Make the stage your home with Shepherd’s Music in Performance program. Within the accredited School of Music, you can choose from our many areas of specialization—voice, piano, jazz, or instrumental. You’ll grow your network in small pedagogy and repertoire classes, where you will receive individualized attention from faculty and guest artists. Through your junior and senior recitals and various music ensembles, you will enrich your talents while receiving an invaluable educational experience.
Acceptance into the Shepherd University School of Music is a dual application process. Students planning to major in any of Shepherd University’s Music Degree Programs must apply, be accepted into the University, and audition for acceptance into the music program.
Program Requirements
A total of 116-119 credit hours are required, including 38 hours of Core Curriculum, 44 hours of core music requirements, and 35-37 credit hours in your chosen concentration. View the full course catalog here.
Below are some courses you can expect to take in this program:
- MUSC 100 – First Year Seminar for Music Majors
- MUSC 103 – Music Theory I
- MUSC 104 – Aural Skills I
- MUSC 303 – Form and Analytical Techniques
- MUSC 310 – Music History I: Antiquity to Early Classical
- MUAP 397 – Junior Recital
Program Concentrations
- Instrumental Performance
- Jazz Performance
- Piano Performance/Pedagogy
- Vocal Performance
Points of Pride
Music graduates have starred on Broadway and world tours, become recording artists, and have joined nationally known ensembles including the United States Navy Band and The Sea Chanters.
Great Value Colleges ranked the Shepherd University School of Music in the Top-100 Best Value Colleges for Music Majors.
Many Shepherd music graduates have gone on to prestigious graduate schools of music that include Peabody, Northwestern, Ithaca, Eastman, Arizona State, and Manhattan School of Music.
Get Involved
Student Organizations
Join one of the music student organizations including Sigma Alpha Iota, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, or others. These organizations give back to the music community in addition to expanding a music student’s future professional network.
Ram Band
Open to all students, the Ram Band Marching Band performs for half-time at football games, in the Founder’s Day and Homecoming parades, and in events in the community.
Instrumental and Voice Ensembles
Shepherd University is home to a vast array of musical ensembles for you to join: Chamber Singers, Jazz Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Masterworks Chorale, Camerata Soprano/Alto Choice, Percussion Ensemble, and more.