Degree Programs

We believe that it is essential for music theory and history to go hand-in-hand with performing, listening to and experiencing music. Therefore, our curriculum reflects a breadth and depth of music training that will launch you into a career with the skills you need for success in the musical environment of your choosing.

The Music Department offers professional degrees in music (B.Mus) in addition to the liberal arts degree (B.A). Each track is equipped with concentrations across instrumental and vocal areas while maintaining high academic rigor and an intimate learning environment. 

Majors

• Bachelor of Music in Performance
  
  • Jazz
  • Keyboard
  • Strings
  • Winds, Brass and Percussion
  • Voice
• Bachelor of Music in Music Education — K–12 Certificate
  • Vocal
  • Instrumental
• Bachelor of Arts in Music

Minors

• Music
• Emphasis in Jazz Studies

Make it your own

Skills you learn through studies in music can be used anywhere. Several of our students choose to utilize their experience in other fields.

Related Fields

• Audio engineering
• History
• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Theatre and musical theatre
• Religion
• Dance
• Education
• Business
• Church music

Program Outcomes

Music B.A.

Hope College students completing a Music B.A. degree will have:

• Technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression in at least one major performance area
• An overview understanding of the repertory in their major performance area and the ability to perform from a cross-section of that repertory
• The ability to sight read with fluency
• Knowledge and skills sufficient to work as a leader and collaborator
• Keyboard competency
• Knowledge of repertory through regular ensemble experiences
• An understanding of the elements and organizational patterns of music and their interaction, the ability to employ this understanding in aural, verbal and visual analyses, and the ability to take aural dictation
• Sufficient understanding of and capability with musical forms, processes, and structures to use this knowledge and skill in compositional, performance, analytical, scholarly and pedagogical application
• The ability to place music in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts
• Be able to work on musical problems by combining, as appropriate, their capabilities in performance; aural, verbal and visual analysis; composition/ improvisation; and history and repertory

Music Education

Hope College students completing a Music Education degree will have:

• Technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression in at least one major performance area
• An overview understanding of the repertory in their major performance area and the ability to perform from a cross-section of that repertory
• The ability to sight read with fluency
• Knowledge and skills sufficient to work as a leader and collaborator
• Keyboard competency
• Knowledge of repertory through regular ensemble experiences
• An understanding of the elements and organizational patterns of music and their interaction, the ability to employ this understanding in aural, verbal and visual analyses, and the ability to take aural dictation
• Sufficient understanding of and capability with musical forms, processes, and structures to use this knowledge and skill in compositional, performance, analytical, scholarly and pedagogical application
• The ability to place music in historical, cultural, and stylistic contexts
• Be able to work on musical problems by combining, as appropriate, their capabilities in performance; aural, verbal and visual analysis; composition/ improvisation; and history and repertory

Music Performance

Hope College students completing a Music Performance degree will have:

• Technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression in at least one major performance area. 
• An overview understanding of the repertory in their major performance area and the ability to perform from a cross-section of that repertory
• The ability to sight read with fluency
• Knowledge and skills sufficient to work as a leader and collaborator
• Keyboard competency
• Knowledge of repertory through regular ensemble experiences
• An understanding of the elements and organizational patterns of music and their interaction, the ability to employ this understanding in aural, verbal and visual analyses, and the ability to take aural dictation
• Sufficient understanding of and capability with musical forms, processes, and structures to use this knowledge and skill in compositional, performance, analytical, scholarly and pedagogical application
• The ability to place music in historical, cultural and stylistic contexts
• Be able to work on musical problems by combining, as appropriate, their capabilities in performance; aural, verbal, and visual analysis; composition/ improvisation; and history and repertory

Department of Music Student Handbook

View the handbook

The Hope College Department of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, VA 20190-5248