The Elmhurst University Department of Music strives to engage students in relevant learning experiences that provide students with the background needed for a successful career path in music. Our programs prepare students for musical careers including but not limited to performing musicians, scholars, teachers, sound recording engineers, composers, and performing arts managers, through comprehensive coursework and current pedagogies. Our wide range of course offerings include programs to foster artistic and musical growth, meaningful experiences, with both proven practices and forward-thinking innovation in the field of music. We strive to provide each student with a safe and challenging learning environment where students have opportunities to collaborate with their peers, faculty, and professional musicians from Illinois and beyond.

The faculty of the Elmhurst University Department of Music are dedicated to:

1. Support students’ comprehension of requisite musical core curriculum in the development of a broad musical foundation towards the application of personal musicianship skills.

2. Foster student engagement in authentic experiences with professional musicians and practitioners outside of the Elmhurst University community to develop relevant and real-life learning experiences.

3. Engage students as life-long learners and scholars, instilling the pursuit of continued musical and professional growth.

4. Nurture an environment where students embody the highest standards of musical professionalism and integrity.

5. Create classroom and musical laboratory environments that are inclusive and representative of students’ cultural backgrounds and offer a diverse repertoire of materials and experiences.

Majors in Music

Admission to any degree program in the music department is dependent upon successful completion of an audition interview with members of the music department faculty prior to the first term. This audition interview also serves as a screening procedure for music scholarship awards. Audition dates and times should be arranged with the music department office. All majors are required to present MUS 130,131,132,133, 135, 136, 235, 236, 343 and 344 as a part of their graduation requirements.* They must also have at least six terms of applied music lessons taken on the college level on their major instrument or voice with the exception of Music Performance majors, who must take eight terms on their major instrument or voice with the last four terms taken for (.50) credit. For students enrolling as first-year students, these six terms must be taken at Elmhurst University. For transfer students, up to three terms of acceptable prior credit may be applied to this requirement.

Each student must also attain and maintain membership in a major performing ensemble while a full-time music major at Elmhurst University on their major instrument or voice. Except for music education majors, guitar majors may select Classical Guitar Ensemble to fulfill this requirement. See specific degree programs for ensemble requirements. All music majors are also required to take MUS 100 Concert Attendance each term. Full-time students must attend a minimum of eight performances each term.

A minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 overall and 2.75 in music must be achieved by the student to be advanced to the junior level in music. These levels must then be maintained. Students below these standards may direct a request for a review of their status to the department chair. Music majors must pass the Keyboard Musicianship Examination (or MUS 222) as described in the department handbook prior to graduation, with the exception of music education majors, who must pass the keyboard musicianship examination prior to student teaching. Details of the programs, policies and certificates for music majors are found in the department handbook.