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.
Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts
Major, Minor
124
4 Years
Salem
In just her first year as a music student at Willamette, Trinity Goff '25 had the opportunity to take the stage with the Oregon Symphony and Oregon Ballet Theatre orchestras.
Trinity was among only six musicians chosen as "Young Artists Debut! Van Buren Competition & Concerto Concert" winners. As a pianist, Trinity has received accolades for her skills including winning top prizes in several state and national competitions.
Curious where this major can take you? These are the real internships, graduate opportunities, and careers our Music students have gone on to.
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.
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.
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.
Our faculty is made up of experienced musicians. They are experts in a variety of different musical styles and genres, giving students a wide range of opportunities. As a music major, you will take inspiration from faculty mentors who will help you discover your own unique musical style.
James Miley, a pianist and composer, has a background spanning music theory, history, and sound for visual media. His dedication to music education and performance underscores his multifaceted role within the Willamette community.
Dr. Florent Ghys is a multimedia artist and double bassist, combining music with moving images and recorded media. A graduate of Princeton University, he creates innovative compositions celebrated for their playfulness and unique audiovisual integration.
Dr. Hannah Penn, mezzo-soprano, is celebrated for her musicality and the rich timbre of her voice. She has performed over twenty operatic roles with esteemed companies, including Glimmerglass Opera, Portland Opera, and Florida Grand Opera.
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.
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.
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.
Our Music program requires 51 semester hours to complete the major, with a total of 124 credit hours required 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.
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.
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 $28,000 per year. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, taking into account cumulative GPA and SAT or ACT scores, if provided.
Willamette University