Music

Associate in Fine Arts Degree

Music (Instrument Option)

Rend Lake College offers courses applicable to an Associate in Fine Arts Degree. This degree will require a total of 64 credit hours. General Education courses are described in the Illinois General Education Core Curriculum. Because completion of the A.F.A. curriculum does not fulfill the requirements of the Illinois General Education Core, students will need to complete the general education requirements of the institution to which they transfer. Consult with your counselor or music faculty advisor for more information.

plan your afa degree in instrumental music

Courses

Total = 64 Hours
Fall Semester
ENGL 1101 - Rhetoric and Composition I	3 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1101 - Music Theory I	3 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1103 - Aural Skills I	1 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI - Applied Music I (Principal Instrument)	2 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1145 - Piano Class I	1 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1161 - Concert Band I	1 Cr. Hrs.
Elective	1 Cr. Hrs.
Social Science	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	15 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
ENGL 1102 - Rhetoric and Composition II	3 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1102 - Music Theory II	3 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1106 - Aural Skills II	1 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1111 - Music Literature	3 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI - Applied Music I (Principal Instrument)	2 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1146 - Piano Class II	1 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1161 - Concert Band I	1 Cr. Hrs.
Physical Science	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	17 Cr. Hrs.
Fall Semester
MATH 1107 - Contemporary College Math	3 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1127 - Applied Music I (Keyboard)	1 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 2101 - Music Theory III	3 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 2103 - Aural Skills III	1 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI - Applied Music II (Principal Instrument)	2 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 2161 - Concert Band II	1 Cr. Hrs.
Humanities	3 Cr. Hrs.
Humanities	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	17 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
Comm 1101 - Principles of Effective Speaking	3 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1127 - Applied Music I (Keyboard)	1 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 2102 - Music Theory IV	3 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 2104 - Aural Skills IV	1 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI - Applied Music II (Principal Instrument)	2 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1161 - Concert Band II	1 Cr. Hrs.
Life Science Science	4-5 Cr. Hrs.
Total	15-16 Cr. Hrs.

Costs & How To Pay

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Payments on student accounts must be made by the deadline included on the student statement.

Fall: July 15
Spring: December 15
Summer: May 15

Students who do not make payments by this deadline may be dropped from their classes.

More about paying for college

Associate in Fine Arts Degree

Music (Vocal Option)

plan your afa degree in vocal music

Courses

Total = 64 Hours
Fall Semester
ENGL 1101 - Rhetoric and Composition I	3 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1101 - Music Theory I	3 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1103 - Aural Skills I	1 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1120 - Applied Music I (Voice)	2 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1145 - Piano Class I	1 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1159 - Concert Choir I	1 Cr. Hrs.
Elective	1 Cr. Hrs.
Social Science	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	15 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
ENGL 1102 - Rhetoric and Composition II	3 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1102 - Music Theory II	3 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1106 - Aural Skills II	1 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1111 - Music Literature	3 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1120 - Applied Music I (Voice)	2 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1146 - Piano Class II	1 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1159 - Concert Choir I	1 Cr. Hrs.
Physical Science	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	17 Cr. Hrs.
Fall Semester
MATH 1107 - Contemporary College Math	3 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1127 - Applied Music I (Keyboard)	1 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 2101 - Music Theory III	3 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 2103 - Aural Skills III	1 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 2120 - Applied Music II (Voice)	2 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1159 - Concert Choir II	1 Cr. Hrs.
Humanities Elective	3 Cr. Hrs.
Humanities Elective	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	17 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
COMM 1101 - Principles of Effective Speaking	3 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 1127 - Applied Music I (Keyboard)	1 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 2102 Music Theory IV	3 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 2104 Aural Skills IV	1 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 2120 Applied Music II (Voice)	2 Cr. Hrs.
MUSI 2159 Concert Choir II	1 Cr. Hrs.
Physical Science	4-5 Cr. Hrs.
Total	15-16 Cr. Hrs.

Costs & How To Pay

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Payments on student accounts must be made by the deadline included on the student statement.

Fall: July 15
Spring: December 15
Summer: May 15

Students who do not make payments by this deadline may be dropped from their classes.

More about paying for college

Program Outcomes

1. Identify the basic aural skills and theory knowledge needed to be an effective musician.

2. Demonstrate musical ability on his/her principle instrument (vocal or mechanical) at the collegiate level in a solo setting.

3. Demonstrate musical language both aurally and in writing.

4. Analyze and interpret basic music literature.

5. Explain representative composers and their works in both oral and written form.

Spring Musicals

Year	Title	Director
2024	Grease	Sara Alstat-Sanders
2023	The Sound of Music	Sara Alstat-Sanders
2022	Little Women	Sara Alstat-Sanders
2021	RLC Musical Showcase (Virtual Event)	Sara Alstat-Sanders
2019	9 to 5: The Musical	Sara Alstat-Sanders
2018	The Addams Family	Sara Alstat-Sanders
2017	The Wizard of Oz	Sara Alstat-Sanders
2016	Godspell	Sara Alstat-Sanders
2015	Les Miserablés	Sara Alstat-Sanders
2014	Little Shop of Horrors	Sara Alstat-Sanders
2013	Into the Woods	Sara Alstat-Sanders
2012	Anything Goes	Tracey Webb
2011	South Pacific	Tracey Webb
2010	Cabaret	Tracey Webb
2009	Annie Get Your Gun	Tracey Webb
2008	Cinderella	Tracey Webb
2007	Grease	Tracey Webb
2006	Beauty and the Beast	Tracey Webb
2005	Chicago	Tracey Webb
2004	Footloose	Tracey Webb
2003	Show Boat	Tracey Webb
2002	A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum	Tracey Webb
2001	Phantom of the Country Opera	Tracey Webb
2000	Once Upon A Mattress	Tracey Webb
1999	Meet Me in St. Louis	Tracey Webb

Ensembles

The RLC Music Program is home to four (4) semi-professional ensembles; RLC Community Orchestra, Concert Band, Concert Choir, and Jazz Band. In addition, we offer many other performing opportunities including the Annual Spring Musical, Student Recital, and much, much more! RLC Music Ensembles are open to ALL students as well as community members.

Facilities

In 2013, the RLC Music Program underwent renovations, thanks to funding gathered by the RLC Foundation and provided by music alumni, enthusiasts, faculty, staff, and the community. More than $100,000 was raised through the Foundation's campaign "Extreme Makeover: Music Division" to upgrade both the facility itself and the equipment used by students, including remodeling the practice rooms, upgrading music rooms, and purchasing expensive equipment such as risers, lockers and a library system.

Community Orchestra

The RLC Community Orchestra performs on campus several times a year including; the RLC Halloween, Christmas, and Spring Concerts. Auditions are required and are held the first week of the fall and spring semesters. This ensemble is currently inactive.

Concert Band

The RLC Concert Band, under the direction of William Reynolds, performs on campus several times a year including; the RLC Halloween, Christmas, and Spring Concerts and the RLC Annual Foundation Dinner. The Concert Band rehearses Mondays, 5:00 - 6:50 pm. This ensemble is tuition FREE and worth 1 credit hour.

Concert Choir

The RLC Concert Choir, under the direction of Sara Alstat-Sanders, strives to create beauty in the choral art through concert performances for the college and surrounding communities. This ensemble performs a wide range of sacred and secular choral literature. The Concert Choir rehearses Wednesdays, 3:00 - 4:50 pm. This ensemble is tuition FREE.

Dinner Theatre

The RLC Dinner Theatre, under the direction of Sara Alstat, is a 2-hour entertainment extravaganza with singing, acting, comedy, and a four-course meal. College credit is available for participation in this ensemble. Auditions are required and are held during the first week of September.

Past Performances
2006 - Jester “The Body” Ventures Forth
2007 – The Ring of Truth
2008 – Beowulf, The Son of Beocoyote
2009 - "Teeny Bob" The Demon Pet Groomer of Sweet Street
2010 – Alice in Blunderland
2011 – Starting Here, Starting Now by Maltby & Shire

Dinner Theatre is currently inactive

VIDEO

Career Connection

Arts, Audio/Visual Technology & Communication Career Cluster Featuring:

Jennifer Tarantino Linsin
Professor, Visual Communication Design

Ashley Manuel-Hugo
Operations Manager, Withers Broadcasting, Benton, IL

Michael T. Young and Brittney Noward
Owners, Young Ink Life Printing, Mt. Vernon, IL

Start Here. Go Anywhere.

Transfer Information

Students who graduate with an Associate Degree can transfer their credits to a university and pursue a Bachelor's degree and beyond.

Articulation agreements - also known as Transfer Guides - document the pathway between RLC and the university. Historically, RLC has built articulation agreements with midwestern universities. However, students have worked with both institutions to build a pathway.

View our transfer guides and more about articulation agreements

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Transfer Guides

We have guides that document a pathway between your degree at RLC and many universities.

Accreditation

Quality Education. Guaranteed.

Since 1969, Rend Lake College has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of six regional accreditors in the United States. Accreditation is vital to what we do. It serves as a measure of quality, allows us to access and distribute federal student aid, facilitates the transfer of classes between institutions and more. The Higher Learning Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

More about accreditation

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Associate in Fine Arts Degree

Music (Instrument Option)

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Associate in Fine Arts Degree

Music (Vocal Option)

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Faculty & Staff

Sara Alstat-Sanders

Faith Blair

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