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Department of Music

 

 

JOIN US! Study with world class professional practitioners and music educators.

At ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, not only will we help you discover your unique artistic voice, but you will be armed with 21st century skills necessary to monetize and establish a stable and rewarding music career.

To audition for one of our generous scholarships, please complete the audition form below. Then contact Director of Music Outreach Nick Rowland at nicholas.rowland@ottawa.edu.

Why Music at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ?

  • We have a world class faculty that are professional practitioners of what they teach.  Students can actively see and hear their professors “Do it!”.
     
  • With Ottawa’s proximity to the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, there are numerous opportunities for students to interact with professionals in every lane of the music business; and are generally part of the fabric of the city both in student performances and professionally.
     
  • Ottawa has terrific facilities including:
    • Our state-of-the-art Wenger practice studios feature a Virtual Acoustic Environment (VAE), which allows you to simulate performing in nine performance environments ranging from a small recital hall to a large cathedral. Your session can be recorded for immediate playback which allows you to gain immediate feedback.
       
    • We have a collaborative recording studio loaded with the newest digital audio workstations with several sound isolation booths.
       
    • We are an All Steinway School and have high quality pianos in all performance locations, most practice rooms, and in each teaching studio location.

Programs

The Music program promotes an understanding and appreciation of musical expression as part of a liberal arts education.  

We are focusing on 21st century skills required for monetization in the music arts and emphasize 5 pillars of successful musicians: Performance, Pedagogy, Composition, Arranging as well as, Business and Entrepreneurship. 

Our program delivers a complete representation of Music History and Music Theory, giving equal emphasis to traditional and contemporary traditions.

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Bachelor of Music - Instrumental Performance

Bachelor of Music - Jazz Studies

Bachelor of Music - Vocal Performance

Bachelor of Music Education (BME)

Bachelor of Music Education (BME) - PreK-12 Instrumental

Bachelor of Music Education (BME) - PreK-12 Vocal

Ensembles

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has ensembles from a wide array of disciplines from traditional to contemporary and everything in between. Each ensemble has regularly scheduled rehearsals and performances both on and off-campus. Most ensembles meet twice per week. With our proximity to the greater Kansas City Metropolitan area, it is common for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ensembles to perform in the city center, as well as nationally and internationally. 
 
Athletic Bands 
Chamber Ensembles 
Choral Ensembles 
Jazz Ensembles 
Percussion Ensemble and Drum Line 
Wind Ensemble

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Music Department is looking for new students to be a part of our growing program! Music scholarships are assigned based on a combination of musical ability and departmental need. Students are expected to demonstrate a high level of performance and musicianship skills in the audition through the performance of appropriately prepared repertoire and other audition elements. Whether you plan to major in music or something else, scholarships are available to help support your continued passion for and participation in music.

Students who complete an  on or before December 15 will be given priority for scholarship consideration.

Our upcoming Scholarship Days will be on:

  • Saturday, October 25, 2025
  • Saturday, December 6, 2025
  • Monday, February 16, 2026
  • Saturday, April 18, 2026

We will offer both face-to-face and virtual options for this event. Be sure to RSVP by completing the audtion form.

AUDTION FORM

Faculty

Our faculty members have performed at locations as far reaching as the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Lincoln Center in New York City, the Musikverein Golden Hall in Vienna, and even the National Music Hall in Taipei! They can also be found closer to home in Kansas City jazz clubs and at the helm of orchestras in neighboring locales. Sharing the stage with musicians from the Temptations to Yo-Yo Ma, these professors are also professionals who continue to perfect their craft.

Dan Thomas

Dan Thomas

Chair, Music Programs
Director of Jazz Studies

Associate Professor of Music

Bobby Watson

Bobby Watson

Artist in Residence
Composition and Arranging

Nick Rowland

Nick Rowland

Director of Music Outreach

Bill McKemy

Bill McKemy

Applied Bass
American Popular Music

Katelyn Benyo

Katelyn Benyo

Applied Violin and Viola

Stan Bock

Stan Bock

Applied Trombone and Low Brass, Music Theory and American Popular Music

Brandon Fultz

Brandon Fultz

Music Education

Jacob Fry

Jacob Fry

Applied Voice, Director of Choral Activities and Athletic Bands

Matt Hopper

Matt Hopper

Applied Guitar

Aaron Linscheid

Aaron Linscheid

Applied Trumpet

Kevin Marét, DMA

Kevin Marét, DMA

President, Professional and Online Campuses
Associate Professor of Music
Director of Wind Ensemble

Susan Murphy

Susan Murphy

Applied Flute

Nick Proctor

Nick Proctor

Music Education
Secondary Methods

Forest Stewart

Forest Stewart

Applied Horn and Electric Bass

Ivy Lu Wang

Ivy Lu Wang

Applied Piano

Brian Ward

Brian Ward

Applied Jazz Piano
Music History and Music Theory
American Popular Music

Andrew Wray

Andrew Wray

Applied Percussion and Drumset

Arts & Performances

24
Oct

Dan Thomas Quintet at The Blue Room

Friday, Oct 24, 2025 8:00 PM

1600 E. 18th Street Kansas City, MO 64108

Add to Calendar 10/24/2025 8:00:00 PM America/Phoenix Dan Thomas Quintet at The Blue Room 1600 E. 18th Street Kansas City, MO 64108

Come watch the Dan Thomas Quintet perform at The Blue Room.

25
Oct

Music Audition Day

Saturday, Oct 25, 2025 12:00 PM

Add to Calendar 10/25/2025 12:00:00 PM America/Phoenix Music Audition Day

Following the Braves Visit Day, students interested in a music scholarship showcase their skills and meet the Braves music faculty. Sign-up to attend at www.ottawa.edu/BravesMusic

Read More
29
Oct

Fall Music Concert

Wednesday, Oct 29, 2025 7:00 PM

Fredrikson Chapel • 1001 South Cedar Street • Ottawa, Kansas

Add to Calendar 10/29/2025 7:00:00 PM America/Phoenix Fall Music Concert

Come enjoy an evening of music as the Braves Wind Ensemble, Jazz Studies Ensemble and University Concert Choir take the stage.

Fredrikson Chapel • 1001 South Cedar Street • Ottawa, Kansas

Come enjoy an evening of music as the Braves Wind Ensemble, Jazz Studies Ensemble and University Concert Choir take the stage.

Read More
06
Dec

Music Audition Day

Saturday, Dec 6, 2025 10:00 AM

Add to Calendar 12/6/2025 10:00:00 AM America/Phoenix Music Audition Day

Students interested in a music scholarship showcase their skills and meet the Braves music faculty. Sign-up to attend at www.ottawa.edu/BravesMusic

Read More
10
Dec

Vespers Concert

Wednesday, Dec 10, 2025 7:00 PM

Fredrikson Chapel • 1001 S. Cedar Street, Ottawa, KS 66067

Add to Calendar 12/10/2025 7:00:00 PM America/Phoenix Vespers Concert Fredrikson Chapel • 1001 S. Cedar Street, Ottawa, KS 66067

Ring in the holidays with the annual Vespers concert that kicks off the holiday season and showcases the talents of the Braves Music Department.

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