Feb. 3, 2004
Contact: Jo Ann Lloyd
(805) 756-1511
Cal Poly Music Department Receives National Accreditation
SAN LUIS OBISPO – The Music Department at Cal Poly recently received
an unqualified five-year accreditation from the National Association of
Schools of Music (NASM).
The award of accreditation culminates nearly two years of preparation,
including departmental deliberations, a preliminary review, a thorough
self-study, and a site visit by an accrediting team in May 2003.
The reviewers visited academic classes, rehearsals and a student recital.
They met separately with faculty members, alumni and current students.
“This puts Cal Poly's music program in the company of the finest
programs in the country,” said Department Chair Clifton Swanson.
“Ever since the establishment of the major in music in 1991, our
graduates have continually demonstrated the quality of our program when
they go off to major graduate school programs, public school teaching
and industry,” he said.
The accreditation process requires meeting rigorous standards in the areas
of program philosophy, program design, excellence of teaching, performance
opportunities, equipment, facilities, faculty and general education.
"The Cal Poly Bachelor of Arts degree in music is a general degree
designed to maximize the personal abilities and goals of each of its majors
through personal attention and excellent opportunities," Swanson
said.
The lengthy self-study was prepared by the entire music faculty with specific
members responsible for assigned areas. The final document was refined
by faculty member Alyson McLamore and Administrative Support Coordinator
Druci Reese. It was the responsibility of the visiting two-member team
to assess the quality of the program firsthand and to verify the information
found in the self-study, including the department's own determination
of areas for improvement. The accreditation notification made note of
the excellence of the self-study.
Although Cal Poly's Music Department has been a part of the university
since its inception, it began to offer a bachelor’s degree in music
in 1991. The department was initially urged to design a program that was
unique and complementary to Cal Poly and its mission. As a result, the
existing
program offers traditional courses found at most universities plus a variety
of courses in research methods, music technology, non-Western music and
America's music.
"Because of a long tradition of maximizing the involvement of non-music
majors from all across campus, the current program still prides itself
on the inclusive nature of its offerings," Swanson said.
The accreditation notification complimented the department on designing
a program that worked well at a highly competitive university.
“The department is delighted with the results of its first application
for accreditation," Swanson said. "Not only was the entire process
informative for our own reflection and planning, but it was actually an
enjoyable experience. It was a pleasure talking with the visiting team
and was mutually beneficial as we discussed our common strengths and challenges.”
"The successful accreditation is especially satisfying because,"
McLamore said, "most first attempts at NASM accreditation are routinely
met by at least a temporary postponement plus a list of areas to be addressed
before accreditation is granted."
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