The Music Preparatory Department at Oklahoma Baptist University offers musical instruction and ensemble experiences to students of all ages.
The Music Preparatory Department at Oklahoma Baptist University began in 1985 and offers many musical opportunities to students from birth through adult for Shawnee and surrounding areas. Under the umbrella of the Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts, the Preparatory Department offers private piano, voice, guitar, string, wind, and percussion instrument instruction, as well as Keyboard Readiness, Keyboard Concepts, String Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Art classes, and Kindermusik classes for babies and preschoolers. A choral experience is also available through the Preparatory Department. The choirs included are Shawnee Honor Choir, Concert Choir, and Discovery Singers.
The OBU Preparatory Department, the largest of its kind in the state with more than 400 students presently enrolled, has served as a model for several other universities in developing similar programs. As of August 2016, Dr. Benjamin Shute assumes the role of Director of the Preparatory Department. An active violinist, he studied at the New England Conservatory and the conservatories of Freiburg and Frankfurt and has served as concertmaster of the Boston Chamber Orchestra.
Researchers and scholars have proven that music is indeed a separate intelligence and it that is crucial for students be exposed to music early in life to develop that important part of the brain. Furthermore, students who study music tend to perform better at spatial-temporal tasks and score higher in academics. Adults also are encouraged to participate in Preparatory Department offerings.
