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    Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

    Music

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    The Merritt College's Music department offering courses to foster an understanding and appreciation for music that will enhance student’s knowledge of various performance practices. Through study, rehearsal, and performance we seek to motivate our students, and encourage their creativity and expression. Courses can be taken to meet general education requirements, lead to transfer to a four-year college or university, or to begin a career.

    Careers may include professional performance, conducting, arts management, composing, academic research, and public or private teaching.

    The Merritt College Orchestra gathers for a concert at the St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Downtown Oakland.
    Monica Ambalal leads her MUSIC 130 piano class in a recital at the college.
    The Prometheus Symphony (MUSIC 30)
    Eric Hansen conducting the Prometheus Symphony.
    MUSIC 130 field trip
    MUSIC 130 field trip to the San Francisco Symphony.
    Collin Chu
    Collin Chu conducting.
    Faculty
    Full-Time Faculty  
    Monica Ambalal Monica Ambalal
    Department Chair
    Musicology, Ethnomusicology
    Building A-117
    Email: mambalal@peralta.edu
    (510) 436-2450
    Part-Time Faculty  
      Colin Chew
    Composition, Theory, Music Appreciation
    Email: cchu@peralta.edu
      Constance Koo
    Harp, Dual Enrollment
    Email: ckoo@peralta.edu
    Website
      Eric Hansen
    Orchestra, Piano
    Email: ehansen@peralta.edu 
      Matthew McLean
    Guitar, Jazz/Popular Music, Music Appreciation
    Email: mmclean@peralta.edu
      Summer Benton Nickerson
    Voice, Musicology, Musical Theatre
    Email: snickerson@peralta.edu

     

    Contact Information

    Pamela Thomas

    Department Co-Chairs
    Pamela Thomas
    pthomas@peralta.edu

    Hilary Altman

    Dr. Hilary Altman
    haltman@peralta.edu

    image-png-Dec-03-2024-06-04-58-1594-AM
    Dean of Division I:  Liberal Arts, Social Science & Public Safety
    Dr. Chriss Warren Foster
    Building L-123
    cfoster@peralta.edu
    (510) 436-2609

    undefined-Dec-03-2024-06-48-24-3062-AM

    Assistant to the Dean
    Denise Woodward
    Building D-216
    dwoodward@peralta.edu
    (510) 436-2425

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