West Plains, MO. – After a long summer of fundraising and instrument purchases, Missouri State University-West Plains was able to start up and welcome students to its four new music programs on Monday, August 19, 2024.
Four classes are being offered this fall and they include three full semester courses and one online eight-week class that begins on October 14. The full semester classes offered include:
- Jazz Ensemble is a one-credit-hour performance class that meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 2 to 3:20 p.m.
- University/Community Band, which is a one-credit-hour performance class that meets Mondays from 6 to 8 p.m.
- The last class is The Language of Music which is a three-credit-hour music appreciation class that meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 4:20 p.m.
All three of the classes are meeting in Putnam Hall. The online course is Introduction to World Music, which is a three-credit-hour music appreciation class taught by Janice Sherry. The University/Community and Jazz Bands consist of enrolled MSU-WP students, high school dual credit students, band teachers, and other community members who want to participate in the inaugural year program. At Putnam Hall, there are several larger instruments such as xylophones, trombones, a drum set, and other “big-ticket items” available to students due to donations to the program.
The university will soon be starting a crowdfunding campaign to help raise funds for the program’s needs. Robert Long, the program’s music director, stated, “Your contributions will help us secure instruments, sheet music, and the resources needed to provide a top-notch musical education.”
Area residents interested in MSU-WP’s collegiate music program in any way are encouraged to fill out a form online. “Whether you’re a student interested in enrolling in our music classes, a community member wanting to join the University/Community Band, someone who would like to request a performance, or someone who would like to support the program financially, all are encouraged to fill out the form,” Long said. The form can be found as a link in a pinned post on the program’s Facebook page – Facebook.com/MSUWPMusic. Area residents also can contact Long directly at RockyLong@MissouriState.edu.
