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Music, Theatre, & Dance
- Sette LaVergetta Center for Performing Arts
- 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- 570-348-6268
- dept.mtd
@marywood.edu - Facebook Instagram
National Association of Schools of Music
Marywood University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. | Address: 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190-5248. | Phone: (703) 437-0700
American Music Therapy Association
The Music Therapy program is approved by the American Music Therapy Association.
Music, Theatre, and Dance
Marywood offers all the benefits of larger music and performance programs with greater flexibility. Whatever your goals in the performing arts field—to perform, to teach, to heal, to manage, or some combination of these—you'll have numerous opportunities to practice, learn, and collaborate from Day One. Our distinctive programs in Music, Theatre, and Dance embody the depth and rigor expected of conservatory programs, but in a welcoming atmosphere that embraces an ensemble philosophy and encourages collegiality and growth. Our highly credentialed, nationally and internationally acclaimed faculty are passionate about their craft and connected to their students. In fact, students support one another and work together, rather than competing against one another for performance opportunities. There are opportunities to perform locally, regionally, nationally, and globally.
General Guidelines for All Auditions
During the audition process, there will be opportunities to perform for our audition committee and meet members of our faculty. Additional arrangements may be made to meet with academic advisors and current Marywood music and theatre students.
Undergraduate Programs
Arts Administration - Music (BA)
Arts Administration - Theatre (BA)
Music (Musical Theatre) (BA)
Theatre (BA)
Theatre Education (BA)
Music Education (BM)
Music Performance (BM)
Music Therapy (BM)
Accreditations
National Association of Schools of Music
Marywood University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. | Address: 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190-5248. | Phone: (703) 437-0700
American Music Therapy Association
The Music Therapy program is approved by the American Music Therapy Association.
Professional Memberships
- National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
- National Association for Music Education - Collegiate
- Jazz Education Network (JEN)
- American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)
- College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA)
- American String Teachers Association (ASTA)
- American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
- National Band Association (NBA)
- American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)
- Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA)
- Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI)
- National String Project Consortium (NSPC)
About The Music, Theatre, and Dance Department
Music and theatre programs have a rich history at Marywood. Since its founding in 1915, the University has continually renewed its commitment and support of students seeking performing arts degrees. Music education was one of the original degree programs in 1915, and the Marywood program in music therapy was groundbreaking when it started more than 40 years ago. Alongside degrees in music performance, theatre, musical theatre, and arts administration, we prepare our students to meet diverse needs of the 21st century as professional artists and leaders.
Music, Theatre, and Dance Faculty
Our highly credentialed, nationally and internationally acclaimed faculty are passionate about their craft and connected to their students.
- School Director (Co-Director)
- Associate Professor
- rhoffenberg@marywood.edu
- 570-348-6211 x2537
- Interim Director, Music Therapy Program
- Instructor of Practice
- amfox@marywood.edu
- Director, Theatre Program
- Associate Professor
- tpyles@marywood.edu
- 570-961-4726
- Director, String Project
- Associate Professor
- sophietill@marywood.edu
- 570-348-6211 x2378
- Technical Director/Production Manager
- rhouser@marywood.edu
- 570-348-6211 x2960
Sette LaVerghetta Center for the Performing Arts:
- 1,100-seat Munley Theatre
- Black Box Theatre
- Digital piano lab
- 2 harpsichords and 2 harps
- Extensive practice facilities
- Complement of band and orchestra instruments
- Multiple copies of orchestral scores
- Choral music library
- Vocal music library
- Small library of reference books
- Curriculum lab and learning centerM
- 2 computer labs
- Biofeedback lab
- MIDI Creator equipment
- Music Therapy Lab
- Multiple organs
Marian Chapel at the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life
The Swartz Center for Spiritual Life features the beautiful Marian Chapel. In addition to liturgical celebrations, the Marian Chapel offers the Music, Theatre, and Dance Department an intimate 180-seat performing space. Completely renovated in 2007, the Marian Chapel (formerly the IHM Marian Convent), features a Peragallo pipe organ and 7-foot Steinway grand piano.
The Swartz Center for Spiritual Life features the beautiful Marian Chapel. In addition to liturgical celebrations, the Marian Chapel offers the Music, Theatre, and Dance Department an intimate 180-seat performing space. Completely renovated in 2007, the Marian Chapel (formerly the IHM Marian Convent), features a Peragallo pipe organ and 7-foot Steinway grand piano.
MTD Student Handbook
The information in this handbook is designed to familiarize you with university and department policies specific to the MTD degree programs.
Please save this handbook, as it will provide guidance throughout your studies at Marywood. Bring this handbook to all academic advising sessions.
General Guidelines for All Auditions
During the audition process, there will be opportunities to perform for our audition committee and meet members of our faculty. Additional arrangements may be made to meet with academic advisors and current Marywood music and theatre students.
Community Involvement
Marywood University has established positive, long-standing relationships with the larger area community. Concerts, recitals, guest artist masterclasses, lectures, workshops, and academic and athletic camp programs draw a number of community constituents to campus each year.
Each year, the music unit offers a wide variety of programs and community outreach for the larger community. Target populations include: young school-age children through senior adults, as well as individuals with various disabilities. Approximately 1100-1200 students participate in the music unit’s on-campus outreach programs each year. These programs enhance the cultural, social, and aesthetic life of the wider public community. They also provide intentional, direct curricular connections and co-curricular experiences for Marywood music students.
Large Ensembles
Orchestra - The Marywood Orchestra is one of the most highly-regarded collegiate orchestras in the Northeast Pennsylvania region. The ensemble welcomes music majors, non-majors, and community members. Recent repertoire has included the Dvořák's New World Symphony and Mozart’s The Magic Flute.
Wind Symphony - Marywood’s premiere band ensemble; it typically includes nearly 100 student, faculty, staff, and community instrumentalists. This group focuses on literature requiring large instrumental forces. In recent years, members of the Wind Symphony have embarked on concert tours to Italy and China.
Wind Ensemble - Marywood’s small band ensemble provides opportunities for woodwind, brass, and percussion players to perform challenging pieces best suited to smaller and flexible instrumental forces.
Concert Choir - A large ensemble that performs a wide range of repertoire, from a cappella motets to orchestral masterworks such as the Requiems of Mozart, Verdi, and Brahms. Concert Choir frequently performs with the Northeast Pennsylvania Philharmonic, as well as other orchestras. The choir also performs regularly in the Marywood University Rotunda.
Chamber Singers - A small select choir that performs ambitious repertoire ranging from the Early Renaissance to world premieres. Chamber Singers was featured at the National Convention of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in 2021 and 2022, and has twice been a national finalist for the American Prize in Choral Performance. This ensemble goes on a concert tour every spring.
Jazz Ambassadors - A jazz ensemble that welcomes student instrumentalists in any major. They perform a variety of jazz repertoire and have invited well-known jazz soloists for master classes and performances.
Tutti Ensemble - The Tutti Ensemble is a student-run program that teaches mentally or physically challenged young adults to play instruments and/or sing. Members of the Tutti Ensemble collaborate with Marywood’s music therapy and music education majors in the preparation of two annual concerts.
Chamber Ensembles
Woodwind Ensemble - Small instrumental winds ensemble; open to woodwind majors and non-majors.
Brass Ensemble - Small instrumental brass ensemble; open to brass majors and non-majors.
Percussion Ensemble - Small instrumental percussion ensemble; open to percussion majors and non-majors.
Chamber Music Ensembles - Small instrumental groups focusing on the performance of classical chamber music repertoire for strings, winds, and piano.
Instrumental Ensembles
Orchestra - Large orchestral ensemble; membership open to music majors, non-majors, and community volunteers. Permission of the Director is required for participation. All string music majors required to participate in orchestra.
Wind Symphony - Marywood’s premiere large instrumental band ensemble. Participation is required of all Marywood Music majors whose major performance medium (as determined by departmental acceptance audition) lies in the winds or percussion area. This group focuses on literature requiring large instrumental forces.
Wind Ensemble - Marywood’s premiere small instrumental ensemble. Participation is required of all Marywood music instrumental majors, but welcomes other Marywood students via audition. The Wind Ensemble consists of woodwind, brass, and percussion players who perform pieces of various instrumentation and styles best suited for smaller and flexible instrumental forces.
Jazz Ambassadors - Medium-size instrumental jazz ensemble; membership open to music majors and non-majors.
Tutti Ensemble - A student-run program that assists mentally or physically disabled clients to play music.
Small Music Ensembles
Woodwind Ensemble - Small instrumental winds ensemble; open to woodwind majors and non-majors.
Brass Ensemble - Small instrumental brass ensemble; open to brass majors and non-majors.
Percussion Ensemble - Small instrumental percussion ensemble; open to percussion majors and non-majors.
Chamber Music Ensembles - Small instrumental groups focusing on the performance of classical chamber music repertoire for strings, winds, and piano.
Guitar Ensemble - Open to classical guitar majors and non-majors.
Flute Ensemble - Open to flute majors and non-majors.
Marywood Guitar Ensemble - The Marywood Guitar Ensemble inspires audiences through its excellence in performing a very diverse repertoire, from Renaissance to Reggae. Ensemble members improvise, perform intricate guitar counterpoint, deliver surprising contemporary experimental pieces, and “groove" through rhythms such as waltz, rag, and bossa-nova.
Marywood Contemporary Music Ensemble - The Marywood Contemporary Music Ensemble is an undergraduate instrumental ensemble that performs and promotes works by twentieth-century composers, non-traditional offerings, world music repertoire, and Marywood students’ own original compositions.
Theatre Ensemble
For main-stage and student-directed productions; consists of all theatre degree students as well as non-majors who wish to be involved in public performance. There are three main-stage productions each year, including Children's Theatre.
Community-focused Ensembles:
Celebrations - Includes Junior and Senior Wind Band Celebrations (held annually for wind, brass, and percussion students in middle and high school) and String Celebration (held annually for string students in middle and high school; features a Senior Orchestra, Junior Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra)
String Project - An after-school, pre-collegiate string program for students ages 7-18. Participants take small-group lessons in violin, viola, cello, and double bass; participate in orchestra; and perform in concerts. String Project participants are divided into three levels; beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Students are assigned to a group based on experience.
Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble - The Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble operates under the auspices of the Conn-Selmer Division of Education, headed by Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser and is hosted by Marywood University. Through this unique relationship, high school age performers work directly with esteemed conductors, educators, composers, and guest performing artists, thus providing an opportunity to experience music in a unique, rewarding, instructive and constructive environment. The Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble membership, chosen through a process that currently involves director recommendations, is composed of wind and percussion performers from the public, private, parochial and home schools in the Northeastern Pennsylvania area and beyond. All members must be actively involved in their school music program and must be recommended by their music teacher.
Special Projects
Music Celebrations
Includes the annual Junior and Senior Wind Band and Orchestra Celebrations for middle school and high school students. It has been a goal to bring the finest clinicians and conductors to each event and provide memorable experiences for the Marywood students and music students from many schools in the area. The level of participation and status of the events continue to grow.
String Project
An after-school, pre-collegiate string program for students ages 7-18. Participants take small-group lessons in violin, viola, cello, double bass, and guitar; participate in orchestra; and perform in concerts. String Project participants are divided into three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Students are assigned to a group based on experience. Marywood String Project won the 2010 ASTA String Project of the Year Award.
Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble
The Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble operates under the auspices of the Conn-Selmer Division of Education, headed by Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser and is hosted by Marywood University. Through this unique relationship, high school age performers work directly with esteemed conductors, educators, composers, and guest performing artists, thus providing an opportunity to experience music in a unique, rewarding, instructive and constructive environment. The Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble membership is composed of wind and percussion performers from public, private, parochial and home schools in the Northeastern Pennsylvania area and beyond. All members must be actively involved in their school music program and must be recommended by their music teachers.
Latin Week at Marywood University
A week dedicated to all communities connected to the Latin language, in order to celebrate, study, and show its heritage. Events include concerts, round-tables, lectures, exhibitions, and multimedia initiatives. According to Marywood Professor Diogo Carvalho, who spearheads the initiative, Latin Week is a shared event where the Marywood University community learns from the Scranton community, and vice-versa.
Featured Pacer Profile
Beavers selected among 25 young music professionals seeking careers in musical arts.Read More
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Music Theatre and Dance Events
| When | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 Semester | ||
| Saturday, January 25, 2025, 10:45am – 12pm EST |
Madelynn Kessler Senior Recital
Madelynn Kessler Senior Recital
Date/Time: Saturday, January 25, 2025, 10:45am – 12pm EST Madelynn Kessler Senior Recital Email Reminder |
Swartz Center Marian Chapel |
| Saturday, January 25, 2025, 2 – 3:30pm EST |
John Maurer, Trumpet Faculty Recital
John Maurer, Trumpet Faculty Recital
Date/Time: Saturday, January 25, 2025, 2 – 3:30pm EST John Maurer, Trumpet Faculty Recital Email Reminder |
Swartz Center Marian Chapel |
| Sunday, January 26, 2025, 3 – 5pm EST |
Voice General Recital
Voice General Recital
Date/Time: Sunday, January 26, 2025, 3 – 5pm EST Voice General Recital Email Reminder |
Swartz Center Marian Chapel |
| Saturday, February 15, 2025, 7:30 – 9pm EST |
Orchestra Concert
Orchestra Concert
Date/Time: Saturday, February 15, 2025, 7:30 – 9pm EST Orchestra Concert Email Reminder |
Swartz Center Marian Chapel |
| Thursday, February 20, 2025, 7:30 – 10pm EST |
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 Musical Performance
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 Musical Performance
Date/Time: Thursday, February 20, 2025, 7:30 – 10pm EST Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 Musical Performance Email Reminder |
Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium) |
| Friday, February 21, 2025, 7:30 – 10pm EST |
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 Musical Performance
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 Musical Performance
Date/Time: Friday, February 21, 2025, 7:30 – 10pm EST Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 Musical Performance Email Reminder |
Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium) |
| Saturday, February 22, 2025, 9am – 3:30pm EST |
Spring Saturday
Spring Saturday
Date/Time: Saturday, February 22, 2025, 9am – 3:30pm EST The Admissions office will be hosting prospective students and their families on these select Saturdays. Visits include an admissions presentation by a counselor and a guided tour of campus. Email Reminder |
Nazareth, Nazareth Hall Upper Main-Entire, Nazareth Hall Latour Front Desk |
| Saturday, February 22, 2025, 7:30 – 10pm EST |
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 Musical Performance
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 Musical Performance
Date/Time: Saturday, February 22, 2025, 7:30 – 10pm EST Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 Musical Performance Email Reminder |
Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium) |
| Sunday, February 23, 2025, 2 – 4:30pm EST |
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 Musical Performance
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 Musical Performance
Date/Time: Sunday, February 23, 2025, 2 – 4:30pm EST Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 Musical Performance Email Reminder |
Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium) |
| Saturday, March 1, 2025, 11am – 1pm EST |
Dayanara Castillo and Emma Eynon Senior Recital
Dayanara Castillo and Emma Eynon Senior Recital
Date/Time: Saturday, March 1, 2025, 11am – 1pm EST Dayanara Castillo and Emma Eynon Senior Recital Email Reminder |
Swartz Center Marian Chapel |
| Spring 2025 Semester | ||
| Sunday, March 2, 2025, 3 – 5pm EST |
Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble Concert
Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble Concert
Date/Time: Sunday, March 2, 2025, 3 – 5pm EST Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble Concert Email Reminder |
Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium) |
| Sunday, March 23, 2025, 2 – 3pm |
Sean Wolf Senior Recital
Sean Wolf Senior Recital
Date/Time: Sunday, March 23, 2025, 2 – 3pm EDT Sean Wolf Senior Recital Email Reminder |
Swartz Center Marian Chapel |
| Friday, April 4, 2025, 7 – 8:30pm |
Jazz Ambassadors Concert
Jazz Ambassadors Concert
Date/Time: Friday, April 4, 2025, 7 – 8:30pm EDT Jazz Ambassadors Concert Email Reminder |
Swartz Center Marian Chapel |
| Saturday, April 5, 2025, 8:30am – 3pm |
Spring Open House
Spring Open House
Date/Time: Saturday, April 5, 2025, 8:30am – 3pm EDT Undergraduate Open House for students to visit Marywood's campus and learn about our academic programs. Event includes presentations, tours, breakout meetings, and lunch. Email Reminder |
Nazareth, Nazareth Hall Latour Room, Nazareth Hall Upper Main-Entire, Nazareth Hall Latour Front Desk |
| Saturday, April 12, 2025, 10 – 11am |
Lia Schwenk Junior Recital
Lia Schwenk Junior Recital
Date/Time: Saturday, April 12, 2025, 10 – 11am EDT Lia Schwenk Junior Recital Email Reminder |
Swartz Center Marian Chapel |
| Saturday, April 12, 2025, 7:30 – 9pm |
Marywood Dance Team Show
Marywood Dance Team Show
Date/Time: Saturday, April 12, 2025, 7:30 – 9pm EDT Marywood Dance Team Show Email Reminder |
Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium) |
| Sunday, April 13, 2025, 2 – 3pm |
Tutti Concert
Tutti Concert
Date/Time: Sunday, April 13, 2025, 2 – 3pm EDT Tutti Concert Email Reminder |
Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium) |
| Sunday, April 13, 2025, 4 – 5:30pm |
Wind Symphony Concert
Wind Symphony Concert
Date/Time: Sunday, April 13, 2025, 4 – 5:30pm EDT Wind Symphony Concert Email Reminder |
Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium) |
| Sunday, April 13, 2025, 7:30 – 9pm |
Marywood Dance Team Show
Marywood Dance Team Show
Date/Time: Sunday, April 13, 2025, 7:30 – 9pm EDT Marywood Dance Team Show Email Reminder |
Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium) |
| Friday, April 25, 2025, 7:30 – 9:30pm |
Carmina Burana with the Marywood Concert Choir and Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic
Carmina Burana with the Marywood Concert Choir and Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic
Date/Time: Friday, April 25, 2025, 7:30 – 9:30pm EDT Friday, April 25, 7:30 PM, F. M. Kirby Center: Carmina Burana with the Marywood Concert Choir and Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic Email Reminder |
Off Campus Event |
| Spring 2025 Semester | ||
| Saturday, April 26, 2025, 3 – 4pm |
Kyle Jenkins Junior Recital
Kyle Jenkins Junior Recital
Date/Time: Saturday, April 26, 2025, 3 – 4pm EDT Kyle Jenkins Junior Recital Email Reminder |
Swartz Center Marian Chapel |
| Sunday, April 27, 2025, 2 – 3pm |
Percussion Ensemble Concert
Percussion Ensemble Concert
Date/Time: Sunday, April 27, 2025, 2 – 3pm EDT Percussion Ensemble Concert Email Reminder |
Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium) |
| Monday, April 28, 2025, 7:30 – 9pm |
String Ensemble Concert
String Ensemble Concert
Date/Time: Monday, April 28, 2025, 7:30 – 9pm EDT String Ensemble Concert Email Reminder |
Swartz Center Marian Chapel |
| Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 7:30 – 9pm |
Evening of Strings Concert
Evening of Strings Concert
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 7:30 – 9pm EDT Evening of Strings Concert Email Reminder |
Swartz Center Marian Chapel |
| Saturday, May 3, 2025, 1 – 2pm |
Clarinet Choir Concert
Clarinet Choir Concert
Date/Time: Saturday, May 3, 2025, 1 – 2pm EDT Clarinet Choir Concert Email Reminder |
Swartz Center Marian Chapel |
| Saturday, May 3, 2025, 7 – 8:30pm |
Guitar Ensemble Concert
Guitar Ensemble Concert
Date/Time: Saturday, May 3, 2025, 7 – 8:30pm EDT Guitar Ensemble Concert Email Reminder |
Swartz Center Marian Chapel |
| Sunday, May 4, 2025, 2 – 3:30pm |
Chamber Singers Concert
Chamber Singers Concert
Date/Time: Sunday, May 4, 2025, 2 – 3:30pm EDT Chamber Singers Concert Email Reminder |
Swartz Center Marian Chapel |
| Friday, May 9, 2025, 7:30 – 9:30pm |
Orchestra Concert
Orchestra Concert
Date/Time: Friday, May 9, 2025, 7:30 – 9:30pm EDT Orchestra Concert Email Reminder |
Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium) |
| Summer 2025 Sessions | ||
| Sunday, July 20 – Saturday, July 26, 2025 |
Summer Music Academy
Summer Music Academy
Date/Time: Sunday, July 20 – Saturday, July 26, 2025 SUMMER MUSIC ACADEMY July 20-26, 2025 | 9 A.M. - 4 P.M. » GRADES: 7-12 » COST: $375 Join us for an exciting week-long camp featuring tracks for band, orchestra, and choir students – an opportunity for students to learn and grow in music! STUDENTS: PARENTS: Email Reminder |
Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 100 Theatre (Auditorium), Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 98 Black Box Theater, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room 104, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Room… |
