Music - Home

Whether music is a hobby or your life's passion, you're sure to find your tune at Pierce College. In addition to a variety of introductory music courses for the non-music major, Pierce College offers a transfer degree for students wishing to complete their first two years of study for a bachelor's degree.

Transfer possibilities

Students working toward their transfer degree typically take a variety of courses designed to fulfill the general requirements of most four-year colleges and universities. Students intending to transfer to a four-year college for further training in music are encouraged to work closely with their advisor to ensure they meet the requirements of the college they wish to attend after Pierce. For example, most institutions require proficiency tests in music theory, performance,and piano courses.

Music major

The following courses are recommended for music majors:

  • MUSC& 141-143: Music Theory I-III
  • MUSC 181: Beginning class piano
  • MUSC 182: Intermediate class piano
  • MUSC 183: Advanced class piano
  • MUSC& 241-243: Music theory IV-VI

Other courses also available for students with interest in music:

  • MUSC 107-109: Audio I-III
  • MUSC 140/240: College Choir
  • MUSC 144/244: Concert Choir
  • MUSC 145/245: Jazz Choir
  • MUSC 150/250: College Band
  • MUSC 154/254: College Orchestra
  • MUSC 157/257: Jazz Band
  • MUSC 160-169: Private Instruction
  • MUSC 260-269: Private Instruction

Performance possibilities

The cornerstone of Pierce´s music department is the large vocal and instrumental performance groups. These include:

  • Concert Choir
  • Vocal Jazz
  • Concert Band
  • Jazz Ensemble

Throughout the year, these groups, which are open to the public to join, perform in a variety of settings, from the quarterly concerts at Lagerquist Hall at Pacific Lutheran University to jazz festivals at the University of Idaho, Reno, and North Texas.

Annually, international artists, such as Diana Krall, Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, Branford Marsalis, Nancy Wilson, Tom Scott, Kurt Elling, Eric Marienthal, and John Pizzarelli have performed with our award-winning jazz groups as part of the Pierce College Jazz Expo.

Music Lab

Pierce's 21-station Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) lab at Pierce Fort Steilacoom provides students an excellent facility for traditional theory and piano classes, and enables students to master computer and synthesizer techniques for composition, performance, and audio production courses.

Each station has a computer loaded with notational and sequencing software, a digital piano, a synthesizer, and more.

In addition to the MIDI studios, the Fort Steilacoom campus has three recording studios, where audio classes are taught and college performance groups are recorded.

Jere Knudtsen
Music Instructor
253-864-3175
(PY)

Kenneth Owen
Music Instructor (PY)
(253) 864-3324

Mark Jasinski
Music Instructor (PY)
(253) 840-8330

Kareem Kandi
Music Instructor (PY)
(253) 864-3175

Evin Lambert
Music Instructor (FS)
(253) 964-6652

Randy Litch
Music Instructor (FS)
(253) 964-6535

Meredith Connie
Music Instructor (PY)
253-864-3208

Heidi Davidson
Music Instructor (PY)
(253) 864-3208

Amy Boers
Music Instructor (FS)
(253) 964-6535.