row of students playing the saxophone with a row of students playing the trombone behind them, at the jazz music festival

College of Arts & Sciences

Music Education

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Dr. Trilla Lyerla

Chair & Professor of Music

Department of Music & Theatre

Shaping Tomorrow’s Sounds

About

Passion for music and compassion for the next generation of learners merge for students in our music education program.

Personal attention from a talented, accomplished faculty, along with extraordinary performance opportunities and extensive hands-on classroom experience, make Baker’s music education program one of the best in the region, while organizations like the National Association for Music Education provide students with opportunities to learn about music beyond the classroom.

Along with music curriculum, music education students complete a core of education courses that lead to preK-12 licensure in general music, vocal music, or instrumental music. Students pursuing a degree in music education and teacher licensure work closely with faculty advisors from the School of Education to fulfill the requirements for a degree from Baker University and teacher licensure in Kansas. Candidates are required to complete education coursework and the required music coursework.

Graduates leave with the skills and confidence to take on a classrooms of their own.

Teacher Licensure Info

Male student playing the clarinet at a band concert

The first step on campus…

…often leads to the first audition. Every student gets a shot at the spotlight with none of the waiting your turn that happens at larger schools.

Broadway at Baker presents State Fair performance
Male student playing the clarinet at a band concert
Students holding music books while singing in a choir on stage

Exceptional Experience

01/03

Heard ‘Round The World

Baker ensembles have hit the road to tour and perform on the California coast, throughout Europe, and at the Kauffman Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Award Tour

Our vocal and instrumental ensembles consistently bring home awards from regional and national competitions.

PreK-12 Preparation

Along with music curriculum, our students complete a core of education courses that lead to preK-12 licensure in general music, vocal music, or instrumental music.

A quick preview of performing arts at Baker:

         

Competitions & Selections

  • Vocalists compete in the regional auditions for the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
  • Pianists compete in the Kansas Music Teachers Association collegiate auditions and in the Music Teachers National Association Young Artists’ Competition.
  • Instrumentalists are nominated and selected to perform in the Kansas Intercollegiate Band.

Music Education Course Descriptions

Vocal Ensembles

Practice your art

Music ensembles are an integral part of the performing arts at Baker University. Performance opportunities abound, with student musicians showcasing their talent in a variety of ways. Students need not be music majors to join an ensemble, they just need a passion for making music.

The auditioned Concert Choir and Chamber Singers are open to all.

Vocal Ensembles

Instrumental Ensembles

Showcase your talent

Whether you’re a tuba player or a master cellist, Baker’s Music Department has a home for you. Students can choose from five instrumental ensembles: Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Wildcat Pep Band, Jazz Ensemble, and University Chamber Ensemble.

Music ensembles are an integral part of the performing arts at Baker University. Performance opportunities abound, with student musicians showcasing their talent in a variety of ways. Students need not be music majors to join an ensemble, they just need a passion for making music.

Instrumental Ensembles

Ensemble Rehearsal Schedules

Careers

Graduates of our music program go on to become renowned professional musicians and leading music educators in their districts.

Male student playing the baritone at a band concert

Scholarships

The Department of Music and Theatre gives these awards with financial prizes to be applied to the following year’s tuition:

  • Mildred Hunt Riddle Departmental Recognition Scholarship for Music
  • Chris Grubb Memorial Jazz Scholarship
  • Robert E. Dunham Memorial Scholarship
  • Linda H. Dreyer Endowed Scholarship
  • Dorothy Foreman Memorial Scholarship
  • Kristin Cooper Memorial Scholarship
  • Dr. John and Dr. Susan Buehler Choral Music Education Scholarship
band student holding a clarinet and smiling at a football game
         

Music Events

Trombone Workshop

McKibbin Recital Hall 408 8th Street, Baldwin, KS

Honors Recital

McKibbin Recital Hall 408 8th Street, Baldwin, KS

Orchestra Concert

Rice Auditorium 404 Eighth Street, Baldwin City, KS

Choir Concert

Rice Auditorium 404 Eighth Street, Baldwin City, KS

Meet the Faculty

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Dr. Trilla Lyerla

Professor of Music, Chair of the Department of Music & Theatre

B.A., B.M. University of Kansas; M.A., D.M.A. University of Iowa

Expertise: piano, music theory, world music

Office: Owens 200

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Dr. Tom Becker

Adjunct Teaching Artist

B.M. University of Nebraska at Omaha, M.M. Northwestern University, M.A. University of Denver, Ph.D. University of Kansas

Expertise: guitar

Office: Owens 106

Baker logo

Jim Funkhouser

Adjunct Teaching Artist

Expertise: French horn, composition

Office: Owens 106

Baker logo

Brian Jackson

Adjunct Teaching Artist

B.M.E. Wichita State University; M.A. Baker University

Expertise: percussion, drumline, percussion ensemble

Office: Owens 101

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Lisa Jackson

Adjunct Teaching Artist

B.M. Eastman School of Music, M.M. University of Akron

Expertise: violin, viola

Office: Owens 100

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Ray James

Instructor of Music

B.M.E Murray State University, M.M.E. Wichita State University

Expertise: music education

Office: Owens 202

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Edward Laut

Adjunct Teaching Artist

M.M. Catholic University of America, B.M. Indiana University

Expertise: cello

Office: Owens 100

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Dr. Robin Liston

Coordinator of Academic Advising, Professor of Music

B.M.E. The Ohio State University; M.M., Ph.D. University of Kansas

Expertise: music education, music history

Office: Library 120

Nicholas May

Adjunct Teaching Artist

B.M. University of Nebraska at Lincoln, M.M. University of Kansas

Expertise: saxophone, clarinet

Office: Owens 106

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Dr. Ryan Olsen

Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Ensembles

B.M.E., M.A. University of Missouri at Kansas City; D.M.A. Arizona State University

Expertise: choral ensembles, choral music education

Office: Owens 102

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Dr. Frank Perez

Associate Professor & Director of Bands

B.M., B.M.M.E., M.M.Ed. Thorton School of Music, University of Southern California; D.M.A. University of Kansas

Expertise: wind ensembles, athletic bands, low brass, music technology, music education, electro-acoustic music

Office: Owens 203

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Dr. Mark Pretzel

Director of Orchestral Activities

B.M., M.M. University of Cincinnati; M.M. Bowling Green State University; D.M.A University of Missouri at Kansas City

Expertise: orchestra, piano, conducting

Office: Owens 215

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Marci Ziegler

Associate Professor of Music

M.M. University of Kansas

Expertise: applied voice, class voice, vocal pedagogy, opera & musical theatre workshop

Office: Owens 203

Parmenter and long student center

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