Message from the Chair
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Department of Music of Washington Adventist University. Our faculty, facilities, ensembles, and students represent some of the finest in the nation. We have thoughtfully designed programs and offerings to provide rich opportunities for music majors and non-music majors alike. Our location just outside of the nation’s capital provides a diverse and world-class cultural background from which to learn.
As Washington Adventist University positions itself as a right-sized, right-location institution with distinctive programs, music remains at the forefront. Approximately one-third of WAU students take part in some music activity. The Department of Music has always striven to produce graduates who are passionate, skilled, and service-oriented. As a faith-based institution, students involved in the music department will have numerous opportunities for musical performances in area churches, schools, retirement centers, and concert halls. The rigor of our programs is balanced by caring and nurturing faculty who serve as artist-teachers as well as mentor-guardians to our diverse and talented student body. The close mentoring that is a part of our culture is among the educational components that our graduates most often cite as reasons for their success.
We are delighted to be the only tertiary Music Therapy program in Maryland and in the North American Seventh-day Adventist system. Building on our already excellent music programs, Music Therapy stands as a much-needed profession backed by clinical and evidence-based data for a variety of populations. We offer an AMTA-approved (American Music Therapy Association) Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy degree as well as our already-popular Music Therapy Equivalency Program. Please enjoy perusing these web pages and exploring the many offerings and opportunities we provide to talented and motivated students. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me personally with any questions.
Sincerely,
Daniel Lau, DMA
Chair, Department of Music
dlau@wau.edu
Accreditations
Washington Adventist University is a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music. Founded in 1924, NASM is an organization of schools, conservatories, colleges, and universities with approximately 650 accredited institutional members. It establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for music and music-related disciplines, and provides assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational, and other music-related endeavors.
The Department of Music is approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). AMTA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance public awareness of the benefits of music therapy and increase access to quality music therapy services in a rapidly changing world. AMTA is committed to the advancement of education, training, professional standards, credentialing, and research in support of the music therapy profession. AMTA currently serves approximately 3,500 diverse members consisting of clinicians, faculty, business owners, internship directors and supervisors, researchers and students. AMTA offers education, professional development, networking, and advocacy opportunities through an annual conference, academic journals, research efforts, government relations activities, social media and volunteer activities.
Our Mission
It is the purpose of the Department of Music to provide professional training, reinforced by a sound general education, in an environment where music is presented as a medium for spiritual, intellectual, emotional and cultural development.
Scholarships
Learn about scholarship opportunities in our department.
Degree Programs
Learn about degree programs offered.
Prospective Students
Find the information for new-coming & transferring students.
Faculty & Staff
Meet our music professors.
Contact Us
301 891 4025
music@wau.edu
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7711 Greenwood Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912
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