Music Department
Develop your musical skills with professors who encourage your creativity and relate Christian faith to the art and craft of music.
With deep gratitude, Westmont musicians seek to cultivate their craft and share their gifts with others. Under the mentorship of Christian faculty, students strive for artistic excellence, always with integrity of character and purpose. As both artists and scholars, students deepen their musical understanding in the rich intellectual context of a liberal arts education, drawing connections with other fields of knowledge. In all this, we as students and faculty seek to cultivate a musical community of worship, service, and mutual growth, with Christ preeminent in all we do.
Highly supportive music scholarship program available to all qualified students, both majors and non-majors
Pursue your calling as a music student at Westmont
Alumni Stories
Isaac Kay ’16 graduated from Westmont with a degree in music, focusing on violin performance, studying at the Heidelberg Opera House, touring Italy with the orchestra, and performing as a concerto soloist. He did graduate work at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and is completing a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Colorado Boulder. A member of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, he has performed with the Omaha Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony, Boulder Philharmonic and New World Symphony and has received fellowships at the Aspen Music Festival and School, among others. His violin students at Westmont won the concerto competition and attended music festivals. Isaac has created and hosts a new docuseries, Travel Notes, that seeks unity and connection through music.
Carissa Corrigan ’24 double majored in Music Education and History and is featured on Westmont’s 2023 Outstanding Graduates list. Carissa studied music in an abroad program in Vienna, Austria in 2022. While pursuing her Single Subject Teaching Credential in Music through Westmont’s Teaching Credential Program, Carissa was a student music teacher at Adams Elementary School. She “worked hard to incorporate material that would be relevant and interesting to [her] students while still providing them with the nutrients to build musical literacy,” and of course, share the joy of music. Carissa is now the Music Teacher at Harding University Partnership School here in Santa Barbara and is the Coordinator for the Camerata Ensemble and Philharmonia Orchestra through Santa Barbara Symphony’s Youth Ensembles Program
Faculty and Staff
This talented and dedicated group of educators and musicians brings a wealth of expertise in performance, composition, music theory, and music history. They inspire and guide students in a nurturing and dynamic environment, fostering a deep appreciation for the art of music. Their commitment to excellence enriches our vibrant musical community.
Concerts & Events
Admission to all events, with the exception of the Christmas Festival and Opera, is free. Donations are warmly welcomed. You may direct any inquiries to the music department at (805) 565-6040 or email music@westmont.edu. To sign up for our email list please email music@westmont.edu.
September
11th, Friday: Fall Faculty Recital, Deane Chapel | Westmont College, 7:00 p.m.
October
23th, Friday: Fall Orchestra Concert, Hahn Hall | Music Academy, 7:00 p.m.
25th, Sunday: Fall Orchestra Concert, Page Hall | Westmont College, 3:00 p.m.
30th, Friday: Fall Choral Festival, First Presbyterian Church, 6:00 p.m.
November
1st, Sunday: Fall Chamber Ensembles Concert, Deane Chapel | Westmont College, 3:00 p.m.
13th, Friday: Composer's Concert, Deane Chapel | Westmont College, 7:00 p.m.
21st, Saturday: Chamber Singers Concert, Porter Theater, 7:00 p.m.
22nd, Sunday: String Showcase Concert, Deane Chapel | Westmont College, TBD.
December
5th, Saturday: Twenty-Second Annual Christmas Festival, Granada Theater, 7:00 p.m., tickets $27
6th, Sunday: Twenty-Second Annual Christmas Festival, Granada Theater, 3:00 p.m., tickets $27
January
22nd Friday: Spring Opera: Offenbach's La Perichole, Porter Theater, 7 p.m.
24th Sunday: Spring Opera: Offenbach's La Perichole, Porter Theater, 7 p.m.
........General Admission $20
........Students and Seniors $15
February
5th, Friday: Spring Faculty Recital, Deane Chapel | Westmont College, 7:00 p.m.
March
5th, Friday: Orchestra Concerto Concert, Hahn Hall, 7:00 p.m.
6th, Saturday: Music Guild Competition, Deane Chapel | Westmont College, 7:00 p.m.
7th Sunday: Orchestra Concerto Concert, Page Hall | Westmont College, 3:00 p.m.
15th-21st: Rockley Family Foundation Music Instrument Sale, Page Hall | Westmont College
April
4th, Sunday: Spring Chamber Ensembles Concert, Deane Chapel | Westmont College, 3:00 p.m.
9th, Friday: Vocal Chamber Concert, Deane Chapel | Westmont College, 7:00 p.m.
11th, Sunday: String Showcase Concert, Deane Chapel | Westmont College, 7:00 p.m.
16th, Friday: Composer’s Concert, Deane Chapel | Westmont College, 7:00 p.m.
23rd Friday: Masterworks Concert, First Presbyterian Church, 7:00 p.m.
Westmont Ensembles
Westmont College Choir
Founded with the college in 1937, the Westmont College Choir continues as a living legacy of Westmont’s spirit and mission, drawing singers from all areas of academic study together in worship and service for the community. The College Choir represents Westmont in the Santa Barbara community, featured at the annual Westmont Christmas Festival at the Granada Theatre, as well as in performances with the Santa Barbara Symphony and other local ensembles. Internationally, the College Choir has toured extensively, including in Italy, Austria, Germany, Costa Rica, Guatemala, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Currently under the direction of alumnus Dr. Daniel Gee ‘13, the College Choir celebrates the diversity of cultural influences in Southern California, particularly highlighting Spanish-language choral music alongside the traditional Western concert repertoire.
Westmont Chamber Singers
the Westmont Chamber Singers features Westmont’s top vocal talent and has become a regular and sought after performing presence in Santa Barbara’s vibrant music scene. Currently led by Dr. Daniel Gee, the Chamber Singers perform extensively and in a myriad of contexts, from the majestic Bellosguardo Estate, to the Grace Fisher Winter Showcase in the Granada Theatre, to the dedication of the U.S.S. Santa Barbara at the Rosewood Miramar Hotel, to private events in Santa Ynez Wineries. Inquiries for performances can be sent to music@westmont.edu.
Westmont Orchestra
The Westmont College Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Ruth Lin, performs original literature, transcriptions, and arrangements. Included in this are works for full orchestra, string orchestra, and small ensembles. The study and practice includes various style periods and composers from the Renaissance through the Twenty First Century. The orchestra performs two major independent concerts each semester, as well as a combined Christmas concert with the choral ensembles and a major works program in the spring with the College Choir and plays for the annual opera production. Typically, the orchestra is made up of circa 60 students. Faculty specialists coach each section of the orchestra, including Dr. Han Soo Kim (violin), and Dr. Paul Mori (wind, brass and percussion).
Wind Chamber Music
Various Wind Chamber Ensembles, directed and coached by Dr. Paul Mori and Andrea Di Maggio, are organized for brass, woodwind, and percussion players. The various chamber ensembles perform throughout the semester. Typical groups include a woodwind quintet, 5 brass sextet, brass choir, and flute ensemble. Other ensembles form to meet student interest and abilities.
Brass Ensemble
A wide range of music from contemporary jazz to hymn arrangements mixed with classical pieces.
String Chamber Music
Offering traditional string quartets, trios and other ensembles. These groups have an active presence on campus and throughout the Santa Barbara community.
Music on WestmontTV
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