Only community college admitted this year as well as being the first and only accredited NASM community college in the state of Arizona

Glendale Community College (GCC) was recently notified that they it has received accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). GCC is the only community college admitted this year as well as being the first and only accredited NASM community college in the state of Arizona. Only the three state universities in Arizona are also accredited by NASM.

To earn this recognition, the music program at GCC wrote a comprehensive self-study that addressed numerous standards established by NASM. This was followed by a campus visit by NASM in 2022 to verify the information in the self-study, listen to performances, observe classroom instruction, interview faculty, staff, students and administration, as well as verify academic transcripts of recent graduates. New members of NASM must repeat this process five years after initial accreditation, then again in five years, and every ten years after that. 

Dr. Tiffany Hernandez, President of Glendale Community College, said that “our accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music reflects GCC’s commitment to our students and our community to prepare musicians at the collegiate level.  As the only NASM-accredited community college in the state of Arizona, GCC is proud to be a significant component of the performing arts and culture community in the West Valley and beyond.”

Results from millions of dollars investing in developing the department are impressive and praiseworthy

Over the course of the last decade, Yavapai Community College has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the enhancement of its facilities and academic offerings on the Prescott Campus. This is  particularly true when it comes to the Performing Arts Department. Through millions in  financial investments and the recruitment of exceptional teaching talent, the Community College has pursued the establishment of an extraordinary performing arts program. Evidently, this ambition has been resoundingly realized.

The array of courses provided by the Department is nothing short of remarkable, especially for an institution of its size. A diverse range of disciplines are offered including choral studies, dance, technical theater, general music, instrumental studies, and music theory .

Notably, the Department appears to have successfully created an environment conducive to excellence. The presence of a newly constructed  state-of-the-art technical teaching theater and the beautifully renovated 1,006-seat Bill and Linda Lee Performing Arts theater adds an air of sophistication to the productions created by the Department. Moreover, the comprehensive classroom resources contribute to an immersive and top-tier educational experience for performing arts students.

The Community College has also wisely actively engaged the local Prescott community in its initiatives. Opportunities abound for community members to participate and collaborate, further fostering a sense of integration between the institution and its surroundings. The Master Chorale, Community Chorale, Chamber Singers, and Women’s Chorale, which heavily involve the Prescott community, exemplify this synergy.

The Blog applauds the Community College for its remarkable achievements in developing a thriving performing arts program on the Prescott Campus. The dedication, resources, and collaborative spirit invested in this endeavor will undoubtedly bear fruit, especially in the Prescott area. As the college continues to harmonize its educational objectives with community involvement, its accomplishments are both impressive and praiseworthy.

Prescott based Music Department has full slate of concerts and musical theatre performances scheduled for this fall; there is no music department on the Verde Campus or at Sedona Center

This fall Yavapai Community College will offer 58 music/voice courses on the Prescott Campus.  According to its registration data (see below), there are no similar courses being offered on the Verde Campus or at the Sedona Center.

For the last half century it appears that the Community College has shown little or no interest in seriously developing music education courses anywhere but on its Prescott Campus.  For students in the Sedona area, to participate means a round-trip drive of from 100 to 150 miles to take a course.   For most in the Verde Valley, the dangerous drive and the obstacles created by going over Mingus mountain on 89A mean their opportunity for music education is extremely limited, if not outright barred.

The Community College has never offered an explanation about why it does not create a music department and promote music education on either the Verde Campus or at the Sedona Center.

On the Prescott Campus, the Community College  Music Department has announced a  full slate of concerts and musical theater performances this fall that it says will serve two ends: “Showcasing students and entertaining the community” (mostly the Prescott community, no doubt).

The Music Department also announced it will have four choral, five instrumental and one musical theater group participating in  a wide range of performances, “from jazz to American classics and from symphonic instrumental music to musical productions of “It’s A Wonderful Life” and Handel’s “Messiah.””

The music department’s fall performance schedule is available on the YCPAC website, www.ycpac.com.  It appears there is at least one event scheduled on the Verde Valley Campus.

Of 57 music courses/tutorials offered this fall, 52 of them are exclusive to Prescott campus

The decades of unequal development of music courses in the County continues. For example, the College registration database shows that there are 52 face-to-face courses and tutorials offered on the Prescott Campus in fall 2017. However, there are only two face-to-face classes offered at the Sedona Center  and none on the Verde Campus (three online courses are available on the Verde Campus and District-wide).

This continues a decade or more of discrimination by the College  in developing music courses throughout the County. Clearly, it  has concentrated its effort and financial resources almost exclusively on the Prescott Campus. No one seems aware of its focus almost exclusively on the Prescott campus when it comes to music.

Click here and then go to search for classes, and find “music.”

Absence of music programs on East side of County shows years of neglect by College—5 classes offered

Over the past several years, the Prescott dominated administrators of Yavapai Community College have spent many thousands of dollars developing a fine music program on that side of the Mountain.  Meanwhile, music instruction on the East side of the County has been almost totally neglected.

The results of that neglect are evident in the number of courses offered on the West and East sides of the County.  On the Prescott side, College registration data shows 106 classes being offered with only 3 of them on-line.

Meanwhile, on the Verde Campus, there are 5 music classes offered with 3 of them being online.

The following is a list of musical groups listed on the Prescott campus.  The Verde campus has none.

The good news for East County residents is that newly hired Craig John Ralston, Dean of the Arts & Humanities Division, has recognized the huge disparity between the East and West sides of the County  and has begun to try and seriously address it.  

Over 100 music courses offered on Prescott campus; less than half dozen on Verde campus

The Spring Yavapai Community College Registration catalog lists over 100 music courses being offered on the Prescott campus.  It lists less than six on the Verde campus.

Many of the courses listed appear to be similar to tutorials with an enrollment of two students.  You may view the Spring, 2015 Registration Catalog by clicking here.