Program opportunities
- Major in Music
- Applied concentration (performance major)
- General concentration
- Theory-Composition concentration
- Music Education
- Minor in Music
Overview
College music programs do more than just feed the soul. They enrich the culture of the University, provide service and a meaningful bridge to the surrounding community and offer virtually limitless opportunities for rewarding careers in music performance, music education, music technology, composition and more.
A comprehensive course of study in majors and minors in music provides everything from practice to theory, individual lessons to group lessons. It teaches not only musicianship but fosters a lifelong desire for the performance and appreciation of music, and for passing on that desire to others.
Why Manchester?
At Manchester University, we strive to go a step beyond. And that’s especially true in our music curriculum.
An accomplished and dedicated faculty embraces the MU ideal of the whole student -- breadth outside of music as well as within it -- and believes passionately that music can change people’s lives. It’s why the music program offers so many ways for students who aren’t music majors but wish to participate in MU’s outstanding program nonetheless.
For those who do pursue a music degree, however, Manchester offers a full range of opportunities in the field. Students are taught to understand and appreciate Western art music through a balance of academic and performance areas of music. In addition, they are also exposed to the diversity of musical expression through course offerings in world musics and jazz.
A Manchester music degree, whether in performance, general concentration or theory-composition concentration, expertly trains students as performers, teachers and advisors, and stresses fundamental skills and understanding in solo and ensemble performance, music education, history and analysis, theory, and conducting.
Students interested in majoring or participating in music at MU should consider attending one of our Music @ Manchester Weekends. Learn more here.
Careers in Music
- Accompanist
- Actor/Actress
- Audio Recording Engineer
- Choir Director
- Composer/Arranger
- Conductor
- Disc Jockey
- Multimedia Sound Worker
- Music Agent
- Music Critic
- Music Producer
- Music Teacher/Professor
- Musician
- Tour Manager
- Vocal Performer
- 85 Careers for a Music Major
Program highlights
- Music majors in performance, general concentration and theory/composition concentration and music education, enabling you to begin your career in music
- Jazz and small ensembles
- Gold & Black Attack Pep Band
- Music @ Manchester Weekends
- Opera Workshop
- The music department offers scholarships to all students interested in participating in one or more of our ensembles. To audition for a scholarship, contact Dr. Tim Reed or attend one of our Music at Manchester weekends. For further information, check out audition requirements.
Successful Graduates
- Kenzie Hare '18 was awarded the prestigious Stotler Fellowship from the University of Illinois, where she will begin studies in the master’s program in vocal performance this fall.
- Grant Ebert '17 is beginning his second year in the Masters of Vocal Performance and Literature program at the University of Illinois.
- Mykayla Neilson '17 graduated with a degree in Music Education and is now head band director of Fairfield Jr./Sr. High School in Goshen and continues to be active as a performer. As a singer and songwriter, Mykayla has now released two self-produced albums, Cherished and I. More on Mykayla’s journey as a songwriter can be found at facebook.com/mykaylacynthia
- Katie Huddleston ‘15 is now the orchestra director for Eastern Howard School Corporation in Greentown, Ind. Katie also regularly performs with the MSO and the Kokomo Symphony Orchestra and is cello instructor for the Kokomo Youth Symphony.
- Erika Reffitt '15, vocal performance major, performed at the Auer Auditorium at IPFW with the Fort Wayne Area Community Band.
- Jeremiah Sanders '14 Since graduating from Manchester, Jeremiah has been active as a performer and currently attends Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music pursuing a Performer's Diploma under the tutelage of Jane Dutton.
- Kelly Iler '14 is a graduate student in vocal performance at University of Northern Colorado. She is currently embarking on an opera internship in Italy.
- Oscar Erwin '14 is pursuing his master’s degree in music theory at the University of Southern Mississippi and is also organizer of both the Rural America New Music Festival and the USM New Music Festival.
- Nick Kenny ’13 has recently performed with the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra and the Colorado Brass. Nick now serves as the executive director for the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Stephanie Green '11 Rapatta is a choral music educator for Elkhart, Ind., Community Schools.
- Tyler Secor '10 is pursuing his Ph.D in music theory at Ball State University.
David Moan '09 continues to perform regularly in the Detroit, Mich., area. He is a member of the Michigan Opera Theatre Chorus where he often performs solo roles in support of world class opera singers such as Deborah Voigt and Daniel Belcher. He has also worked with renowned composers Kevin Putz and William Bolcom through the Michigan Opera Theatre. David is also very active performing in professional musical theater productions. His most recent starring roles have included: John Wilkes Booth in Assassins, Sir Lancelot in Camelot, the title role in Sweeney Todd, and Will Bloom in Big Fish.