What is the Bachelor of Arts in Music?
The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree program provides a core education in the study and performance of music. It provides an excellent way to combine studies in music with another major or minor. Extensive extra study in your particular performance area during this degree program has prepared many students for a variety of musical fields as well as successful graduate-level work. This is our most flexible degree program.
What do students enrolled in the Music program do?
As a music major, you will apply principles of the Christian faith in different musical and life settings. You do this through dedication to excellence in the study of music theory (scales, chords, chord progressions, musical forms, etc.), music history, conducting, keyboard proficiency, ensemble participation, as well as diligent practice in your applied instrument (voice, piano, organ, and wind, percussion or string instruments). You will have the opportunity to apply musical concepts using a specialized computer lab. Additionally, you will develop performance techniques and poise and receive personalized instruction from music professors for vocal and instrumental performance. The musical field is a highly competitive world. To compete in that world, the SWU music major is expected to be driven to reach the highest levels of competence. At SWU, we have highly skilled professors who take a personal interest in guiding and inspiring each music major to achieve the plan God has for his or her musical, spiritual, and intellectual life.
Is this major right for you?
You might consider a music major if you are a person who has experienced the power of music as a life-changing force. Because the music major is an extremely involved process, you must be convinced that your life would be empty without the opportunity to discover everything you can about the inner workings of musical style, performance practices, and how a truly great musician does what he or she does. Those in the field of music end up being religious and societal leaders because of their understanding of how God can use the power of music to positively affect the lives of people. If you are driven to succeed, have a passion for creative expression, and have a fundamental understanding of music including a basic ability to read musical notes, you may be ready to be a music major.
About our students
In our music program, students have had many opportunities such as playing in professional orchestras and bands, leading large and small church music programs, building large pipe and electronic organs, successful music composing, careers on professional stages, and successfully completing earned doctorates and other graduate degrees. Choir and band students have participated in the South Carolina honor ensembles. They have been involved in conducting master classes sponsored by the South Carolina American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).
About our graduates
When you graduate from Southern Wesleyan University with a BA in Music, you can join alumni and graduates at prestigious graduate schools and programs all across the nation, including:
- University of South Carolina
- University of Georgia
- Geneva College in Pennsylvania
- Indiana Wesleyan University
- Converse College
- Florida State University
- Southern Baptist Seminary
- Radford University
- Lee University
After completing the Bachelor of Arts in Music, you will be prepared for a career as a:
- Private music teacher
- Music teacher in a private comprehensive school
- Church musician
- Music-related businesses as coupled with your second major or minor
Our graduates have landed jobs at:
- Cornel Zimmer Organ Builders
- Clemson University
- United States Coast Guard Band
- United States Army Band
- Myers Park Baptist Church
- Southside Christian School
- Oconee Christian Academy