Mission Statement:  The Department of Music of Gainesville State College functions as the component of a comprehensive liberal arts institution that provides freshman and sophomore level education in the musical arts. Recognizing the central role of arts education in human development, this department stimulates creative vitality while providing a nurturing environment for musical, academic, and personal growth. Through course offerings and performance opportunities, the Department of Music prepares students for careers as professional musicians and music educators who will expand the horizons of the profession and have a positive impact on schools, communities, and their artistic discipline; provides experiences for those who wish to continue their musical activities as an avocation; and cultivates an awareness of the educational, cultural, and aesthetic aspects of music as a means of human expression.