Many churches or para-churches look for music directors for their youth and congregation.
6
Music Software Programmer
These individuals can work in private companies, music companies or larger media companies in producing unique music software programming. Training and knowledge in music as well as computer programming is required.
7
Accompanist
Many production companies, colleges, universities, churches, theaters, and record companies look for talented accompanists.
