The Music Education program at Barton prepares students to become skilled, confident, and passionate music educators. Whether your goal is to lead a choir, direct a band, or teach general music, Barton provides a strong academic and musical foundation to help you succeed.
Through a blend of performance, theory, and education-focused coursework, you’ll develop the skills needed to transfer to a four-year institution and continue on the path to teacher certification and a rewarding career in music education.
At Barton, your journey begins with personalized instruction, hands-on experience, and opportunities to grow as both a musician and a future educator. Ready to get started? Complete the Music Interest Contact Form to begin your journey with Barton’s Music Program.
Barton Benefits
At Barton, our areas of study are designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking necessary to thrive in today’s world. Whether you're just beginning your educational journey or advancing your career, we offer flexible and rigorous programs that support your goals.
Why Barton?
- Comprehensive Curriculum
Study music theory, history, composition, improvisation, and performance, alongside education-focused coursework. - Hands-On Teaching Experience
Teach young musicians in Barton’s Community Music School, gaining real-world instructional practice. - Classroom Preparation
Lead rehearsals and assist with music programs in local schools, building leadership and teaching skills. - Expert Faculty Mentorship
Learn from experienced educators who are also active performers and conductors. - Personalized Learning
Small class sizes allow for one-on-one guidance and skill development. - Excellent Facilities
Access professional spaces like a concert hall, piano lab, practice rooms, and a state-of-the-art MIDI lab. - Transfer-Ready Degree
The Associate in Arts transfers seamlessly to Kansas state and private universities for a bachelor’s in music education. - Affordable Education
Save on tuition, fees, and housing, making Barton a cost-effective option for aspiring educators. - Scholarships & Performance Awards
Financial aid is available for talented, committed music students. - Strong Transfer Partnerships
Collaborations with Kansas universities support a smooth academic transition.
Performance Groups
Barton offers a variety of performance ensembles open to students of all experience levels. Whether you're interested in vocal or instrumental music, there’s a group for you—and opportunities for academic credit, performance awards, and scholarships.
Concert Choir
Open to all Barton students with no audition required, this ensemble performs a variety of music from classical to Broadway and presents two concerts per semester.
- Rehearses three times per week
- Fulfills a General Education Activity requirement
- Repeatable for 1 or 2 credits
- Music scholarships available – see the director for details
Concert Band
An instrumental ensemble that performs works from a wide range of styles, with emphasis on standard band repertoire.
- Meets once a week
- Performs during the fall semester
- Available for 1 or 2 academic credits
- Performance awards available by audition
Da Capo
A select men's vocal ensemble known for community and campus performances.
- Meets three times per week
- 1 academic credit
- Audition required
- Scholarships available
Dolce
A select women's vocal ensemble that performs at various events throughout the community and college.
- Meets three times per week
- 1 academic credit
- Audition required
- Scholarships available
Hilltop Singers
Barton’s show choir, made up of 20 singers accompanied by piano, bass, and percussion. A highly visible group that performs at events statewide.
- Audition required
- Music scholarships available by spring audition
Jazz Band
Open to all students, this ensemble performs music from swing, funk, rock, Latin, and other jazz styles.
- Rehearses twice weekly
- 1 or 2 academic credits
- Performance awards available by audition
Orchestra
A college-community orchestra for students and area musicians, performing during the spring semester and in conjunction with musicals.
- Membership by audition or special permission
Pep Band
Performs at home basketball games and select campus events, promoting school spirit and energy.
- Enrollment required for participation
- Performance awards available
Whether you're pursuing a degree in music or just love to perform, Barton’s ensembles offer a supportive, creative space to grow your talent and connect with fellow musicians.
Transfer-Ready Degree
Barton’s Associate in Arts with Music Education Emphasis is designed with transfer in mind. The curriculum aligns with Kansas Board of Regents guidelines, allowing for a seamless transition to public and private universities across Kansas. Whether you're pursuing a degree in music education, performance, or music therapy, you’ll leave Barton fully prepared for upper-level coursework and teacher certification programs at the four-year level.
Become a Cougar
Complete the Admissions checklist of requirements to become a Cougar today.
Barton classes are affordable and accessible, with sessions starting throughout the year.
You have many options to help you accomplish yours goals and we're here to help!
Scholarships & Performance Awards
Barton values musical talent and commitment. Students who audition and qualify may receive music scholarships and performance-based awards, helping reduce the cost of college. Awards are available for vocalists, instrumentalists, and members of select ensembles. Financial aid packages are available for both music majors and non-majors who participate in performance groups.
Degree Maps
Degree Maps
Associate in Arts
Music Education
View the full list of Curriculum Guides (applicable for students admitted prior to Fall 2024) and Degree Maps (applicable for students admitted Fall 2024 and after).
Instrumental Auditions
Instrumental Auditions
Preparing for an Instrumental Music Audition
To begin the audition process, all students must register by completing the Music Interest Contact Form.
Audition Requirements
Prospective instrumental students should be prepared to perform the following:
- Brass and Woodwinds
- Play a chromatic scale across the range of your instrument (ascending and descending)
- Solo, etude, or excerpts from ensemble music (at least one lyrical and one technical excerpt of student’s choice). Approximately three minutes of music.
- Percussionists
- Prepare excerpts (of the student’s choice) on any two instruments – Snare Drum, Mallets, Timpani
- Strings
- Violin: one three-octave scale of your choice and two minutes of a solo
- Viola, cello, and bass: the two-octave scale of your choice and two minutes of a solo
- Guitar: natural and chromatic scales on first position and a piece of choice
- Piano:
- Two-octaves scales, hands together, majors and harmonic minors in all keys.
- Two contrasting pieces, showcasing a variety of styles.
If majoring in piano performance, a third piece from a different historical period needs to be prepared and memorized, totaling three pieces for the audition process, one memorized.
Sight-reading will be assessed during the audition.
Auditions are an opportunity to showcase your musical ability, technique, and expression. We encourage you to choose pieces that highlight your strengths and reflect your musical interests.
If you have any questions about audition preparation, feel free to contact our music faculty for guidance.
Vocal Auditions
Vocal Auditions
Preparing for an Vocal Music Audition
To begin the audition process, all students must register by completing the Music Interest Contact Form.
Audition Requirements
Prospective instrumental students should be prepared to perform the following:
- One (1) song selection that show off your range and ability. This is your opportunity to show us your best singing in any style.
- Sing the "Star-Spangled Banner" or "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" in any key, a cappella.
- Student will sight sing an example and demonstrate tonal memory.
Music Facilities
Music Facilities
The Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel
The Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel provides an intimate setting for solo recitals or smaller chamber groups. Equipped with an organ, upright piano and a recently renovated Steinway grand piano, the Chapel is a favorite of many local artists for performances as well as college performers. The Chapel also doubles as the Choral Room.
The Barton Fine Arts Auditorium
The Barton Fine Arts Auditorium seats 632 patrons and recently expanded its staging surface area. Concerts, lectures, ballets, musicals, award ceremonies, etc. are typical uses for this hall. Fine sound, lighting, and video recording systems enhance the functionality of this Fine Arts building centerpiece.
The Barton Music MIDI Lab
The Barton Music Technology MIDI Lab is an eight-station computer lab (MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface and is the way that you can get a synthesizer and a computer to talk to one another). Through a generous gift from the Barton Foundation, each computer in the lab has been recently replaced and equipped with new Roland 61-key Juno synthesizers, headphones, and microphones. Students are able to use the latest version of the professional music notation software
Sibelius and practice their harmony and ear training skills with Auralia Musition software. The MIDI lab is for use by Barton students requiring the unique capabilities of this type of learning environment.
Faculty
Faculty
Barton’s music faculty are experienced educators and active performers dedicated to helping students grow as musicians, educators, and leaders in the arts.
Dr. Alejandro Avila
Instructor of Keyboard Studies and Director of Accompaniment
avilaal@bartonccc.edu
B.M., São Paulo State University (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil
M.M, Central Michigan University
D.M.A, University of Kansas
Classes:
Class Piano A
Adult Beginning Piano
Applied Piano-Adults
Applied Piano
Organ
Dr. Alejandro Avila is an active and sought-after pianist based in Kansas, USA. He holds piano performance degrees from The University of Kansas (Doctor of Musical Arts), Central Michigan University (Master of Music), and São Paulo State University (Bachelor of Music). Dr. Avila has recently been appointed Instructor of Keyboard Studies and Director of Accompaniment at Barton Community College in Great Bend, Kansas. Prior to his current appointment he worked as an adjunct piano teacher and collaborative pianist at the universities of Kansas (KU), and Washburn in Topeka.
Alejandro is a recipient of several prizes, grants, and music awards. Among these are the first prize at Rosa Mistica competition in Curitiba, Brazil when he was 15, the first prize at Momento Musical competition in Asuncion, Paraguay, in 2012, as well as two Silver Medals at the KMTA Honors competition at the graduate level in Emporia, KS in 2018 and in Lawrence, KS in 2019. Alejandro is also a recipient of the Koch Cultural Trust grant for his work at the Cortona Sessions for New Music, in Italy, as well as a Reach Out Kansas grant, for his collaborative work with The Meadowlark Project, a contemporary vocal ensemble.
An enthusiast of Latin American repertoire and chamber music, Alejandro performs regularly with opera productions, singers, and instrumentalists of the Kansas and Missouri areas. Premiering new works by living composers and reviving lesser-known compositions are among Alejandro's main endeavors as a contemporary artist. He is a co-founder of The Meadowlark Project, a new-music vocal ensemble and performs regularly with his Brazilian band, Balacobaco in the Kansas City Area. Ongoing summer residencies include Salt Creek Song Festival in Nebraska, the Vocal Academy of Opera in Bodrum, Turkey and the Conero Piano Festival in Recanati, Italy. In his free time, Alejandro loves cooking, running outdoors and exploring nature.
Dr. Eric Foley
Director of Choral Activities
foleye@bartonccc.edu
B.S., ED. and M.M., University of Missouri-Columbia
D.M.A., University of Kansas
Classes:
Class Voice
Harmony III and IV
Community Choir
Choir
Private Voice Lab
Fundamentals of Music
Aural Skills III and IV
Vocal Ensemble
Dr. Foley received his B.S. in Vocal Music Education at the University of Missouri, his M.M. in Choral Conducting also at the University of Missouri and his D.M.A in Choral Conducting from the University of Kansas. Dr. Foley has 30+ years of experience in choral music direction and 20 years in choral music education. He has taught music at the elementary and middle school levels and has extended experience with high school and collegiate ensembles. In demand as a clinician, he has led honor ensembles in Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado and adjudicated festivals across Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Oregon. He was most recently at Corban University in Salem Oregon and previously led the music program at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City for eight years. Eric is married to his lovely wife, Kathy, and has two grown sons, Alan and Ryan. He enjoys fishing, hunting, boating, and camping, and is still active in Scout activities during the summer months. Dr. Foley's duties include directing all choral groups at Barton, teaching music courses, providing vocal music lessons, directing music for the musical and conducting the community choir.
Jamie Minneman
Director of Instrumental Activities (Prairie Winds, Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Pep Band)
minnemanj@bartonccc.edu
B.M.E., Washburn University
M.M., Kansas State University
Classes:
Introduction to Music
Fundamentals of Music
Harmony I and II
Aural Skills I and II
Jazz Ensemble
Band/Orchestra
Pep Band
All wind instrument lessons
Jamie Minneman is the Director of Instrumental Activities at Barton Community College. She received her bachelors of Music Education at Washburn University and her Masters of Music Education at Kansas State University. She has taught K-12 instrumental and vocal music in Kansas public schools for 23 years and was named Southwest KMEA's middle level teacher of the year in 2011. She has also served as the SWKMEA high school band chair and the North Central district's president. She is currently serving as the KMEA President. She has been a member of the KBA board and is a member of Phi Beta Mu. Jamie has performed with the Topeka Symphony Orchestra, the Hutchinson Symphony and the Dodge City Orchestra as well as the Marshall County Community Band, the Salina city band, and Salina Symphony. She has enjoyed adjudicating both bands and instrumental solos and ensembles for various festivals in Kansas. In addition to her music teaching duties, Jamie has enjoyed coaching volleyball, basketball and track. Jamie has been married to her husband Doug and they have two children, McKenna and Kendall. She loves spending time with her family, traveling, fishing, reading and crafting.
Vern Fryberger
Adjunct Faculty
Location: Online
frybergerv@bartonccc.edu
Classes:
Introduction to Music (Barton Online)
Aleia Gonzalez
Adjunct Faculty: Guitar
Location: Barton County Campus
gonzaleza@bartonccc.edu
Classes:
Beginning and Intermediate Guitar
Applied Guitar
Introduction to Music
Colvin Hooser
Adjunct Faculty
Location: Fort Leavenworth
hooserc@bartonccc.edu
Classes:
Introduction to Music
Fundamentals of Music
History of Rock and Roll
Grant Mathews
Adjunct Faculty: Percussion
Location: Barton County Campus
mathewsg@bartonccc.edu
Classes:
Applied Percussion
Drumline
Discover Career Paths
Discover Career Paths
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