The Earlham Department of Music models the belief that all musics are worthy of study. This is reflected not only in the impressive range of our ensembles, it is also woven into the entire music curriculum.
Around our core curriculum are many options that allow students to individualize their study of music within the department. Whereas the music studies program provides you with a solid liberal arts grounding in music, the music major—with its various tracks—gives more focused preparation for graduate schools or other pursuits.
The Music Department offers the following majors:
- Music Studies major: for students looking for foundational training in music (often done in combination with another major).
- Music major: for students expecting to go on to advanced study in the field of music. These include the following tracks:
- Composition (must be declared by the sophomore year)
- Computer music
- Conducting
- Ethnomusicology
- Music Performance (must be declared by the sophomore year)
The Music major may also be combined with a Master of Teaching in a 3+1 program for students interested in music education.
Program Details
Our music program is strong in many areas of performance and classroom study. Performing ensembles feature Percussion, Javanese Gamelan, Orchestra, Choirs, Jazz, and Chamber Music. Students study Western music theory and composition, musicology (popular, non-Eurogenic, and Western classical), ethnomusicology, electronic and computer music, engage in interdisciplinary study, and have opportunities to prepare for a career in music education.
Bachelor of Arts
To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Music, you will complete 32 credits within the major core and an additional 17-18 credits within your desired concentration.
Core requirements
Take the following four Theory and Musicianship courses:
The following five Musicology courses:
The following two courses:
Concentrations
Select one of the five concentrations listed below to focus your studies.
Choral conducting
8 applied credits:
Composition (Instrumental and Vocal)
This concentration is by audition. An initial portfolio of works should be submitted by the end of the sophomore year for admission into this concentration.
14 applied credits:
Electronic and Computer Music
8 credits of applied music:
NOTE: completing a minor in computer science is highly recommended!
Ethnomusicology
8 credits of applied music:
Note: A minor in SOAN is recommended.
Music Performance
Admission to the performance track is by audition. The student must demonstrate an advanced level of competency on their instrument or voice through an audition to be held in the spring semester of the sophomore year.
A juried performance will be given at the end of the junior year. Assuming good progress, the student will give a public senior recital, which will fulfill the Capstone requirement.
3+1 Education Program
For advanced students capable of a fast track through the music major in 6 semesters. By audition only.
Highly skilled and experienced students have the opportunity to apply for the 3+1 program in Music Education, which would allow the applicant to earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) and teaching license—all in just nine semesters. You’ll leave Earlham with two degrees, licensed to teach grades 5-12 in Indiana. (And it’s easy to transfer your license to other states—many of our graduates do!)
This is a highly rigorous program. The incoming student would need to show a high level of accomplishment on an instrument or voice as well as demonstrate a good level of knowledge of Music Theory (an AP or equivalent) and foundational musicology. Knowledge of the piano keyboard a strong plus. The student may apply for the program at the beginning or end of their first or second semester on campus.
On such a program, the student would not be able to take a semester of off-campus study and would need to focus their attention on music to the fullest degree possible.
To earn a Bachelor of Arts in music and a Master of Teaching in the 3+1 program, you must successfully complete the following: (44 credits)
All of the following courses in Theory and Musicianship:
Sub-Total Credit Hours: 14
The following Musicology courses:
- MUS 201
- MUS 460
- One additional Western Classical Musicology course
- One additional non-Eurogenic Musicology course
- One additional mass-mediated Musicology course
Sub-Total Credit Hours: 15
The following Applied credits:
For instrumental students:
- Four semesters of study on a primary instrument
- A minimum of one semester in the study of each of the following groups:
- string
- woodwind
- brass
- percussion
- Participation in Orchestra for a minimum of three semesters and Rhythm Project for a minimum of one. Adjustments possible depending on student background.
For choral students:
- Four semesters of study on a primary instrument.
- Four semesters of voice.
- A minimum of four semesters participating in choral ensembles.
- Two additional semesters of piano study or voice are recommended
Sub-Total Credit Hours: 12
Senior Capstone:
Sub-Total Credit Hours: 3
To earn a minor in music, you must successfully complete the following:
Students completing a music education major and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree as part of the 3+1 MAT program will be eligible for licensure provided they meet the requirements.
93% of recent music graduates were working or in graduate school within six months of graduation.
92% of work seekers who majored in the visual and performing arts between 2018-2022 were employed, pursuing graduate school or volunteering within six months of graduation.
Careers
Recent graduates have been admitted to graduate programs in music education, music composition and other areas.
Outcomes
The top job industry for music majors is education/teaching.
Can I receive individual instruction on my instrument?
Yes! Find the current list of instructors for applied studio instruction here.
Can I do off-campus study?
Yes! Earlham offers a variety of off-campus study options.
Learn more about available programs via our Center for Global and Career Education.
What are the facilities like?
The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, which was completed in 2014, provides state-of-the-art facilities, featuring separate rooms for rehearsing jazz, percussion and Javanese gamelan.
There’s also an acoustically superb recital hall, which doubles as rehearsal space for orchestra and choir, as well as sonically isolated practice rooms and teaching studios equipped with Steinway pianos.
Are there scholarships available?
Yes! The Rariden Scholarship is awarded annually to a student entering Earlham who is interested in pursuing an area within the visual and performing arts — art, music or theatre. Preference is given to a student from Wayne County, Indiana, although the selection committee will consider Indiana students from outside the county as well. The scholarship is $5,000 for each of a student’s four years at Earlham, totaling $20,000.
Earlham’s admissions counselors will screen applications from Wayne, Fayette, Randolph, Union and Franklin counties. The convener of the Visual and Performing Arts Division will send eligible applicants a letter and an information form in March. The form should be promptly returned to the Admissions Office.
Candidates will be contacted in April for interviews, and the winner will be notified by May 1.
In addition to this scholarship, there is financial assistance available through the Len Holvig and Anna Morrisett awards for singers and pianists, and numerous awards for private lessons.