About
Typically, students who show interest in music composition and theory have already tried their hand at writing choruses for church, pieces for a high school ensemble, songs for their own rock band, or sketches for solo piano. Such students also tend to listen to music differently than other people do—trying to figure out “how it works,” noticing exciting rhythms and cool harmonies, wanting to take them apart like the way some young kids eagerly dissemble clocks and radios. Even if this doesn’t describe you to a tee, our program at Calvin is designed to work with the inclinations that God has given you and help you develop them to their full potential. And because our Christian faith is of one piece with our work, we won’t only prod you to master skills, we’ll also try to show you evidence of God’s magnificent and playful involvement in melody, harmony, rhythm, orchestration, and the like.
As a medium-sized department in a medium-sized city, we’re able to cater to a full range of musical interests while providing a lot of personal attention. For example, I keep an open door policy for composition students who don’t want to wait until their next lesson to get some feedback on a new idea they’ve been tinkering with. Our music lab provides all the opportunities for notation, sequencing, musicianship, and sampling a student could possibly hope for. Grand Rapids boasts many opportunities to hear top-notch performances of music in all styles (OK, offerings in Asian and African music are a little slim). The environment at Calvin is nurturing, yet challenging; musically deep, yet seated in the context of a well-rounded education; grounded in tradition, yet intent on exploring every possible avenue and vehicle for creative expression.
Included on this site is an outline of the music classes composition majors typically take. Please feel welcome to contact me with any questions you may have. I pray that God will help you make the right decision in your choice of college.
In Christ,
David Fuentes
616.526.6569
1.800.688.0122 x.6569