Music
Build Your Musical Journey
As a music major you will explore all that music has to offer and build your own path. The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree allows you to build from a solid foundation in music theory, ear training, music history, conducting, and applied study to become a well-rounded musician. This major offers you a lower credit load, allowing you the opportunity to build a unique path through minors, study abroad, or additional studies.
What Can I Do With a Degree in Music?
As a music major in Pennsylvania you will craft a unique journey to build your music career. Etown Music Alumni work as:
- Arts Administrators
- Classical and Film Composers
- Performing Arts Venue Directors
- Touring Musicians
- Collaborative Pianists
- Church Organists and Worship Leaders
- Music Faculty
- Music Industry Leaders
Courses of Study
As a music student, you’ll take a wide variety of music classes including coursework in music theory, music history, piano, aural skills, private lessons, and conducting. Additionally, you will have opportunities to participate in chamber and large music ensembles, including symphonic band, jazz band, orchestra, and choir. Some students choose to pursue minors in:
- Arts Administration
- Communications
- History
- Languages
- English Literature
- Fine Art
-
Creative Writing
Immerse yourself in a rich arts environment
As a music major in Pennsylvania, you’ll be close to some of the largest cultural and performance hubs on the east coast. Enrich your experience through our close proximity to major arts organizations in Lancaster and Harrisburg. Or catch a quick train ride to New York City, Philadelphia, and Baltimore to experience the biggest names in the industry.
Write Your Story
As a music major, you have the unique opportunity to write your unique story and career through curricular choice. As a music major you might:
- Invest in music performance skills through applied lessons and ensembles.
- Study abroad.
- Pursue internships.
- Compose music
- Research with leading faculty
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Music Minor
A minor in music offers opportunities to acquire and develop skills in music theory, performance, music history, and literature. Students electing to minor in Music must consult with the Department Chair, who assigns a music faculty member to assess readiness for admission to the program.
We invite all prospective Music majors to join us on campus to meet the faculty, observe a class or performance and learn more about the auditions process.
Music Ensembles
Elizabethtown College offers a variety of ensembles. You do not have to be a Music major to participate in an ensemble, however you must be registered on Jayweb for the ensemble, either for credit or no-credit. With our ensembles, you will perform several times each year both on-and off-campus.
Instrumental Ensembles
Symphonic Band
The Elizabethtown College Symphonic Band, directed by Dr. Galen Leitzel, is the premier wind and percussion ensemble. The ensemble performs a wide variety of quality musical literature from the wind band repertoire. Membership in the Symphonic Band is available to Elizabethtown College students of every academic major. No audition is required for membership. The Symphonic Band rehearses twice per week and performs at least one concert each semester. For more information regarding membership, contact Dr. Leitzel at leitzelg@etown.edu or by telephone at (717) 361-1178.
Jazz Band
The Jazz Band, directed by Grant Moore, meets once each week for two hours and members may receive 1/2 credit. It is open to qualified students, with the approval of the director. It performs often during the academic year, both on- and off-campus, and offers students instruction in the basic skills of improvisation, stylization, and performance. For more information regarding membership, contact Grant Moore at mooreg@etown.edu or by telephone at (717) 361-1114.
Orchestra
Founded in 1971, the Elizabethtown College-Community Orchestra (ECCO) is the premier wind, string, and percussion ensemble at Elizabethtown College. The ensemble, directed by Dr. Hayden Denesha, performs a wide variety of quality musical literature for both string orchestra and full orchestra. Membership is available to students of every academic major at Elizabethtown. There are no auditions required for community and college string players; community and College wind and percussion musicians gain membership in the ensemble with permission from the director. The orchestra performs at least one concert each semester. For more information regarding membership, contact Dr. Denesha at deneshah@etown.edu or by telephone at (717) 361-1178.
Chamber Ensembles
Chamber ensembles provide students opportunities to learn and perform works for small ensemble combinations. Musicians work to increase knowledge of chamber music repertoire and performance practice. The ensembles meet for approximately one hour weekly. Participants receive one-half hour credit per semester. Chamber groups include, but are not limited to:
- Arioso Flute Choir
- Brass Ensemble
- Clarinet Ensemble
- Horn Ensemble
- Mixed Winds
- Percussion Ensemble
- Piano Ensemble
- Saxophone Ensemble
- String Ensemble
Occasionally mixed groups may also be formed, including guitar and voice. Auditions may be necessary for some groups.
Choral Ensembles
College-Community Chorus
The Elizabethtown College-Community Chorus is directed by Dr. Matthew Fritz, and is open to any member of the student body and local community without audition. Literature performed may include works from the standard choral repertoire, contemporary selections and music of varying cultures and periods. Students may enroll for one credit and earn Creative Expression core credit after four semesters or enroll for no credit with instructor permission.
Fenice
Fenice is a gender-inclusive treble choir directed by Dr. Anne Gross and is open to any member of the student body by audition. Literature performed may include works from the standard choral repertoire, contemporary selections, and music of varying cultures and periods. Students may enroll for one credit and earn Creative Expression core credit after four semesters or enroll for no credit with instructor permission.
Sine Nomine
This vocal ensemble focuses on repertoire for the bass and tenor voices and is directed by Dr. Matthew Fritz. The ensemble is open to any member of the student body without audition. Literature performed may include works from the standard choral repertoire, contemporary selections, and music of varying cultures and periods.
Concert Choir
Concert Choir, Dr. Matthew Fritz, director, is an auditioned group is Etown’s premier vocal ensemble. This 40-member, mixed-voice, touring ensemble has performed throughout the United States as well as internationally. International tours have included Ireland, Northern Ireland, Brazil, South Africa, and Wales. Auditions for the ensemble are held each spring for current students, and during Freshmen Orientation for new students. Students may enroll for one credit or enroll for no credit with instructor permission.