B.Mus. Church Music
A church music degree from Concordia University, Nebraska qualifies you to direct a comprehensive music program in a church. You will learn to lead the church’s song with organ, piano, choirs and instrumentalists and to teach it to adults and children. You may optionally combine it with a music education or vocal music education degree (this requires an extra semester or year, including student teaching). Upon graduation, members of congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod who take the necessary theology courses may be certified as directors of parish music.
When you major in church music at Concordia, you will:
- Learn to use music to teach the Christian faith to adults and children.
- Come to understand how our church services developed and what this means theologically.
- Compose and arrange music for use in church.
- Gain skills in accompanying the congregation on organ and piano and directing choral and instrumental ensembles.
- Do real church work through the 100-hour church music practicum, the 45-hour service project in church music and daily on-campus chapel services.
Use your musical abilities to glorify God!
Program Highlights
Why Study Church Music At Concordia?
- Experienced faculty. Every full-time music faculty member has been a working church musician. Eighty percent are published composers of church music.
- Skilled teachers. Every full-time music professor has received at least one teaching award.
- Excellent facilities. There are 12 organs on campus by 11 different builders, and most pianos in the Music Department were manufactured by Steinway.
- Accomplished students. Concordia students won the biennial Richard Hillert Award in Student Composition in 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024 and the biennial Norma Aamodt-Nelson Student Scholar Award of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians in 2021, 2023 and 2025.
- Nurturing environment. Our professors don’t just teach students; they mentor them. Our church music students encourage and support one another and often hang out together.
Learn more about Concordia Nebraska's music program
MEET OUR EXPERT FACULTY
As experts in church music, our faculty and instructors bring years of experience to the classroom.
Meet our students
“Being a part of the church music program here at Concordia is a blessing. The professors here are very knowledgeable and, critically, are able to effectively tie these skills into the vocation of the ministry of church music. The environment fosters a rich faith life and truly allows for a deep understanding of the Scriptures and God's divine gift of music. ”
Deagan Jones
Bunker Hill, Ill.
Accreditation
Concordia University, Nebraska is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Concordia University, Nebraska is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
Degree Goals
A church music graduate from Concordia University, Nebraska will be able to:
- Direct a music program in a church.
- Write and arrange music for use in church.
- Accompany singing on organ and piano.
- Teach the Christian faith through music.
Music Minors
- Church Music
- Music
Career Outcomes
Choir Director
- Manage a choir, ensemble or glee club in a school, church or other musical organization
- Compose music and lead practices performances of vocal and/or instrumental music
Composer
- Write and direct original music
- Create new instrumental and/or vocal compositions
Recording Artist
- Record worship or Christian songs, either of your own creation or those others have written
- Perform in live shows
FAQs
Can I really get a full-time position as a church musician?
Yes, at least in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Most years, there are more positions available than there are candidates, and we can’t supply church musicians fast enough. Some churches that would like full-time musicians don’t even bother looking because they have heard that so few are available.
What music performance opportunities are available at Concordia University, Nebraska?
Students at Concordia can perform in ensembles, regardless of major. It is possible to join both the top instrumental ensemble and the top vocal ensemble because they rehearse at different times of day and tour at different times of the year. Several of our ensembles tour regionally, nationally and internationally.
Concordia's main performance venue for music is the Borland Center for Music and Theatre's Recital Hall, a beautiful space that contains a Casavant pipe organ and a 9-ft. Steinway grand piano.
What music facilities does Concordia have to offer for church music majors?
The innovative Borland Center for Music and Theatre at Concordia University, Nebraska is home to enhanced practice rooms, performance spaces and acoustics to inspire your creativity, refine your musical abilities and prepare you to create music that can transform lives. The Borland Center features:
- A recital hall containing a 3-manual, 38-rank Casavant organ and a Steinway Model D 9-foot concert grand piano
- 3 ensemble rehearsal rooms
- 11 teaching studios
- 22 practice rooms
- A percussion studio
- A piano lab
- A black box theater
- A soundproof recording studio
Organ students also have access to the 3-manual, 47-rank organ by Orgelbau Kuhn of Männedorf (Switzerland) in Weller Chapel and to the 3-manual, 50-rank Schlicker organ at St. John Lutheran Church, across the street from Concordia.
What scholarships are available for music majors?
Each year, in addition to other financial aid such as academic scholarships, grants and loans, Concordia University, Nebraska awards talent-based scholarships in voice, piano, organ, brass, woodwinds, percussion, strings and guitar.
A limited number of full-tuition scholarships are awarded every year to students intending to major in music and who demonstrate outstanding musical skill and potential.There are also scholarships, in variable amounts, awarded every year to music majors and to other students who intend to participate in music. These scholarships are available to music majors as well as non-music majors.
Learn more about the music scholarships available.
Can I live on a full-time church musician’s salary?
That depends on your lifestyle, of course, but full-time church musicians tend to earn about the same as schoolteachers, sometimes a bit more.
Are church musicians clergy?
Church musicians with a divine call in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod are considered clergy and are entitled to clergy benefits, including a housing allowance.
What kind of student majors in church music?
Students in church music tend to love making music, and they like going to church. Most have a keyboard background, either piano or organ. They enjoy working with people, both adults and children. They usually have a serious interest in theology and what it means for one’s daily life.
What is the difference between the B.Mus. in church music and the B.A. in music with a church music concentration?
The B.Mus. is a professional music degree and requires more courses in music (including church music) than the B.A. The B.Mus. leads to certification as a director of parish music in the LCMS; the B.A. does not. The B.A. is often selected by students pursuing a second major outside music or who plan to attend seminary to become a pastor or deaconess (though some of these do choose the B.Mus.).
I can’t decide between church music and music education. What should I do?
The first-year courses for church music and music education are nearly identical, so there is no problem waiting until you have been at Concordia for a semester or even a year before you decide on your program. You can also do a double major in both, although that will take an extra semester or year.
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Music
As a music major at Concordia University, Nebraska, you will participate in ensembles, either choral or instrumental or both, as part of the requirements for your major. Since ensemble participation doesn’t necessarily factor into your official course load, you may find that you have more opportunities within your schedule to take additional electives that interest you to help round out your career options.
Music Education
A degree in music education from Concordia University, Nebraska prepares you to teach vocal and instrumental music to students in Lutheran, Christian, private or public schools. This degree leads to a teaching endorsement (PK–12) in the state of Nebraska.
Christian Education Leadership
The Christian education leadership major from Concordia University, Nebraska can help you serve Christ’s church through education as a Director of Christian Education (DCE), youth or camp ministry leader, Christian teacher or as a national or international missionary by equipping you to bring Christian values and leadership to God’s people in a church or school.
1 Recent graduates attending graduate school or employed within six months of graduation.
2Average Class Size for Representative Subject Most Aligned with Major, Over Last 5 Years.