Carroll University

Carroll University’s music program provides high-quality instruction and musical experiences to majors and non-majors alike, and enriches the Carroll community with a vibrant musical arts scene. As the most flexible music degree at Carroll, the Bachelor of Arts in Music is a smart choice for students who are considering a double major or pursuing another discipline.

As a music major, you’ll take weekly private lessons on your principle instrument or voice. Our applied lesson faculty are professionally-trained musicians active in southeastern Wisconsin, each an expert on his or her instrument. And every music major participates in at least one ensemble every semester. Many of our students play in more than one, and frequent collaborations between our ensembles foster a spirit of cooperation and a shared love of music. These ensembles also offer touring opportunities, performing in a number of venues across the United States and in Europe in recent years.

Our program includes a set of core music courses in music theory, musicianship, music history and conducting, as well as specialized coursework for each specific area of study. You may select from emphases in performance, the liberal arts, business administration or a minor in music. Majors feature a capstone project in the senior year. This may be a performance, project or paper related to the student's specific interests and career goals.

Upon graduation, our students join an extensive alumni network of professional musicians, educators, and administrators. Carroll music graduates hold prominent positions in schools, professional orchestras and performing ensembles, theater companies, fine arts organizations, radio stations and music festivals.

Our music majors attend live concerts and recitals on a regular basis to support the arts and learn repertoire and performance techniques. Carroll regularly hosts guest performances and masterclasses by outstanding performers and groups through the Dorothy Goff Frisch concert series and the Phyllis Stringham organ recital series and resident professional ensembles including the Wisconsin Wind Orchestra, the Wisconsin Philharmonic Orchestra and Jazz Express. You’ll have the opportunity to hear, meet and learn from living masters of music.

As a freshman at Carroll, you won’t have to audition. We accept all students as provisional music majors for their first year of study. At the end of the first year, music majors audition for the faculty to attain full music major status. At the end of the sophomore year, the music faculty meet with each student to discuss career goals and progress. Some degree programs require a junior and/or senior solo recital. We also offer one or more departmental recitals each semester, featuring performances by current students from all levels. Other public performances include recitals for non-majors and chamber music recitals.

Our program can even accommodate students in high credit majors such as nursing and student athletes, who might sometimes have conflicts with rehearsals.