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Study Music

Learn how music shapes cultures and individual identities. Add your voice to one of the most enduring creative mediums to evoke emotions and build connections through your art.

Program Snapshot

Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts

Major

124

4 Years

Salem Campus

A student practice piano in a music studio.

Our Music Major & Minor

Create music that conveys meaning and reaches people across boundaries. Experiment with different styles, genres, and technology to refine your craft and develop a unique sound. Earn a degree in music and prepare to make your mark. 

Why choose Music at Willamette?

  • Top-of-the-line facilities. Our facilities include a multi-purpose recital/rehearsal hall, percussion studio, digital music lab, multi-track recording studio, and mixing/editing suite. Students can perform in the 440-seat Jerry E. Hudson Concert Hall and the 1,250-seat G. Herbert Smith Auditorium. We also offer a Distinguished Artists Series for students to draw inspiration.
  • Performance Ensembles. Majors and non-majors alike can participate in large and small ensembles such as Chamber Choir, Willamette Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Collective, and many other ensembles.
  • International performance opportunities. Music students have performed internationally for audiences in locations such as Mexico, China, Nepal, Hong Kong, Thailand, Switzerland, Spain, Ireland, and South Africa. 

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Alumni Stories

Music alumni have gone on to have successful careers in performance, education, music therapy, and production. Our graduates are innovating and making an impact in the music business and beyond.

  • Chloe Prendergast '14

    Violinist Pursues Her Dreams Internationally
    After honing her skills in Salem, Chloe Prendergast moved 5,000 miles away to find success in the Netherlands. She has since founded her own string quartet, become a member of an orchestra, and performed in various ensembles, festivals, and concerts, in the U.S. and abroad.

    Woman playing a violin indoors.
  • Ian Scarfe '05

    Learn About One Pianist’s Unconventional Path in Classical Music
    Ian Scarfe '05, initially unsure of a music career, founded the Trinity Alps Chamber Music Festival, hosting over 400 events. Willamette University’s supportive faculty and holistic education fostered his confidence and versatility.

    Person smiling while playing a black grand piano in a wooden-paneled room.

Curriculum

Our music degree offers students the chance to build a foundation in composition, performance, and production. Through a wide range of classes, you will learn about different genres, music theory, and the technology used to record and produce music. With independent and collaborative work, you will develop a unique style and prepare for a career in the music industry.

  • MUSC 314 Knowing the Score: A History of Music for Film

    Get an overview of music for film, beginning with the earliest attempts to apply sound to moving pictures in the late 1800s through the present day. Particular focus will be on major stylistic trends and musical developments across the years. View film scoring as a vital and constantly evolving form of artistic expression.

  • MUSC 399 Desktop Music Production

    Explore DAW-based desktop music production techniques through their application to creative projects. These techniques will include virtual instrument sequencing, multimedia sound design and scoring, synthesis, signal processing, and mixing. Collaborative projects across media will be a prominent feature of the class.

Program Requirements

Our Music major requires 51 semester hours to complete the degree. These hours consist of 37 semester hours of core courses and 14 semester hours of structured electives.

Students pursuing a Music minor will need to complete 21-23 semester hours in Music courses. These hours consist of 8 semester hours of core courses and 12 semester hours chosen from the music curriculum in consultation with a music advisor. At least 4 semester hours must be at the 300-level or higher.

Three men seated in front of music stands during a music rehearsal, with one singing and gesturing, and others looking at the
Admissions Information

Our Music program is open to first-year students, transfer students, and international students. Learn more about Willamette’s undergraduate admissions process to get started.

Students seated in a bright music classroom with one student flipping a page
Financial Aid and Scholarships

Willamette University is committed to supporting Music majors with generous merit scholarships and financial aid. No separate application is required for these scholarships. All admitted undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, starting at $26,000 per year. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, taking into account cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT scores, if provided.

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FAQs

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