Music, B.A., B.M., B.M.E.

The Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance is a center for artistic excellence in performance, teaching, and scholarship. Visit the program website for more information. This program requires a secondary admission process.

Program Overview

• The Bachelor of Arts degree in music promotes the study of music within the context of a liberal education curriculum.
• The Bachelor of Music is designed for students who demonstrate exceptional preparation for college-level applied music and for whom graduate school is a realistic goal.
• The Bachelor of Music Education enables students to meet certification requirements for teaching music in Michigan PK-12 settings.
• A music minor is also available.

Why Study Music at Grand Valley?

• Studying music at GVSU, within the context of a liberal education foundation, prepares students to answer the call of a rewarding career and life.
• As an undergraduate-only program, our students have greater opportunities to learn and perform.
• Small class sizes allow students to engage directly with faculty members who are committed to understanding and encouraging each student's unique talent and needs.
• Professors are performers, international competition winners, conductors, composers, theorists, scholars, and acclaimed teachers.
• Grand Valley is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

Career Insights

This tool shows an overview of potential career opportunities for this major. Actual salaries, employment opportunities, and job titles may change over time.

Location & Format

• Face To Face

Combined Degree Programs

Many GVSU undergraduate programs can be combined with an existing master’s degree program to save on tuition and get you into the workforce sooner. On average, you can save $8,500 by pursuing a combined degree and take up to four fewer courses than if earning the degrees separately.

Talk with an advisor about how you can build your combined degree from existing programs to further personalize your education and create your own niche area of expertise.

Admission Requirements

In addition to formal admission to Grand Valley, each applicant wanting to major or minor in music is required to arrange for a personal audition with the music department. When considerable geographical distance or extreme hardship prevents a personal audition, the applicant may, with the permission of the department, submit an audio recording of an appropriate performance. Entering freshmen and transfer students will be required to take a theory placement exam on audition day. A student with two or more years of piano experience will also be required to take a keyboard musicianship placement exam*. Audition appointments should be made at least one month in advance. Recommended audition repertoire and an application can be found at www.gvsu.edu/music/.

*Students transferring from GRCC with a completed associate degree in music will not need to complete the placement testing in theory or keyboard musicianship.

Helpful Links

• Scholarships
• Financial Aid
• Tuition & Fees
• Study Abroad
• General Education Handbook
• Music Programs
• Music Education Programs

For More Information

gvsu.edu/mtd
1300 Thomas J. and Marcia J. Haas Center for Performing Arts
(616) 331-3484

Admissions and Recruitment Office

“The music education program provides student-centered learning in a close-knit, warm, and supportive environment. Faculty genuinely cares for us as students and people. Even after graduating, I still feel incredibly supported by the music faculty.”

“I am so grateful to this program, and to the very caring and knowledgeable professors that deeply impacted me, whether on a personal or musical level.”