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Associate of Fine Arts in Music (A.F.A.M.)

The two-year Associate of Fine Arts in Music degree offers a broad-based approach in pursuit of a career in the music field with emphasis on performance. This program prepares students to transfer into a four-year Bachelor of Music degree at senior institutions in either vocal or instrumental music at the junior level, at a fraction of the cost. The AFA in Music provides focused personal instruction and experience in performance as a soloist, and in large and small ensembles. Students will also be exposed to the full range of music theory and fundamental skills required in the first two years for Bachelor of Music degrees.

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The Associate of Fine Arts degree in Music is a broad-based approach to music experience with an emphasis on music performance. This program prepares students to transfer into the Bachelor of Fine Arts programs at senior institutions in either vocal or instrumental music at the junior level. The AFA in music provides focused personal instruction and experience in performance as an individual and with large and small ensembles. It also provides the full range of music theory and skill training expected in the first two years of a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Music Program at ABAC

A part of the Department of Fine Arts, The Music Program at ABAC is comprised of dedicated, driven students that are relentless in their pursuance of artistry. Our students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives which culminates in a supportive environment that enhances musical performance and professional achievement. The music faculty at ABAC includes nationally renowned performers, scholars, conductors, clinicians, and adjudicators that are committed to the mentorship music students require. Our student-to-faculty ratio is ideal for providing individual attention to every student in the program.

Participation Opportunities

Performances

The Music Program at ABAC offers instrumental and vocal performing ensembles which offer at least 20 musical performances for the public each year. Several of the major performing ensembles also travel throughout the Southeast and abroad performing for schools, civic groups, and as part of our community concert series.

Non-Major Participation

Not a music major? No problem! Membership in ensembles is open to all ABAC students. Since its inception, the Music Program at ABAC has brought together students of all disciplines with the common purpose of making music. Our ensembles offer non-music majors the opportunity to continue to perform, as well as to gain extra elective credits on their transcripts. If you sing or play an instrument, we invite you to become a member of the ABAC Music Family!

Concert Band

The ABAC Concert Band provides students the opportunity to perform in a large ensemble setting. Open to both music majors and non-majors, the group is comprised of students from a wide variety of disciplines. The ensemble performs the best of new and standard wind literature and various collegiate and high school directors regularly guest-conduct the group.
In recent years, the growing popularity of the ensemble on campus has necessitated that the Concert Band hold two different concerts each semester to accommodate the demand for seats.

Concert Choir

The Concert Choir is ABAC’s largest choral organization and has enjoyed a reputation of excellence for more than 40 years. The Concert Choir, open to all ABAC students who enjoy singing with a choir, performs a variety of choral literature from the “Messiah” to “Porgy and Bess” and more contemporary selections.

Jazz Ensemble

The ABAC Jazz Ensemble is dedicated to performing music that encompasses a broad range of musical styles including swing, bebop, afro-cuban, bossa, fusion and more. The storied group has embarked on three European tours, which included performances at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam, and the opening of the Tour de France in London. Domestically, the group has performed for the opening of the Olympic Games, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Cocoa Beach Jazz Festival, and two World’s Fairs. The ensemble frequently performs at high schools in the area, as well as community events and concerts.
The Music Program also sponsors a yearly jazz festival featuring nationally known performing artists, backed by the ABAC Jazz Ensemble. Past festivals have showcased such jazz greats as Nat Adderley, Bobby Shew, Victor Goines, Bill Watrous, and Kevin Mahogany, as well as the ensembles of Branford Marsalis, Steve Turre, Joe Lovano, Maynard Ferguson, and Count Basie, to name a few.

Jazz Choir

The Jazz Choir is an audition-only, comprised of the top vocalists from the ABAC Concert Choir. The group performs a variety of music from the earliest roots of jazz to pieces written by present-day composers. Each year the Jazz Choir participates with the Jazz Ensemble in the ABAC Jazz Festival on campus. Regionally, the Jazz Choir has performed at the Epcot Center and the Pensacola Jazz Festival, among others. The ensemble has also performed at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine as well as the site of the former World Trade Center Towers. Each year, the ABAC Jazz Choir travels with the Jazz Ensemble to perform at the Lakeside Jazz Festival in Port Orange, Florida.

Chamber Singers

The ABAC Chamber Singers is a group of singers selected by audition, who perform choral literature from the Renaissance period to more contemporary selections. Members are selected from within the concert choir and frequently perform for campus activities and other community functions.
The ensemble performed with the ABAC Jazz Choir at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and the World Trade Center Site in New York City. The ABAC Chamber Singers were also invited by Dr. Paul Neal to perform Faure’s Requiem with his choirs from Valdosta State University at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall.

Small Ensembles

In addition to the large ensembles listed above, the Music Program also offers a variety of small ensemble performance opportunities, including Jazz Combo, Woodwind Ensemble, Brass Quintet, Clarinet Trio, among others.

Auditions

Upon acceptance to ABAC, students that intend to pursue an AFA in music must audition for the Music Program, which also serves as a scholarship audition. Only those applicants who have applied to ABAC as full-time students will be considered for scholarships.

All students are welcome to audition for a scholarship, regardless of major. Auditions are not required for students who do not wish to receive a scholarship, all are free to join at any time.

Juniors and Seniors, send us a message to get involved: music@abac.edu

Include:

Full name
Instrument/Voice
High School
Intended major
Grade (Junior/Senior)

To apply for other ABAC scholarships, click the green link below.

ABAC Scholarship Application

Requirements for Auditions

Instrumental Auditions

Instrumental/Band
Perform two contrasting etudes or solos (lyrical and technical/ All-State Etudes acceptable) Major scales and arpeggios (all twelve preferred; minimum of four)
Chromatic scale (Full range preferred; minimum one octave)
Sightreading

If you have questions regarding instrumental/band auditions, please email Dr. Peal (andrew.peal@abac.edu).

Voice Auditions

Perform two contrasting vocal solo pieces from memory:
- An Art Song, Aria, Folk Song, or Spiritual
- Solo selection from Musical Theatre or Jazz
Vocal scales with Professor Schert
Sightreading
Please bring sheet music to your audition. An accompanist will be provided at no charge.

For a list of vocal anthology suggestions or additional information, please contact Professor Marti Schert (mschert@abac.edu).

Dr. Jennifer Huang

Associate Professor of Piano & Music Theory and Department Head of Fine Arts

zheng.huang@abac.edu

229.391.4948
Dr. Andrew Peal

Assistant Professor of Jazz & Music Theory and Coordinator of Wind Instruments

andrew.peal@abac.edu

229.391.4943
Marti Schert

Lecturer of Choral & Applied Voice

Mschert@abac.edu

229.391.4965
Sheri Wyles

Adjunct Instructor of Applied Woodwinds
Deborah Bradley

Adjunct Director of Bands
Dr. Christopher Walker

Adjunct Instructor of Applied Woodwinds
Dr. Jeremy Ávalos

Adjunct Instructor of Applied Guitar
Jonathan Thurston

Adjunct Instructor of Applied Trumpet

Department of Fine Arts

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Give to Fine Arts

Associate of Fine Arts in Music (A.F.A.M.)

Instrumental Track

Vocal Track

Music Program at ABAC