The Department of Performing and Visual Arts
Music, Music Education, Theatre

King College's Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) department offers students the opportunity to discover and develop their creative talents through majors  in Music, Music Education, and Theatre, which feature dramatic and musical performances. All King College students are welcome to participate in the PVA programs regardless of their intended major.

PVA scholarships are available for new, incoming students in Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Theatre Performance and Technical Theatre through audition/interview.  Please contact the Office of Admissions for more details on scholarships.

Music and Music Education Highlights

The Music degree helps students build a solid foundation in music theory and history and provides numerous performance and leadership opportunities.  Students refine their directing and leadership skills by participating in the student chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.  They also have access to study with guest artists and ensembles such as Andreas Klein, concert pianist; The Lee Street Baptist Church Gospel Choir; and Morten Lauridsen, composer.  Music majors have careers as professional musicians, church musicians, and attend graduate school.

The Music Education degree is designed to prepare highly qualified, entry level professional music educators who model Christian faith and service, academic and technical competence, and appreciation of diverse abilities and cultures in school, in community, and other professional settings.  Music Education students take courses in music history, music theory, conducting, as well as private lessons and choral ensembles.  Through the School of Education, Music Education students prepare for licensure through courses in teaching, methods of teaching music, and eventually student teaching. Music Education students prepare for K-12 licensure with an endorsement in Vocal/General Music or Instrumental/General Music.  Please see the School of Education for more details on licensure requirements.

The King College Symphonic Choir is the oldest musical organization on the campus with roots going back to 1932.  The choir performs a wide variety of music: Renaissance motets, Baroque cantatas, Classical masses, 19th century part-songs, and the modern repertoire.  The choir’s season is built around two major concerts in December and May.  The Symphonic Choir frequently combines performances with local, national, and international travel opportunities, including many renowned venues in England and Scotland.  The choir has been honored to receive two invitations to perform at Carnegie Hall.  Everyone in the King College community is invited to audition for membership.

Collegium Musicum offers an alternative choral ensemble to those students with a high level of musicianship.  The repertoire of this choir focuses upon literature that requires independent singing and usually comes from the Renaissance or the modern era.  Membership is limited to 16 singers, chosen by an individual audition with the conductor.

The Jazz/Gospel Choir performs a variety of gospel and jazz styles and utilizes live instrumental accompaniment as needed.  The group performs two major concerts in the academic year, and also performs at high schools, local civic organizations, and other venues.  Everyone in the King College community is invited to audition.

All The King’s Men  performs a wide variety of contemporary songs and arrangements from Broadway to Motown.  Membership is through audition.

The King College Symphonic Band is a multi-faceted organization offering students ample opportunity for performance and advancing their skills and musicianship.  The members will participate in solos and various small ensembles as well as perform pieces that involve the entire group.  Literature will range from the classics and standard band literature to contemporary composers and jazz.  There will be one major concert performance each semester as well as chances to play on campus at events such as Family Weekend and Chapel.  The band also seeks opportunities to perform off campus at local festivals and events and in area schools as part of the recruiting efforts.

The “Storm Chasers” Pep Band supports the King College Tornado men’s and women’s basketball teams.  The band or a version of the band will perform at each home game throughout the season.  It is a great way to get involved in college life and meet new friends. 

Applied Music Lessons are available in Voice, Piano, Organ, Harpsichord, and Woodwinds.  Any King College student may take private lessons.  Applied Music students perform monthly at performance classes and at special Convocations.

Recitals are given in the Junior and Senior years of a student concentrating in music or majoring in Music Education.  The recital showcases the student in a solo performance of their repertoire in voice or chosen instrument.

Theatre Highlights

The theatre program strives to create distinctive performances, encourage exploration of culture, and educate the community by providing a season of thought provoking and entertaining drama.  Students who major in theatre will take courses in all areas including acting, directing, stagecraft, lighting, and theatre history as well as participate in the theatre season.  Students participate in national competitions and conferences such as the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and the Southeastern Theatre Conference where students can audition and interview for internships and employment.  Theatre students have the opportunity to attend performances, engage in talkbacks, and participate in workshops with professionals from the Barter Theatre and elsewhere.  Graduates from the theatre program are professional actors, directors, technicians, teachers, and graduate students at prestigious schools of theatre.

KC Theatre produces three performances a year, ranging from the classics to the avant-garde.  The spring production, often a musical, is a featured event during King College’s Dogwood Weekend.  Past productions include The Trojan Women, Godspell, All in the Timing, Into the Woods, The Winter’s Tale, Camelot, Tartuffe, and The Glass Menagerie.   Students are involved in all aspects of the productions from acting to stagecraft and costuming.  All productions are cast through auditions with the director.  Students can earn academic credit for their participation in the cast or the production crew.

Student Directed/Designed Productions are an important feature of King’s theatre program.  Students get the opportunity to direct scenes and one-act plays in directing classes, where they might partner with a student designer.  The One-Act plays are often the featured February production.  Students who have excelled in directing or design courses may be chosen by the faculty to direct or design a full production for the theatre season as part of Independent Study.Past student directed/designed productions include Sabrina Fair, Look Homeward, Angel, Tartuffe, C. Writ 101 (student written), Private Lives, Tally’s Folly, and Anybody Out There? (student written). 

Workshops with professional Guest Artists are offered every academic year.  Students get the opportunity to work closely with a theatre professional in a variety of areas.  Past workshops have included Commedia dell’ Arte, stage make-up, stage combat, and the Linklater Vocal Progression.

Required Coursework

Academic Catalog: (To download this Acrobat PDF: Windows OS > Right click; MAC OS > Control click)
2007-2008 King College Academic Catalog