Listed on LHU’s website is an old major check sheet from 2014. The major which is listed is “Music,” both a B.A in Music and a B.F.A in Music. Forward to 2023, the major no longer exists. I am honestly sad about this. If music was offered at Lock Haven, I would be majoring in it right now. It is my firm opinion that Lock Haven ought to have a music program once again. I will be listing three key reasons why a music program would both benefit the current students and the university as a whole.
More concerts at Lock Haven University
Music is such an important and enjoyable part of life. Not only would having more musical concerts at LHU benefit students, but also the local community. Based upon numbers of attendance at events in the city of Lock Haven such as downtown music performances, a desire to listen to good live music exists. Students would also greatly benefit from concerts on campus by giving artists a platform to showcase talent as well as more on campus activities to attend.
Having a B.A in music offered promotes the arts department as a whole
The University Band and the University Players (theater) would both have an increase in activity and membership as a result of having music since both offer a spotlight and need musical talent. Furthermore, since music is arguably one of the more popular expressions of art, having music at LHU would draw attention to the university by those interested in the arts.
Location of Lock Haven
Unlike many of the other big city schools littered throughout the state, Lock Haven dwells within the peaceful countryside of central Pennsylvania. It offers the perfect setting for a school of arts. The setting makes for a very relaxed environment in which students can focus on doing what they love best: making music.
The small student body also allows for more intentional relationships with classmates and professors. A very useful thing to have when your major revolves around learning and practice. Along with the fact that the location of LHU’s campus is the perfect environment for music, the facilities at LHU are also very much ideal for a music program. With multiple practice rooms and an inventory or instruments available. There is plenty of equipment at the ready to restart this program.
One thing that would need to be added if a music program were to be reintroduced is the ability to learn modern commercial music. Music for the sake of the art would be beneficial either way to the university.
In order to make it profitable to the university, the business and industry aspect of music would need to be introduced. Without the reputation that other schools have for music, LHU would have difficulty getting the program off the ground. Offering the commercial side of music is critical to the program getting new student enrollment. Furthermore, scholarships would need to be given out to students as an attraction to come to a school with little to no reputation for music.
The way I would recommend is a first year 75% of tuition to the first 50 students who enroll in the music program. Fifty percent for the second year, and the next two years on merit based. Once a reputation is built at Lock Haven for being a school of music, the university can peel back and start profiting from the major. Overall, while the university would ultimately have to decide to reintroduce the major, music would be useful and a great addition to Lock Haven’s campus.
