B.A. Music

Major Minor

Attaining a degree in music opens up a world of possibilities. Not only is music enjoyable and mentally stimulating, it can be financially rewarding as well. The music industry is filled with careers that can combine your passions for music theory and performance, whether it’s teaching, performing or composing music.

Concordia University, Nebraska’s music department exists to prepare students to glorify God through the study, performance and teaching of music in the church and the world. We have award winning, published professors and offer the largest music program in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). When you graduate with your bachelor’s degree in music from Concordia Nebraska, you will be able to perform, create, analyze and understand music in its historical, cultural and religious context. 

Music Courses

120 credit hours
100% career outcome rate1
13:1 Student-to-faculty ratio
 

Make great music and lifelong friendships! 

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Program Highlights

Why Study music at Concordia?

Concordia Nebraska is an institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), an organization of schools, conservatories, colleges and universities whose degrees and credentials adhere to national standards, making our music program one of rigorous academics, excellent performance and high professional quality. 

  • About a third of Concordia students participate in music through lessons, ensembles and classes.  
  • Several ensembles tour nationally, and the A Cappella Choir takes an international tour every four years.  
  • Music majors from 20+ different states call Concordia home.  
  • Students may spend a semester in Cambridge, England’s leading center for choral and church music.  
  • There are 12 organs on campus by 11 different builders.  
  • Most pianos in the music department were manufactured by Steinway, and we are on the way to becoming an all-Steinway school.  
  • Concordia students won the biennial Richard Hillert Award in Student Composition in 2018, 2020 and 2022.  
  • Concordia students won the biennial Norma Aamodt-Nelson Student Scholar Award of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians in 2021 and 2023.  
  • A Concordia graduate was a 2023 winner of the Metropolitan Opera’s Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition.  

Learn more about music performance at Concordia 

 

MEET OUR EXPERT FACULTY 

As experts in music, our faculty and instructors bring years of experience to the classroom. 

Meet the faculty

Meet our students

Paige Stadler
Paige Stadler
Columbus, Nebraska

My favorite part about being a music major is all of the performance opportunities you get. It's not an easy path, but I'm so glad that music is where I have been called.

Accreditation

Concordia University, Nebraska is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 

The music program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. 

Degree Goals

A music program graduate from Concordia University, Nebraska will be able to:  

  • Demonstrate a level of technical and artistic proficiency that is on par for the national standards for success in graduate school. 
  • Demonstrate a far-reaching exposure to and knowledge of literature in their area of expertise, as well as knowledge of multiple pedagogical approaches in music. 
  • Be prepared to contribute to the music community and the profession through performances on a professional level and to promote appreciation of music. 
  • Understand the role of music in society and participate in cultural experiences which will enlarge musical understanding and appreciation. 

Music Minors

  • Church Music 
  • Music 

Career Outcomes

Choral 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 

Musician 

  • Perform for audiences as part of an ensemble or solo  
  • Market your music through social media or websites 

 

FAQs

Related Programs

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Church Music

A degree in church music from Concordia University, Nebraska prepares you to lead and direct music in both traditional and contemporary worship settings. The degree also leads to rostered status in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod as a director of parish music for individuals who are members of an LCMS congregation.

Discover the Church Music Program

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Music Education

A degree in music education from Concordia University, Nebraska prepares you to teach vocal and instrumental music to students K-12 in Lutheran, Christian, private or public schools. Some music teachers instruct students in a certain instrument, while others teach general music classes.

Discover the Music Education Program

1 Recent graduates attending graduate school or employed within six months of graduation.