MUSIC MAJOR
at Meredith College
Our Music Program
Develop your creativity through performance, composition, and improvisation with our nationally-recognized faculty and well-rounded liberal arts curriculum. You will develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed after graduation through various academic and performance opportunities.
Whether intending a career in music performance, music education, or another musically oriented business, the Department of Music has a degree plan for you. If you are simply interested in improving your musical knowledge and skills, our department offers a breadth of academic and performance opportunities for you. All students learn from faculty who are active artists and leaders: composers and musicians who have performed, directed, taught, and recorded nationally and internationally.
The Department of Music embraces the ever changing nature of the world of music, and respects and celebrates the historic role of music as one of humanity’s most powerful forces for good. We provide skills, training and experiences that educate musicians who are inspired by the global nature of music, and who utilize that inspiration and their musical skills to contribute to the communities in which they live. They will do so as consummate professionals in the studio or classroom, as directors and conductors of ensembles, as performers, as composers, as practitioners in music related fields, or as enthusiastic supporters of music.
About Our Music Degree
As a music major at Meredith, you will perform in large and small vocal and instrumental ensembles, opera workshops, and keyboard ensembles. In addition, you’ll have access to a vibrant music community, both in the capital city of Raleigh and in the larger Triangle area. Professional music ensembles nearby include the North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Opera, Triangle Jazz Alliance, and the North Carolina Master Chorale.
Meredith offers four different degree plans you can pursue, including a Bachelor of Arts in Music, a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, a Bachelor of Music in Performance, and a Music Minor.
Students earning a Bachelor of Arts in music are required to complete 52 credit hours, which include 33 hours of musicianship core curriculum.
Students earning a Bachelor of Music in Music Education are required to complete 98 credit hours which include 33 hours of musicianship core curriculum, 31 hours of education courses, and 34 hours of major requirements.
The K-12 music education teacher licensure program provides appropriate learning experiences to meet the needs, capabilities, and interests of K-12 students studying music. The program is designed to assist individuals in acquiring knowledge, developing skills and dispositions within a learning environment focused on active involvement and integrated learning activities.
Requirements
To complete the teacher education program and earn licensure in music education for grades K-12, students must complete the requirements for general education and their chosen major.
Students must be admitted in the Teacher Education Program to enroll.
Teacher Education at Meredith College
Students earning a Bachelor of Music in Performance are required to complete 82 credit hours which include 43 hours of musicianship skills and analysis core curriculum and 39 hours of their chosen concentration. Students can choose from concentrations in piano/keyboard studies, instrumental studies, or vocal studies.
Students earning a Music Minor are required to complete 24 total credit hours.
Why Earn Your Music Degree From Meredith?
- Students of Meredith’s music program achieve versatile performing skills, gain insight into pedagogy, acquire knowledge of professional practices and technology and become globally informed musicians.
- Meredith College is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. (11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190-5248 Phone number: (703) 437-0700)
- The College is a signatory school on articulation agreements with the North Carolina Community College System that apply to students with associate degrees in Fine Arts, Music, or Theatre.
- Students can hone their craft through multiple performance opportunities that are available for both music majors and non-majors.
- Meredith’s location in Raleigh’s vibrant music community gives students access to internships with organizations such as the North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Opera, and the Raleigh Symphony Orchestra.
- As a Music Education major at Meredith, students will learn to empower future musicians by
- Enrolling in a program with a 100% placement rate for graduates
- Gaining hands-on teaching experience at all levels, K-12
- Building relationships with mentors in the local public school system
- Students pursuing a music degree have access to exceptional facilities, such as
- The music library collection is housed in Carlyle Campbell Library. It contains a collection of instrumental, vocal, choral, and orchestral scores, textbooks, and other supplemental materials.
- A technology laboratory featuring 10 stations with computers, Roland keyboards, sequencers, other peripherals, and music software, including the Finale Notation program. The department is also equipped with audio and video recording and playback equipment.
- Meredith has many performing spaces for music majors. The main areas include Jones Auditorium, Clara Carswell Concert Hall, and Jones Chapel.
- The Meredith College Community School of Music offers musical opportunities to community members of all ages and levels.
- Examples of student success include Chrissy Ricker ’00, ’04 (M.M.), who received her Bachelor of Arts in Music in 2000 and Master of Music in piano performance and pedagogy in 2004 from Meredith. Chrissy now specializes in creating original music and arrangements of popular music for piano students and creates educational resources for piano teachers.
What Can You Do With a Music Degree?
A music degree prepares graduates for professional success in many fields. Not only are Meredith graduates pursuing careers as performers, composers, and private and public music teachers, but also in fields such as music therapy, arts management, music business, and music technology. Musicians pursuing graduate study have attended top graduate schools and Young Artist programs.
Potential jobs for graduates with a B.A. in music: Producer, audio engineer, sound and video editor, ensemble director, composer, arranger, editor, publisher, agent, tour manager, and more.
The average annual salary for someone with a B.A. in music is $47,301 in the U.S.
Potential jobs for graduates with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education: elementary, middle, or high school music teacher, studio teacher, curriculum designer, music camp director, educational director for music, and more.
The average annual salary for music teachers in the U.S. is $52,873.
Potential jobs for graduates with a Bachelor of Music in Performance: Solo or ensemble performer, accompanist, artist-in-residence, organist, ensemble director, and more.
The average annual salary for someone with a bachelor of music in performance in the U.S. is $52,211.
After moving from Texas to attend Meredith, Kristin Foster, ’19, built her own community of friends while strengthening her talents in music.
As she completes her last semester at Meredith College, Alexis Chastain, ’18 feels prepared and excited to begin the next chapter of her life as a music educator.
Music education major Megan Outten, ’17, developed her art and her leadership skills at Meredith College.
Music Program Videos
Community School of Music
Open to students of all levels, from beginner through post-baccalaureate, the Community School of Music offers private lessons, classes, performance opportunities, competition preparation, and stimulating concerts. The Capital City Girls Choir is a vocal and music training program for girls from Raleigh surrounding communities.
Music News & Events
Three members of the Meredith Music piano faculty made significant contributions at the annual conference of the North Carolina Music Teachers (NCMTA), October 5-8, 2022.
The Capital City Girls Choir (CCGC), a program associated with Meredith College’s Community School of Music, has recently named Cameron Bolin as its new artistic director.
Meredith College’s Board of Trustees has approved the addition of a Bachelor of Music in Performance to the College’s degree offerings.
Contact Information
Jeanie Wozencraft-Ornellas
Head, Music Department and Associate Professor of Voice
104 Wainwright
jornellas@meredith.edu
(919) 760-8536
