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Music with Elective Studies Major

Customize a music degree with elective courses that meet your interests and goals

This unique degree program blends the essential music core courses, a foundational study of the music industry, an internship within the music industry, and elective courses that you choose based on your interests, creating a flexible degree which opens many career opportunities.

Your degree program allows you to choose elective courses outside of the area of music. These courses must comprise any academic minor, as outlined in the SBU Catalog.

The Music with Elective Studies in an Outside Field degree is offered through SBU's College of Arts and Sciences.

Resources

Major Map (PDF)

Degree Plan

The SBU Advantage

SBU's music programs are an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
Many students attend the Contemporary Music Center in Nashville, Tenn., to complete a semester-long internship in various aspects of the music industry.
Nearly 100% of SBU music graduates find positions within their field upon graduation or continue their education at graduate school.
Many of SBU's performance ensembles tour regionally, nationally and even internationally.

Faith Integration

Faculty in SBU's department of music are all professing Christians while also highly acclaimed musicians in their own rights. Courses are intentionally taught through a Christian perspective and the personal faith of the faculty is naturally integrated in how they teach and interact with students.

Faculty in other divisions across SBU also are committed to the integration of faith and discipline. So whichever elective courses you choose to add to your degree program, you can be sure that Christian faith will play an important role in the classroom.

Clubs and Organizations

Pi Kappa Lambda

Join SBU's Zeta Zeta chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda, a national music honor society. It is the only music organization recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. Each year, a select few of the top junior and senior music majors are voted upon by music faculty to join this distinguished national organization.

Student Advisory Council

Student presidents of Chorale, Concert Choir, Wind Symphony, University Band, Chamber Orchestra, Church Music Conference, and National Association for Music Education, along with a representative of keyboard students and one at-large member comprise the Student Advisory Council. This group serves the department of music by assisting in planning social events, identifying problem areas, and setting goals for the future. By serving on this council, you will help represent other music students to faculty and administration, and grow in leadership opportunities.

Performing Groups

wind symphony performing on stage

More than 15 music performance ensembles provide you many opportunities for developing your music performance skills. Ensemble options include various vocal ensembles, bands, orchestra and more.

Audition for one or more of these groups as you put your learning into action!

Learn about music ensembles

Church Music Conference

Join SBU's student chapter of the national Baptist Church Music conference. Membership is open to all students with an interest in worship leadership regardless of major. By joining this organization you will have the opportunity to attend the annual conference each spring and benefit from fellowship and informational meetings each semester.

Collegiate National Association for Music Education

SBU's collegiate chapter of NafME introduces music education students to the world of professional music educators. In addition to regular on-campus meetings, you also will have the opportunity to attend the Missouri Music Educators Association in-service conference each January.

Full-Time Faculty

Dr. Alex Favazza, Division Head

Dr. Terri Wehmeyer, Professor

Dr. Sarah Howes, Assistant Professor

John Wilson, Assistant Professor

Dr. Melinda Jones, Professor

Faculty Associates

Marc Baker, Percussion

Hannah Fong, Elementary Music Education

Carol Harrison, Violin/Viola

Charlton Miller, HigherGround

Renee Waters, Intro to Music/Theory/Orchestration

Esther Clifton, Cello

Crystal Grosvenor, Intro to Music

Eric Jackson, French Horn

John Trew, Guitar

Tim Wootton, Trumpet

Michelle Draper, Flute

Dawn Gutierrez, Voice

Andy Johnston, Chamber Orchestra

Jeff Waters, Clarinet/Saxophone/Woodwind Ensemble

Scholarships

The majority of SBU music students are selected to receive financial assistance through a music performance scholarship in one or more areas (keyboard, vocal and instrumental). Awards are renewable annually. Requirements for receiving scholarships are listed with each scholarship:

Choral and Instrumental Scholarships — Participate in an assigned role in SBU ensembles
Keyboard Scholarships — Perform assigned accompanying duties for soloists and/or ensembles in the department

All scholarship recipients must maintain a 2.5 minimum grade point average in all college coursework.

Music Scholarship Application (PDF)

Repertoire Guidelines (PDF)

Bachelor of Music 4-Year Plans

Sample four-year plans vary according to your chosen primary applied area of study: Voice, Keyboard or Instrumental (Non-Keyboard). Course order may vary depending on which semester you enter and when certain courses are offered. See advisor for details. The plans are available for download here:

Bachelor of Music: Instrumental Plan (PDF)

Bachelor of Music: Keyboard Plan (PDF)

Bachelor of Music: Voice Plan (PDF)