Introduction To Fu Jen Catholic University Music Department
The Fu Jen University College of Arts and Music Department were established in 1983 under the direction of University President Lo-Kuang. It was President Lo-Kuang’s idea to institute the Music Department in order to inculcate the ideals of truth, goodness, beauty, and holiness that nurture complete, well-integrated individuals. In 1995, under the leadership of University Vice-President Lau Chi-Ming, the Graduate Music Program was opened for performance studies leading to the Masters Degree, giving students who seek to perform at a high professional level the opportunity to grow. In 1999 the Graduate Music Program opened a major in musicology to foster scholarly pursuits in music, and in 2001, recognizing creativity to be of vital importance, opened a major in composition. In 2002 this department established the Masters Degree extension program to foster outstanding music educators and to provide them with the advanced studies they require. Moreover, the department obtained full approval from the Ministry of Education to establish the Doctoral program in 2003 for the nourishing of the kind of superior music talents needed to build and develop our culture. The goal of our department is to impart to the students a well-rounded and complete musical, academic, moral, and ethical education. Most of our over 1000 graduates enter the music profession as performers or teachers, and others choose to continue their education. In each case our former students have acquired a reputation for excellence. With superb facilities, a highly competent faculty, and a comprehensive curriculum, we expect our students to become skilled professionals with a high sense of ethics and morality.
Previous Department Chairmen
| Rev. Joseph Ly |
1983.8-1984.9
| Lian-Chang Kuo | 1998.8-2001.7 |
| Rev. Alban Hrebic |
1984.9-1985.7
| Ming-Chung Sheu | 2001.8-2004.7 |
| Lan-Ku Chen |
1985.8-1988.7
| Sheau-Ping Hu | 2004.8-2010.7 |
| Lau Chi-Ming |
1988.8-1994.7
| Mei-Ling Shyu | 2010.8- |
| Ming-Jian Fang |
1994.8-1998.7
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The building that houses the College of Arts, completed in 1987 and located beside the Department of Literature library, is enhanced by a scenic environment conducive to visual and aural beauty. The 2nd floor corridor features a poster exhibition that documents the history of the music department. Under the leadership of our department chairmen, we have been at the forefront in acquiring excellent faculty, teaching equipment, and facilities.
Our facilities include the Hwai-Jen Auditorium, which accommodates 500 people and is used for concerts, conferences, and orchestra rehearsals. The Hwai-De Recital Hall accommodates 200 people and is used for recitals and smaller gatherings. We also have rehearsal rooms for groups and choirs, percussion practice, and chamber music that are designed to meet the requirements of our courses and special needs of our students. All of our solo piano, duo piano, and chamber music practice rooms are furnished with grand pianos. We also offer a Steinway piano built in the late nineteenth century, a treasure from the age of Robert Schumann. In addition we have a fully-equipped audio-visual equipment room, a library of sound resources (recordings, CD, VCD, DVD, cassettes), and a reading library collection that includes scores, books, and periodicals. The electronic music laboratory was established in 1988 and is the first of its kind in Taiwan universities. The laboratory is enlarged each year and the complete, state-of-the-art equipment is integrated, as is the electronic music curriculum. Students thereby have the opportunity to acquire practical knowledge and experience in composing serious art music, musique concrète, electronic music, MIDI, computer music, recording techniques, and audio-visual production, hence opening the eyes of students to ever-broadening horizons.
This department has approximately 90 full-time and part-time teachers who have excellent performing and teaching abilities. We also feature a large variety of courses. Besides our required courses — theory, history, applied performance, ensemble work, analysis — we offer many electives such as music aesthetics, music therapy, music appreciation education, orchestration, electronic music, foreign languages, theatre arts, piano accompanying, score reading, etc.
These courses are designed to meet the needs of today students. During each semester there are several faculty and student recitals, workshops and master classes, orchestral, choral, concerto performances, and international symposium.
Our department has a highly regarded faculty that has established a reputation for excellence in performance, teaching, and research. The curriculum combines respect for tradition with an awareness of modern needs. All performing activities are coordinated with our teaching requirements. We offer many scholarships to university and graduate school candidates who demonstrate excellent academic standards and personal character. In addition, Fu Jen University has a teaching training center for those who would be junior high school and high school teachers. Those who complete the training process are certified to teach in public schools.
Fu Jen University campus features wide-open spaces, lush greenery, trees, stone seats, and a lotus-filled pool. There are also well-equipped dormitories, cafeterias, a heated swimming pool and gymnasium, and several entertainment venues that provide for the many extracurricular activities that cater to the cultural and leisure needs of our students.
Our deepest desire is that the music department be a place in which the Lord is glorified, and we welcome you to join us!
