Music Program

ECU MUSIC PROGRAM
Welcome and thank you for your interest in Music studies at East Central University! The ECU Music Program believes that it has a unique and important role to play in Oklahoma music. Our graduates can be found throughout the state and beyond employed as band and choral directors, music teachers, performers, composers, and music scholars. Our degree program offers a variety of areas of musical instruction, including concentrations in teacher certification and music business.

ECU Music Program faculty care about their students! We are committed to providing a solid musical foundation for all students as well as offering professional training that will help students achieve success in their musical and academic careers.

"The Music faculty at ECU is extremely approachable. I can't count the number of times I received extra help from professors far outside of the normal instructional day. I was never turned away or spoken down to for not knowing or understanding a concept, but instead praised for stepping up and inquiring." - Byron, 2005 Grad, Instrumental Teacher Ed. (Saxophone)

Musical Opportunities for All Students
All students, regardless of major, can participate in various ensembles including the Pride of Tigerland Marching Band; Symphonic, Jazz, and Pep Bands; Woodwind and Brass Ensembles; ECU Singers; and University Chorale. Students may also audition for Opera and Musical Theatre productions, and the ECU Faculty, Students, and Friends Composer Concerts. Private vocal, instrumental, keyboard and strings lessons are also available along with studies in composition.

Top 10 benefits of choosing a Music Major at ECU!

  • Music Scholarships available throughout student's academic career at ECU.
  • Small class size with nationally and internationally recognized faculty.
  • Free music tutoring for all students in their music studies.
  • Opportunity to collaborate on interdisciplinary projects with students in other School of Fine Arts majors.
  • Music Technology Lab with iMacs and PCs loaded with current music software: Sibelius, Finale, Garage Band, Pyware, and MacGAMUT.
  • Free attendance at professional concerts and performances at the university and many performance opportunities for students.
  • Participation in two student organizations: Kappa Kappa Psi, the National Honorary Band Fraternity, and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). 
  • Modern classrooms in the beautiful Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center with performance center, Ataloa Theatre, and television and audio recording studio.
  • Fun times together--Band and choir tours and special fundraisers. Check out the ECU Chorale's fundraiser "Choraloween" in the ECU Photo Gallery!
  • Travel! ECU Music ensembles and students have recently traveled to Italy; Washington D.C.; Monterey, CA; Chicago; Austin, TX; Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO; and even OKC Thunder games!

"There is absolutely no way that I would be able to do my full time position today without the valuable classes and lessons learned in my four years studying music. I came into my degree without knowing where middle C was on the piano and graduated being able to play piano, compose music, perform my senior recital, sing with an incredible choir, give vocal and guitar lessons to young students, conduct multiple choirs, the list goes on and on." -- Josey, 2017 Grad, Sacred Music-Voice 

Our Mission

  • To educate students for lives of service and contribution as teachers, performers, composers and scholars;
  • To provide and nurture a nucleus of musical life for the community;
  • To educate the university student population regarding music's intrinsic value as a part of the human experience and its central role in human culture; and
  • To mutually encourage one another in professional growth and attainment. 

East Central University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. The requirements for entrance and for graduation are in accordance with the published standards of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

ECU MUSIC FACULTY AND STAFF

Our Faculty and Staff

Music and YOU!!!
At East Central University, we're proud of our tradition of producing high-quality music educators. Our graduates occupy positions in great band and choral programs throughout the state of Oklahoma and beyond. ECU graduates have also continued their musical education in prestigious graduate programs and become successful performers & composers. We'd love for you to meet our world-class faculty at the state-of-the-art Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center and see what ECU music can do for you!

Instrumental & Vocal Music: Dr. Jace Vickers, Department Chair, Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center 146; 580-559-5391; jvickers@ecok.edu

Piano: Mr. W. T. Skye Garcia, Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center 152; 580-559-5479; wgarcia@ecok.edu


Departmental Brochure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alan Marshall
Adjunct
580-559-5599
amarshll@ecok.edu

Alexandra Aguirre
Adjunct Instructor
580-559-5736
aaguirre@ecok.edu

Jace Vickers
Assistant Professor of Music
580-559-5391
jvickers@ecok.edu

Kelby Pletcher
Instructor of Music Education and Voice 
580-559-5332
kpletchr@ecok.edu

Kirk Palmer
Adjunct Instructor of Jazz and Trumpet
Director of Jazz Ensemble
580-559-5726
mickpal@ecok.edu

Melody Baggech
Professor
580-559-5464
mbaggech@ecok.edu