Mission
Music and theatre programs have a rich history at Marywood. Since its founding in 1915, the University has continually renewed its commitment and support of students seeking performing arts degrees. Music education was one of the original degree programs in 1915, and the Marywood program in music therapy was groundbreaking when it started more than 40 years ago. Alongside degrees in music performance, theatre, musical theatre, and arts administration, we prepare our students to meet diverse needs of the 21st century as professional artists and leaders.
Professional Memberships
Facilities & Technology
Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts
Throughout the academic year, you can attend a performance on the main stage of the Munley Theatre or in the more intimate setting of the Black Box Theatre. Marywood's many Music, Theatre, and Dance Ensembles, large and small, often perform here, including Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Wind Symphony/Ensemble, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, and more. The building also includes classrooms and private practice rooms for students.
Originally built in 1952 as Assumption Hall (Fine Arts Building/Auditorium), the space was renovated and renamed in 1999 as the Frank E. and Angela Sette LaVerghetta Center for the Performing Arts, in honor of esteemed music alumna Angela Sette LaVerghetta '48, who was a trustee of the University, and her husband, Frank, who also served as a Marywood trustee. The Munley Theatre, which houses the auditorium and main stage, was named in honor of Marywood's 11th President, Sister Anne Munley, IHM, by the Board of Trustees in 2022.
Sette LaVerghetta Center Theatre
The Sette LaVerghetta Center Theatre is a 1,100-seat main stage theatre and concert hall for all University-related events.
This large performance space contains a proscenium stage, orchestra pit, dressing rooms, box offices, control room, back stage area and the ability to fly scenery. Other features include sound and lighting boards, a 9-foot Steinway grand piano and 7-foot Steinway grand piano (on stage), a Mason & Hamlin grand piano (orchestra pit), and large Allen electronic organ.
Originally built in 1952 as Assumption Hall (Fine Arts Building/Auditorium), the space was renovated and renamed in 1999 as the Frank E. and Angela Sette LaVerghetta Center for the Performing Arts, in honor of esteemed music alumna Angela Sette LaVerghetta '48, who was a trustee of the University, and her husband, Frank, who also served as a Marywood trustee.
- 1,100-seat Munley Theatre
- Black Box Theatre
- Digital piano lab
- 2 harpsichords and 2 harps
- Extensive practice facilities
- Complement of band and orchestra instruments
- Multiple copies of orchestral scores
- Choral music library
- Vocal music library
- Small library of reference books
- Curriculum lab and learning centerM
- 2 computer labs
- Biofeedback lab
- MIDI Creator equipment
- Music Therapy Lab
- Multiple organs
Black Box Theatre
The Black Box Theatre, located on the Terrace Level of the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts, is a laboratory theatre designed with flex staging to accommodate student-directed productions and to support experimental theatre.
Music Therapy Clinic and Research Lab
The purpose of the Music Therapy Clinic is two-fold, namely, to provide music therapy majors with an educational opportunity for hands on one-on-one clinical experience under the supervision of a board certified-music therapist; and secondly, as an out- reach to those in the community with special needs. Approximately sixteen to twenty clients are served weekly. Among them are individuals of all ages with a variety of challenges, e.g. mental and physical challenges, attention deficit disorders, cerebral-palsy, autism spectrum, closed head injuries, Down syndrome, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Marian Chapel
The Swartz Center for Spiritual Life is home to the beautiful Marian Chapel, with its two-story stained glass doors that can be opened for special outdoor liturgical celebrations. Masses are held regularly in the Marian Chapel.
The Marian Chapel also offers the Music, Theatre, and Dance Department an intimate 180-seat performing space. Completely renovated in 2007, the Marian Chapel (formerly the IHM Marian Convent), features a Peragallo pipe organ and 7-foot Steinway grand piano.
Meet the Faculty & Staff
Our highly credentialed, nationally and internationally acclaimed faculty are passionate about their craft and connected to their students.
Dr. Rick Hoffenberg
Co-Director of the School of Visual & Performing Arts | Associate Professor
Allison M Fox
Director for Music Therapy | Instructor of Practice
Dr. Timothy A Pyles
Associate Professor
Sophie E Till
Associate Professor
Diane Amari
Lecturer
Christiane Appenheimer-Vaida
Non-Credit Professional | Lecturer
Janine Baux
Lecturer
Elise N Bond
Lecturer
Frank W Carey
Music Therapy Clinical Field Supervisor | Lecturer
William G Carter
Lecturer
Joseph F Cole
Lecturer
Dr. Jennifer G Cowgill
Associate Professor
Dan Coyle
Lecturer
Maria Theresa Fay
Lecturer
Anthony J Fortuna
Lecturer
Patricia M Gaffney
Administrative Assistant | Administrative Assistant
Bernard J Gardzalla
Lecturer
Samantha P Guevrekian
Lecturer
Dr. Laura Ann Camlet Houser
Lecturer | Lecturer | Lecturer
Ryan Michael Houser
Technical Director/Production Manager
Dr. Donald J James
Lecturer
David R Jumper
Lecturer
Andrew Kolojejchick
Lecturer
Stephen Patrick Kurilla
Non-Credit Professional | Lecturer
Mark Laubach
Lecturer
Vincent G Lorusso
Lecturer
John Masko
Lecturer
Steven R Mathiesen
Lecturer
John Maurer
Lecturer
Erin A McClelland
Lecturer
Sr. Joan E McCusker
Associate Professor
Leslie Mason Moran
Lecturer
Cheryl A Mozdian
Music Therapy Clinical Field Supervisor | Lecturer
Kerri Ellen Mulligan
Lecturer
Carolann Page
Lecturer
Michael F Parker
Lecturer
Sr. Joan IHM Paskert
Lecturer
Sarah A Radzieski
Music Therapy Clinical Field Supervisor | Lecturer
Ellen Lynn Rutkowski
Lecturer | Lecturer
Dr. Diogo SalmeronCarvalho
Assistant Professor
Edward Wargo
Lecturer
Cristina Sohns Williams
Non-Credit Professional | Lecturer
MTD Student Handbook
The information in this handbook is designed to familiarize you with university and department policies specific to the MTD degree programs.
Please save this handbook, as it will provide guidance throughout your studies at Marywood. Bring this handbook to all academic advising sessions.
General Guidelines for All Auditions
During the audition process, there will be opportunities to perform for our audition committee and meet members of our faculty. Additional arrangements may be made to meet with academic advisors and current Marywood music and theatre students.
Community Involvement
Marywood University has established positive, long-standing relationships with the larger area community. Concerts, recitals, guest artist masterclasses, lectures, workshops, and academic and athletic camp programs draw a number of community constituents to campus each year.
Each year, the music unit offers a wide variety of programs and community outreach for the larger community. Target populations include: young school-age children through senior adults, as well as individuals with various disabilities. Approximately 1100-1200 students participate in the music unit’s on-campus outreach programs each year. These programs enhance the cultural, social, and aesthetic life of the wider public community. They also provide intentional, direct curricular connections and co-curricular experiences for Marywood music students.
Large Ensembles
Orchestra - The Marywood Orchestra is one of the most highly-regarded collegiate orchestras in the Northeast Pennsylvania region. The ensemble welcomes music majors, non-majors, and community members. Recent repertoire has included the Dvořák's New World Symphony and Mozart’s The Magic Flute.
Wind Symphony - Marywood’s premiere band ensemble; it typically includes nearly 100 student, faculty, staff, and community instrumentalists. This group focuses on literature requiring large instrumental forces. In recent years, members of the Wind Symphony have embarked on concert tours to Italy and China.
Wind Ensemble - Marywood’s small band ensemble provides opportunities for woodwind, brass, and percussion players to perform challenging pieces best suited to smaller and flexible instrumental forces.
Concert Choir - A large ensemble that performs a wide range of repertoire, from a cappella motets to orchestral masterworks such as the Requiems of Mozart, Verdi, and Brahms. Concert Choir frequently performs with the Northeast Pennsylvania Philharmonic, as well as other orchestras. The choir also performs regularly in the Marywood University Rotunda.
Chamber Singers - A small select choir that performs ambitious repertoire ranging from the Early Renaissance to world premieres. Chamber Singers was featured at the National Convention of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in 2021 and 2022, and has twice been a national finalist for the American Prize in Choral Performance. This ensemble goes on a concert tour every spring.
Jazz Ambassadors - A jazz ensemble that welcomes student instrumentalists in any major. They perform a variety of jazz repertoire and have invited well-known jazz soloists for master classes and performances.
Tutti Ensemble - The Tutti Ensemble is a student-run program that teaches mentally or physically challenged young adults to play instruments and/or sing. Members of the Tutti Ensemble collaborate with Marywood’s music therapy and music education majors in the preparation of two annual concerts.
Chamber Ensembles
Woodwind Ensemble - Small instrumental winds ensemble; open to woodwind majors and non-majors.
Brass Ensemble - Small instrumental brass ensemble; open to brass majors and non-majors.
Percussion Ensemble - Small instrumental percussion ensemble; open to percussion majors and non-majors.
Chamber Music Ensembles - Small instrumental groups focusing on the performance of classical chamber music repertoire for strings, winds, and piano.
Instrumental Ensembles
Orchestra - Large orchestral ensemble; membership open to music majors, non-majors, and community volunteers. Permission of the Director is required for participation. All string music majors required to participate in orchestra.
Wind Symphony - Marywood’s premiere large instrumental band ensemble. Participation is required of all Marywood Music majors whose major performance medium (as determined by departmental acceptance audition) lies in the winds or percussion area. This group focuses on literature requiring large instrumental forces.
Wind Ensemble - Marywood’s premiere small instrumental ensemble. Participation is required of all Marywood music instrumental majors, but welcomes other Marywood students via audition. The Wind Ensemble consists of woodwind, brass, and percussion players who perform pieces of various instrumentation and styles best suited for smaller and flexible instrumental forces.
Jazz Ambassadors - Medium-size instrumental jazz ensemble; membership open to music majors and non-majors.
Tutti Ensemble - A student-run program that assists mentally or physically disabled clients to play music.
Small Music Ensembles
Woodwind Ensemble - Small instrumental winds ensemble; open to woodwind majors and non-majors.
Brass Ensemble - Small instrumental brass ensemble; open to brass majors and non-majors.
Percussion Ensemble - Small instrumental percussion ensemble; open to percussion majors and non-majors.
Chamber Music Ensembles - Small instrumental groups focusing on the performance of classical chamber music repertoire for strings, winds, and piano.
Guitar Ensemble - Open to classical guitar majors and non-majors.
Flute Ensemble - Open to flute majors and non-majors.
Marywood Guitar Ensemble - The Marywood Guitar Ensemble inspires audiences through its excellence in performing a very diverse repertoire, from Renaissance to Reggae. Ensemble members improvise, perform intricate guitar counterpoint, deliver surprising contemporary experimental pieces, and “groove" through rhythms such as waltz, rag, and bossa-nova.
Marywood Contemporary Music Ensemble - The Marywood Contemporary Music Ensemble is an undergraduate instrumental ensemble that performs and promotes works by twentieth-century composers, non-traditional offerings, world music repertoire, and Marywood students’ own original compositions.
Theatre Ensemble
For main-stage and student-directed productions; consists of all theatre degree students as well as non-majors who wish to be involved in public performance. There are three main-stage productions each year, including Children's Theatre.
Community-focused Ensembles:
Celebrations - Includes Junior and Senior Wind Band Celebrations (held annually for wind, brass, and percussion students in middle and high school) and String Celebration (held annually for string students in middle and high school; features a Senior Orchestra, Junior Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra)
String Project - An after-school, pre-collegiate string program for students ages 7-18. Participants take small-group lessons in violin, viola, cello, and double bass; participate in orchestra; and perform in concerts. String Project participants are divided into three levels; beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Students are assigned to a group based on experience.
Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble - The Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble operates under the auspices of the Conn-Selmer Division of Education, headed by Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser and is hosted by Marywood University. Through this unique relationship, high school age performers work directly with esteemed conductors, educators, composers, and guest performing artists, thus providing an opportunity to experience music in a unique, rewarding, instructive and constructive environment. The Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble membership, chosen through a process that currently involves director recommendations, is composed of wind and percussion performers from the public, private, parochial and home schools in the Northeastern Pennsylvania area and beyond. All members must be actively involved in their school music program and must be recommended by their music teacher.
Contact the Music, Theatre and Dance Department
Location: Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 570-348-6268
Email: dept.mtd@marywood.edu
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