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Begin your Art or Music Major or Career at BHC

The Art, Design and Performing Arts department at the Quad-Cities Campus offers programs for students to prepare for a career or major in art or music. The department also offers electives, clubs and performance groups.

Art and Design

Learning art and design skills, while developing a professional portfolio will prepare you for a major or career in dozens of fields, including graphic design, digital media, illustration, photography and fine art practices.

Areas of Focus for Transfer Students

If you plan to transfer into an art or design major to complete a bachelor’s degree, use this sample transfer plan:

If you have a transfer school in mind, your advisor will customize a transfer plan for that college or university. BHC also has many transfer guides and agreements already established with four-year institutions in a variety of majors.

Hands-on Classes

You have access to iMac labs, art studios, photography studios and professional equipment to get hands-on experience with industry standard facilities.

Clubs and Activities

ArtCollective

Student run art club that hosts events such as artist workshops and field trips.

Bus Trips

To Chicago museums and art galleries.

ArtSpace Gallery

Monthly exhibits by local, regional and national artists. At the end of the academic year, ArtSpace is reserved for our Student Art Show. BHC students submit artworks that are judged by a local professional artist.

ArtFusion Magazine

ArtFusion is produced every other year by and for the students of Black Hawk College. Essays, digital drawing, photography, painting and other student works are featured in this student-designed and professionally-published magazine.

ArtFusion 2024 magazine (PDF)
ArtFusion 2022 magazine (PDF)

Social Media

Follow BHC Art and Design on social media to see what students are doing and stay connected with community events:

Music

Our full music program includes theory, aural skills, music history, applied lessons and ensembles. Students at BHC are able to participate in three choirs, concert band, jazz ensemble, guitar ensemble and string orchestra.

Admissions and Auditions

New students must apply for admission to Black Hawk College before enrolling in classes, auditioning for ensembles, or entering a degree program.

Auditions

Students enrolling in applied music courses for the first time at Black Hawk College are encouraged to audition on their major instrument to ensure placement in the appropriate level of applied music and to be eligible for music achievement awards.

Auditions are scheduled on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. Audition requirements will be sent at the time of scheduling.

Choose Your Ensemble

Make music with like-minded musicians in a BHC ensemble. Special scholarships are available for students who participate in ensembles, and you’ll also receive elective credit for participating.

 Instrumental Ensembles

  • Concert Band – Large, non-auditioned instrumental ensemble open to BHC students and community members.
  • Guitar Ensemble – A non-auditioned group comprised of beginner, intermediate and advanced classical and acoustic guitarists.
  • Jazz Ensemble – Small instrumental ensemble performing traditional and contemporary jazz with an emphasis on improvisational techniques.
  • String Orchestra – Large, non-auditioned orchestral ensemble open to BHC students and community members.

 Vocal Ensembles

  • Chamber Singers – Auditioned a cappella ensemble of eight to sixteen singers who perform challenging literature in a variety of styles.
  • Concert Choir – Non-auditioned mixed chorus of 15-30 members who perform concerts throughout the year.
  • Community Chorale – A non-auditioned group choir comprised of singing enthusiasts of all ages. Retired people, working people, along with traditional-aged college students and some high school students help to create a truly multi-generational ensemble.

Clubs and Events

Areas of Focus for Transfer Students

If you plan to transfer into a music major to complete a bachelor’s degree, refer to these sample transfer plans:

 Music (Performance or Education) (PDF)
 Music (Therapy) (PDF)
 Music (Business) (PDF)

If you have a transfer school in mind, your advisor will customize a transfer plan for that college or university. BHC also has many transfer guides and agreements already established with four-year institutions in a variety of majors.

CareersInMusic.com

Browse through a comprehensive list of music organizations to learn more about what a path in music performance, music business, music therapy and music education might look like for you.

MajoringinMusic.com

Learn more about the ways you can pursue your education in music and turn your passion into a career you love.

Strategic National Arts Alumni Project

SNAAP, administrated by Indiana University, provides annual information about current occupations of art alumni, where artists reside, education satisfaction and how many art alumni have gone on to earn graduate degrees.

Social Media

Follow BHC Music on social media to see what students are doing and stay connected with community events:

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Scholarship Opportunities

Achievement Awards can reduce cost of attendance by earning up to 12 credit waivers each semester.

Foundation and other BHC scholarships

  • Jeanne Tamisiea Memorial Scholarship (for art students)
  • William Butterworth Foundation Scholarship (for art students)
  • BHC Presidential Scholarship

Scholarships are also available at many transfer institutions.

Related Programs

Program Name Award Credits
Associate in Arts AA Degree 60
Associate in Fine Arts AFA Degree 62
Associate in Science AS Degree 60
Music Industry Certificate Certificate 29
Visual Communication (AAS) AAS Degree 66

Department Faculty

Irene Leites

Dr. Irene Apanovitch-Leites

Dept. Co-Chair, Asst. Professor


Art, Design & Performing Arts

Annie Oldenburg

Annie Oldenburg

Dept. Co-Chair, Asst. Professor


Art, Design & Performing Arts

Terrance Gray

Terrance Gray

Instructor


Art, Design & Performing Arts

Corey Kendrick

Corey Kendrick

Instructor, Director of Instrumental Music


Art, Design & Performing Arts

Arts Events

21Feb
2-21-2025 // 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Celebrating Black History with Jazz

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