MUSIC MAJOR
at Meredith College

“My relationships with my music faculty in particular have been strong. They are always there if I have questions, are encouraging of my personal musical growth in both clarinet and voice, and are incredible role models for leadership and musicianship.”

Our Music Program

Aliyana playing piano.

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.

Please let us know if you would like information about any of our music programs. You may complete an Interest Form to help us serve you better.

You are invited to visit campus as part of our Music Major/Minor for a Day (MM4D).

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.

Music Program Course Descriptions

Undergraduate course catalog

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

Music Program Course Descriptions

Undergraduate course catalog

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. 

Music Program Course Descriptions

Undergraduate course catalog

Students earning a Music Minor are required to complete 24 total credit hours.

Music Program Course Descriptions

Undergraduate course catalog

Music Major/Minor for a Day (MM4D)

We invite you to visit the campus as part of our Music Major/Minor for a Day (MM4D). During your visit, you can attend a class, take a sample lesson, participate in an ensemble, meet our faculty and students, and have the opportunity to ask questions. We also want to learn more about you, your goals, and your dreams for the future and how we can support you in achieving these.

We have several opportunities for you to experience Music Major/Minor for a Day (MM4D) this academic year. Scheduled dates are:

  • Thursday, September 26, 2024
  • Tuesday, October 22, 2024
  • Tuesday, November 19, 2024
  • Thursday, January 30, 2025
  • Tuesday, March 18, 2025

You may register by completing this form indicating the date you would like to attend. Please contact our music recruitment coordinator, Christie Lynch Ebert, to learn more about our music programs and MM4D.

A student in a purple dress singing with someone playing piano behind her.

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.

A student plays the cello at a concert.

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, summer camps, performance opportunities, competition preparation, and stimulating concerts. 

A young boy playing Violin around other artists.

Music News & Events

Professor of Music Kent Lyman was featured in a recent segment on South Korean television station called YTN. Lyman attracted the interest of the station during visits to South Korea and the piece, which was filmed before pandemic restrictions, covered some of the connections between North Carolina and Korea.

Contact Information
Jeanie Wozencraft-Ornellas
Head, Music Department and Associate Professor of Voice
104 Wainwright
jornellas@meredith.edu
(919) 760-8536