Music

  • Liberal & Fine Arts

What Will I Learn?

Thank you for your interest in music at Joliet Junior College!

Joliet Junior College has one of the premier two-year music programs in the country, and is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). This outstanding music program attracts students from around the district. 

We offer a full music program with Theory, Aural Skills, Music History, Applied Lessons, and Ensembles. Students at JJC are able to participate in Concert Band, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Percussion Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, and in two Choirs. 

We are also excited to offer a certificate in Music Technology. In this program students learn in our recording studio on cutting edge equipment the skills of live recording and music production.

Please check out our Fine Arts Events page for more information on upcoming events.

Message from the Program Coordinator

Music at JJC is a great choice as you will work hands on with top professors in your field.  With our numerous ensemble offerings, there is always a place for you to continue with your passion for music.

Take lessons, sing in our Choirs, and play in our Concert Band – Guitar Ensemble – Percussion Ensemble – Jazz Band - or Jazz Combo.  You can learn to play piano, guitar, and sing. Want to work in the field of Music recording and production?  We have that too.  All at a fraction of the cost of other area schools. Come to JJC and develop your passion for music.  

I invite you to explore our site to see all that JJC Music has to offer.

Charles Morgan
Music Coordinator / Professor of Music

What Are My Career Opportunities?

More About JJC Music

  • Admissions and Auditions

    New students must apply for admission to Joliet Junior College before enrolling in classes, auditioning for applied lesson, or entering a degree program.

    Audition

    Students enrolling in applied music courses for the first time at Joliet Junior College must audition on their major instrument to insure placement in the appropriate level of applied music. 

    Auditions are scheduled during Final Exam Week at the conclusion of the Spring Semester in May and during Opening Weeks in August and January.  Please note that students will not be allowed to participate in Applied Music lessons without an audition at one of the three scheduled times held in the academic year. 

    Appointments may be scheduled by contacting the Fine Arts office at (815) 280-2223. 

    Wind / Strings Instruments

    1. Perform major scales and demonstrate an understanding of minor scales.
    2. Perform an exercise or etude from any standard method book.
    3. Perform a solo of moderate to difficult ability level.
    4. Sight read.


    Voice

    1. Sing two contrasting works of appropriate difficulty.  An accompanist will be provided or you may provide your own.
    2. Demonstrate a basic proficiency in aural skills and vocal production.
    3. Sight read.


    Percussion:  Students may audition on snare drum, mallets, timpani or multiple percussion.

    1. Perform major scales and demonstrate an understanding of minor scales.
    2. Perform a solo or etude of moderate to difficult ability level.
    3. Exhibit proficiency in rudiments (snare drum).
    4. Sight read.


    Piano

    1. Perform major scales and demonstrate an understanding of minor scales.
    2. Perform two compositions (two- or three-part invention, prelude and fugue, suite, work of Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven, or a nineteenth or twentieth century  composition).
    3. Sight read.


    Guitar/Bass

    1. Perform major scales and demonstrate an understanding of minor scales.
    2. Perform two compositions demonstrating various techniques.
    3. Sight read.


    Dress: Audition / Jury / Recital

    • Attire is semi-formal: NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE
    • WOMEN - Dress (knee length or longer) / Pant Suit
    • MEN - Suit or sport jacket with shirt and tie

     

    Students in inappropriate attire will not be allowed to perform. Appropriate dress is a sign of respect for an audience, as well as for the music being performed, and contributes to a professional presentation

  • Accredited

    Joliet Junior College is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

    Schools accredited by these agencies are held to a very high degree of accountability. Joliet Junior College's programs are carefully scrutinized to ensure they include the most important, relevant and comprehensive approaches to learning.

    Accreditation ensures that every student has the opportunity to study in a way the produces not only a talented musician, but a musician who is well prepared for life after college.

  • Portability of Credits

    Courses taken at an accredited school like JJC are far more likely to be accepted as transfer courses than courses taken at a school that is not accredited.

  • Health and Safety for Musicians

    All School of Music Faculty, Administrators, and Students should regularly review the available resources for maintaining Health and Safety standards set forth by NASM. The material below is excerpted from the NASM website. The links below will take you to the NASM site where additional resources may be found.


    Hearing Health

    BASIC INFORMATION ON HEARING HEALTH

    The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) have developed a comprehensive overview of hearing health issues for postsecondary schools and departments of music. Information of a medical nature is provided by PAMA; information regarding contextual issues in music programs, by NASM.

    1. Basic Information on Hearing Health - Administrators and Faculty
    2. Basic Information on Hearing Health - Faculty and Staff
    3. Protect Your Hearing Every Day: Information and Recommendations for Student   Musicians
    4. Protecting Your Hearing Health: Student Information Sheet on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss


    Neuromusculoskeletal and Vocal Health

    BASIC INFORMATION ON NEUROMUSCULOSKELETAL AND VOCAL HEALTH

    The National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA) have developed draft material regarding neuromusculoskeletal and vocal health issues for postsecondary schools and departments of music.  Information of a medical nature is provided by PAMA; information regarding contextual issues in music programs, by NASM.


    Joliet Junior College Music and Etymotic Research

    Joliet Junior College is proud to announce it has partnered with Etymotic Research to be able to provide free hearing protection and education for all of our faculty and music majors.

  • About Musica Viva

    About the Musica Viva Concert Series

    Musica Viva, meaning "live music," in Latin, is the only fully professional, entirely free-of-charge concert series of its kind at a college or university in the Chicagoland area. For more than 20 years, Musica Viva has featured outstanding national and international guest artists, JJC faculty and JJC alumni.

    If you enjoy JJC's Musica Viva concerts and wish to help ensure that they continue to be offered free-of-charge in the future, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to the Musica Viva Donors Fund through the JJC Foundation.

    For more information or to donate, contact Rich Moore at rmoore@jjc.edu or call (815) 280-2487.

    Watch our Musica Viva Concert from March 2021

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