Explore Careers
- Professional musician
- Solo performer
- Ensemble musician
- Private music instructor
- Church musician
- Accompanist
- Music director
- Arts organization professional
- Music administrator
- Composer or arranger
- Graduate study in music

Music
The Music Performance major prepares students for advanced musical performance through rigorous study in applied music, theory, history, collaboration, and ensemble performance. Students may pursue a BS in Music with an emphasis in Music Performance.

Students develop advanced performance abilities on their primary instrument or voice through sustained applied study and regular performance opportunities. Recitals provide opportunities to demonstrate growth, preparation, musical interpretation, and professional presentation.
Students build a comprehensive understanding of music through theory, ear training, composition, music history, and study of both Western and non-Western musical traditions. This foundation allows students to approach performance with greater historical, theoretical, and cultural understanding.
Students develop professional skills through collaboration, concert management, musical leadership, ensembles, research, and synthesis. These experiences prepare students to communicate effectively and contribute meaningfully to professional and academic music environments.
The Music Performance major combines intensive performance study with a broad liberal arts education. Students complete applied study across eight semesters, participate in ensembles, attend recitals, and complete coursework spanning theory, history, composition, collaboration, and musical leadership.
Students pursuing the performance emphasis complete an additional full recital, providing an opportunity to demonstrate their musical development at an advanced level. The program is designed for students who want performance to be a central part of their undergraduate experience.
Music Performance graduates can pursue careers as professional musicians, private instructors, ensemble members, church musicians, arts professionals and music leaders. The degree also provides preparation for graduate study in performance, conducting, music education, composition, musicology and related fields.
Performance is at the center of the major. Students participate in ensembles, complete applied study throughout their undergraduate careers, attend recitals and present a half recital. Students pursuing the Music Performance emphasis also complete a full recital.
The major can prepare students for graduate programs in music performance, conducting, musicology, composition, music education and other specialized areas. Students interested in graduate study can use their undergraduate performance, research and synthesis experiences to build a strong portfolio for advanced study.