Male performance major plays the violin in an orchestra

Bachelor of Music in Performance

About the B.M. in Performance Degree

Cedarville’s distinctly Christian Bachelor of Music in performance degree will prepare you for a rewarding career as a performer.

At Cedarville University, Bach’s famous phrase “Soli Deo Gloria” — for the glory of God alone — is more than a slogan. It is the mission that drives all that we do to honor the Master Creator through our creativity. Study in our music program and learn from accomplished professors who will mentor and inspire you. Master your skills in our world-class facilities. Experience the preparation you need for your career or graduate school. Cedarville music graduates serve as teachers, composers, studio musicians, and more. Pursue your passion while worshipping the Master Composer at Cedarville University.

Why Study Music Performance at Cedarville?

Performance Program Highlights

Specialized

You will choose an instrumental, piano, or vocal concentration.

Expert Faculty

Faculty members will provide you with the highest level of studio instruction and mentoring.

Excellent Preparation

You will be equipped with general knowledge of the music literature in your performance area.

Selective (audition required)

You will be accepted into the music program — and be eligible for a department scholarship — based on a successful audition with music faculty.

What Can You Do With a Music Performance Degree?

Most of our performance majors pursue to graduate education after Cedarville. Their graduate school placement is exemplary with recent; performance majors being offered admission — often with paid assistantships — to prestigious schools such as:

Carnegie Mellon
Cleveland Institute of Music
Notre Dame
University of Oklahoma

Opportunities to Learn Outside the Classroom

You will have many opportunities to use and develop your gifts within the Department of Music and Worship. You can choose from choral, instrumental, chamber, and worship ensembles with performance opportunities both on and off campus.

Accompanying ensembles, singers, and instrumentalists
General recitals
Instrumental and chamber ensembles
Masterclasses with guest artists
Solo recitals

Students playing in the orchestra

Cedarville University offers music scholarships of up to $6,000 per year for students majoring in music. You can combine your music scholarship with Cedarville’s other generous academic and need-based scholarships.

Chapel band

Cedarville students will escort award winners on stage and to press briefings.

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We’re proud of our successful graduates! 100% of 2018 graduates from the Department of Music and Worship were employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. Check out Cedarville's other placement rates.

Cedarville's Placement Rates »

Dr. Diane Merchant speaking with student actors.

Fall play will run from October 3-13 in the DeVries Theatre.

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Students sitting at a picnic table next to Cedar Lake

Cedarville places second nationally for student engagement.

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Heartsong band performing "A Mighty Fortress is Our God"

Arrangement by 2014 alumnus Grant McCurdy is popular worldwide.

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Hymn Sing 2018

Participants will worship in song through the traditional church calendar.

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Program Faculty

Photo of John Mortensen

Professor of Music

Photo of Beth Porter

Chair, Associate Professor of Vocal Music

Department of Music and Worship

Performance Program Curriculum

Building on your general education liberal arts and Bible minor courses, you will experience four years of intensive, one-on-one private lessons with a professor and take courses in chamber music and the literature of your instrument.

Sample courses:

Introduction to Music Literature
Music Philosophy and Aesthetics

View Curriculum Plan and Catalog