Bachelor in Music Performance

Music Performance at Messiah College

Are you ready to become a successful musical performer?

If playing or singing music for an audience is your career goal, then a music performance degree from Messiah College’s renowned music program is definitely a step in the right direction. At Messiah, you'll develop the technical proficiency to excel in your preferred area of musical performance—instrumental or vocal—and acquire practical, personal and entrepreneurial skills necessary for a successful music career in the 21st century.

Music performance major distinctives

As a music performance major at Messiah College, you’ll be able to:

• Complete coursework which includes increased hours for private study on a chosen instrument.
• Receive instrument-specific instruction in pedagogy and literature.
• Perform two full recitals, building a strong base of repertoire and gaining important on-stage experience.
• Perform in various College musical ensembles including wind ensemble, concert choir, symphony orchestra, jazz ensemble, symphonic winds, opera workshop and chamber ensembles.

Career options for music performance majors

As a graduate of the music performance program, students are equipped to secure positions such as:

• Professional singer
• Professional instrumentalist
• Composer
• Conductors
• Recording artist
• Accompanist

Internship opportunities for music performance majors

Messiah’s nationally recognized internship program places students in a variety of music performance internships. A few examples include:

• Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
• Susquehanna Chorale
• Harrisburg Opera Association

Program emphasis

The Bachelor of Music Degree at Messiah College is a professionally-geared performance degree available to vocal, keyboard, string, wind, brass and percussion students. Admission into this program is by audition, and a high level of ability and strong work ethic are expected. In addition to the College's General Education requirements, the larger portion of this degree is a music curriculum designed to prepare the student for entrance into the nation's top graduate music programs or for a performance or studio-teaching career.

You’ll learn the techniques and develop the musical sensitivity needed to have a successful career in music performance through an emphasis on music fundamentals that enhance and apply to performance. In our program, you’ll build and fine-tune your technical skills through guided practices and grow in the self-awareness that will help you find your creative voice while developing a deeper understanding of musical culture through the lens of a Christian worldview.

Performances and practical learning

You will complete coursework which includes increased hours for private study on a chosen instrument, as well as instrument-specific instruction in pedagogy and literature.

You’ll perform two full recitals and various College musical ensembles including wind ensemble, concert choir, symphony orchestra, jazz ensemble, symphonic winds, opera workshop and chamber ensembles. Each performance will build a strong base of repertoire and help you gain important on-stage experience.

Scholarships

Messiah College offers several scholarships including the Provost’s and College Honors Programs Scholarships each with different academic requirements and deadlines. We must receive all application materials by January 15th for highest scholarship consideration.

International citizens may be awarded additional financial aid on a case-by-case basis using the information provided on the International Student Scholarship Application (I.S.S.A.). The link to the I.S.S.A. form is emailed to students along with their admissions decision letter. That means the sooner the admissions process is completed, the sooner students can apply for financial aid and receive a package.

After subtracting academic scholarship and financial aid monies, international students pay between US$20,000-$30,000 each year for four years. The U.S. Embassy will deny student visa requests if the student cannot show supporting financial documents to pay this amount for college expenses. This is a government rule, not college rule.

We can accept your application, official transcript and test score at any time during the year. You must select which term you would be entering. There are two intakes during each academic year - in late August for our Fall term, and late January for our Spring term.