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Bachelor of Arts in Music

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Performing Arts Program

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Music: Training Tomorrow’s Maestros

If you’ve been dreaming of performing as a proficient, disciplined musician, a music degree at Pensacola Christian College will give you the tools to become just that.

You’ll study music from a biblical worldview—while learning under faculty who are committed to providing the academic and artistic training necessary for your success. Your mentors and classmates create a community of musicians who grow and support each other through the vast opportunities to showcase your talents.

The liberal arts courses you’ll take—blended with music theory, technology, and more—provide a well-rounded education. Whether you’re gifted in voice, keyboard, or orchestral instruments, you’ll accumulate valuable knowledge and performance experience supported by personal instruction. As you finesse your skills, you’ll become better equipped to glorify God through the craft—and by graduation, you’ll be prepared to advance your studies or pursue one of many career opportunities.


Faith-Based Music

As a Christian with life-giving news to share, understanding the value, power, and purpose of music starts with developing a strong philosophy. At PCC, you’ll gain God’s perspective and develop discernment. Whether your future is a stage, classroom, or studio, you’ll be motivated to keep the spotlight on Christ and to glorify Him in all you do as an accomplished musician.

recital

Music Major Learning Outcomes

As a music graduate, you will be able to

  • communicate concisely and effectively about music in oral and written forms reflecting a biblical worldview;
  • produce public music performances showing appropriate proficiency;
  • demonstrate a working knowledge of harmonic principles, form and analysis, and aural skills; and
  • employ pedagogical techniques for music students of various levels.
Music Major Course Schedule

Program Highlight

Senior Recital

Students studying music have the opportunity to showcase all they’ve accomplished through a senior recital. With their private instructor, students prepare highlights from the program and perform in front of family and friends for 45 minutes. Apart from graduation, the recital is a great way to conclude an undergraduate college career in music.

Your Music Future

What can you do with a music degree?

There are so many opportunities to showcase your God-given talents—former students serve today as teachers, music directors, church and professional musicians, composers and arrangers, and more.

Here are a few of the countless career opportunities available to you.

  • Accompanist
  • Arranger
  • Conductor
  • Composer
  • Music Director
  • Musician
  • Music Minister/Pastor
  • Music Teacher
  • Performing Artist
  • Private Music Instructor
  • Recording Artist
  • Studio Owner
  • Vocal Coach

Here are a few of the grad schools our music alumni have attended.

  • Boston University
  • Butler University
  • Clarks Summit University
  • Columbus State University
  • Florida State University
  • George Washington University
  • Georgetown University
  • James Madison University
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Liberty University
  • Louisiana State University
  • New York University
  • Penn State University
  • University of Cincinnati
  • University of South Carolina
  • University of Southern Mississippi
  • University of Iowa

Here are a few of the many places that our music alumni have worked.

  • Carroll Christian Schools, Westminster, MD
  • Encore Music Events
  • Great Oak School, Tomball, TX
  • Jackie Robinson Elementary School, Chicago, IL
  • Memphis Symphony Orchestra
  • Musically Sound Studios, Medina, OH
  • Palm Beach Community College, FL
  • Southern Hills Baptist Church, Las Vegas, NV

Faculty Highlight

Pitagoras Gonçalves

Dr. Pitagoras Gonçalves

Music Diploma, Villa-Lobos Conservatory
B.M., State University of Campinas, Brazil
M.A., Pensacola Christian College
D.M.A., Louisiana State University

“What led me here to teach at PCC is a love to influence [the next] generations to glorify God. I want to convey that by helping them to develop their abilities and to be ready to jump in at opportunities presented by God.

I pray that the students realize and fulfill their full potential. I believe the Lord called them to glorify His name through music, not just by reaching an acceptable performance level, but by [continually] developing their abilities. When students [realize] there are no limits to learning, they can find their niche in this constantly changing professional world.”

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Alumni Spotlight

Daniel Blomdahl
Daniel Blomdahl ’15

Music Teacher
Pensacola Christian Academy

“I’ve been super interested in music since the fourth grade. In the ninth grade, I took Jaffé Strings through Abeka Academy and learned the violin. This sparked my interest in PCC.

PCC [has] a wide variety of musical opportunities available. And the music faculty at PCC are top notch! They genuinely care about their students and their musical development. They ensured that every performance was well-prepared and instilled many foundational practices and habits in my life.

I loved the music faculty. Because of the nature of music, I was able to interact with faculty closely. Whether it was one on one in a music lesson or in evening operetta rehearsals, I got to see [my teachers’] obvious love for God and music. They were able to infuse each lesson with biblical truth and principles.

After my bachelor’s degree, PCC’s thorough courses prepared me to delve deeper into music at the graduate level. Courses like music theory and music history, and even Grammar and Composition class, prepared me to study at a higher level. Having a liberal arts education gave me a well-rounded education preparing me to have knowledge in many diverse areas.”

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Music Concentration Course Schedule

Students playing keyboards

About the Music Program

The purpose of the music major is to equip students with a comprehensive approach to technique, musicianship, and communication to honor the Lord through music.

$45 per semester or 3 payments of $15 (instrumental emphasis is $50 per semester or 3 payments of $16.67).
Students taking music lessons and group instruction must pay appropriate music course fees.

Music course fees underwrite the cost for personalized music instruction (brass, harp, hymnplaying, percussion, piano, strings, voice, woodwind) and are paid by all who are registered for the following courses at the end of the drop/add period.

  • Private Lessons: $175–$350
  • Group Instruction: $87.50–$175

Students must demonstrate sufficient talent and ability to pursue music courses. They must demonstrate appropriate ability via freshman evaluation, sophomore platform, and senior recital in an area of applied music and take instruction in this field every semester. This major emphasis may be voice, keyboard, or one of the standard band or orchestral instruments.

Students with a major or minor in music are required to enroll in Music Repertoire each semester they enroll in private lessons as follows:
  • Majors: after passing two semesters of private lessons
  • Minors: after passing sophomore music platform

Students with a vocal or instrumental emphasis must have secondary skill in piano and must pass the secondary piano examination or pass PI 211–212.

Second-semester sophomores must successfully complete a sophomore music platform in their emphasis to be approved for a major in music. A public recital is given during the senior year.

All music majors must participate in one performing ensemble every semester, including their last 4 semesters. Music minors must participate in a performing ensemble 4 to 6 hours, including their last 4 semesters. Performing ensembles that meet requirements for each emphasis are as follows:
  • Instrumental: Orchestra
  • Keyboard: Accompaniment Practicum, Chamber Ensemble, Handbell Choir, Orchestra, Proclaim Ministry Team (Music), Symphonic Band, Symphonic Choir
  • Vocal: Chamber Ensemble, Symphonic Choir

Music minors must demonstrate appropriate ability in one area of applied music and will take instruction in this area for 6 semesters. Second-semester sophomores must successfully complete a sophomore music platform in their emphasis area to be approved for a minor in music.

Music students can apply for scholarships to receive financial aid.

Charles Reubin Ball Memorial Scholarship
$1,000 scholarship awarded to a student with a music or music education major or music ministries concentration who has a financial need, to be applied over one semester.

Dr. and Mrs. Arnold C. Ott Memorial Scholarship
$1,000 scholarships each awarded to students with a music major who have a financial need, to be applied over one semester.

Robert and Norma Vermeulen Memorial Scholarship
$500 scholarships each awarded to continuing sophomores, juniors, or seniors with a music or music education major or a pastoral ministries or music ministries concentration who have a financial need, to be applied over one semester.

See More Scholarships
Career Fair

Music Career Support

With Career Services and Career Link, students can start making connections with employers while on campus during Career Fair events. These services provide tools and resources designed to empower you for your career in music.

Need help? Career Services staff are ready to assist you in researching employment opportunities, exploring job qualifications, and providing mock interviews and résumé support.

Related Programs


Bachelor of Science in Music Education

Bachelor of Arts in Bible, Music Ministries Concentration

Bachelor of Arts in Performance Studies
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