All performance majors study instrumental or vocal techniques with a member of the music faculty, many of whom have national and international performing careers. In addition, vocal and instrumental students participate in SU’s performing ensembles.

Southwestern Music department has over 50 concerts and recitals a year, most featuring our students.  In addition to our renowned faculty, we bring in world class musicians for concerts and master classes all year long with the Sarofim Music Series. Past artist include soprano Laura Claycomb, cellist Evangeline Benedetti (NY Philharmonic), pianists Wonny Song and Roger Wright, guitarist Nicholas Goluses, flutist Marianne Gedigian, trombonist James Miller (LA Philharmonic), and members of the Miró and Shanghai Quartets.

Keyboard students have many opportunities for study, growth and performance including experience in accompanying, chamber music and performance with orchestra. Organ students have use of the architecturally and acoustically superior environment of Lois Perkins Chapel on campus.

Bachelor of Music

Major in Vocal Performance: 80 credits in the major area

• Six semesters of MUL80-100 Recital Attendance (four semesters for transfer students)
• MUL80-114 Music Literature I
• MUL80-214 Music Literature II
• MUL80-314 Music Literature III
• MUL80-414 Music Literature IV
• MUL80-701 Diction in Vocal Music I
• MUL80-711 Diction in Vocal Music II
• MUL80-712 Song Literature and Performance
• MUT76-111 Solfege/Ear Training I
• MUT76-113 Music Theory I: Harmony in Practice
• MUT76-211 Solfege/Ear Training II
• MUT76-213 Music Theory II: Form and Analysis
• MUT76-311 Solfege/Ear Training III
• MUT76-313 Music Theory III: Counterpoint
• MUT76-413 Music Theory IV: 20th-Century Music
• MUE77-522 Vocal Pedagogy
• MUE77-603 Choral Conducting
• Eight semesters of ensemble, selected from the following:
  • ENS78-121/221 Southwestern University Singers
  • ENS78-131/231 Southwestern University Chorale
• Two semesters of ENS 78-141/241 Opera Theatre
• 24 credits of APM8B-00x/APM8B-20x (Vocal performance majors should register for two credits of principal applied study each of their first four semesters, then four credits each semester thereafter.)
• Six credits of APM8A-00x/APM8A-20x Piano

NOTE: Vocal Performance majors must enroll in applied piano lessons every semester until the Keyboard Proficiency Exam is passed.

NOTE: Students completing the Vocal Performance emphasis must take two semesters of French and two semesters of German to meet the foreign language requirement.

Additional Requirements for the Major in Vocal Performance: Successful completion of the Keyboard Proficiency Examination; successful completion of the Sophomore Barrier Examination; successful completion of a jury at the end of each semester of enrollment at Southwestern; and successful completion of a capstone experience. The capstone experience is fulfilled by two recitals, one in each of the junior and senior years.

Major in Keyboard Performance: 88 credits in the major area

• Six semesters of MUL80-100 Recital Attendance (four semesters for transfer students)
• MUL80-114 Music Literature I
• MUL80-214 Music Literature II
• MUL80-314 Music Literature III
• MUL80-414 Music Literature IV
• Two semesters of MUL 80-612 Piano Solo Repertoire, B
• MUT76-111 Solfege/Ear Training I
• MUT76-113 Music Theory I: Harmony in Practice
• MUT76-211 Solfege/Ear Training II
• MUT76-213 Music Theory II: Form and Analysis
• MUT76-311 Solfege/Ear Training III
• MUT76-313 Music Theory III: Counterpoint
• MUT76-413 Music Theory IV: 20th-Century Music
• MUE77-532 Piano Pedagogy
• MUE77-603 Choral Conducting or MUE77-613 Instrumental Conducting
• Eight semesters of ensemble, selected among the following::
  • ENS78-101/201 Southwestern University Wind Ensemble
  • ENS78-111/211 Southwestern University Jazz Band
  • ENS78-121/221 Southwestern University Singers
  • ENS78-131/231 Southwestern University Chorale
  • ENS78-141/241 Opera Theatre
  • ENS78-171/271 Southwestern University Orchestra
• Two semesters of ENS78-151/251 Chamber Music (Instrumental)
• 24 credits from APM8x-00x/8x-20x Piano or Organ (Keyboard Performance Majors should register for two credits of principal applied study each of their first four semesters, then four credits each semester thereafter.)
• Six semesters of APM8x-001 (secondary instrument)
• Eight credits of Music electives

Additional Requirements for the Major in Keyboard Performance: Successful completion of the Keyboard Proficiency Examination; successful completion of the Sophomore Barrier Examination; successful completion of a jury at the end of each semester of enrollment at Southwestern; and successful completion of a capstone experience. The capstone experience is fulfilled by two recitals, one in each of the junior and senior years.

Major in Instrumental Performance: 87 credits in the major area

• Six semesters of MUL80-100 Recital Attendance (four semesters for transfer students)
• MUL80-114 Music Literature I
• MUL80-214 Music Literature II
• MUL80-314 Music Literature III
• MUL80-414 Music Literature IV
• MUL80-622 Instrumental Pedagogy and Literature
• MUT76-111 Solfege/Ear Training I
• MUT76-113 Music Theory I: Harmony in Practice
• MUT76-211 Solfege/Ear Training II
• MUT76-213 Music Theory II: Form and Analysis
• MUT76-223 Music Technology
• MUT76-311 Solfege/Ear Training III
• MUT76-313 Music Theory III: Counterpoint
• MUT76-413 Music Theory IV: 20th-Century Music
• MUE77-613 Instrumental Conducting
• Eight semesters of ensemble, selected among the following:
  • ENS78-101/201 Southwestern University Wind Ensemble
  • ENS78-111/211 Southwestern University Jazz Band
  • ENS78-171/271 Southwestern University Orchestra
• Two semesters of ENS78-151/251 Chamber Music (Instrumental)
• 24 credits from Applied Music 8x-00x/8x-20x (Instrumental Performance Majors should register for two credits of principal applied study each of their first four semesters, then four credits each semester thereafter.)
• Six semesters of APM8x-001 (secondary instrument*)
• Eight credits of Music electives

*Fulfilled by Piano for all students except those whose principal instrument is Piano (see above under Keyboard Performance).

Additional Requirements for the Major in Instrumental Performance: Successful completion of the Keyboard Proficiency Examination; successful completion of the Sophomore Barrier Examination; successful completion of a jury at the end of each semester of enrollment at Southwestern; and successful completion of a capstone experience. The capstone experience is fulfilled by two recitals, one in each of the junior and senior years.