MUSIC
The John E.N. & Dede Howard Department of Music welcomes participation by majors and non-majors alike and offers a rich array of concerts each year as part of the cultural life of the campus. About a third of Hillsdale students study and perform music in some capacity, focusing especially on traditions growing out of the classical canon and sacred repertoire, as well as jazz and music theatre. Student ensembles include both auditioned groups and those open to general participation, while individual lessons are available for credit in a variety of instruments with a small activity fee (the fee is waived for music majors and minors). In addition to student performances, members of the faculty and guest musicians perform on campus throughout the year, and the Professional Artists Series brings celebrated soloists and ensembles to Hillsdale for performances and masterclass sessions. Musical performances on campus are always free of charge and open to the public.
THEATRE
Students interested in any aspect of theatre production will find participating in the Tower Players’ season to be a rewarding extracurricular opportunity. Each year, the Tower Players present three or four faculty-directed plays of high production value. These productions are chosen to reflect not only the breadth of the classical theatrical tradition, but also musicals, contemporary plays, and world premieres. Recent productions include Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Henry V, Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, as well as the musical Bright Star by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, among many others. Production opportunities also abound for student directors, playwrights, and those interested in lighting, scenic, costume, or sound design.
DANCE
Students can participate in dance at the College in many ways. Besides the robust dance curriculum offered through the Department of Theatre and Dance, the Tower Dancers produce a dance concert every year, featuring choreography by seasoned visiting and resident choreographers. There are opportunities for student-choreographed works, as well as numerous dance clubs, such as a Swing Dance Club and the Tulloch Ard Highland Scottish Dancers.
COMPETITIVE SPEAKING (FORENSICS)–DEBATE AND MOCK TRIAL
Students interested in honing their public speaking skills will find a number of opportunities to do so on Hillsdale College’s two competitive speaking teams. Both teams are open to students from all disciplines, and each student may enroll for academic credit as an active member of the team. Both teams travel extensively each semester. Each team also has scholarship opportunities available for qualified students following the first year of participation, generally beginning in the sophomore year.
On the nationally recognized Debate Team, students have the opportunity to work with a number of styles of debate. The team is centered in team policy debate, and is associated with CARD (Collegiate Advocacy Research Debate). In the past, our students have competed across a wide range of debate styles and organizations, including NPDA (Parliamentary Debate), NEDA (Policy and Value Debate), CEDA (Cross-Examination), NDT and Lincoln-Douglas (Individual) Debate. Students may compete in a number of styles throughout their time at Hillsdale. Both teams travel extensively each semester. Each team also has scholarship opportunities available for qualified students following the first year of participation, beginning in the sophomore year.
Currently, Hillsdale College Mock Trial is among the elite teams in the nation, currently seated at number 3. Mock Trial, as sanctioned by the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA), is a co-curricular activity intended to foster the development of undergraduate students in the areas of leadership, public speaking, rhetoric, and persuasion through a legal forum. Currently, over 7300 students comprising 700 teams from over 400 universities and colleges compete in AMTA-sponsored tournaments. At competition, a mock trial team consists of as many as ten students, including three attorneys and three witnesses on each side of the case (plaintiff/prosecution and defense). Attorneys are responsible for delivering an opening statement, conducting directs and cross examinations of witnesses, and delivering closing arguments. Witnesses include both experts as well as lay people. Judges are usually attorneys or coaches, and on some occasions, practicing judges. Significant academic engagement is expected from students, including but not limited to: expanding their knowledge and practical application of logic; engaging in the composition and delivery of speeches, arguments, and testimony; learning and applying Rules of Evidence; preparing and delivering dramatic testimony.
Individual Events are not offered presently through our competitive speaking program.
STUDENT PUBLICATIONS
Students from any academic discipline may join the staffs of the College’s weekly newspaper, the Collegian; the campus radio station, WRFH 101.7 FM; the yearbook, the Winona; and the literary magazine, Tower Light. All students, by payment of the general fees, are automatic subscribers to these publications.
The individual specifically interested in communications should refer to the Herbert H. Dow II Program in American Journalism or the rhetoric and public address minors.