Why Choose Nazareth for a B.A. in Music?

The Bachelor of Arts in Music at Nazareth University prepares you to be an accomplished musician and immerses you in the study of music from multiple perspectives with wide possibilities of professional work. You'll learn from professors who are highly accomplished artists and scholars. You'll find an intensive focus on private lessons, many performance opportunities, and a supportive environment that lets you perfect your talent from the first day of college to the last. Enrolling in the Bachelor of Arts will enable you to build your own educational pathway, for instance:

B.A. in Music (General)

B.A. in Music majors take a combination of core courses in music history, music theory, and musicianship and enroll in applied lessons and ensembles (choirs, orchestra, band, jazz & rock ensembles, opera workshop). At the same time, they receive a thorough grounding in the liberal arts and have the opportunity to explore additional areas of interest (in or outside music).

B.A. in Music + minors

Study music as described above, but also minor in areas appropriate to your career goals, such as jazz, music history or music theory, composition, contemporary commercial music (CCM), entertainment and recording industry, or numerous areas outside music.

B.A. in Music + another major

The flexibility of the B.A. program enables you to expand your career options beyond music by adding a second major in the liberal arts (English, philosophy, religious studies, mathematics, psychology, communication and media, etc.). B.A. students develop writing, research, and critical thinking skills that easily transfer to non-music careers.

Program Highlights

  • Combine your interest in the art of music with complementary liberal arts disciplines and be equipped to pursue employment in a variety of nontraditional and emerging vocational fields.
  • Perform in our new, 550-seat Glazer Music Performance Center. The state-of-the-art space is designed to provide excellent acoustics for large instrumental and vocal ensembles as well as solo and chamber music, to integrate multimedia collaborations, and to enable live recording.
  • Explore many opportunities for off campus performances, such as playing in local and regional orchestras and churches, performing at the Lyric Theater, touring internationally, and participating in community theater.
  • Interested in teaching? This major often attracts students who are considering college teaching careers in music history or music theory.
  • Participate in undergraduate research projects supervised by faculty and present your work at CARS (Creative Activity and Research Showcase) or at a student conference.
  • Top off your education at Nazareth by performing a traditional senior recital or designing your own capstone such as a lecture, a lecture-recital, or a research project (MUX 491).
  • Explore numerous study abroad programs including a summer music history course in Austria or a choral tour in Poland.
  • Nashville option: You can choose to take courses in music business, recording technology, and the entertainment industry for one fall, spring, or summer semester at the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. Complete a 30-hour-per-week internship in music business while there. This is part of Nazareth's New American Colleges and Universities (NACU) partnership.

How to Audition

Auditions are required for this major. View audition details and register.

Corinne Shaffer, alum of the music degree program, music major at Nazareth College of Rocheser, NY

Alumni Spotlight

Corinne Shaffer Hopkins '12

"To me, the strength of the B.A. program is in its versatility. I was able to build an experience that fit in everything I wanted to do. Playing in the orchestra and taking lessons were very important to me, but so was taking some business classes and doing a semester abroad. That being said, there was plenty of structure built into the program too. There are classes you have to take that you might not have chosen for yourself that end up being super valuable as well."

Shaffer Hopkins says her experiences as a music major gave her the skills to think critically, meet deadlines, communicate well, and learn well. She specializes in repairing and restoring stringed instruments and was accepted to a three-year program in traditional stringed instrument craftsmanship at the Chicago School of Violin Making. Her story.

Example Careers

  • Performing artist
  • Composer
  • College professor (music history/music theory)
  • Arts administrator
  • Music director
  • Church musician
  • Jazz musician
  • Private studio teacher
  • Librarian
  • Music producer
  • Events coordinator
  • Online entrepreneur
  • Careers in advertising and management

Internships/Field Experiences

  • Sibley Music Library
  • Leo Kestenberg Musikschule, Berlin, Germany
  • Glimmerglass Opera Company
  • Staatliches Institut fur Musikforschung, Berlin, Germany

Graduate Schools/Employers

  • Eastman School of Music
  • University of Maryland
  • Temple University
  • University of Pittsburgh