Music
Hit your highest notes with us.
Whether you wish to compose, sing, play or teach, you’ll find opportunities to hone your craft at Alma. As a music major, you’ll:
- Study the principles of musical form and structure, including intervals and chords, advanced harmonic techniques, and approaches to rhythm and meter.
- Analyze works from key periods in music history from antiquity to the 21st century.
- Participate in one or more of our ensembles and take private lessons in instrument or voice.
Music majors can specialize in various concentrations, including:
- Music Business and Arts Administration – Prepare for careers in arts administration, sales, and entrepreneurship through additional business and marketing coursework. A capstone internship will allow you to build a professional network, broadening specific skill sets while also increasing employment opportunities.
- Music Composition – Explore creative musicianship through lessons and coursework. You will take various courses including composition technique, recording arts, and music technology, preparing you for work as a freelance musician, content creator, or further composition study through graduate programs.
- Music Education – Share your passion for music with students of all ages. You’ll develop a deep understanding of music theory, history, and performance with personalized guidance and opportunities to participate in ensembles, private lessons, and student teaching, you’ll graduate ready to lead and inspire.
- Music Performance – Continue intensive study of music performance while benefitting from the small class sizes and personal attention Alma offers. In this concentration you could seek continued performance study through graduate programs after Alma.
- Music Technology – Pair traditional performance and musicianship training with coursework in digital media and audio technology in partnership with Alma’s New Media Studies program. Careers in this area include Recording Engineer, Content Creator, Producer, and Theater Audio/Technical Director among others.
At A Glance
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$1,500Performance scholarship available by audition to student musicians
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14+Choirs and instrumental groups
Possible Careers
Hit your highest notes with us.
Whether you wish to compose, sing, play or teach, you’ll find opportunities to hone your craft at Alma. As a music major, you’ll:
- Study the principles of musical form and structure, including intervals and chords, advanced harmonic techniques, and approaches to rhythm and meter.
- Analyze works from key periods in music history from antiquity to the 21st century.
- Participate in one or more of our ensembles and take private lessons in instrument or voice.
Music majors can specialize in various concentrations, including:
- Music Business and Arts Administration – Prepare for careers in arts administration, sales, and entrepreneurship through additional business and marketing coursework. A capstone internship will allow you to build a professional network, broadening specific skill sets while also increasing employment opportunities.
- Music Composition – Explore creative musicianship through lessons and coursework. You will take various courses including composition technique, recording arts, and music technology, preparing you for work as a freelance musician, content creator, or further composition study through graduate programs.
- Music Education – Share your passion for music with students of all ages. You’ll develop a deep understanding of music theory, history, and performance with personalized guidance and opportunities to participate in ensembles, private lessons, and student teaching, you’ll graduate ready to lead and inspire.
- Music Performance – Continue intensive study of music performance while benefitting from the small class sizes and personal attention Alma offers. In this concentration you could seek continued performance study through graduate programs after Alma.
- Music Technology – Pair traditional performance and musicianship training with coursework in digital media and audio technology in partnership with Alma’s New Media Studies program. Careers in this area include Recording Engineer, Content Creator, Producer, and Theater Audio/Technical Director among others.
Get to Know Music
Meet the Faculty
Remick Heritage Center for Performing Arts
A celebrated live entertainment venue, the Heritage Center showcases a lively program of music, theatre and dance from students, faculty and professional groups.
Explore the Curriculum
Learn more about the fundamental courses that will offer a roadmap for your academic growth and expertise development.
Let your talent take center stage.
Alma College is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music. We offer two degree options:
- A bachelor of music (B.M.) in music education: The B.M. in Music Education degree program is a professional degree designed for students who want to become certified music teachers in Michigan. This program emphasizes pedagogy, conducting, and classroom management, preparing students to teach vocal or instrumental music at the K-12 level. Coursework includes music theory, aural skills, and instrumental or choral methods, along with hands-on teaching experiences through field placements. Students will also refine their performance skills through applied lessons and ensemble participation. This degree leads to teacher certification, ensuring graduates are ready to inspire future generations of musicians.
- A bachelor of arts (B.A.) with a major in music: The B.A. in Music provides a broad and flexible approach to music education, ideal for students interested in performance, composition, music business, or interdisciplinary studies. Unlike the B.M., this liberal arts-based program allows students to pair music with other academic interests, such as theatre, business, or psychology. The curriculum includes music theory, history, and performance, but with fewer required courses in pedagogy and education. This makes it an excellent choice for students who want to explore music in a non-teaching capacity or pursue graduate studies in music-related fields.
In both tracks, you’ll take rigorous classes in music theory, history and practice. You’ll acquire keen analytical and aural skills and develop the ability to identify a breadth of music literature and genres. And regardless of the route you pursue, you’ll benefit from excellent facilities, close mentorship and unmatched opportunities to sing and play.
Music is a significant part of life at Alma. All of our majors are required to take private vocal or instrumental lessons. Plus, our ensembles and choirs regularly perform on campus, and many tour around the U.S. and beyond.
What You Need to Know
Our alumni channel their passion for music into a wide range of pathways. Graduates of our music education program have gone on to teach in schools across Michigan and worldwide. Some choose to complete graduate-level study and pursue roles as faculty or administrators in higher education.
Many students with a bachelor’s degree in music now play or sing professionally, performing in venues ranging from concert halls to cruise lines. Others have built successful careers in composition, conducting, music ministry, music therapy and sound design.
Transfer to Alma College
These transfer guides between Alma College and Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) provide a seamless pathway for students pursuing a music degree. It ensures that GRCC students can continue their music education at Alma College without losing credits or progress toward their degree. This partnership strengthens the opportunities for aspiring musicians by offering a smooth transition from community college to a four-year institution, allowing for enhanced academic and performance opportunities at Alma College’s renowned music program. Discover how your associate’s degree in music can transfer to a bachelor’s degree in the following areas:
Programs and Scholarships
Get Connected
Student Organizations
Along with our music ensembles and choirs, you’ll find ways to make friends, stay active and connect with the local community in our 100+ student organizations.
