If you are interested in being involved in music on a collegiate level or are considering a degree in music, here is some information that might be good for you to know.
If you know where Wingate is, odds are it is because you have passed it traveling to the beach or Charlotte...or you already go here. Though our school is typically known around the state for the great athletic teams and health science programs, our music program is held in high regards by the choral music world!
So what makes Wingate’s music department so great? Glad you asked!
On the choral side our department consist of five choirs. Men’s Choir is a non-auditioned ensemble for any level of male singers directed by Dr. John Blizzard. They consistently perform beautiful and entertaining music throughout the school year. Similarly, we have a non-auditioned Women’s Choir for all singers as well as an auditioned Advanced Women’s Ensemble both directed by Dr. Nana Wolfe-Hill. Wingate has two auditioned mixed ensembles, University Singers and Chamber Choir both directed by the department chair, Dr. Kenney Potter. University Singers is a group of about 40 voices that sing together from August to May with a tour throughout North Carolina during February. Chamber Choir and Advanced Women’s Ensemble also complete a tour during the fall semester. If you ask any Wingate singer that has toured with a choir, they will tell you amazing stories of their adventures with choir. Some of them are funny, some of them are musically inspiring, and most of them are life-changing.
In addition to the vocal choirs, Wingate has a Wind Ensemble, Bulldog Band (a pep band that plays at sporting events), and a multitude of chamber ensembles such as Flute Choir, quartets and quintets, and a jazz ensemble. The bands are directed by Dr. Dawn Price and the chamber ensembles are typically student-led with the help of adjunct professors. Wingate also has a rising piano department led by Dr. David Brooks, who has recently begun a bowed piano group. Piano lessons are offered by multiple talented pianist in the department.
If you are considering majoring in music I highly recommend this department, especially if you are seeking to join the music education field. Since our school is relatively small, each student is allotted more one-on-one attention from professors. Wingate professors truly care about their students and their success. Wingate does not offer graduate degrees in music and this is good for undergrads! All of the attention of the department is poured into undergraduate students and you do not have to worry about becoming part of a grad student’s project. At many universities with graduate programs, the grad students get precedent over undergrads when great opportunities arise, but at Wingate all of the focus is aimed towards the highest achievement of each undergrad!
The full attention of the department is especially imperative for those majoring in music education. Whereas in larger programs the grad students are given opportunities to work with the university choirs, at Wingate the junior and senior music education majors are the ones who get to lead warm-ups and rehearsals, as well as act as a student conductor before student teaching.
Wingate University is highly devoted to their students. If you take advantage of the opportunities at hand, Wingate is sure to give you things other universities cannot.
Our choir is more than a group of singers. We are a collection of music-lovers that want to enjoy and share our craft with everyone that we meet.
If you have any further desire to learn about Wingate Music, check out the website or any of our social media.
Instagram: @Wingate_music
Twitter: @Wingate_music
https://www.wingate.edu/majors-programs/music/musi...
https://www.wingate.edu/majors-programs/music/musi...
