Music Performance
Making music shapes the mind and spirit.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Music shapes the mind and spirit in unique ways. Students at Kansas Wesleyan University are encouraged to take part in all facets of the music program, with the opportunity to perform in KWU vocal and instrumental ensembles. They may participate in large scale musicals, operas and concerts through partnerships with theatre companies and a regional symphony.
Additionally, students are able to tailor their course of study to match their specific interest or goals, such as instrumental conducting, composition or operatic solo singing. Private voice and instrument lessons are also offered to our students.
With these unique small-school advantages, KWU graduates enter the community as well-rounded citizens and musicians, possessing the skills needed to be successful in their careers.
This program is offered:
On Campus
Why Major in Music Performance?
A Music Performance major allows students to refine their artistic talents while developing advanced performance skills and musical understanding. Students receive individualized instruction and opportunities to perform in a variety of settings.
Graduates pursue careers as performers, private instructors, church musicians, arts administrators, and other music-related professions. The discipline and creativity developed through performance are valuable in many career paths.
What can I do with this degree? Perform, teach and more!
Performing and teaching are the two most common careers in music. The first path is finding a job in an orchestra or professional ensemble—or in a cast, for Music Theatre majors. The second path is teaching, either in a high school or university, the latter of which actually requires an additional degrees on top of a Bachelor’s in most instances. An excellent combination is playing and teaching simultaneously. A music degree can also lead you to graduate work for a master’s degree in music therapy.
Musicians typically combine multiple jobs with multiple income streams to support themselves and their families, and to experience fulfilling careers. Performance and non-performance work do not have to be mutually exclusive; many fields allow musicians to do both. Some careers require graduate education—such as college-level teaching and conducting—or additional training beyond what you’ll find in an undergraduate program.
A degree in Music can point you toward a variety of opportunities, such as accompanist, adjudicator, arranger, artist management, arts administrator, band director, clinician, choral director, composer, conductor, copyist, educator, historian, librarian, lyricist, music agent, reviewer, musicologist, orchestrator, performer, piano tuner, private instructor, radio producer, sacred music minister and vocal coach.
