Academics  —  Music Major & Minor

Music Major & Minor

Goshen College loves music. At GC, you’ll hear hymns sung in four-part harmony in chapel and on soccer field bleachers. When you enroll in GC’s supportive and rigorous music program, you’ll find that your classmates not only love to be surrounded with music, they are dedicated to mastering it.

Your music studies will be held in the Music Center, a concert facility known for its world-class acoustics. Sauder Concert Hall has been described as one of the top venues in the country. Rieth Recital Hall is home to an immaculate Taylor and Boody pipe organ complete with 1,600 resounding pipes. During your time as a music student, you’ll become well acquainted with performing in these esteemed halls whether with chamber music groups, large ensembles, or as a soloist. Our students grow their skills in community as members of our fine ensembles: All-Campus Band, Symphony Orchestra, Lavender Jazz, Men’s Chorus, Women’s World Music Choir, and Chamber Choir.

While our curriculum is rooted in the classical music tradition, at GC you will also experience world music, jazz, living composers, folk music and church music of many styles. Our faculty’s diverse expertise and breadth of knowledge will ensure that you excel in your primary instrument and area of concentration while deepening your knowledge and skills in music theory and history.

Why study music at Goshen College?

Here are just a few reasons:

  1. World-class facilities: Your music studies will be held in the Music Center, a beautiful concert facility known for its world-class acoustics (as good as Carnegie Hall), great visiting artists and audiences who have a passion for music.
  2. Unique ensembles: Make music with others in on of our many musical ensembles, such as the Men’s Chorus, Women’s World Music Choir, Chamber Choir, All-Campus Band, Symphony Orchestra or Lavender Jazz (big band).
  3. Performance opportunities abound: Our music program offers numerous opportunities to perform. All music majors perform recitals both sophomore and senior years. You can also compete to perform a solo with the orchestra at the annual concerto-aria competition.
  4. Great scholarships available: Music scholarships are available by audition, up to $10,000!
  5. Choices for focusing: As a music student, you can concentrate in music performance, music education, music in worship and piano pedagogy.
  6. Liberal arts approach: GC educates the whole person while encouraging a high level of performance from each musician. We enthusiastically support students studying outside of music through additional majors/minors and being involved in other extra-curriculars.

Related Programs

Music In Worship Theater Piano Pedagogy Art Elementary Education Secondary Education

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News & Events

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GC Opera Scenes contrast classic operas and modern musical theater

Goshen College student vocalists will present scenes from operas and musicals in two Goshen College Opera Workshop performances on Friday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 14, at 4 p.m. Both performances will take place in the Goshen College Music Center’s Rieth Recital Hall.

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Goshen College Men’s Chorus to perform home concert after spring break tour, March 1

The Goshen College Men’s Chorus will conclude their spring break tour to New Orleans with a home concert in the Music Center’s Sauder Concert Hall on Sunday, March 1, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.

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GC Men’s Chorus releases 'Live' CD

The Goshen College Men’s Chorus has released a new CD of live recordings from the past five years, now available for purchase through the Goshen College Music Center main office.

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Connections carry GC Men’s Chorus to the Big Easy for spring break tour

The Goshen College Men's Chorus will spend their mid-term break performing in churches and schools in New Orleans during a weeklong tour Feb. 21-26.

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Sauder Concert Hall Live Stream

The Music Center and Music Department are live-streaming many concerts and events.

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Stats

93%

of music alumni are satisfied or very satisfied with their undergraduate education

100%

of full-time music faculty have doctorates

$10,000

Amount you could receive in merit-based music scholarships

4

Number of concentrations: music performance, music education, music in worship and piano pedagogy

6

Number of vocal and instrumental ensembles you can join at Goshen College

Students & Alumni

Mark Herris '96

Organist and Church Musician

Mark Herris serves as Director of Music Ministries at Calvary United Methodist Church in Brownsburg, Indiana. Read more

Read Mark's Story

Lisa Guedea Carreño '84

Director, Elkhart Public Library

Lisa Guedea Carreño is Director of Elkhart Public Library in Elkhart, Indiana. Read more

Read Lisa's Story

Adam Tice '02

Hymn writer, composer

Adam is an accomplished composer and writer of hymns and hymn texts. Read more

Read Adam's Story

Michael Ruhling '87

Music Professor

Michael Ruhling is a music professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Read more

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Andrew Landis ’09

Operatic State Manager

Andrew Landis is a stage manager who works for various opera companies across the country. Read more

Read Andrew's Story

Lara Troyer '94

Professional Opera Singer

Lara Troyer is a versatile soprano, at home on the opera stage as well as concert and recital stage. Read more

Read Lara's Story

Faculty

View Adjunct Music Faculty Profiles

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