Music

B.A.

Get rigorous musical training in almost every musical instrument or genre, alongside a life-shaping liberal arts education.

Music majors are prepared to become professional musicians or enter multiple careers in music therapy, composing, and teaching.

Daniel Blim Daniel Blim , Associate Professor , Coordinator of Musicology, Chair of Music
Kristine Mathews Kristine Mathews , Program Coordinator, Music, Theatre, Dance
Cristina Dorda Soriano Cristina Dorda Soriano , Academic Administrative Assistant, Music, Theatre, Dance

Music

Get in touch View all contacts

Location: Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts - 139
Phone: 740-587-6712
Related Sections:
Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts
Music Theatre
Vail Series
TUTTI Festival
Bluegrass Festival
Jazz Guitar Festival

Upcoming Events

Apr.
09
2026

Student Recital

The Department of Music presents a student recital featuring performances by department majors and minors.

11:45am
Apr.
18
2026

Orchestra and choir concert

The Department of Music presents a combined concert featuring the Orchestra, Concert Choir, and Chamber Singers.

7:00pm
Apr.
22
2026

Student Composers concert

The Department of Music presents a concert featuring newly composed solo, chamber, and electronic music by composition students.

7:00pm
Apr.
23
2026

Student Recital

The Department of Music presents a student recital featuring performances by department majors and minors.

11:45am

What you’ll study as a music major

In addition to your chosen instrument(s), you’ll study music theory, the evolution of musical style, and the ways music shapes our lives. You’ll learn to analyze, think critically, and communicate your findings.

Tune your instrument

Individual instruction on your instrument, including voice, is free to majors and minors.  Polish your technique as you practice and perform each semester in music theatre and/or one of 25 ensembles.

Extend your range

Explore multiple musical genres: American roots, baroque, bluegrass, chamber, computer, country, folk, gospel, hip-hop, jazz, Latin American, popular, rock, video game, and more.

Perform and compete with the best

Your faculty includes talented teachers and professional musicians. You’ll learn from and perform with them, as well as alongside renowned visiting artists at festivals and concerts.
 

Why is music better at Denison?

Accelerate your skills in your chosen area

With dozens of faculty covering all instruments and areas, and minors in American roots music, composition, music, music theatre, and performance, you can pursue your personal music passion at the highest levels.

Two Ensembles-in-Residence level up your musical experience

New York City-based string quartet ETHEL and Grammy-award-winning Third Coast Percussion visit The Hill several times a year, collaborate with music students and faculty, and offer their expertise in classrooms across campus.

Merit-based scholarships

All students who audition will be considered for a Denison arts scholarship. These merit-based arts scholarships range from $5,000 to $15,000 and are renewable for all four years. Scholarship recipients are encouraged but not required to major or minor in music.

Music festivals

Perform with and learn from the biggest names in music. Denison’s music festivals bring many of the finest musicians in the nation to The Hill. Join us for the Bluegrass Festival, Jazz Guitar Festival, and the TUTTI Festival, plus many more music workshops and concerts.

Eisner Center for the Performing Arts

Perform in our gorgeous 400-seat proscenium theater and 225-seat recital hall. Practice in sound-proofed rehearsal spaces for chamber groups and vocal ensembles, piano labs, and percussion rooms. Record your music in a state-of-the-art recording studio.

Learn More about our amazing facilities
Students sitting in front of music stands playing flutes, oboes, and other instruments in concert on a stage.

Jobs as a music major

Music majors enjoy a wide range of careers, from professional musicians and vocalists to teachers, production technicians, directors with Steinway & Sons, the Bluegrass Hall of Fame, Broadway productions, and more. See where our grads have landed.

Career communities

Music majors often join one or more of our career communities. Discover potential jobs and career paths in one of our career communities, like our Visual, Written, & Performing Arts career community.
 

Career Exploration

Through the Knowlton Center for Career Exploration and its training center, Denison Edge, career coaches help you prepare for the next step after college, and industry experts help you acquire specialized skills and certifications.

Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum logo
Steinway & Sons logo
Universal Music Group logo

Beyond the Classroom

Internships

Explore career paths through an internship (or two!). Denison music majors have interned with Christie’s, JPMorgan Chase, the Chicago Recording Company, the Sembrich Festival, and more.

Learn More

Study Abroad

Study music in your chosen region to enhance your language skills and build your career network. Conduct research on a traditional semester abroad or take a summer internship in another country.

Learn More

Summer Scholars

Delve into independent research through our Summer Scholars program. All Summer Scholars receive a stipend and a housing allowance plus supplemental funds for research expenses.

Learn More

Spotlights

Sun Min Kim
Denison Magazine

5 questions with Music’s Sun Min Kim

His path to piano, the mentor who still watches over him, and the freedom he finds in teaching and studying music at a liberal arts college
Megan Barker ’25

Making their mark with Messiah

This year’s performance of Handel’s epic work included student soloists, a new twist on a long-running Denison tradition.
Kim by his pianos

5 questions with Music’s Sun Min Kim

Kim talks about his path to piano, the late mentor who still watches over him, and the freedom of teaching and studying music at a liberal arts college.
Ellie Blasko '23 sitting next to a piano

Playing to her strengths

Denison helped triple major Ellie Blasko '23 explore her passion for piano, discover new interests, and land a dream job in Beverly Hills.
Jaelyn Roth ’23, building a graph to illustrate her research

Peering into black holes

Physics major Jaelyn Roth’s research helps astrophysicists see supermassive black holes and their related phenomenon more clearly.
Winter 2022 cover
Denison Magazine

The ON Switch

Conversations with faculty about what it means to teach — and to trigger those amazing moments of illumination
Sahil Vasudeva ’08
Denison Magazine

Shape Shifting

The Reinvention of Sahil Vasudeva ’08

What's Happening

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