State College of Florida Music Program
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Associate in Science Music Production

This program prepares students for work in the field of music production, live sound reinforcement, digital music, virtual media, and other related fields.

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Music and Theatre Scholarship Auditions

Over $55,000 in additional scholarship money for music and theatre students available through the SCF Foundation each year. Please see the events calendar for audition events or call the Music Program office for more information.

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Music

State College of Florida Music Program

SCF Music Has Opportunities For Everyone!

Music Majors:
We offer a comprehensive 2-year transfer program designed to prepare you for continuing your education toward a music degree at a 4-year university.

All SCF Students:
Take advantage of general music courses, scholarships, and performance opportunities—whether you’re an experienced instrumentalist or vocalist.

Members of the Community:
Each year, we host a wide variety of concerts, recitals, masterclasses, and events in our state-of-the-art facilities, including the SCF Neel Performing Arts Center and the SCF Recital Hall.

Those Interested in Learning an Instrument:
Explore classes and lessons taught by college-level instructors through our Lifelong Learning Department.

Professional, Amateur, and Retired Musicians:
Join the SCF Bradenton Symphony Orchestra or one of our other ensembles. Your experience enriches our performances as you play alongside our talented students.

SCF Music: Events and Updates

Experience the vibrant sounds of SCF Music through our annual concerts and performances, all offered at affordable ticket prices to enrich our community. Stay connected and never miss a performance:

We look forward to seeing you at our next event!

Upcoming Events

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Scholarships and Support for SCF Music Students

Each year, the State College of Florida Music Program and the SCF Foundation award over $200,000 in scholarships to support students participating in the music program. These scholarships provide financial assistance and encourage excellence in music education.

Ensemble Scholarships

Open to both music majors and non-majors, ensemble scholarships offer students from any discipline the opportunity to participate in SCF’s music ensembles. These scholarships help foster a vibrant and inclusive music community, allowing SCF to remain a significant force in music education across the region.

Koenig Scholarships

Designed specifically for music majors, Koenig Scholarships cover the costs of applied lessons, which are a key component of music education. Recognizing the additional expenses music majors face, these scholarships ensure accessibility while motivating students to pursue high standards in their studies. All music majors are automatically awarded this scholarship.

SCF Foundation Scholarships

The SCF Foundation partners with donors and organizations to provide targeted scholarships for music students. Some of these include:

  • The Cascades Community of Sarasota Music Scholarship
  • Lucille H. Laughrey Scholarship
  • Max Corzilius Endowed Music Scholarship
  • Guitar Sarasota Scholarship
  • Cordelia Lee Beattie Foundation Music Scholarship
  • Steinway Society of Sarasota Scholarship
  • Music Excellence Sponsorship (Presidential Ensembles)

Program Funds Supported by the Foundation

The SCF Foundation also hosts dedicated funds to support specific needs within the music program:

  • Ensemble Support Funds: Provide resources for SCF’s performing ensembles.
  • Academic Excellence in Music: Supports academic tutors to help music students excel in their courses.
  • Music Enhancement Funds: Cover production costs, the purchase and transportation of musical equipment, and marketing materials.
  • Music Major Experience Fund: Provides opportunities for students to attend masterclasses and professional performances.

These scholarships and resources ensure that SCF Music students have the tools, opportunities, and support they need to succeed academically and artistically.

Applied Music Instruction

One-on-one lessons with SCF music faculty, known as applied music courses, are a cornerstone of the SCF Music Program. These two-credit academic courses are open to all students and are required for those on a music transfer track.

Course Structure

  • Fall and Spring Semesters: 14 weekly lessons, each lasting 53 minutes.
  • Summer Semester: 12 weekly lessons, each lasting 60 minutes.

Who Can Enroll?

  • Music Majors: Students planning to major in music should take applied lessons on their primary instrument every fall and spring semester.
  • Non-Music Majors: Applied lessons are also available for credit to non-music majors who wish to enhance their skills.
  • Non-Credit Options: Students can take applied lessons through SCF’s Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development program.

Jury Examinations

Students enrolled in Applied I and Applied II levels must complete a jury examination during final exam week, where they perform for SCF music faculty to demonstrate their progress.

  • Preparatory Level Students: A jury examination is also required for students at the preparatory level seeking to qualify for Applied I.

Additional Information

  • Credits and Fees: Applied music courses are two-credit courses and include a lab fee.

Applied music lessons provide personalized instruction, helping students of all levels refine their skills and achieve their musical goals.

Music Ensembles

SCF’s music ensembles provide students with opportunities to perform and collaborate each semester. These ensembles are academic courses that can be taken for 0-3 credit hours.

Open to All Students

All SCF students are welcome to join an ensemble, regardless of major. For additional details, students should contact the SCF Music Program office.

Auditions

While many ensembles are open to all, some require an audition or a seating audition to determine placement. SCF’s ensembles offer a dynamic and rewarding experience, fostering both musical growth and a sense of community.

 

Concert Choir (MUN 1310) meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12 to 12:53pm. Concert Choir is a large choral ensemble of approximately 60 voices designed to provide a high quality choral experience for all students at SCF. Membership is open to all students and no audition is required. The concert choir is under the direction of Melodie Dickerson and performs a variety of music from classical choral masterpieces to innovative contemporary works. Two on-campus concerts are presented each semester.

0-3 credit hour class

Requires additional performance time.

Chamber Choir (MUN 1340) meets Tuesday and Thursday 12:30 p.m.- 1:50 p.m. Audition required. Chamber Choir is a selective auditioned mixed vocal ensemble which performs a broad range of choral literature at the highest performance level on campus and in the community. Two on-campus concerts are presented each semester. Requires additional performance time.

0-3 credit hour class

If you are interested in singing in a choral/vocal ensemble, please contact Melodie Dickerson, Director of Choral/Vocal Studies, at 941-752-5580 or DickerM@SCF.edu.

Students enrolled in choral ensembles are encouraged to register in Applied Voice lessons (MVV) with one of our distinguished music faculty. Please contact Ms. Dickerson for a placement audition at DickerM@SCF.edu.

View Performances

Bradenton Symphony Orchestra (MUN 1210) Combination of college and community member orchestra meets on Wednesday nights from 7:00-9:30 p.m.

0-3 credit hour class; required additional performance time

It is open to all string, woodwind, brass, and percussion players with high school band or orchestra experience.

Music students enrolled in Bradenton Symphony Orchestra are encouraged to register in Applied lessons with our distinguished music faculty.

Scholarships are available to all SCF students; you do not need to be a music major to be awarded a music ensemble scholarship.

For more information: Dr. Geoff Neuman, NeumanG@SCF.edu

Symphonic Band (MUN1120) meets on Tuesday and Thursday from 2 to 3:20 p.m.

0-3 credit hours

Requires additional performance time.

It is open to all woodwind, brass, and percussion players with high school band experience.

Seating auditions will be held the first week of class. Contact Dr. Geoff Neuman, if you are interested in Symphonic Band at NeumanG@SCF.edu.

Music students enrolled in Symphonic Band are encouraged to register in Applied lessons with our distinguished music faculty.

Scholarships are available to all SCF students. You do not need to be a music major to be awarded a music ensemble scholarship.

 

Guitar Ensemble (MUN1480) meets on Monday and Wednesday from 12:30-1:50 p.m. aon the Bradenton campus.

0-3 credit hours

Requires additional performance time.

The Guitar Ensemble consists of strong beginner/intermediate to advanced guitarists accepted by audition. Each semester there are approximately 12 to 15 classical/acoustic guitarists that range in ability from intermediate to advanced, coming from many diverse musical backgrounds. The group plays a wide range of musical styles that include the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and many modern styles such as bossa nova, pop, rock, and avante garde. The SCF Guitar Ensemble takes pride in both authentic period performance and in “pushing the envelope” with the unexpected.

Music students enrolled in Guitar Ensemble are encouraged to register in Applied Guitar lessons (MVS) with our distinguished music faculty.

Scholarships are available to all SCF students; you do not need to be a music major to be awarded a music ensemble scholarship. Contact the music office at 941-752-5351 to schedule an audition.

Jazz Ensemble (MUN 1710) meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10-10:53 a.m. This ensemble performs big band jazz and popular music from a variety of style periods. Audition required.

0-3 credit course; requires additional performance time.

Jazz Combo (MUN 1711) meets on Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-10:53 a.m. This is a small ensemble with emphasis on instruction in improvisation, jazz theory, and harmony. Audition required.

0-3 credit course; requires additional performance time.

Contact Dr. Pete Carney, Jazz Studies Director, at 941-752-5590 or CarneyP@SCF.edu for an audition.

Music students enrolled in Jazz Ensemble or Jazz Combo are encouraged to register in Applied Lessons with our distinguished music faculty.

Scholarships are available to all SCF students; you do not need to be a music major to be awarded a music ensemble scholarship.

Music Theatre Ensemble (MUN1640) meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11 to 11:53am; and Fall term Monday 6:30-9:30pm.

The SCF Music Theatre Ensemble is dedicated to the performance of quality musical productions using student performers. A fully staged production is presented each fall semester and is cast through open auditions. Instrumental students are also featured as members of the pit orchestra.  Recent performances include “West Side Story,” “The Music Man,” “The Children of Eden,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Into The Woods,” “The Boy Friend,” “Amahl and The Night Visitors,” “Gondoliers,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and original work, “In Ybor City.”

A Songs and Scenes format comprises the spring semester production with ample opportunities for students to direct and choreograph musical numbers. Any student interested in musical theater is encouraged to become a part of the cast and production team.

1 credit hour

Requires additional performance time.

Contact Melodie Dickerson for an audition at 941-752-5580 or DickerM@SCF.edu.

For information and audition packet contact: April Dittmann, Music Program office, at 941-752-5351 or DittmaA@SCF.edu.

Scholarships are available to SCF students; you do not need to be a music major to be awarded a music ensemble scholarship.

SCF keyboard studies are open to all SCF students. Instruction is offered both through one-on-one lessons (Applied Piano) and through classroom instruction (Class Piano).

Class Piano I (MVK1111A) is group class instruction offered to students pursuing music degrees with primary instruments other than piano. Emphasis is placed on music reading and basic keyboard skills and should be taken in tandem with Music Theory I and Aural Theory I by all music pre-majors. Class Piano II (MVK 1111B), III (MVK 2121A), and IV (MVK 2121B) are part of the four-semester sequence recommended for all music pre-majors with primary instruments other than piano.

An applied lesson consists of weekly one-on-one instruction with one of our highly qualified teachers and is open to all SCF students at all levels of instruction from beginning to advanced. Lessons may be taken as an elective or for personal enrichment. Non-degree-seeking students may take non-credit instruction through the Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development. For registration details, visit Lifelong Learning and Workforce Development Performing Arts.

The SCF Music Program offers a music technology lab equipped with digital keyboards, Mac computers, and music software programs as well as practice rooms equipped with pianos.

The SCF Keyboard Program often features guest artists as recitalists and master class teachers. Check the SCFMusic app for this year’s offerings.

Scholarships are available to all full-time SCF students; you do not need to be a music major to be awarded a keyboard scholarship. Contact Don Bryn, Coordinator of Keyboard Studies, to schedule an audition.