Webster University: Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts

Peter E. Sargent, Dean

Departments

Art
Conservatory of Theatre Arts
Dance
Music

Administrative Staff

Glen Bauer, director, music
Jeff Hughes, director, art
Virginia Johnson, director

Mission Statement

The mission for the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts at Webster University is to provide students the artistic training, preparation, and scholarship necessary to achieve excellence in the arts as professionals. The faculty of the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts is composed of working professional artists and scholars who share a passion for teaching and who hold the belief that in a diverse and technologically advancing world, the arts serve as an expression of our culture’s deeper value. The College’s dedication to continuing its longstanding tradition as a center for quality creative expression, combined with the University’s continuing commitment as a home of significant professional arts organizations, create the rich artistic, academic, and cultural atmosphere necessary to assure the success of our students in reaching their goals.

This Mission Statement clearly reflects the spirit and atmosphere that permeates the creative atmosphere of the College. The demands placed on students are enormous. In order to succeed, the faculty expect students to be highly disciplined; to be completely focused on the challenges that will be placed in front of them regularly; to be resilient in their spirit to use the talent and instruction available to achieve new levels of excellence; and to understand that to be an artist in our community, it is necessary to be a citizen and a leader. The faculty are dedicated to providing the best possible opportunities to develop individual talents within the resources available at the University. It is expected that students will strive to be the best and to set the standards for others to achieve.

In order to ensure that the best opportunities are available to the students, significant partnerships are in place with the outstanding performing and visual arts organizations in the region. The Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis are housed on campus and perform their seasons in the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts. The Shakespeare Festival St. Louis and the St. Louis Municipal Opera (the Muny) have partnership programs available to students. The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra has curricular programs jointly offered with Webster. The presence of these outstanding arts organizations provides our students with day-by-day opportunities to understand the discipline and the demand for excellence that must be maintained at the highest level of achievement. The professionals working with these organizations are selected to be members of the faculty of artists that is the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts.

It is expected that through the entrance audition process, our students are excellent. It is expected that our students are ready for the daily regime necessary to excel. It is expected that our students will be intellectually curious. It is expected that our students will utilize the resources available to them to prepare themselves for successful careers in the arts discipline of choice. It is expected that the faculty will provide the models of excellence that are required to ensure that the best training is available. It is expected that the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts will be a regional and national leader in the visual and performing arts. Everyone—students, faculty, and staff—is dedicated to being a community of artists reaching for excellence. Expect to be challenged and prepare to succeed.

Art Department

Tom Lang,, chair

Majors and Degrees

Art (BA) with an Emphasis in:
- Studio Art
- Visual Culture (Vienna Campus)
Art History and Criticism (BA)
Art (BFA) with an emphasis in Graphic Design
Art (BFA) with a Studio Emphasis:

- Alternative Media
- Ceramics
- Drawing
- Painting
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Sculpture

Minors

A minor requires a minimum of 21 credit hours of formal coursework from the University curriculum completed at Webster University. Courses used to fulfill a major may not also be used to fulfill a requirement for a minor. A minor in art history should include a minimum of 3 credit hours of art studio. A minor in studio should include a minimum of 3 credit hours of art history.

Certificates Offered

Art Education

Students seeking certification to become a Visual Art Specialist and become certified to teach art at the elementary and secondary level should combine a major in art with a major in education. To successfully complete the requirements of both departments students should have advisors in education and in art

Special Study Opportunities

The Art Department offers a wide variety of courses that seek to prepare students to successfully encounter the contemporary art world. The program encourages students to understand and synthesize traditions, and to confront challenging ideas and emerging technologies. The learning environment in the department emphasizes personal expression, alternative approaches, and experimenta-tion. At the same time, the department stresses fundamental concepts that unify all art and yet allow infinite variation. The Art De-partment shares the belief that intensive work, study, and involvement in art prepare the student for professional art training or per-sonal career goals. For those students wishing to gain teacher certification in the state of Missouri, courses are offered that prepare an individual to teach at either the elementary or secondary level. For more information, see the School of Education section.

A limited number of talent scholarships are available to qualified students. Other special opportunities include:

Annual Cecille R. Hunt Undergraduate Juried Art Show and the Cecille R. Hunt Senior Art Awards
BFA exhibit held in public gallery
Senior exhibit in the Cecille R. Hunt Gallery
Exhibits of professional works throughout the year in the Cecille R. Hunt Gallery

Special Requirements

Entering students seeking a BA in art with an emphasis in visual culture must either present a portfolio of her/his work or submit a writing sample (two pages) on a topic concerning art or visual culture. Portfolio reviews can be scheduled with the Director of the Arts Programs in Vienna, and writing samples should be submitted with the student’s application for admission to Webster University in Vienna.

Entering students seeking a BA in art with an emphasis in art history and criticism must submit either a portfolio of their work or a writing sample. Appointments for portfolio interviews can be scheduled through the Office of Admission, and writing samples should be submitted with the student’s application for admission.

All other entering students must present a portfolio for initial acceptance into the art program.

Courses completed with a grade of D do not count toward fulfilling the specific course requirements of the major.

Senior Overview

In order to graduate with a BA with a studio emphasis, students must successfully complete a senior overview and participate in the senior show held at the end of the spring semester in the Cecille R. Hunt Gallery.

The senior overview usually consists of work done during the final semester of the senior year in one of the indicated studio areas. The work to be shown can be either a part of a regular studio course or a studio-related independent study. Students are sent Senior Overview forms immediately prior to the beginning of the last semester of their senior year. Students designate on their form the studio course in which they intend to do their senior overview. The instructor for that course becomes the student’s senior overview advisor. Work submitted is subject to approval by the senior overview advisor and the director for the senior show. Students graduating at the completion of a summer are expected to exhibit in the show prior to completion of coursework. Students graduating in December are expected to hold their work for inclusion in the show following their completion of studies.

Transfer Students

Transfer students seeking a BA in art with an emphasis in studio art must take 15 or more studio credit hours at Webster University.
Transfer students seeking a BA in art with an emphasis in art history and criticism must take a minimum of 12 art history credit hours and 6 studio credit hours at Webster University. Art history and criticism transfer students must petition the Art Department for acceptance into the department.
Transfer students seeking a BA in art with an emphasis in visual culture must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours in departmental courses at Webster University.
Transfer students seeking a bachelor of fine arts (BFA) must take at least 24 studio credit hours (a minimum of 6 credit hours must be in drawing).
Transfer students seeking a BFA with an emphasis in drawing must take a minimum of 18 credit hours in drawing at Webster University. Transfer students should expect to complete the departmental requirements in a minimum of two academic years.

Conservatory of Theatre Arts

Dorothy Marshall Englis, chair

Majors and Degrees

Minor

Theatre

Statement of Purpose

It is our mission to train our future colleagues to become visionaries, creators and leaders in the next generation of American professional theatre.

Educational Goals

Graduates of The Conservatory of Theatre Arts will:

Possess skills within their area of expertise
Demonstrate an effective working process
Be disciplined theatre practitioners
Understand the value of the ensemble
Be able to realize the potential of their imagination
Have experience in theatre production in professional and learning environments
Be prepared to get work

Student Assessment

The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University offers a sequential, selective, and intensive program for training young artists for theatre. All students are accepted into the program by interview or audition and are enrolled in a particular sequence. Through a carefully monitored grading system using written comment sheets from all faculty, students are regularly advised of their progress and status within the Conservatory. Learning outcomes are measured via semester auditions, interviews and/or portfolio reviews from which students receive individual faculty feedback.

Special Study Opportunities

The Conservatory is the only undergraduate program in the country that works with two professional performing organizations in residence and on campus: The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. These outstanding performing institutions offer exciting productions, nationally and internationally recognized theatre artists, and special opportunities for specific projects.

All Conservatory students in the fourth year take part in a trip to New York City, where they audition and/or exhibit their talents in performances, for alumni, agents, casting directors, and artistic directors. A portfolio review is scheduled for designers, stage managers, and producers located in New York. The Conservatory produces a season of six plays and one dance concert annually. The productions are mounted and designed by students, using each of three performance spaces. A sequence of weekly one-act plays called E.T.s (Every Tuesday) is part of the directing and actor training programs. Further performance and production opportunities are possible when projects of special merit are proposed.

In recent years, Conservatory students have been placed in internships and practica with the Old Globe Theatre, San Diego; Denver Center Theatre Company; Opera Theatre of Saint Louis; The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis; Milwaukee Repertory Theatre; Missouri Repertory Theatre; Dance Saint Louis; Grand Center; Circus Flora; Missouri Citizens for the Arts; Washington Opera; Seattle Repertory Theatre; The Nebraska Theatre Caravan; St. Louis Regional Arts Council; Intiman Theatre; the Goodspeed Opera House; and San Diego Repertory Theatre.

Scholarships

Marita Woodruff Scholarship

This scholarship was established through a gift from Marsha Mason, an alumna of the Webster Theatre and Dance Department, to acknowledge the outstanding teaching contributions of Marita Woodruff. The scholarship is awarded annually to one student in the third year and one student in the fourth year who represent an outstanding balance of professionalism, talent, and scholarship in humanistic studies.

Judy K. Meyer Scholarship

This scholarship is funded by the Arthur Meyer Memorial Fund and is awarded to a fourth year musical theatre or Acting student judged to be outstanding.

Robert Slowiak Scholarship

This award was created by the Robert Slowiak Memorial Fund to be awarded to the outstanding fourth year student in the design and technical production program. This fund is intended to support the student’s needs for supplies and materials.

David Huffman Scholarship

This scholarship is established to provide a student in the fourth year with additional support that will allow him/her to complete the final year. This award is based on financial need and excellent work within the Conservatory.

Phyllis Huffman Del Vecchio Scholarship

This scholarship is established to recognize an outstanding Fourth Year student in acting or musical theatre in The Conservatory of Theatre Arts with significant financial need. The scholarship is intended to provide support to allow the student to complete his/her final year of studies. The awardee should exhibit potential for a successful career as an actor in theatre or film.

Mary Alice Dwyer-Dobbin Scholarship

This scholarship is established and named for an alumna of the Webster Conservatory of Theatre Arts and is awarded to the outstanding fourth year stage management student.

Peter E. Sargent Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a student in the third or fourth year representing outstanding talent and promise in the field of lighting design.

Jeffrey Struckman Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship, established by family and friends to honor the memory of an alumnus of the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University, is awarded to a full-time, third or fourth year student majoring in costume or scene design.

Marcella Withum Finn Endowed Costume Fund

The fund establishes an endowment to provide support for the design, construction, and execution of costumes for an annually selected Conservatory of Theatre Arts production. It is intended to be utilized for a single production selected by the design and technical production faculty each season.

Byron Grant Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a third or fourth year student in musical theatre representing outstanding talent and the desire to pursue a career in musical theatre performance.

Special Requirements

Courses completed with a grade of D do not count toward fulfilling the specific course requirements of the major.

Dance Department

Beckah Reed, chair

Majors and Degrees

Dance (BFA) with an emphasis in:
Ballet
Modern
Dance (BA) with an emphasis in:
Ballet
Modern

Minors

Dance Technique with an emphasis in:
Ballet & Modern
Jazz & Tap
Dance Theory

The Department of Dance Mission is to:

Celebrate excellence in dance
Promote the uniqueness of the individual artist
Empower performers, choreographers and teachers to be versatile
Embrace dance as an art form within a global community
Challenge each student to strive for mastery of their discipline

Special Study Opportunities

BA students are able to dance intensively while also working towards a second major or certification. The BA Capstone allows research, an internship, or project with a focus on pedagogy, history, criticism or a topic of the student’s choice.

BFA students receive a total of 3 years of choreographic experience. As a capstone project, the BFA candidate culminates his/her college career by creating works for the senior BFA concert and is expected to complete all aspects of production including costuming, lighting and PR/marketing.

Special Requirements

Acceptance to the Department of Dance as a degree-seeking student, BA or BFA is by audition and consists of the following:

An interview to discuss career goals and past history
Submission of résumé
Performance of approximately three minutes of choreography
Participation in a Ballet and Modern Technique Class

There are no limitations on the degree of intensity with which dance work can be pursued. In the second semester of the second year the dance major, assisted by his or her advisor, prepares a written proposal of specific goals in his or her intended major. It may be presented in terms of career goals, such as teaching, performing; as a declaration of intended choreographic accomplishments; or as an approach to the study of dance with personal learning goals. The entire dance faculty will evaluate the individual’s realistic ability to accomplish those goals.

In the first semester of the final year, the dance major has an exit interview with dance faculty, accessing accomplishments thus far and focusing on individual goals for the major’s final year, as well as post graduation.

Courses completed with a grade of D do not count toward fulfilling the specific course requirements of the major.

Music Department

Jeffrey Carter, chair

Majors and Degrees

Music (BM) with an Emphasis in:
- Composition
- Instrumental Performance (including orchestral wind, brass, string, and percussion instruments, and classical guitar)
- Jazz Studies: Performance (instrumental and vocal)
- Jazz Studies: Music Technology (instrumental and vocal)
- Piano Performance
- Voice Performance
Music Education (BMEd) with an Emphasis in:
- Choral Music K-12
- Instrumental Music K-12
Music (BA) (instrumental and vocal)

Minor

Music

Certificate

Entrepreneurship for Music majors

(In cooperation with the Walker School of Business & Technology)

Mission Statement of the Department of Music

To supply our students with the opportunity to achieve the highest level of education through our degree programs in music.
To offer our students performance opportunities, whether as soloists or in ensemble settings, designed to advance their skills.
To give our students opportunities that will enable them to develop skills necessary for a professional life in music, and to explore advanced technological developments.
To foster international education through programs offered by Webster’s international campuses.
To enhance the cultural life of the St. Louis metropolitan area by providing courses, ensembles, and concerts in a variety of musical styles and ensembles.
To support the missions of the University and of the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts by providing opportunities to all Webster University students to study a variety of musical styles, such as classical music, jazz, world music, and popular music culture.

Special Study Opportunities

The Department of Music seeks creative students involved in the art of music in the areas of composition, performance, or teaching who value the enrichment afforded them by a liberal arts university. Webster University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

The Department of Music offers music courses and ensembles to all Webster University students so that they may acquaint themselves with music as one aspect of their culture, either as appreciative listeners or as trained participants. The department offers state-approved curricula for the preparation of teachers of music in the elementary and secondary schools. The primary focus of the department is instruction designed to prepare students for careers in commercial music, composition, jazz studies, music education, pedagogy, and performance. Students are also encouraged to avail themselves of several significant study opportunities in Europe and Asia, and summer workshops offered through the Department of Music.

Complementing the substantial musical environment of St. Louis, a full and varied concert season is offered by the department. The season includes student and faculty recitals, as well as performances by guest artists and campus musical organizations.

The University supports a number of performing groups including Concert Choir, Jazz Singers, Chamber Singers, Choral Society, Webster University Symphony Orchestra, Opera Studio, Big Band, Jazz Combos, String Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, a student chamber orchestra, and the New Music Ensemble. The department also provides various chamber music ensembles, including saxophone quartet, string quartet, guitar ensemble, percussion ensemble, and the string/piano ensemble.

Scholarships

Donald O. Davis Jazz Scholarship

The Donald O. Davis Jazz Scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Davis by his son, Drew Davis, a Webster music alumnus, his friends, and family in 2000. This scholarship provides financial assistance to a student majoring in jazz studies who demonstrates talent and financial need. Interested applicants should contact Professor Paul DeMarinis, Director of Jazz Studies.

James Moroney Nigh Scholarship in Opera

The James Moroney Nigh Scholarship in Opera was established in memory of Mr. Nigh by his wife, family, and friends in 2000. This scholarship provides financial assistance to a voice major participating in the Opera Studio. The award is based on talent and financial need. Interested applicants should contact the chair of the Department of Music.

Suzy Shepard Jazz Scholarship Fund

The Suzy Shepard Jazz Scholarship Fund was established in 1985 to provide financial assistance for outstanding jazz studies students of sophomore standing or above with a B or better grade point average. Interested applicants should contact Professor Paul DeMarinis, Director of Jazz Studies.

TKT Music Scholarship

The TKT Scholarship was established in memory of Terry Jackson, Kirk Cappello, and Tony Saputo by their families and friends to provide financial assistance for outstanding music students of junior standing or above with a B or better grade average. Interested applicants should contact Professor Paul DeMarinis, Director of Jazz Studies.

Jean Sinor Memorial Scholarship in Music Education

The Sinor Scholarship was established in memory of alumna Jean Sinor by Kathryn Bowers, friends, and family with support from the Boeing Foundation. This scholarship is intended to provide financial assistance to exceptional junior, senior, or graduate students in the field of choral and/or general music education. Interested applicants should contact the chair of the Department of Music.

Allen Carl Larson Endowed Scholarship Fund for Instrumental Studies

Established in 2009, the Larson Scholarship Fund recognizes the contributions of Dr. Allen Carl Larson during his 36 years as conductor of the Webster Symphony Orchestra, providing scholarships for outstanding instrumental majors in the Department of Music.

Buder Foundation Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to sophomore-senior undergraduate students enrolled in any music degree program (students with a music minor are not considered). Recipients must be residents of Missouri or Southern Illinois, maintain a 3.0 grade point average, demonstrate musical excellence, and be between the ages of 18 and 28. Interested applicants should contact the chair of the Department of Music.

Department of Music Scholarships

The department offers a limited number of scholarships to entering freshmen, transfer students, and graduate students based on talent and financial need. Preference is given to students who audition in person before March 30 of each year. Interested applicants should contact the chair of the Department of Music.

Admission and Audition Requirements

To be admitted as an undergraduate music major or music minor, applicants must complete an in-person audition/interview with the music faculty and complete various diagnostic examinations. Auditions are arranged through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Specific information on the audition requirements for each music degree program is available from the department’s website. Priority consideration for performance scholarships is given to students who complete all admission requirements before March 30 of the application year.

Ensemble Requirements

Each of the undergraduate degree programs in music includes multiple semesters of participation in a major ensemble. Depending upon specific degree requirements, the major ensembles include Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble (combo), Jazz Singers, Big Band, and New Music Ensemble.

Music scholarship students are expected to participate in performing ensembles in addition to those for which they receive credit. In general, music majors are expected to participate in at least two ensembles per semester.

Candidacy Examination

Each undergraduate music major must take a Candidacy Examination in spring of the sophomore year or upon completion of 45 or more credit hours as music majors (whichever comes first). The Candidacy Examination assesses a student’s success in the first two years of music study. The examination helps the music faculty determine a student’s potential for graduation within a given degree program.

The examination includes the performance of one or more works and an interview with the faculty. While most students declare their intention from their first semester (BM in performance, BA in music, and so on), no student is actually accepted into the department as a major until the Candidacy Examination is completed successfully.

Piano Proficiency

Each undergraduate music major in a Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music Education must demonstrate proficiency on the piano keyboard. Proficiency is demonstrated by 1) successfully passing MUSC 2085, or 2) successfully completing the Music Education piano proficiency exam, or 3) successfully playing a piano proficiency exam for a panel of piano instructors during the sophomore or junior year .

Performance Requirements

Much of the music that we make is collaborative in nature, with a mix of keyboard, wind, brass, string, and percussion instruments, and voices. So that performance majors develop an ability to work with others beyond an accompanist, all performance majors presenting junior and senior recitals will include on each recital or in a Thursday student recital at least one 3-minute work that includes collaboration with a performer other than or in addition to piano. Works longer than 3 minutes are encouraged.

Department of Music Handbook

All music major students are responsible for the contents of the Department of Music Handbook, which is issued at the beginning of each academic year. The handbook contains more detail on various requirements such as piano proficiency, qualifying examinations, ensemble participation, recital attendance, and departmental operations.

Other Academic Requirements

Students seeking a bachelor of music (BM) degree must complete at least 30 credit hours of courses in the department. Students seeking the bachelor of arts (BA) degree must complete at least 18 credit hours (including at least 2 credit hours of MUSC 4000 Applied Music) in the department.

Courses completed with a grade lower than C do not count toward fulfilling the specific course requirements of the major.

Music Library Holdings

Books, periodicals, scores, records, compact discs, and videos as recommended for music libraries by the National Association of Schools of Music are conveniently housed in the Emerson Library. In addition, the library subscribes to a number of significant online, music-related resources.