Welcome! We are your source for music department concerts, recitals, tours, recordings and other activity.
Visit our university on the web to learn more about Bethel University.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT on the web:
http://cas.bethel.edu/academics/departments/music/
MUSIC RECORDINGS at the online music store:
https://epay.bethel.edu/C20433_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=13&SINGLESTORE=true
Bethel University has a clear mission: boldly informed and motivated by the Christian faith, Bethel educates and energizes men and women for leadership, scholarship, and service. Bethel prepares graduates to serve in strategic capacities to renew minds, live out biblical truth, transform culture, and advance the gospel.
This mission lays the foundation for our vision: educationally excellent, globally engaged, equipping graduates to make exceptional contributions in life-long service to God and the world.
The Department of Music prepares graduates who are talented musicians in tune with the creativity of our Maker. With each lecture, lesson, and performance, you’ll be challenged to grow in your abilities and prepare for a lifetime of sharing the gift of music.
In the music department at Bethel, we've developed majors and minors that allow students to sharpen their individual skills and follow their passions. We think that there's no better preparation for a career in music than working with peers in ensembles, meeting one-on-one with professors to fine-tune technical skills, or stepping onto the platform for competition. After all the private lessons, long hours in practice rooms, and dress rehearsals, students in the music program leave ready for a lifetime of sharing the gift of music. It's about taking our faith in Christ and integrating it into everything we learn, into everything we do, so we can accomplish incredible things—in our careers, in our communities, and in our world.
Program Highlights
Renowned performance facilities
Bethel's 1,700-seat Benson Great Hall, one of the finest concert halls in the Upper Midwest, attracts local and national performers to aid in your growth as a musician.
National and international tours
Major music ensembles tour within the U.S. every year and internationally once every 4 years, giving you the opportunity to share God's love and inspire others through performance.
Multi-disciplinary preparation
Because we're a liberal arts institution, you'll interact with a variety of disciplines, which prepares you for a multitude of careers. And with nearly 400 university students involved in ensembles, your experiences will be rich and diverse.
Talented faculty
Music professors are passionate, innovative teachers, as well as talented musicians in their own right. With 7 full-time and 26 part-time professors, the broad range of musical disciplines is represented. From private lessons to music theory classes, honoring God with our talents and discipline is at the core of what we do.
Excellent career placement
Nearly all of our recent music education grads who actively seek teaching positions have been placed in jobs throughout Minnesota and the nation.
Private lessons
Private lessons in voice and a variety of instruments are available to music and non-music majors alike.
Music competitions
We sponsor 2 student competitions each year—the fall semester Performance Prize and the spring Concert-Aria competition—offering you top-level performance preparation and scholarship opportunities.
Performance opportunities
Bethel provides extensive opportunity for all students—music majors and non-majors alike—in both large and small ensembles, including:
• Bethel Choir
• Chamber Orchestra
• Philharmonic Orchestra
• Wind Symphony
• Women’s Chorale
• Male Chorus
• Jazz Bands (2)
• Vocal Jazz Ensemble
• Handbell Ensemble
• Chamber Choir
• String, piano, and wind chamber groups
In addition to their individual local and tour performances, these groups perform together in Bethel’s annual Festival of Christmas, Jazz in the Great Hall, and Spring Music Festival concerts.
