If music is your life, you will find a home at Shepherd’s School of Music. Our accredited Bachelor of Arts in Music program offers a diverse range of musical and educational experiences that will prepare you for a successful career or graduate education. You will grow your network in small classes, where you will receive individualized attention from faculty and guest artists. With a variety of ensembles from choral to instrumental for you to join, you will enrich your talents while receiving an invaluable educational experience.
Acceptance into the Shepherd University School of Music is a dual application process. Students planning to major in any of Shepherd University’s Music Degree Programs must apply, be accepted into the University, and audition for acceptance into the music program.
Program Requirements
In addition to the Core Curriculum and the B.A. Foreign Language Requirement, 43 credit hours of music core classes are required. 16-21 hours of elective courses and 10-15 hours of courses dedicated to concentration are also required. View the full course catalog here.
Below are some courses you can expect to take in this program:
- MUSC 100 – First Year Seminar for Music Majors
- MUSC 103 – Music Theory I
- MUSC 104 – Aural Skills I
- MUSC 140 – Intermediate Keyboard Skills
- MUSC 309 – Entrepreneurship in Music
- MUSC 310 – Music History I: Antiquity to Early Classical
Program Concentrations
- General Music
- Composition
- Performance
Points of Pride
Music graduates have starred on Broadway and world tours, become recording artists, and have joined nationally known ensembles including the United States Navy Band and The Sea Chanters.
Great Value Colleges ranked the Shepherd University School of Music in the Top-100 Best Value Colleges for Music Majors.
Many Shepherd music graduates have gone on to prestigious graduate schools of music that include Peabody, Northwestern, Ithaca, Eastman, Arizona State, and Manhattan School of Music.
Get Involved
Student Organizations
Join one of the music student organizations including Sigma Alpha Iota, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, or others. These organizations give back to the music community in addition to expanding a music student’s future professional network.
Ram Band
Open to all students, the Ram Band Marching Band performs for half-time at football games, in the Founder’s Day and Homecoming parades, and in events in the community.
Instrumental and Voice Ensembles
Shepherd University is home to a vast array of musical ensembles for you to join: Chamber Singers, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Masterworks Chorale, Camerata Soprano/Alto Choice, Percussion Ensemble, and more.