Western Connecticut State University The Department of Music

181 White Street
Danbury, Connecticut 06810
203.837.8350
larsenl@wcsu.educreate new email

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Degrees offered

Bachelor of Arts in Music
Bachelor of Science in Music Education
Bachelor of Music in Performance
Bachelor of Music in Jazz studies
Bachelor of Music in Audio and Music Production
Minor in Music
Master of Science in Music Education

About the program

The Department of Music at Western Connecticut State University is a friendly, vibrant, student-oriented unit in an institution of higher learning that serves as an accessible, responsive and creative intellectual resource for the people and institutions of Connecticut. The faculty and staff of the department strive to meet the educational needs of a diverse student body through instruction, performance, scholarship and public service. Additionally, the department fosters the highest standards of teaching and research in its undergraduate and graduate programs and supports the establishment and continuation of a just and moral society through its own accomplishments, the work of its faculty and staff, and the achievements of its graduates.

Notable alumni

Aaron Atwood, Jessica Bardelli, Dan Bianchini, Holly Brown, Donna Burton, Louise Carrozza, Ashlee Casko, Nick Ciasullo, Chris Cummings, Shelly Diana, Dawn Emerman, Carole Jean Frawley, Deanna Hafidi, Andrew Hopko, Greg Hoyt, Jacob Humerick, Katherine Lewis, Jennifer Lucas, Mitchum Mangan, Nadia Marroquin-Collado, Nicholas Mihaly, Jeff Moro, Eric Nunes, Joshua Paquette, Zachary Rosenberg, Daniel Torretta, Scott Towers, Joshua Walker, Joey Walko-Robinson.

Acceptance rate

Reported acceptance rate (source/year not provided by school): Western Connecticut State University's overall acceptance rate is 80.7%, but for the music program, students must be admitted by audition and interview, and maintain a 3.0 GPA for music education majors.

Faculty

Dr. Margaret Astrup Voice Area Coordinator
Applied
Opera Ensemble
Diction for Singers Mr. Jamie Begian Department of Music Associate Chair
Co-Coordinator of Jazz Studies
Sight Singing
Jazz Orchestra / Jazz Ensemble Dr. Marjorie Callaghan Applied
Music History
Sight Singing/Ear Training Dr. Matthew Doiron Coordinator of Music Education
Symphonic Band Dr. James Greene Co-Coordinator of Jazz Studies
Applied Jazz Saxophone
Jazz Improvisation
Jazz Combos
Jazz Ensemble / Jazz Orchestra Dr. Greg Haynes Applied
Percussion Workshop
Percussion Ensemble
Music Industry Studies Dr. Russell Hirshfield Keyboard/String Area Coordinator
Music Theory
Chamber Music Dr. Kevin Jay Isaacs Music Theory
Choral Ensembles Dr. Luis Fernando Jiménez Wind Ensemble
Orchestra
Conducting
Applied Trombone Dr. Laurel Larsen Department of Music Chair
Keyboard Dr. Douglas O’Grady Audio & Music Production Coordinator
Music Theory Dr. Jeremy Wiggins Coordinator of Choral Activities and Graduate Studies
Choral Music Education Dr. Kerry Walker Woodwind Area Coordinator
Music Education
Chamber Music

Student Blog: Prioritizing Passion With A Growing Career, College, and More

by Student Blogger: Shelby Lewis, February 26, 2025

Ella Sigurdsson is a costume designer, makeup artist, and theater artist; along with being a full-time student in the department of theatre arts at Western Connecticut State University (WCSU).

Blue Mountain Gallery Hosts 2023 Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition of Students From Western Connecticut State University

by Stephi Wild, June 12, 2023

Blue Mountain Gallery has announced the 2023 Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition of students from Western Connecticut State University.

Western Connecticut State University's Department of Theatre Arts Presents MARAT/SADE Opening April 21

by A.A. Cristi, April 5, 2023

Western Connecticut State University's Department of Theatre Arts announced the live show 'Marat/Sade' opening on Friday, April 21, and running through Sunday, April 30, at the university's Visual and Performing Arts Center (VPAC), 43 Lake Ave. Extension, Danbury.

WCSU Presents FAIRVIEW Beginning This Month

by Stephi Wild, March 17, 2023

DANBURY, Connecticut - Western Connecticut State University's Department of Theatre Arts announced the production 'Fairview,' a relevant, evocative play touching on the issues of race and racism in American society, from March 31 to April 16, at the university's Studio Theatre in the Visual and…

WCSU Presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's ALLEGRO This Month

by Stephi Wild, February 9, 2023

DANBURY, Connecticut - Western Connecticut State University's Department of Theatre Arts presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's original musical 'Allegro,' an early creation from these Broadway legends that first premiered in 1947.

Blue Mountain Gallery Presents 2022 Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition of the The Department of Art at Western Connecticut State University

by Stephi Wild, June 8, 2022

The Master of Fine Arts is the terminal degree for practicing, professional artists.

WCSU Stages to Present ERNEST AND THE PALE MOON

by Chloe Rabinowitz, March 22, 2022

Western Connecticut State University's Department of Theatre Arts will stage 'Ernest and the Pale Moon' in the university's Studio Theatre in the Visual and Performing Arts Center, 43 Lake Ave. Extension, Danbury, from April 1-10.

More CT college programs

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Connecticut College Department of Music New London
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Eastern Connecticut State University Performing Arts Department - Music Willimantic
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Past student productions

Past student productions at Western Connecticut State University
Show	Dates	Theater
Hot Pick The Wild Party	11/7/2018 – 11/18/2018	Western Connecticut State University
Hot Pick Uncle Vanya	10/12/2018 – 10/21/2018 Photos	Western Connecticut State University