The Austin Peay Department of Music brings world-class experiences into the classroom.
As you consider a degree in music, we hope that APSU can help you fulfill your dreams. Our graduates are regularly hired in music and music-related careers, or are accepted into the graduate schools of their choosing. Our world-class ensembles, engaging out-reach programs, and undergraduate and graduate music curricula have transformed our department into one of the finest music programs around. Our faculty are conscientious mentors who take a personal interest in their students, and who engage with them in meaningful ways, both in and outside of the classroom/studio. We hope you will come to campus or contact us to learn firsthand how you will fit into this vibrant and dynamic educational environment.
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Music degree programs
We offer six graduate and eight undergraduate concentrations, from choral conducting and composition to music education and instrumental performance. Our degree offerings will prepare you for every avenue of professional musicianship.
Undergraduate programs
This degree prepares students for careers in theory and composition as composers,
editors, copyists, and arrangers. Many composers also spend much of their time teaching
theory and composition in community colleges, universities, and private studios. Many
composition majors pursue graduate degrees or careers in conducting, composing, arranging,
music theory, pedagogy, or arts management. This degree will prepare you for any number
of these or other music careers.
This degree prepares students for careers in symphony orchestras, opera houses, musical
theatres, jazz clubs, recording studios, theme parks, cruise ships, touring companies,
military ensembles, chamber ensembles, and as soloists. Many performers also spend
much of their time teaching private lessons in local schools, private studios, music
stores, or at the college level. Many performance majors pursue graduate degrees or
careers in conducting, composing, arranging, music theory, pedagogy, or arts management.
This degree will prepare you for any number of these or other music careers.
This degree prepares students for careers in symphony orchestras, opera houses, musical
theatres, jazz clubs, recording studios, theme parks, cruise ships, touring companies,
military ensembles, chamber ensembles, and soloist. Many performers also spend much
of their time teaching private lessons in local schools, private studios, music stores,
or at the college level. Performance majors pursue graduate degrees or careers in
conducting, composing, arranging, music theory, pedagogy, or arts management. This
degree will prepare you for any number of these music careers.
This degree prepares students for careers in symphony orchestras, opera houses, musical
theatres, jazz clubs, recording studios, theme parks, cruise ships, touring companies,
military ensembles, chamber ensembles, and as soloists. Many performers also spend
much of their time teaching private lessons in local schools, private studios, music
stores, or at the college level. Performance majors can pursue graduate degrees or
careers in conducting, composing, arranging, music theory, pedagogy, or arts management.
This degree will prepare you for any number of these music careers.
This degree prepares students for careers in symphony orchestras, opera houses, musical
theatres, jazz clubs, recording studios, theme parks, cruise ships, touring companies,
military ensembles, chamber ensembles, and as soloists. Many performers also spend
much of their time teaching private lessons in local schools, private studios, music
stores, or at the college level. Many performance majors pursue graduate degrees or
careers in conducting, composing, arranging, music theory, pedagogy, or arts management.
This degree will prepare you for any number of these music careers.
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) are liberal studies degrees
that prepare students for a wide array of careers for which a specific music degree
may not be required and allow students to select from a broad spectrum of courses
that suit their career goals and interests. This concentration requires a minor in
another area that students select with the help of their academic advisor and based
on career goals and interests. The minor provides additional skills and content that
may not be offered in a music course but are essential for some music-related careers.
Music teachers are both professional educators and professional musicians. As such,
your course work will prepare you to be a competent educator and exceptional vocalist
or instrumentalist. Music education courses begin in the sophomore year and conclude
with a semester of clinical-teaching. You will also take a group of teacher-preparation
courses from the College of Education that prepares you to become a state-certified
teacher.
Music teachers are both professional educators and professional musicians. As such,
your course work will prepare you to be a competent educator and exceptional vocalist
or instrumentalist. Music education courses begin in the sophomore year and conclude
with a semester of clinical-teaching. You will also take a group of teacher-preparation
courses from the College of Education that prepares you to become a state-certified
teacher.
Music therapists use music as a therapeutic tool to address motor, communication, cognitive, social, and/or emotional needs. Music therapists work with clients across the lifespan in school, hospitals, mental health agencies, nursing and rehabilitation centers, or private practice. This is a rapidly growing field and APSU is one of only three schools in Tennessee to offer a concentration in music therapy!
Graduate programs
This one-year program is designed for post-baccalaureate music students who wish to
concentrate primarily on their performance skills as they are prepare for entry into
masters programs, competitions, auditions, or performing positions without being enrolled
in a degree program. The program focuses almost exclusively on developing performance
skills through private instruction, collaborative and ensemble performances, and solo
recitals.
This program is designed to meet the needs of musicians seeking to focus on choral
conducting. Some choose this specialization simply to improve their skills as teachers
and conductors while others use the program to prepare for doctoral study in choral
conducting. Students will be required to do a conducting audition on campus with a
student ensemble.
This program is designed to meet the needs of musicians seeking to focus on instrumental
conducting. Some choose this specialization simply to improve their skills as teachers
and conductors while others use the program to prepare for doctoral study in instrumental conducting.
Students will be required to do a conducting audition on campus with a student ensemble.
The Department of Music seeks to fulfill its mission by providing training and experience
for students preparing for careers in music performance, providing training toward
the development of critical thinking in music, providing music training and teaching
experience for students seeking licensure in education to help meet the need for competent
music teachers in the state and region, and providing education resources and musical
experiences as part of a comprehensive Liberal Arts education.
What Do Music Majors Do After Graduation?
Music majors go on to pursue many different paths:
- Performance
- Music Education
- Pedagogy
- Theory and Composition
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology
- Worship or Sacred Music
- Music Therapy
- Music Business
- Music Technology
- Conducting
- Instrument Repair
- Music Librarian
