Department of Music

Department of Music

Introduction 學系介紹

The department was established in 1963 as the first music department in a private university in Taiwan. In 1969, the Music and Dance Specialization Program formed a Chinese Music Division, which was merged into the Department of Music in 1975, creating two divisions: Western Music and Chinese Music. In 1992, these divisions became independent departments—Western Music Department and Chinese Music Department. After several transitions, the two departments will merge again into a single Department of Music in 2025.

Since its inception, the department has upheld the spirit of "preserving tradition while fostering innovation," actively adapting to societal development and market demands. It offers a curriculum that integrates both Chinese and Western music, promoting their fusion and the innovative development of applied music. The department is committed to cultivating musicians with an international perspective and diverse professional skills.

Teaching Characteristics 教學特色

The Department of Music aims to "cultivate musicians with an international outlook, social awareness, a deep appreciation of tradition, and the ability to innovate and actively learn." It emphasizes self-directed learning and independent thinking, aiming to provide a well-rounded education.

  1. Cross-Cultural Integration and Diverse Professional Courses
    The department integrates Chinese traditional music with Western music, emphasizing their fusion and innovation. This approach equips students with a broad multicultural perspective in music creation. The curriculum is flexible, with specialized courses in music theory, musicology, applied music, and performance, ensuring a balance between theoretical and practical learning while fostering both traditional awareness and a global outlook.
  2. Applied Music Development and Baroque Music Excellence
    The department was the first in Taiwan to establish an applied music division, offering diverse courses in musical theater and media music. It also boasts the country's earliest Baroque orchestra and the most complete collection of authentic Baroque instruments, managed by the Huagang Baroque Research Center. The orchestra holds regular rehearsals and public performances, making it a unique feature of the department.
  3. Innovative Applications and Flexible Use of Traditional Culture
    The department creatively incorporates traditional cultural elements into modern arts and daily life, achieving "theatrical stage presentation" and "digitalized performances." This expands students' artistic vision, enriches their creativity, and enhances their competitiveness in the job market.
  4. Internationalized Teaching and Collaboration
    The department actively invites international experts for lectures and encourages students to participate in exchange programs with partner institutions abroad, broadening their global perspective and competitiveness.
  5. Diverse Learning Opportunities
    Beyond their major studies, students are encouraged to pursue minors, double degrees, and develop secondary specializations, strengthening their career competitiveness.

Course Highlights 課程重點

The department's curriculum is comprehensive, emphasizing both professional skills and diverse applications:

  1. Music Theory and History
    Courses include major instrument studies, music theory, Western music history, Chinese music history, world music, and an introduction to Chinese folk songs. These courses help students establish a strong foundation in music theory and historical development.
  2. Performance and Ensemble Training
    Students participate in orchestral ensemble, Chinese ensemble, various traditional and crossover ensembles, choir, musical theater, and stage performance courses, developing performance skills and teamwork abilities across different musical forms.
  3. Music Composition and Application
    Courses such as pop piano and improvisation, digital music arrangement, music production, self-media music operation, and interdisciplinary music composition emphasize the integration of creativity and technical proficiency, equipping students with skills in music creation and application.
  4. Professional Skills Development
    Students can enhance their skills through courses in Alexander technique for body relaxation, collaborative piano artistry, pop vocal techniques, and conducting, refining their professional performance abilities.
  5. Music Technology and Management
    Courses in digital recording engineering, music project management, and arts administration provide students with knowledge of music technology and management, preparing them for future career paths.
  6. Music and Society
    Courses such as music and social awareness, music appreciation and critique, music practice and social engagement, and music therapy internships highlight music's societal role, fostering students’ sense of social responsibility.

Future 未來發展

Graduates of the department have diverse career opportunities in Western music, Chinese music, pop music, applied music, music therapy, senior citizen industries, and arts administration. They can pursue further studies, enter the workforce, or seek international career development.

  1. Further Studies
    Graduates may continue their education in master's programs in Taiwan and abroad, specializing in areas such as Chinese music, musicology, musical theater, and traditional opera, to further enhance their professional expertise.
  2. Employment Opportunities
    Graduates can pursue careers in cultural centers, record companies, broadcasting and television stations, media companies, arts organizations, theater troupes, music education institutions, and arts publishing. Potential job roles include performers in Western or Chinese music, pop music creators, applied music producers, music therapists, and professionals in senior citizen industries.

    Graduates can also become music educators, musicians, conductors, or work in private institutions such as music studios. Many outstanding alumni have started their own businesses, founding music education institutions, engaging in senior citizen music industries, or working in arts administration.
  3. International Career Development
    Graduates have opportunities to develop careers in overseas Chinese communities, including Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and China. They may work in major orchestras, public and private schools, music training centers, arts and cultural companies, and private music studios, expanding their international presence.

Scholarships 獎學金

  • Chen Xianjin Scholarship: Four undergraduate students per year (NT$4,000 each); two graduate students per year (NT$7,000 each).
  • Creative Composition Competition Award: Total prize of NT$17,000 per year.
  • Graduate Academic Achievement Scholarship: One first-year and one second-year master's student per semester (NT$10,000 each).
  • KHS Academic Scholarship: Twelve students per year (NT$10,000 each).
  • Donghe Music Research Scholarship: One student per year (NT$8,000).
  • Stylistic Writing Scholarship: One student per semester (NT$2,000).

Cooperation Project 實習與產學合作

The department collaborates with several professional organizations to provide students with internship and industry experience, including:

  • Taipei Chinese Orchestra
  • Taipei Civic Symphony Orchestra
  • Taipei Christian Arts Star Church Development Association
  • Wind Music International Co., Ltd.
  • Taipei City Da’an District Guting Elementary School
  • Taipei Municipal Neihu Junior High School Wind Band
  • Taipei Chengzheng Junior High School
  • HUA Musical International Inc.
  • Nicole’s Creative Artists Agency
  • Tong Ho Musical & Wooden Works Co., Ltd.
  • Asian Composers League Taiwan National Committee
  • International Society for Contemporary Music
  • ZGlobal Music