Program options

Overview of music major degrees 

Concordia offers the following majors in music:

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) – music major with emphasis in

  • church music
  • conducting
  • general music
  • performance
  • theory and composition

Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) in church music

Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) in music education

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in education with an endorsement in:

  • K – 8 instrumental music
  • K – 8 vocal music
  • 7 – 12 instrumental music
  • 7 – 12 vocal music

In the B.S. programs, the K – 8 endorsements are done together with an endorsement for general classroom teaching, and the 7 – 12 endorsements are done together with another subject endorsement outside music.

Music minors are also available to all students. (Minors are not available in an area similar to a student's major):

  • Minor in Contemporary Church Music 
  • Minor in Music 
  • Worship Arts 

Preparation for becoming a music major

For those who plan to be a music major at Concordia, we offer the following suggestions:

  1. Listen to as much good music as possible in various styles.  Get the music into your brain so it becomes a part of you.
  2. Learn or review the basics of music theory.  Good websites for this include www.emusictheory.com, www.musictheory.net, and www.teoria.com.  Especially learn to recognize notes on treble and bass clefs without having to stop and think about it.  These websites have useful exercises for this.  Then go on and learn more advanced topics.  We will cover these things in first-year theory, but the more you know when you arrive, the further ahead you will be.
  3. Begin studying piano to develop functional keyboard skills.  All music majors, by the time they graduate from Concordia, must be able to play simple music on the piano, both prepared and at sight.
  4. Study privately on your major instrument with a professional teacher.  Learn, at minimum, all major scales and several pieces from the standard solo repertoire.

B.A. in Music (58 hours)

Mu 102, 103, 104, 105, 202, 203, 204, 205, 211, 212, 213, 320, 493 (2 hours)

Principal Instrument: 8 hours

Keyboard Proficiency: pass keyboard proficiency exam

Electives in music: 6 hours

Ensembles: 4 hours (may audit). Auditing ensembles reduces the number of hours in the program, allowing more room for electives.

Area of emphasis: select 6 hours from one of the following areas:

Recital attendance required; see Music Student Handbook

All students who wish to major in music make formal application for admittance in the major during their first year at Concordia.  See the Music Student Handbook for admission and retention procedures.

B.A. in Arts Administration

Music is one of the five available tracks for gaining a B.A. in Arts Administration. See the most recent course catalog for more information. 

BACHELOR OF MUSIC PROGRAM

This section covers programs leading to the Bachelor of Music degree. For Bachelor of Arts in music programs see section on Bachelor of Arts–Music Major. For music programs leading to a teaching certificate, see below and also see section on Bachelor of Science in Education programs.

The requirements for each Bachelor of Music program include the general education requirements and the following. All Bachelor of Music programs require a 2.0 average in the courses listed below, under the student’s particular program. For specific questions refer to the music department handbook or speak with the department chair.

All students who wish to receive a Bachelor of Music degree make formal application for admittance into that program during their first year at Concordia. See the Music Student Handbook for admission and retention procedures. 

The Director of Parish Music certificate is available to selected Church Music students. See the Music Department for details.

CHURCH MUSIC

1. General Education (45 hours*)
*3 hours of the fine arts requirement may be waived. See the Music Student Handbook for details.
2. Major Area (24 hours)
A. Piano or Organ Proficiency (satisfy level of MuAp 271 or MuAp 281) 
B.  Recital attendance (see the Music Student Handbook)
C.  Principal instrument (14)
D.  Mu 493 Senior Project (2)
E.  Ensembles (required in each of 8 semesters; must have at least (1) of each of choral ensemble, praise band and handbells; may audit**) (8)
**Auditing ensembles reduces the number of hours in the program, allowing more room for electives.
See the Music Student Handbook regarding the small ensemble requirement.
3. Supportive Courses (57-62 hours)
  • Mu 102 Aural Skills I (2)
  • Mu 103 Music Theory I (3)
  • Mu 104 Aural Skills II (2)
  • Mu 105 Music Theory II (3)
  • Mu 202 Aural Skills III (2)
  • Mu 203 Music Theory III (3)
  • Mu 204 Aural Skills IV (2)
  • Mu 205 Music Theory IV (3)
  • Mu 211 Music History I (3)
  • Mu 212 Music History II (3)
  • Mu 213 World Music (3)
  • Mu 303 Arranging (2)
  • Mu 331 Basic Conducting (2)
  • Mu 333 Choral Conducting (2)
  • Mu 334 Choral Literature (2)
  • ChMu 231 Contemporary Church Music Administration (1)
  • ChMu 275 Hymn Adaptations (2)
  • ChMu 282 Media in Contemporary Worship (2)
  • ChMu 313 Christian Hymnody (2)
  • ChMu 411 Chrisitan Liturgy (2)
  • ChMu 431 Liturgical Church Music Administration (2)
  • ScMu 328 Methods of Elementary Music (3)
  • Theo 361 Christian Doctrine I
  • Theo 362 Christian Doctrine II

Organ Principal Only

MUSIC EDUCATION

K–12 Vocal and Instrumental

1. General Education (45 hours*)

*3 hours of the fine arts requirement may be waived. See the Music Student Handbook for details.

2. Performance (38-43 hours**)

A.  Keyboard proficiency (pass keyboard proficiency exam) (0-4)

B.  Voice proficiency: satisfy level of MuAp 151 (0-1)

C. Recital attendance (see the Music Student Handbook)

D. Principal instrument (10)

E.  Mu 493 Senior Project (1)

F.  Secondary areas

G. Ensembles (may audit)** — Select either (a) or (b):

a. Symphonic Band or Concert Band (7)
    Choral ensembles (6)

b. Choral ensembles (7)
    Symphonic Band or Concert Band (6)

See the Music Student Handbook regarding the small ensemble requirement.

**Ensembles may be audited. This has the effect of reducing the number of required hours by 13.

3. Supportive Courses (47 hours)

4. Education Courses

See the requirements for Secondary Education program and, if relevant, the requirements for the Lutheran Teacher Diploma.

The Director of Parish Music Certificate

This certificate is granted to all students completing the academic and other requirements of the program and a Bachelor of Music degree with a major in Church Music. Certification entitles the graduate to receive a call as a Director of Parish Music and be rostered as a minister of religion in The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

Minors

Minors are available to all students.  Minors are not available in an area similar to a student's major.

Minor in Contemporary Church Music (22 hours)

  • ChMu 275 Hymn Adaptations (2)
  • ChMu 282 Media in Contemporary Worship (2)
  • ChMu 431 Liturgical Church Music Administration (2)
  • Mu 103 Music Theory I (3)
  • Mu 105 Music Theory II (3)
  • Mu 331 Basic Conducting (2)
  • MuAp x61 Guitar (161 or 261, depending on ability) (2)
  • MuAp x71 Piano (171 or 271, depending on ability) (2)
  • Mu 252 Applied Music Study (1)
  • Additional Ensemble (except Praise Band) (2)

Minor in Music (20-24 hours)

Electives: three hours (with department approval)
Applied music: four hours (in one area)
Ensembles: four hours (ensembles may be for credit or audit)

Worship Arts (12 hours)

  • Theo 382 Theology of Corporate Worship (3)
  • Mu 252 Applied Music Study (1)
  • ChMu 174 Songwriting for Contemporary Worship (2)
  • ChMu 282 Media in Contemporary Worship (2)
  • MuAp x61 Guitar (161 or 261, depending on ability) (2)
  • MuAp x71 Piano (171 or 271, depending on ability) (2)
See also: The Music Department Handbook is also an important guide for music students.

The course catalog may also be helpful for learning about other programs in which you are interested.