Music

The BA at Converse is specifically designed to encourage you to combine your music studies with an outside field. You’ll be assigned an advisor for each of your majors who will help you pursue your varied interests. Music BAs have ample opportunities to be fully involved in the school’s performances.

You’ll have the chance to design your own Senior Capstone. Recent projects include website design, original musical theater compositions, solo recitals, and presentations on topics ranging from Carvaggio’s Use of Music Symbolism to The Use of Magic Squares in Music Composition to The Changing Portrayal of Women through Disney Song.

Music minors are valued members of the Converse music community and are encouraged to continue performing in our ensembles long after their degree requirements are completed. They often find ways to incorporate their music studies in their major field, be that field education, psychology, or theater.

Music BA and minors are active in a wide variety of spaces beyond the classroom. They are often working performers while still in college, playing with a wide array of area ensembles or singing with one of Spartanburg’s many choral or musical theater groups. They’ve pursued internships in music industry, instrumental repair, and arts administration and even travel internationally.

Because they are often double-majors able to make intellectual leaps from one subject area to another, our students can be found in almost every campus-wide activity, running Model League showdowns, performing or working behind the scenes in the theater, or even wielding the gavel as SGA president.

As part of your coursework, you’ll take lessons, get an overview of music theory and history, study applied music and perform in large ensembles.

Sample Courses

• Diverse Cultures and Their Musics
• Private music lessons
• Music History and Theory
• Ensembles: Converse Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Converse Chorale, Converse Opera Theater, Creative Music Ensemble

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music

Our Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music offers the perfect balance between music and liberal arts studies. About 40% of the courses will be in music, and 60% will be in the liberal arts. You’ll complete three years of private study on your instrument or voice, two years of coursework in music theory and music history, and one year of piano studies. The remainder of your coursework will be in the liberal arts – you will have several available elective credits and are encouraged to use them toward a second major or minor. In the final year of study you’ll complete a Senior Capstone, which may take the form of a recital, paper, presentation, or other significant project.

View the BA in Music requirements.

Minor in Music

The Music minor requires 23 credit hours and is a great complement to any major. As a Music minor, you’ll complete one year of coursework in performance, music theory, and music history, as well as participate in performing ensembles.

View the Minor in Music requirements.

Course Offerings & Academic Catalogs

Music BAs are the kind of folks that invent their OWN jobs. They combine their music skills with other areas to explore new paradigms.

What are Music BA alumni doing?

Our graduates are currently working in many industries and earning advanced degrees both within and outside of the field of music.

Grad Schools

• Westminster Choir College, Composition
• University of Alabama, Music
• Indiana University, Music
• Emerson College, Writing and Publishing
• University of Georgia, Public Administration
• Converse University, Marriage and Family Therapy
• Salem College, Music
• Vanderbilt University, German Studies

Jobs

• Self-Employed Singer-Songwriter and Composer
• Assistant Professor of Horn and Music Theory, Valparaiso University
• Tour Manager, Preservation Hall Jazz Band
• Walt Disney World
• Team Leader, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Private Piano Teacher in Xian, China