Bachelor of Music

The bachelor of music is a professional degree that requires approximately two-thirds of the coursework in music. While music study begins in the freshman year, admission to this degree program is through audition and application for approval at the end of the sophomore year.

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Four majors are offered in this degree:

BACHELOR OF MUSIC IN PERFORMANCE

Candidates for this degree focus on a primary instrument or voice area with an emphasis on performance. Performance majors present a junior and senior recital as part of their degree requirements. Students with this degree often continue studies at the graduate level in preparation for careers in performance or collegiate/private education.

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BACHELOR OF MUSIC IN MUSIC EDUCATION

Music Education majors follow course of study in one of two areas: band/orchestra or elementary music/choral. This degree, which includes certification by the South Carolina Department of Education, involves course work in both the Music and Education Departments, and an extended supervised teaching internship. This degree typically leads to a career in K-12 music education following graduation, though many students continue their training by going directly into graduate study. This degree is accredited by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education Colleges.  Visit the Furman Education Department's web site.

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BACHELOR OF MUSIC IN CHURCH MUSIC

Candidates for the Church Music degree specialize in one of two performance areas: organ or voice. Students in this degree program generally go on to graduate school, seminary, or directly into a church music vocation.

Applied lesson study within the Church Music degree focuses on voice and keyboard (organ or piano). An appropriate level of vocal and keyboard ability is required for entry into the degree track. The Church Music degree includes the following criteria/areas of study: More Info.

Faculty contact: Charles Tompkins

BACHELOR OF MUSIC IN THEORY

In addition to the standard complement of theory classes, students majoring in Music Theory take a variety of advanced-level courses including composition, orchestration, modal and tonal counterpoint, form and analysis, and Schenkerian analysis. Students are also engaged in independent study projects in theory and/or composition throughout their junior and senior years. The results of these creative and investigative endeavors are commonly accepted for presentation at the National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR).

Theory majors complement their analytical and academic work with concentrated study in (a) performance area(s) of their choice and participate in one or more of Furman's ensembles. In fact, many of Furman's theory majors double major in performance. Our graduates are commonly accepted to the nation's leading graduate programs in theory, composition, and musicology.

Faculty contact: Mark Kilstofte

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