Music

Develop your musicianship through individualized mentorship, exceptional performance opportunities, and the flexibility to pursue your artistic and academic goals.

Whether you're preparing for graduate study and a professional career through a Bachelor of Music in Performance or Composition, or combining music with the breadth of a liberal arts education through a Bachelor of Arts in Music, you'll study one-on-one with accomplished professors who help you grow as a performer, composer, scholar, and creative thinker.

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What can you do with a music degree?

At Wooster, you'll never be just another face in a practice room. You'll study one-on-one and in small groups with accomplished faculty who know you personally and are invested in your success.

Whether you choose a Bachelor of Arts in Music or a Bachelor of Music in Performance or Composition, you'll receive individualized instruction, develop your musicianship through meaningful performance opportunities, and complete original creative or scholarly work through Independent Study. Many students also combine music with another academic passion through a double major, while others pursue the Music minor to continue performing alongside another field of study.

Choose the Right Degree

Pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Music or a Bachelor of Music in Performance or Composition.

Learn One-on-One

Receive individualized instruction and mentorship from accomplished faculty.

Perform, Create, and Grow

Build your experience through ensembles, guest artists, masterclasses, and Independent Study.

Why study Music at Wooster?

Music students receive exceptional access to faculty through weekly private lessons, personalized advising, and ongoing mentorship throughout their academic journey. From your first semester through Independent Study, you'll work closely with professors who help you refine your musicianship and pursue your goals.

Beyond the classroom, you'll learn from guest artists and soloists through performances and masterclasses. Members of the Wooster Chorus and Scot Symphonic Band participate in weeklong domestic tours at no cost, while Wooster singers regularly perform with The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus at Severance Hall. Instrumental students also have opportunities to participate in regional and national honor ensembles.

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, the Bachelor of Arts in Music is designed for students seeking an emphasis on music within a strong liberal arts education. Students study music theory, history, literature, and private lessons while enjoying the flexibility to combine music with another major or academic interest. Independent Study begins during the junior year and continues through the senior year under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

Bachelor of Music

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Music choose either Performance or Composition as their area of focus. Designed for students planning to attend graduate school and pursue professional careers in music, the Bachelor of Music provides comprehensive musical training through intensive coursework, private instruction, and advanced creative or performance experiences.

Featured Courses

Explore music through courses such as:

Introduction to Recording & Production
Introduction to Music Technology
Introduction to Jazz Improvisation
Psychology of Music I
Scot Marching Band & Pipe Band
Opera & Lyric Theatre Workshop
Contemporary Chamber Ensemble

Bring your musicianship to life through original work.

Independent Study is a defining part of every music degree at Wooster.

Bachelor of Arts students complete Independent Study projects during both their junior and senior years, while Bachelor of Music students complete a substantial senior Independent Study under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Whether through research, performance, or composition, you'll create a project that reflects your individual interests and artistic growth.

Outside the classroom, you'll gain valuable experience through major ensembles, guest artist residencies, masterclasses, domestic tours, and collaborative performances that prepare you for graduate study and professional opportunities.

Ready to Study Music?

Whether you aspire to perform professionally, compose original works, pursue graduate study, or combine music with another academic passion, Wooster offers the mentorship, performance experiences, and flexibility to help you reach your goals.

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Career Opportunities

Music graduates pursue a wide variety of careers depending on their interests and degree pathway.

Performance

Graduates perform with orchestras, military bands, opera companies, symphony choruses, and in musical theatre, film, television, popular music, religious music, and private teaching studios.

Composition

Graduates compose for classical ensembles, electronic media, theatre, television, film, commercials, and video games. Many continue to graduate study and careers in higher education.

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Many Bachelor of Arts graduates combine music with another discipline through a double major. Alumni have pursued graduate study and careers in musicology, library science, anthropology, materials science and engineering, computer science, digital marketing, theatre, and the performing arts.

Scholarships & Student Opportunities

High school seniors may audition for Music Scholarships, whether they plan to major in music or another discipline.

Music Scholarships include:

Significant scholarship support
Weekly one-on-one private lessons with faculty
Participation in premier ensembles
A streamlined pathway toward earning a Music minor while majoring in another field

Auditions are informal and designed to help faculty learn about you as a musician while recognizing your hard work and potential.

Where Our Alumni Go

Music graduates have continued their education and careers with organizations and institutions including:

Graduate Study

Brown University
Johns Hopkins University
Mannes School of Music
Northwestern University
NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Peabody Conservatory
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Maryland
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Oklahoma
University of Oregon
University of Wisconsin–Madison

Employers & Organizations

Amazon Web Services
Playhouse Square
The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus

Graduates have also built careers as performers, composers, actors, producers, scholars, educators, and arts administrators while others have successfully combined music with careers in technology, communications, engineering, marketing, and other fields.