Music Performance (Major)

Refine your talent for professional performance, whether through vocal or instrumental excellence.

Through analyzing and practicing performance techniques, you will develop new skills and sharpen your existing musical gifts. Our Music Performance program will stretch the limits of your abilities and provide active experience through music technology in our fully equipped music lab, vocal and instrumental ensembles, and one-on-one music instruction with master teachers.

Music Performance majors must choose a concentration in piano, vocal, or instrumental music performance and decide on a primary and secondary instrument to focus on over their four years. Every Music Performance student closes their four years of study with a culminating senior recital.

Music Performance Degrees

  • BM in Performance—Instrumental
  • BM in Performance—Piano
  • BM in Performance—Vocal

  • Degree

View Curriculum

Build Skills In:

  • Vocal performance
  • Music theory and harmony
  • Acting techniques
  • Dance
  • Stagecraft & design
  • Directing
  • Stage diction and vocal diction
  • Conducting
  • Preparing for auditions
  • Entrepreneurship in the arts

Career opportunities:

  • Actor
  • Opera performer
  • Choreographer/dancer
  • Drama/music therapist
  • Music producer
  • Artistic/music director
  • Conductor
  • Professional singer/vocalist
  • Voiceover actor
  • Arts administrator

Celebrate Excellent Performance

After spending four years developing new skills and strengthening your existing musical gifts, you will close your time at Taylor with a culminating senior recital that showcases your diligent work with your chosen instruments.

Music Performance Curriculum Guides & Degree Options

Taylor faculty in the Music, Theatre & Dance Department provide hands-on mentorship, supporting students in and beyond the classroom.

The curriculum guides below outline required courses and degree requirements for each academic program.

A Taylor liberal arts education will prepare you to live and work in a fast-changing world. It also goes a step further: laying a strong spiritual foundation that cultivates wisdom. You’ll become a well-versed individual, equipped with critical thinking skills, a lifelong love of learning, and an appreciation for God’s creation.

View Foundational Core Curriculum.

Concentration: Instrumental

Become an expert on the instrument of your choice. Get an introduction to electronic music, instrumental arranging, instrumental pedagogy, and musical literature.

Concentration: Piano

Focus on piano performance with additional studies in theory, history, composition, and electronic music. Piano students are encouraged to take choral and instrumental arranging courses to complement their studies.

Concentration: Vocal

Learn how to best express your voice through song. Voice courses include vocal pedagogy; vocal literature; diction in Italian, French, German, and English language; and two foreign language proficiency courses.

  • Participate in a Musical Ensemble

    Music students gain performance and conducting experience through required ensemble participation.

    Taylor offers a diverse range of singing groups, from Chorale to Gospel Choir. A variety of instrumental ensembles offers students a chance to explore different musical styles, and all students are welcome to audition for a theatre group.

    Learn More About Ensembles

  • Center for Musical Development

    Interested in learning to teach piano? The Center for Musical Development provides musical instruction to students from the surrounding community. This program gives Taylor students practical experience in teaching piano to young learners. Children ages 6 to 16 can receive piano lessons from Taylor students and professional instructors at a reasonable cost, with no prior musical training required.

  • Audition & Scholarship Information

    Music, Theatre, & Dance Scholarships are presented to outstanding high school seniors and transfer students who are committed to a career in music, theatre, or dance. The total award amounts vary depending on the student’s musical ability and the needs of the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance. To qualify, students must declare a major in the department, complete the scholarship application, and audition in person or video.

    Apply Now

Music Performance is part of the Music, Theatre & Dance Department

Contact
Conor Angell
Department Co-Chair and Professor of Music—Lyric Theatre & Voice

765-998-5290
[email protected]

Contact
Andrea Baker
Music, Theatre, & Dance Program Assistant

765-998-5232
[email protected]

students playing violin

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