Music


Major, Minor

Westminster College of Arts and Sciences

4-Year Degree

three females sitting on steps of Converse playing string instruments

The Music Program at Westminster University

Unleash your passion for music through engaging classes and performing opportunities in vocal, solo, and chamber music. The Music program’s dynamic faculty have years of experience on stage and in the recording studio, and will work closely with you to provide dedicated, individual mentoring tailored to your performance and academic needs. Music students graduate with the skills and experience to compete at the highest levels with professional musicians and graduate students around the country.

Whether you want to sing opera, play jazz piano, perform on Broadway, or join an indie rock band, the Music program empowers you to pursue your dreams by connecting you with valuable opportunities. The Music program offers a bachelor of arts degree in music that allows you to choose an emphasis in Music Studies, Vocal Performance, or Piano Performance, with the possibility of double or customizable majors. An audition is required to become a music major and you must audition on the instrument you plan to major in. Explore opportunities on campus for private lessons and performing as well as information on Westminster summer camps available to high school students and the community partnerships the program has formed.

Who the Music Program Is For

Students in the Music program are curious, hardworking, talented, and eager to learn. The program is designed to help you hone your natural abilities, improve your musicianship, and gain a rich, diverse resume of performance experience. Rigorous coursework and robust performing opportunities transform you into an accomplished musician and prepare you to pursue graduate work in music or a music-related career after graduation.

What Are the Key Benefits of the Music Program?

  • There are many performance opportunities in solo, opera, chamber music, and local professional ensembles.
  • You'll receive extensive mentoring with faculty, masterclasses with guest artists, summer programs, and international touring and study-abroad opportunities.
  • You don't have to compete with graduate students for performing roles.

Sample music courses

  • MUSC-104: Fundamentals of Music Theory 
  • MUSC-191: Private Lessons

  • MUSC-207: World Music, World Perspectives
  • MUSC-301: Choral Conducting

 

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Our Faculty

Kimi Kawashima, DMA 
Director of Music

Aubrey Adams-McMillan
Private Music Instructor

Brandon Derfler, PhD
Associate Professor

Devin Maxwell, PhD
Music Technology and Composition Director

 

upcoming music performances

Attend an upcoming music ensemble performance and see how students put the skills they hone in the classroom to work on the stage.

 

Learn about music ensembles Westminster Concert Series

"To be a musician or an artist doesn't mean that you just like doing it and it feels like a hobby. There's no other thing in my life—in life itself—that I would rather be doing for the rest of my life."

Read The Story

Sally Louise Drutman
'17

Music Program Plan of Study

You’ll start by taking introductory coursework and private lessons for your primary instrument. As you move through the program, you’ll take classes on music theory, history, and aural skills, while performing in ensembles from Community Choir, Chamber Singers, Chamber Orchestra, and Jazz Ensemble to Percussion Ensemble, Chamber Players, and Opera Studio. To complete your degree, you’ll also take foreign language classes.

Area of Emphasis

The Music program offers Music Studies, Vocal Performance, and Piano Performance emphases.

liberal education courses

You must complete the WCore program or join the Honors College (and complete requirements) to fulfill your liberal education credits.

 

 

The program can also be taken as a minor, which is a great supplement to other degrees. There are also performance opportunities and private lessons available for anyone on campus that is interested in music, regardless of their area of study.

 

Music Career Opportunities

Our program prepares you to pursue any number of music-related careers. Among musicians with the talent and training for careers in performance, those with degrees in music are often at an advantage. Many of our students have gone on to have successful careers as performers, educators, and songwriters. Others have chosen careers behind the scenes as producers, managers, and agents.

student success

Graduates have won scholarships for graduate study at the nation’s top conservatories, been accepted to ivy-league medical schools, attended law school, earned master’s degrees, and started successful companies. The program has also had 100 singers from Westminster perform in Carnegie Hall and boasts a Metropolitan Opera first place winner.

Tuition and Aid

There's No Better Investment Than You

Westminster University knows you want an education where you matter—a place that will serve as a launchpad for a successful career and a meaningful life. Westminster will work with you individually through every step of the financial aid process. From scholarships to grants and loans, Westminster helps you make it happen.

With the highest percentage of students who complete one or more internships in the state, Westminster students hit the ground running with real-world experience. Plus, 90% of students were either employed or attending graduate school within 5 months of graduating. With a Westminster degree, you don't have to choose between a successful career and a fulfilling life.

Learn About Tuition

You’ll be automatically considered for scholarship and grant opportunities.

In addition to general merit scholarships, other scholarship programs are available to support you throughout your time at Westminster.

Check Out Scholarships

Your tuition, fully paid

All students should have the ability to explore their passions. Westminster University is proud to cover the cost of tuition for qualifying students through the Westminster Commitment.

Learn About the Westminster Commitment

Music Scholarships

The music department offers scholarship support to all music majors thanks to the Florence J. Gillmor Foundation and the Gore Endowment for Music. These talent awards are combined with other financial aid packages and scholarships to make quality education affordable for each of Westminster's talented musicians. Scholarship awards are decided based on your audition for entrance to the music department.

Learn more about Music scholarship