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B.M. in Music Religion

BM-Music-Religion_0423

Use your musical gifts in ministry.

Grove City College offers a Bachelor of Music in Music Religion that cultivates collaboration between our outstanding music and religion programs. As a music religion major, you will develop a unique skill set from rigorous musical training and an in-depth exploration of the intersection of sacred music, theology, and worship. Wherever you feel called to serve, you will be prepared to glorify God and point others to Him through music ministry and worship, church leadership, and sacred music scholarship.  

Program Highlights
  • On-campus performance opportunities in 11 faculty-directed ensembles and more than 15 chamber ensembles (ranging from our faculty-directed marching band, symphonic orchestra, and touring choir to chamber ensembles like string quartets, woodwind quintets, flute choir, trumpet ensemble, and chamber singers), as well as opportunities to help lead traditional and contemporary worship services in chapel and surrounding local churches.
  • Internship opportunities with regional churches and other musical and faith-based organizations.  
  • Leadership opportunities in campus and state-level music organizations such as Pennsylvania Collegiate Music Educators Association (PCMEA). 
  • 71 major credit hours of rigorous undergraduate coursework in music and religion. For detailed course descriptions, refer to the College Catalog.
    • Music core requirements include courses in Music Theory, Aural Skills, Conducting, History of Music, and Music Technology. 
    • Music method requirements include course options in brass, percussion, woodwind, vocal, and string.
    • Ensemble requirements include a minimum of eight credits in your primary applied instrument and an additional component of two credits of group music classes or private lessons in a secondary applied area. 
    • Music/religion requirements include Church Music, Old Testament Literature and History, New Testament Literature and History, Christian Education for Youth and Adults, and Introduction to Christian Ministries, among other options in religion.
    • Elective space allows freedom to explore related areas such as biblical theology of worship, composing, organ music, hymnody, liturgical music, various instruments, and more.
    • Senior capstone recital.
  • Highly accomplished religion faculty and widely talented music faculty mentors who hold membership in such organizations as ACDA, American Composers Forum, ASTA, BMI, CODA, College Music Society, NAfME, PADESTA, PMEA, Phi Beta Mu, SMTE, and TI:ME. 
  • Excellent facilities featuring: 
    • 22 Boston Steinway practice pianos and four-manual Kimball organ.
    • 28 practice rooms, organ studio, and harp studio.
    • 700-seat performance hall and theatre, 170-seat recital hall, and large ensemble rehearsal hall.
    • Music technology lab.
  • Vocation-enriching humanities core classes woven into your academic schedule that will help to solidify your worldview and cultivate critical thinking and communication skills, empathy, and a big-picture approach to your discipline.
Career Outcomes
  • If you’re like 100% of Grove City College's 2022 music graduates, you will be prepared to compete for full-time employment or pursue graduate-level education at some of the best schools across the country.
    • Music religion graduates can pursue professional positions such as minister of music, worship leader, choir conductor, organist, vocalist, cantor, composer, and director of worship arts.
    • Others pursue further education at such prestigious institutions as Belmont University, Carnegie Mellon University, George Mason University, University of Notre Dame, Pennsylvania State University, University of Washington, and Yale. 
  • Wherever you find yourself performing, instructing, or serving with your music degree, you will have the techniques and inspired perspective to make the most of your talents for God’s glory and the growth of His kingdom.  
Audition Information

An audition for admission into the music program is required for music majors and minors. For comprehensive audition information, please refer to Instructions for Music Applicants.

  • Musical selections of the standard academic repertoire for your instrument or voice are appropriate (standard, classical, musical theatre, contemporary, etc.), and two or three selections of contrasting style are preferred. 
  • Regardless of your instrument or voice, you will be tested in music theory, tonal memory, and rhythmic skills.
  • Your application for admission to Grove City College must be received by the Office of Admissions by your selected application deadline, and you must also complete your music audition by that deadline.