Lee College

Visual and Performing Arts Division

Department of Music


	Dr. Charlotte Mueller E-mail: cmueller@lee.edu Office: Douglas O. Huddle Music Wing, Room 123 Phone and Voice Mail: (281) 425-6858

	Mueller's CD "Woman's Work" Available at http://www.msrcd.com/1160/1160.html

Teaching

Applied Piano for Piano Majors MUSI 1271, 1272, 2271, 2272

Applied Piano MUSI 1169, 1170, 2169, 2170, 1269, 1270, 2269, 2270

Music Theory and Analysis MUSI 1311, 1312

Piano Class (Music Major) MUSI 1181, 1182, 2181, 2182

Music Appreciation MUSI 1306

Biographical Sketch

I received my Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Peabody Conservatory of Music of The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland studying with concert pianist Walter Hautzig. I spent the next three years studying as a “guest student” at the Royal Conservatory of Music in The Hague, The Netherlands working with a specialist in avant garde music, Geoffrey Douglas Madge. In 1982 I returned to the United States to pursue graduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin. While there, I studied with Danielle Martin, and Gregory Allen, completing my Doctoral work with David Renner. During the doctoral program I took a year’s leave of absence in order to study at the Sweelinck Conservatory of Music in Amsterdam. Funded by the Rotary Foundation I was able to study piano with concert pianist Jan Wijn (frequent juror on The Queen Elizabeth Competition) and conduct research on the music of avant garde composer Jan van Vlijmen which ultimately culminated in the completion of my doctoral dissertation as well as a guest performance/lecture at De Ijsbreker in Amsterdam, an event organized in conjunction with Amsterdam’s celebration of The Van Gogh Year and sponsored by the Gaudeamus Foundation of The Netherlands. In 1993 I presented a paper at the International Conference of the American Association of Netherlandic Studies entitled De Vijf, A Study of Five Contemporary Dutch Composers. At this same event, I premiered the Sonata for Piano by contemporary Dutch composer Leo Samama.

After completing the majority of work toward the completion of my Doctor of Musical Arts degree, I taught as assistant professor of piano and music theory for three years at Dickinson State University in North Dakota. While there, I organized an annual Piano Workshop for high school students. This event brought in students from the tri-state area. I also performed widely in North Dakota and Montana. I then spent a pleasant year as an assistant professor at St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, Kansas. This is now my eighth year of teaching at Lee College.

Beyond my teaching responsibilities at Lee College I organized and currently supervise the Music Computer Lab as well as the Tom Stone Music Library. In 1998 I designed a Multimedia Project on the Fundamentals of Music from which a CD ROM has been developed and which may be used in any course involving a music fundamentals component. Subsequently, I conducted a presentation entitled “Sight, Sound and Sensation, Music and Visual Arts Multimedia Labs and Programs” with my colleague from the Art Department, Ms. Trina Cooper, at the National Conference on the League for Innovation in the Community College in 1999. In recent years, I have given lectures on copyright law, music from the civil war period, and the keyboard music of J.S. Bach. I have also presented workshops on the Louise Robyn Teaching Method, the National Guild of Piano Teachers, and Alternative Repertoire for Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced Piano Students in addition to performing piano recitals and presenting musical programs in the public schools.

Philosophy of Education

In today’s multi-faceted world of technological advancement, cultural diversity and increasing world-wide communication it is becoming increasingly important that the education with which we provide our young people is one that will satisfy their future needs as well as retain the valued traditions of the past. Indeed, it is highly probable that today’s generation will be involved in occupations which we cannot yet even imagine but which will be commonplace after the year 2100. As an educator, I feel challenged and rewarded in the mission of guiding our young people in such a way that they find a balance between and an appreciation for our culture and the demands of the future.

In today’s education it is not enough to provide the students with a thorough background in a particular subject area. Pupils must learn to approach problems in a constructive and creative way, whether the subject at hand be that of music, history, language, or calculus. The teacher’s responsibilities lie in providing logical skills for problem solving and inspiring the students to think independently. Naturally, this is not a new idea, but it is one which must be in the forefront of every teacher’s plan if he/she is to adequately prepare this present generation for an exciting future ahead.

Young people depend on their instructors to set an example both professionally and personally. By exhibiting a respect for other people’s dignity, for other’s experiences and, in some cases, other’s authority, the teacher sets a pattern for the student to comfortably follow while he is attending the College and afterward. Equally important is for the student to develop a belief and pride in himself and his work. By providing fair assignments and attainable goals the instructor can provide the proper setting for success which every student needs to have in order to progress to more difficult challenges.

University training provides an ideal environment for group dynamic experiences in which a diversity of cultures share their insights in a manner coherent with the principals of progressive education. The modern-day educator takes advantage of this stimulating exchange and incorporates a broad range of different disciplines as a way of broadening the perspectives that students develop in their formative years. Equipped with a liberal arts education, students face the demands of a rapidly changing world and are prepared to pursue the avocations of their choices with flexibility and confidence.

Courses Taught

Applied Piano
          Music Majors
          Music Minors
          Non-Music Major
Class Piano
          Music Majors
          Music Minors
Accompanying
Piano Pedagogy and Literature
Keyboard Skills
          Harmonization of Melodies
          Improvisation
          Literature
          Memorization
          Piano Ensemble
          Sight-Reading
                    Accompaniments
                    Choral Scores
                    Instrumental Scores
                    Hymns
                    Solo Literature
          Scales and Arpeggios
          Transposition
Fundamentals of Music
Keyboard Theory
Freshman Music Theory and Analysis
Freshman Ear Training and Sight-singing
Sophomore Music Theory and Analysis
Sophomore Ear Training and Sight-singing
Form and Analysis
Music Appreciation

Musical Opportunities at Lee College

Lee College Faculty Recitals
Lee College Student Recitals
Lee College Concert Choir
Baytown Community Chorus
Lee College Jazz Ensemble
Lee College Concert Band
Baytown Symphony Orchestra
Lee College Music Club

Call the Music Office for further information: (281) 425-6821.

Piano Scholarships

Piano scholarships are available. Call Dr. Mueller (281) 425-6858 for an interview/audition.