B.M. in Music Religion

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Program Distinctives

• Rigorous education from a Christ-centered perspective.
• Accessible Christian faculty mentors – Highly accomplished religion faculty and widely talented music faculty 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.
• Specialized training – A Bachelor of Music (B.M.) will provide more extensive music credits, personal instruction, and career preparation than you would receive with a Bachelor of Arts music degree – typical from most other institutions.
• On-campus performance opportunities – 11 faculty-directed ensembles including marching band, symphonic orchestra, and touring choir; and more than 15 chamber ensembles including string quartets, woodwind quartets, flute choir, trumpet ensemble, chamber singers, and more.
• Local church involvement – Pursue opportunities to help lead traditional and contemporary worship services in chapel and surrounding local churches.
• Senior capstone recital – Work to reach the highest performance level possible and prepare to lead as a worship leader, music minister, or solo or ensemble musician in a church.
• Internship opportunities – Gain real-world experience with regional churches and other musical and faith-based organizations.  
• Leadership opportunities – Grow as a leader and boost your resume with campus and state-level music organizations such as Pennsylvania Collegiate Music Educators Association (PCMEA).
• Vocation-enriching humanities core classes – Deepen your critical thinking, writing, and other communication skills while cultivating empathy and a well-rounded worldview.
• 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.

Career Opportunities & Outcomes

• Career paths: minister of music, composer, worship leader, choir conductor, organist, vocalist, cantor, director of worship arts, and more.
• Exceptional career outcomes – 100% of Grove City College music graduates in 2024 obtained employment or were accepted into graduate school. You will be prepared to compete for full-time employment or pursue graduate-level education at some of the best schools across the country.
  • Many graduates have pursued 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.
• Excellent career preparation – 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.  

Program Specifics

• Curriculum requirements – 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.

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.
  

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