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The Department of Music at Cowley constantly strives for excellence, and there are many opportunities for students to experience the magic of making music. Serious music students receive outstanding instruction in music theory, ear training/sight singing, and individual lessons. This quality instruction enables them to successfully transfer to any four-year institution.
Vocal Music opportunities include two
auditioned performance groups. The Cowley Concert Choir rehearses
three days a week, and the Cowley County Singers, rehearses two
days a week, and are a highly visible and entertaining performance
ensemble. The educational focus is a wide range of vocal literature.
The Concert Choir performs two major concerts each semester and
host an area high school Honor Choir each year. Students must be
a member of the Concert Choir in order to audition for a spot in
the prestigious Cowley County Singers. Music students also have
an opportunity to participate in a large-scale, professional-quality
stage musical, which is produced each fall.
The Vocal Music Department also has a rich history of being an advocate for the arts throughout the community and surrounding area. A Community Chorus of approximately 50 members ranging from 16-80 years of age, has been established to promote the fine arts through scholarship benefit concerts and participation in the annual Prairie Fest celebration.
Music is an extremely important force at Cowley College. The gifted music faculty, each in their own right an accomplished performing artist, is dedicated to providing students the highest quality education possible.
The Concert Choir received one of the state's highest awards by being selected to perform in the Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) annual convention at Century II in February of 2002. Since then, the Choir received an invitation and performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City on April 27, 2003.
Students interested in singing will
definitely find a program to suit their needs at Cowley. Participation
opportunities include large and small groups, individual lessons
and classes in music theory. A wide range and variety of music
allows the student many opportunities to perform on and off campus,
as well as in events across the state.
Concert Choir
Any student interested in singing may audition in Concert Choir. The Concert
Choir is featured throughout the year at concerts held on campus and is a vital
part of the music department.
Click here for sound clip.
C.C. Singers
The C.C. Singers are a highly visible and very entertaining performance ensemble.
Students must be a member of the Concert Choir in order to audition for this
very prestigious group. The C.C. Singers perform many times throughout the
year on and off campus and plan a tour each spring.
Click here for sound clip.
Photo Galleries
[2005 "TNL" Thursday
Night Live-Hee Haw]
[2006 "TNL" Thursday
Night Live]
 Connie Donatelli - Director of Vocal Music
Connie
Donatelli has been a very active vocal music educator in the state
of Kansas for more than 21 years, including 14 years at Cowley
College.
The Cowley Concert Choir received one
of the state’s highest awards by being selected to perform
in the Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) annual convention
at Century II in Wichita, Kansas in 2002 and again in 2005. Another
highlight in Donatelli’s career at Cowley was the April 2002
Concert Choir performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Before
coming to Cowley, she taught elementary vocal music at Holton,
and middle and high school vocal music at Remington, Circle and
Winfield unified school districts. Her groups have performed
for many other statewide organizations as well as being the featured
guests at several National Conventions.
She is often asked
to judge vocal contests and has been a featured guest director
for various high school vocal festivals as well as the Southwest
KMEA, South Central KMEA and the North Central KMEA District Honor
Choirs. Donatelli is also highly respected by her colleagues
at Cowley as she was named the college’s third Endowed Chair
for Teaching Excellence and Student Learning.
In 1994, she
was presented a Master Teacher Award. Her professional quality
performance groups are highly sought after and serve as Cowley’s
finest ambassadors. Her passion and trademark enthusiasm
is an inspiration and generates an electric atmosphere that is
contagious in the classroom as well as to concert audiences.
She
is a graduate of Kansas State University where she received both
a bachelor of science degree in Music Education, and a Master of
Music degree in Vocal Performance. Donatelli directs the Concert
Choir, Cowley College Singers, teaches Applied Voice Lessons, and
Music Appreciation.
Transfer Options
The Music Program at Cowley has established transfer articulation agreements with most four-year colleges and universities. This is designed to give the music major a solid background in all of the core music classes, enabling the student to successfully transfer to a four-year institution.
Financial Assistance
Students may audition for a vocal music scholarship,
this
is for in-state students only. This scholarship can include up
to full tuition and books. A live audition must be set up through Connie Donatelli.
Students must fill out an application form and also submit two letters of reference.
Several special scholarships are available. The Fostine Moncrief Scholarship, which offers several awards with stipends ranging from $100 to $500 per year, and the Arkansas City Music and Dramatics Club Scholarship, which offers two scholarship of $250, are available to music majors only, and are decided through competitive auditions in September, April and May.
Music majors also are encouraged to apply for other types of grants or loans through government student aid programs that are offered at Cowley.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Connie Donatelli
Cowley County Community College
125 S. Second
Arkansas City, Kansas 67005
620.441.5288 or
800.592.2222 ext. 5288
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